AlterNet.org: DrugReporter

Will Frustrated Moms and Cops End the Drug War?

Neill Franklin, Gretchen Burns Bergman, Huffington Post — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:00:01 PST

It will be moms who come to rescue their children from the deadly grip of prohibition, and police against the drug war are eagerly ready to support them in this quest.

The 10 Most Seductive Drugs -- And Their Fascinating History

Jacqueline Detwiler, The Fix — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:00:01 PST

A brief journey through time, from ancient Sumeria to modern New Jersey, uncovers the mysterious origins of the world's most beloved substances.

Why is the Obama Administration Suddenly Fixated on Stomping out Medical Pot?

Paul Armentano, AlterNet — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:00:01 PST

At the same time public support for marijuana legalization reached record highs, Obama shifted from one time medicinal cannabis sympathizer to White House weed-whacker.

Colorado 'Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol' Campaign Was Short on Signatures, But...

Phillip Smith, Drug War Chronicle — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:00:01 PST

The campaign was found to have an unusually high number of invalid signatures, and now has 15 days to collect enough valid signatures to cover the shortfall.

African American Leader Offers Profoundly Emotional Account of Her Personal Journey to Make the End of the Drug War on Minorities Her Priority

Alice Huffman, AlterNet — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:00:01 PST

As we reflect on the great milestones the black community has reached, we cannot forget the drug war that continues to hold many back.

How the NYPD's Ongoing Petty Pot Arrest Crusade Hurts the Black and Latino Community

Gabriel Sayegh, AlterNet — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:00:01 PST

Since Mayor Bloomberg became mayor a decade ago, the NYPD has arrested nearly 350,000 young Black and Latino for low-level marijuana possession.

Amend the State Constitution, Legalize Pot? How Advocates in Montana are Sticking it to the Feds and Local Republicans

Phillip Smith, Drug War Chronicle — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:00:01 PST

Provoked by federal raids and Republican attempts to eradicate medical pot, activists are rolling out a campaign for a constitutional amendment to legalize pot in Big Sky County.

The NYPD Commissioner Told Cops to Follow the Law -- So Why Did Illegal, Racist Pot Arrests Continue to Increase?

Paul Armentano, NORML — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:00:01 PST

Even after the Commissioner told cops to follow the books on pot charges, small time weed arrests continued, breaking records for the past decade.

Important New Research Shows It's Retaliation -- Not Drugs -- Driving Gang-Related Violence

Phillip Smith, Drug War Chronicle — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:00:01 PST

The popular image of street gang violence in the US as being "drug-related" is largely mistaken, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a new report.

Why is Obama So Chicken, Unwilling to Even Address the Question of Pot and the Failed Drug War?

Erik Altieri, AlterNet — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:00:01 PST

Pot policy questions were front-and-center in the White House's "Your Interview With the President" YouTube campaign, but Obama refused to acknowledge them.

The Future of Pot: Is Legalization Around the Corner In Colorado and Washington?

Steven Wishnia, AlterNet — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:01 PST

While Americans are becoming increasingly aware of prohibition's consequences, the legalization movement still has many obstacles to overcome.

A Colossal Failure: Sundance Award-Winning Film Sheds New Light on Destructive Drug War

Amy Goodman, Democracy Now! — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:00:01 PST

Amy Goodman interviews the Director of "The House I Live In" to explore the horrific failures of drug war, as well as the argument for a public health approach.

The Dangerous Panic Over Painkillers

Maia Szalavitz, The Fix — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:00:01 PST

The media trumpets a crisis in Rx painkiller addiction, but only 1% of patients get hooked. The result? Doctors treat patients like addicts, while addicts escape responsibility.

California Supreme Court Could Make Game-Changing Decision on Marijuana Policy

Tamar Todd, AlterNet — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:00:01 PST

The court granted review for two rulings that dealt major blows to the medical pot industry, and has the opportunity to lay the foundation for future regulation.

Can a Strong Coalition of Pot Activists Define Medical Marijuana Regulation -- And Avoid the Feds?

Phillip Smith, Drug War Chronicle — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:00:01 PST

A coalition of advocates has filed a statewide medical marijuana regulation initiative aimed at ending the years-long confusion over what is and what is not allowed.

Do Harsh Pot Laws Create a Dangerous Drinking Culture? 5 Reasons to Get Stoned Instead of Drunk

Kristen Gwynne, AlterNet — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:00:01 PST

Myths about marijuana convince people that alcohol is safer, but science shows pot is the healthier choice.

Laughing at Pot Advocates? What's so Funny About Drug War?

Scott Morgan, Stop the Drug War's Speakeasy Blog — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:00:01 PST

Despite progress in the mainstream, there is a tragic tendency among the press to burst out laughing at the idea of fixing our disastrous drug laws.

Where do the GOP Candidates Stand on Drug Policy? Why Now is the Time to Know

Ryan Devereaux, The Guardian — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:00:01 PST

The battle for the Republican nomination has moved to Florida, which also happens to be a key battleground in an entirely different fight: the $15bn war on drugs.

Anonymous Cop Explains Why Police Aren't More Critical of Drug War: "We Are Trained From Day One to Detach Ourselves, to Simply Enforce the Law"

<a></a> Anonymous, AlterNet — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:00:01 PST

An anonymous police officer writes how things like ego, economic concerns, and denial prevent cops from speaking out against the drug war.

Outrunning Addiction: When Exercise Becomes the Problem

Jennifer Matesa, The Fix — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:00:01 PST

Can athletics be misused like drugs?