• Rodrigo Canales: The deadly genius of drug cartels

    TED Talks (US)
    Monday, November 4, 2013

    FamiliaMichoacanaUp to 100,000 people died in drug-related violence in Mexico in the last 6 years. We might think this has nothing to do with us, but in fact we are all complicit, says Yale professor Rodrigo Canales in this unflinching talk that turns conventional wisdom about drug cartels on its head. The carnage is not about faceless, ignorant goons mindlessly killing each other but is rather the result of some seriously sophisticated brand management. More info on Mexico.

    Watch the video

  • The US incapacity to enforce federal drug laws - and the global consequences

    Francisco Thoumi
    Open Democracy (US)
    Friday, November 1, 2013

    obama-yes-we-cannabisThe US drug policy is changing, pitting states against federal law. This essay explores this inner friction of contradictory drug legislation, and what it may mean for the international drug control regime, itself a result of US drug policy. (4,400 words)

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  • Drug rooms: Admirers eye Copenhagen model

    The drug rooms offer a clean and safe environment for addicts
    BBC News (UK)
    Wednesday, October 30, 2013

    As a senior police official in northern England calls for safe rooms for the injection of hard drugs, attention has focused on similar projects around Europe. They point to an experiment in Copenhagen, which Danish police say has saved lives and helped clean up drug-ridden districts. Addicts bring their own drugs, which remain illegal in Denmark, but police in this neighbourhood, Vesterbro, no longer prosecute them for possession.

  • Greener marijuana: can a budding industry grow sustainable agriculture?

    As the cannabis industry comes out of the shadows, could legalization foster new transparency – and technology?
    The Guardian (UK)
    Wednesday, October 30, 2013

    The growing societal acceptance of cannabis in the U.S. has sparked what some call a "green rush" of people trying to cash in on what is already a multi-billion-dollar business. And as the marijuana industry comes out of the shadows, its producers, consumers and advocates are pushing for more transparency – both about cannabis' alleged medical benefits and its environmental impacts.

  • Gov't actively looking into reforming ganja law

    Jamaica Observer
    Monday, October 28, 2013

    Justice Minister Mark Golding has said consideration is being given to reforming the law relating to ganja in Jamaica to allow its use, but within certain parameters. Those boundaries include possession of marijuana for medical use, scientific research, religious purposes, and possession of small amounts of ganja (that is amounts of up to two ounces) for recreational use. It is also considering permitting the smoking of ganja in private places.

  • Weed: Decriminalise to stabilise

    Jamaica's judicial and law-enforcement departments will benefit from a reform of the government's stance on marijuana cultivation, sale and possession
    The Gleaner (Jamaica)
    Sunday, October 27, 2013

    Jamaica's current volatile security environment and its economic malaise are reasons enough to seriously consider joining their Latin American counterparts to debate a raft of new policy options, not only in rhetoric, but also through public policy. Our prison conditions and local magistrate courts are bursting at their seams from inmate overcrowding and case overloads for marijuana possession that amount to miniscule consumption levels.

  • Justify the weed - Justice minister to make constitutional case for revising ganja law

    The Gleaner (Jamaica)
    Saturday, October 26, 2013

    mark-goldingWith Jamaica's Ministry of Justice positioning itself to seek approval from Cabinet for the decriminalisation of marijuana, the justice minister Mark Golding said the country is to advance constitutional justification to its international partners for the revision of the law. Golding said the revised law would permit the possession of small amounts of ganja, about two ounces, for recreational use. The House of Representatives gave the nod to a motion calling for the decriminalisation of ganja.

  • Few problems with cannabis for California

    The New York Times (US)
    Saturday, October 26, 2013

    marijuana-safer-alcoholAt a time when polls show widening public support for legalization California’s 17-year experience as the first state to legalize medical marijuana offers surprising lessons, experts say. Warnings voiced against partial legalization — of civic disorder, increased lawlessness and a drastic rise in other drug use — have proved unfounded, according to a broad study on the ramifications of legalizing recreational marijuana.

  • Growers celebrate as Uruguay prepares to legalize marijuana cultivation, distribution

    The Washington Post (US)
    Thursday, October 24, 2013

    Pot connoisseurs of the world take note: Uruguay is about to go where no country has gone before by legalizing the cultivation and distribution of marijuana, with the left-of-center government regulating all facets of the trade. Under a bill approved by the lower house of the General Assembly and facing a Senate vote in weeks, Uruguayans will be able to grow up to six plants in their homes. Cooperatives of up to 45 members will be able to cultivate up to 99 plants for their own use.

  • "Think cannabis is harmless?" No. Does anyone?

    But what about propagating drug hysteria? Is that harmless?
    Fiona Measham, David Nutt & Josh Hulbert
    Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs (UK)
    Thursday, October 24, 2013

    cannabinoidsCannabis is associated with psychosis (a symptom) and schizophrenia (an illness where this symptom is persistent) in complex, contradictory and mysterious ways. The evidence does demonstrate various links that we all should all be aware of, especially cannabis users and parents. However, the evidence does not support anything like the level of fear propagated in the media.

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