decriminalization

U.S. Support for Legalizing Marijuana Reaches New High

jeremiah — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:58:44 -0700

Gallup's October Crime poll finds 44% of Americans in favor of making marijuana legal and 54% opposed. U.S. public support for legalizing marijuana was fixed in the 25% range from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s, but acceptance jumped to 31% in 2000 and has continued to grow throughout this decade.

DESCRIMinalization: Decrim Myths, Decrim Facts

jeremiah — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:36:06 -0700

Click illustration to enlarge.CANNABIS CULTURE – Is marijuana decriminalization a step in the right direction or a crafty trick to widen the net of the Drug Warriors?

'Mucha Chala' in Argentina

jeremiah — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:05:08 -0700

Last year, Cannabis Culture reported that Argentina's Supreme Court was on the verge of handing down a decision that would decriminalize small amounts of all drugs for personal use.

Boston Freedom Rally: 30,000 Smoke Pot, Celebrate Decrim

jeremiah — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:20:12 -0700

An estimated 30,000 people were crowded onto the Boston Common at the peak moment of the 20th annual Boston Freedom Rally on September 19th 2009.

That moment was 4:20PM ET.

The Main Problem With Mexican-Style Decriminalization: It Doesn't Go Far Enough

jeremiah — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:11:13 -0700

The range of opinion reflected in an online New York Times debate about the impact of Mexico's new drug law is revealing: Only two out of five participants are mainly critical of the change, which eliminates criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of illegal drugs, and one of them, former Mexican Foreign Minister Jorge Castaneda, objects because he thinks the "decriminalization" is a crackdown in disguise:

Latin Americans Ready to Ditch US 'War on Drugs'

jeremiah — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:19:34 -0700

Amid a growing Latin American backlash against the US-sponsored 'war on drugs', some South American states are preparing to decriminalize drugs.

Following a landmark report published by the Latin American Commission on Drugs and Democracy earlier in the year, many Latin American states are calling for a departure from the "war" which was first declared by the Nixon administration in the late 1960's

Denver May Lower Fine for Marijuana Possession to $1

jeremiah — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:52:04 -0700

The Denver Marijuana Policy Review Panel recommended today that the fine for marijuana possession be set at $1. If Denver's presiding judge accepts the recommendation, the $1 fine would be the lowest fine for marijuana possession in the entire nation.

New York City's Massive Marijuana Arrests

jeremiah — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:23:24 -0700

New York City remains the marijuana arrest capital of the world, according to an upcoming report by Queens College Professor Harry Levine. In 1993, there were only 900 arrests for possession of small amounts of marijuana, while 40,000 people were arrested in 2008--mostly young Black and Latino men. Dr. Levine calls this a "marijuana arrest crusade." What's going on here?

Argentina Decriminalizes Marijuana

Loretta Nall — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:17:10 -0700

This is the third Latin American country to see the light this year. Brazil was first, followed by Mexico and now Argentina.

Argentina Court Ruling Allows for Personal Possession

They keep this up and they just may see white people streaming across the other way at the border. I doubt they would build walls to keep us out either.

Legalization The Only Way To Win Drug War

jeremiah — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:49:46 -0700

Mexico has decriminalized personal drug use, but the violence of cartels will not end until all drugs are legalized and regulated.The news last weekend that Mexico has moved quietly to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana and other currently illegal drugs has clearly been a hit with Metro Vancouver drug users.

Argentina Court Ruling Allows Pot Use

jeremiah — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:58:51 -0700

The Argentina Supreme Court ruled Tuesday it is unconstitutional to punish an adult for private use of marijuana as long as it doesn't harm anyone else.

Argentina becomes the second Latin American country in the past four days to allow personal use of a formerly illegal drug.

The seven-member Argentina Supreme Court decision was unanimous, the court's Web site said.

The case in question involved five young men who were arrested for having a few marijuana cigarettes in their pockets.

The Epidemic of Pot Arrests in New York

jeremiah — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:26:27 -0700

There are two things that need to be understood about marijuana arrests in New York City.

There’s Nothing That Can Happen

Kirk Tousaw — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:02:55 -0700

6 months ago Massachusetts decriminalized cannabis possession, imposing a $100 fine/citation instead of criminal penalties. Now it appears that police are almost ready to give up issuing the citations because people are simply refusing to pay.

Pot law leaves cops high & dry - BostonHerald.com

Former Governor Says Problem With Marijuana is Prohibition

jeremiah — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:36:41 -0700

Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson thinks the biggest problem with marijuana is that it is illegal.CANNABIS CULTURE - Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson thinks the biggest problem with marijuana is that it's illegal.

Appearing on Fox News, the libertarian-minded Republican said outright that marijuana should be legalized and that prohibition is the real problem.

UN Office of Drugs and Crime Calls for Decriminalization

jeremiah — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:21:36 -0700

The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime released a report yesterday calling for the decriminalization of casual and addict drug use and personal cannabis production.

UN Backs Drug Decriminalization In World Drug Report

jeremiah — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:53:58 -0700

In an about face, the United Nations on Wednesday lavishly praised drug decriminalization in its annual report on the state of global drug policy.

In previous years, the UN drug czar had expressed skepticism about Portugal's decriminalization, which removed criminal penalties in 2001 for personal drug possession and emphasized treatment over incarceration. The UN had suggested the policy was in violation of international drug treaties and would encourage "drug tourism."

Mexico Moves Quietly To Decriminalize Minor Drug Use

jeremiah — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:50:55 -0700

Mexican federal police have been fighting a continuous bloody war against drug cartels.Reporting from Mexico City -- Could Mexican cities become Latin Amsterdams, flooded by drug users seeking penalty-free tokes and toots?

That is the fear, if somewhat overstated, of some Mexican officials, especially in northern border states that serve as a mecca for underage drinkers from the United States.

Lawmakers Call For An End To Federal Marijuana Prosecutions

jeremiah — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:03:21 -0700

Washington, DC: Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank, along with co-sponsors Ron Paul (R-TX); Maurice Hinchey (D-NY); Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA); and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), will reintroduce legislation today to limit the federal government’s authority to arrest and prosecute minor marijuana offenders.

MP Keith Martin: Decriminalize Simple Possession of Pot

jeremiah — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:31:35 -0700

Dr. Keith Martin is a Member of Parliament, Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca, for the Liberal Party of Canada.The lethal gun battles on the streets of Vancouver, the astounding number of murders in Mexico, and the insurgency that continues to grow in Afghanistan (which results in our soldiers being killed) all have one thing in common: the trafficking of illegal drugs.

Mexico Decriminalization Bill Passes: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back?

jeremiah — Fri, 08 May 2009 10:57:19 -0700

Discussion growing: Feb. '09 drug policy forum held by Mexico's Grupo Parlamentario Alternativa (grupoparlamentarioalternativa.org.mx/node/227)Late last week, both houses of the Mexican Congress approved a bill that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of drugs.

The measure is part of a broader bill aimed at small-scale drug dealing and rationalizing Mexico's struggle against violent drug trafficking organizations.

Mexico Senate OKs Bill To Legalize Drug Possession

jeremiah — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:56:40 -0700

Mexico's Senate approved a bill on Tuesday decriminalizing possession of small amounts of narcotics for personal use, in order to free resources to fight violent drug cartels.

The bill, proposed by conservative President Felipe Calderon, would make it legal to carry up to 5 grams (0.18 ounces) of marijuana, 500 milligrams (0.018 ounces) of cocaine and tiny quantities of other drugs such as heroin and methamphetamines.

Mexico's Congress Hosts Forum on Marijuana Regulation, Decriminalization

jeremiah — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:59:34 -0700

While Mexican President Felipe Calderon has proposed legislation that would offer pot smokers treatment instead of jail, Calderon and his ruling conservative National Action Party (PAN) have stopped short of calling for legalization or decriminalization.The Mexican Congress held a lively three-day debate on decriminalizing marijuana.

Change Is In The Wind For The Decriminalization Of Marijuana Possession

jeremiah — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:57:19 -0700

Liberal MP Keith Martin, who introduced a private member's bill last week, rightly maintains that 'the war on drugs has been a complete failure'

If Vancouver has the equivalent of a public square, it's the fountain outside the old Vancouver Art Gallery downtown, where last week, I smelled an unmistakable aroma coming from the vicinity of two young men rolling white filter papers.

Pot. Right out there in the open -- in full view of, well, everybody.

Ron Paul and Barney Frank Talk About Marijuana and Hemp

jeremiah — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:57:33 -0700

CANNABIS CULTURE - American Congressmen Ron Paul and Barney Frank, who have co-sponsored several recent pro-marijuana and hemp bills, appeared on Active Voice Radio to discuss medical marijuana, hemp, decriminalization, and President Obama's recent comments on legalization.

A Medical Marijuana Face-Off In Florida

jeremiah — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:21:23 -0700

Bob and Cathy Jordan of Parrish. Cathy has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. She says marijuana relieves muscle spasms and boosts her appetite.Floridians could vote for the first time next year to allow marijuana for medical use. A petition drive, started last week by an Orlando woman whose father has Parkinson's disease, would make the drug legal for any condition as prescribed by a doctor.