-
Nick Clegg and David Cameron clash over drug law reforms
Deputy prime minister says politicians know 'war on drugs' is failing and prime minister must show courage over issue
The Guardian (UK)
Friday, December 14, 2012
Divisions between David Cameron and Nick Clegg over Britain's "war on drugs" emerged on Friday after the Liberal Democrat leader said that current policy was not working and accused politicians of "a conspiracy of silence". He said Cameron should have the courage to look at issues such as decriminalisation or legalisation of drugs. (See also: Nick Clegg calls for royal commission on drugs reform) -
Colorado pot legalization: 30 questions (and answers)
The Denver Post (US)
Thursday, December 13, 2012
The passage and governor's proclamation of Amendment 64 on Monday, which makes Colorado one of the first two states to legalize limited possession and sales of marijuana, has prompted a flood of questions about what happens now. Herewith, some answers. The state has to have regulations for recreational marijuana stores in place by July 1 and has to start issuing licenses for the business by Jan. 1, 2014. -
Outrageous HSBC settlement proves the drug war is a joke
Rolling Stone (US)
Thursday, December 13, 2012
A settlement deal with the British banking giant HSBC is the ultimate insult to every ordinary person who's ever had his life altered by a narcotics charge. Despite the fact that HSBC admitted to laundering billions of dollars for Colombian and Mexican drug cartels (among others) and violating a host of important banking laws (from the Bank Secrecy Act to the Trading With the Enemy Act), the Justice Department elected not to pursue criminal prosecutions of the bank, opting instead for a "record" financial settlement of $1.9 billion, which as one analyst noted is about five weeks of income for the bank. -
Patrick Leahy floats legalizing marijuana possession at Federal level for pro-pot States
The Huffington Post (US web)
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) reached out to Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, in an effort to find out how the federal government intends to deal with states like Colorado and Washington that have recently legalized marijuana possession. In addition to seeking clarity about the administration's plans, Leahy also offered a solution to allow the government to extricate itself from the situation of having to enforce federal laws that consider marijuana to be an illegal substance. -
Poll: Keep feds out of state pot laws
Politico (US web)
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Most Americans want the federal government to stop enforcing anti-marijuana laws in Colorado and Washington state, according to a Gallup Poll. Sixty-four percent do not want the federal government to enforce its anti-marijuana laws in those states, compared to only 34 percent who do. Among those who believe marijuana use should be legal, a whopping 87 percent said the federal government should back off. But even among those who oppose marijuana legalization, 43 percent don’t want the federal government to get involved. -
Former president Jimmy Carter OK with legalizing marijuana
Politico (US web)
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Former President Jimmy Carter said he is in favor of legalizing marijuana during a public panel that CNN aired Tuesday. “I’m in favor of it. I think it’s OK,” Carter said. “I don’t think it’s going to happen in Georgia yet, but I think we can watch and see what happens in the state of Washington for instance around Seattle and let the American government and let the American people see does it cause a serious problem or not.” -
Amsterdam to impose ban on smoking cannabis on school property
Dutch city becomes first in the Netherlands to forbid use of drug in playgrounds and schools under a public nuisance ordinance
The Guardian (UK)
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Amsterdam's mayor said he would formally ban students from smoking cannabis at school, making the city in the Netherlands the first to do so. Eberhard van der Laan's introduction of a law is the result of the country's drug policy. Under the "tolerance" principle, cannabis is technically illegal in the Netherlands, but police cannot prosecute for possession of small amounts of the drug. -
Plenty of smoke clouds the future of legalized pot in Washington
Entrepreneurs and regulators struggle with how to make Washington's marijuana law work – and pass federal muster
The Los Angeles Times (US)
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
The law setting up the US's first legal regulatory system for retail pot won't allow sales until next year. And the federal government still considers marijuana illegal. Then there are the taxation provisions: Can legal retailers compete with the black market when they have to payover 25% in taxes? What about the provision that says marijuana shops can't stock anything but pot and pot supplies? -
Study: marijuana a susbstitute for prescription drugs and alcohol
Metro (Canada)
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Research being conducted by a former Victoria city councillor is poking holes in marijuana’s reputation as a gateway drug. According to an academic paper authored by Philippe Lucas, marijuana may be an effective substitute for prescription drugs or alcohol, similar to the way methadone is used to treat heroin addicts. “The evidence suggests that cannabis is a potential exit drug for addiction,” Lucas said. -
Marijuana legalization low-key by design in Colo.
Colorado gave a lonely reception to marijuana when it became the second state to legalize the drug. Just as state officials planned
The Seattle Times (US)
Monday, December 10, 2012
Gov. John Hickenlooper on Monday quietly removed the final barrier to legalization by declaring that an amendment passed by voters in November was officially part of the state constitution. He announced the move on Twitter and email after the fact. In response, a handful of marijuana activists celebrated by toking up on the Capitol steps, but there were no crowds and little fanfare.
Page 388 of 471
