Trippin

This week in San Jose a conference is convening to discuss the the potential for certain psychedelic substances to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD. Apparently, a number of studies have had positive results, though they are regarded as only "preliminary".

Let's just hope they aren't indoctrinating the children to be Commie acid-heads.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/science/12psychedelics.html

The Number of Black Drug Offenders in Prison on The Decline

Interesting and somewhat surprising numbers from the Sentencing Project today, as reported by the Washington Post. The number of blacks incarcerated for drug offenses has decline rather sharply by over 30,000 between 1999 and 2005. The number of whites incarcerated for drug offenses has actually increased by over 20,000. However, the white increase is twice as significant, in terms of percentage, as the black decrease. The reason the numbers are from a few years ago is that 2005 was the last time the Federal Bureau of Prisons produced prison populations numbers broken down by race.

The Sentencing Project hypothesizes two reasons for the changes. One, an increase in use of alternative sentences such as drug courts. Two, an increased focus on Meth, a drug disproportionately used by whites. Nonetheless, the numbers seem to indicate that drug courts are working and hopefully this will result in an even greater increase in their use and further shift away from locking addicts away for a few years only to release them untreated back into the population to continue their cycle.

The Smugness Continues

The Press Secretary tries to pretend to be serious. It's too bad they don't see this as a serious issue.

via huffpo

Obama Gets Smug

Obama's response to a question about legalizing marijuana in an attempt to help out the economy was kind of sad. He could have gave the same answer with out being so smug and dismissive. I understand he has to respond this way politically but his flip response providing no real rationalization is unfortunate.

The Economist On Legalizing Weed

The Economist magazine speaks out in favor of legalization, more and more of that these days.

Supreme Court Hears Drug Case

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in a case in which a criminal defendant was arrested for buying cocaine using a cell phone. The purchase itself would only have been a misdemeanor. However, since he used a cell phone to make a purchase the government is attempting to use a law that,

prohibits the use of a communication facility in causing or facilitating the commission of any act constituting a felony under the Controlled Substances Act...

to convict the defendant of a felony. Although the purchase would be a misdemeanor, the sale and distribution is a felony. Therefore, (according to the government) the defendant's phone is the "communication facility" from the law quoted above and now he is a felon.

I'm sure what this person needs is to be convicted of a felony and have his prospects for a decent life completely ruined. It would be awful if he got off with a misdemeanor and maybe some drug treatment if he needed it. Nah, lets throw him in jail and turn him into a convicted felon. I just hope the Supreme Court makes the moral decision here.

Legalizing Weed to Help the Economy

I keep seeing stories about legalizing marijuana as a way to help the economy, you know, by taxing the weed. It seems like a good idea to me, I mean, I don't think it will work but at least it forces the idea of legalization into the semi-mainstream media. A number of politicians have proposed legalizing pot as a way to raise money for their states. Of course, marijuana is illegal under Federal law so any legalization in individual states would likely result in some dicey law enforcement scenarios.

According to the state of California's tax collector a $50 tax on retailers on an ounce could result in $1 billion in tax revenue for the state and that doesn't take into account a sales tax on buyers which could result in hundreds of millions more in revenue. Plus, think of the money saved on investing, busting, and putting small time dealers and users in jail.

This Is Real Life

via F'd in Park Slope

Kid goes through the full experience in two minutes...and check it out, Florida Gators shirt...

Drug Addicted Prisoners Not Getting the Treatment They Need

How do you stop a drug addicted convict from coming back to prison after his or her release?

1. Treat their drug addiction.

2. Do not treat their drug addiction.

The answer should be, treat them. Unfortunately, less than 20 percent of the time inmates are not getting the treatment they need. The number comes from the most recent report of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Add this to the fact that about half of all inmates are dependent on drugs and you have a big chunk of prisoners, most of whom will someday be released, who have not been treated for their dependency which, in many cases, lead to the incarceration in the first place.

The results? More drug abuse, more crime, more prisoners, more prisons and on an on.

More Drug War Idiocy

This story is more than a week old now but its pretty unbelievable and telling about the war on drugs. The mayor of a small town in Maryland had a package addressed to him containing a large amount of marijuana. The package was intercepted by authorities and was delivered to the mayor's house by an undercover agent. The package was left on the doorstep while the agents waited. The package was eventually brought into the house by the mayor. The house was then stormed by police, weapons drawned. The mayor's two yellow labs were shot and killed, one was apparently running away from the officers after seeing the other one shot.

Well, guess what? The dust has no settled and the Mayor did nothing wrong! It turns out it is a fairly common technique used by drug dealers to send a package full of drugs to an innocent person and then intercept the package somewhere along the delivery route.

So, there's your drug war. Terrorizing people and killing their dogs. All for a little (ok a lot) weed.

Also, yellow labs are no threat to anyone. Unless you have a little snack in your pocket and you have trouble standing or walking, then they might knock your ass over.

Medical Marijuana and Senator Obama...and Morons

About ten days ago Senator Obama stated his views on medical marijuana. Responding to a question about federal raids on state run medical marijuana facilities Obama stated that he would end the raids because,

I think our federal agents have better things to do, like catching criminals and preventing terrorism. The way I want to approach the issue of medical marijuana is to base it on science, and if there is sound science that supports the use of medical marijuana and if it is controlled and prescribed in a way that other medicine is prescribed, then it's something that I think we should consider. (link)

I think that is a pretty measured response but it at least demonstrates a willingness to look at the issue rationally.

On the other hand, a group not necessarily know for the rational thought, the Republican National Committee, put out this statement,

Barack Obama’s pledge to stop Executive agencies from implementing laws passed by Congress raises serious doubts about his understanding of what the job of the President of the United States actually is. His refusal to enforce the law reveals that Barack Obama doesn’t have the experience necessary to do the job of President, or that he fundamentally lacks the judgment to carry out the most basic functions of the Executive Branch. What other laws would Barack Obama direct federal agents not to enforce? (link)

Rep. Barney Frank to Introduce Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana

U.S Congressman Barney Frank said on Real Time with Bill Maher this weekend that he would soon be introducing a bill in the House of Representatives to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. It is unlikely the bill will ever come up for a vote and I can only think of a handful of Representatives that would even consider voting for such a bill. Still, the attempt is pretty valiant and occasional attempts will only make the path easier for future legislatures who actually think it is wise to listen to the will of the people.

Marijuana Vending Machine

According to CNN, Herbal Nutrition Center out in Santa Monica, CA will be placing a vending machine in their dispensary that will include "anti-depressants to pain medications to Viagra to medicinal marijuana".  Patients need only visit the dispensary during business hours to show their prescriptions, choose their ganja, get fingerprinted, and set themselves up with credentialed after-hours access cards. It's intended to make purchasing cannabis "safer, more convenient, and less expensive." Sounds good to us.  We're just glad to hear that there are more convenient ways to obtain a medicine that does an excellent job without the ridiculous side effects that seem to be worse than the actual ailment you're taking the drugs for in the first place. You know, since growing your own bud legally is not as convenient as it seems.

California Court Upholds Employer's Right to Fire Medical Marijuana Users

The Supreme Court of California recently upheld the decision of lower courts in the case of Ross v. Ragingwire Telecommunications, Inc. that an employer can fire a employee who tests positive for marijuana use despite that employees doctor prescribed and legal use. The court "reasoned" that the employer was not discriminating against the employees condition or use of medication. The court basically took an easy way out saying that it would not extend the states medical marijuana laws to cover employment discrimination.

The dissenting opinion in the decision is strong and well reasoned. Here is a portion,

“In a decision conspicuously lacking in compassion, however, the majority [decision] holds that an employer may fire an employee for such marijuana use, even when it occurs during off-duty hours, does not affect the employee’s job performance, does not impair the employer’s legitimate business interests, and provides the only effective relief for the employee’s chronic pain and muscle spasms.”

The dissent also goes on to talk about how Californians who face drug testing prior to or during employment now face the choice between continuing essential treatment or giving a job that accounts for that persons source of income.

The Drug Policy Alliance has much more.

Portland Oregon to Vote to Legalize Marijuana

Signatures are now being collected to get "Measure 8" on the ballot in Portland, Oregon. Measure 8 would make it legal for adults over the age of 21 to possess less than one ounce of marijuana, in other words an amount for personal use. In Portland possession of up to an ounce is a misdemeanor. Only 27, 255 signatures are needed by July 7th of 2008. The measure would then go up for a vote and in a town like Portland it is bound to pass.

It is unclear how the state will handle the situation. Possession will still be a crime in Oregon State and therefore residents of Portland could still be arrested under state laws, not to mention federal laws.

This marks another step along the slow path towards legalization of marijuana nationwide. It will take a while, at least another generation. As cities and eventually states adopt these decriminalization efforts, the resources saved (decreased law enforcement, judicial proceedings, and corrections) by allowing the personal and responsible use of marijuana, will generate a domino effect that could take hold and the silly public perception of Reefer Madness should fall by the way-side.

Thanks to Jay who once again shows that if this blog was producing any cash he would be entitled to about 10%.

The Failed War on Drugs: Federal Sentencing Guidelines

One of the most complained about aspects of the "War on Drugs" by those who oppose the war and it's methods are the racist Federal Sentencing Guidelines for crack cocaine convictions and powder cocaine convictions. The problem with the guidelines is the disparity between the sentences for the two crimes. Convictions for crack cocaine carry much longer prison sentences than those for powder cocaine relative to the amount of cocaine in question. For example,

Trafficking in 5 grams of crack cocaine carries a mandatory five-year prison sentence, but it takes 500 grams of cocaine powder to warrant the same sentence. link

The reason for these guidlines was, supposedly, to reduce violent crime stemming from the use of crack cocaine.

A case that went before the Supreme Court today addresses the issue of whether or not Federal Judges have to strictly follow the sentencing guidelines. In the specific case argued before the Court today, Kimbrough v. United States, a Federal Judge had sentenced a convicted crack and powder cocaine dealer to 15 years in prison instead of the mandated 19-22 years imposed by the guidelines. The sentence was appealed and the case was remanded by an appeals court for a new sentencing. That order was then appealed and is now before the Supreme Court.

The net result of the sentencing guideline's unequal treatment of crack and powder cocaine dealers is that more black men end up serving more time in prison. Someone selling a small amount of crack cocaine faces much more prison time than someone selling small amounts of powder cocaine.

The "War on Drugs" Harms the Economy and National Security

A great article from Market Watch discusses 3 economic trends that have arisen, at least in part, from the failed "War on Drugs". Here's what the article says plus some of my own thoughts.

First, the "War on Terror". There is irony that one failed "War On" is now hurting another failing "War On". By treating addicts as criminals and failing to treat the drug trade as "a market" real criminals, i.e., major drug dealers are making huge sums of money while people with addictions are punished rather than treated. The example of Afghanistan demonstrates how the demand for the countries poppy (opium and heroine) has provided warlords and, yes, the Taliban, with an income source and a power base with which to attack and NATO and American troops.

Remember the television and print ads implying that your purchase of a dime bag aids terrorists in Afghanistan!!!

Secondly, prohibition creates a shadow economy which creates powerful criminal syndicates. Because drugs are incredibly lucrative to those controlling their movement into the U.S. the techniques used by drug fueled organized crime syndicates are pervasive and very effective. They have learned how to cross borders in Mexico and Canada with ease and are backed by such large sums of money that they slide easily into politics and policing through bribery and corruption.

Third, the ignored front on the "War on Drugs" is prescription addiction. Big Pharma, as it is sometimes called, which is silly, it's the Pharmaceutical industry pushes drugs on doctors who then in turn are more apt to prescribe these drugs to patients who then become addicted. It may just be me but I would much rather see some regulation on the Pharma-Doctor schmoozefest than police action directed at busting up Medical Marijuana dispensers.

YEAH RIGHT!!!!

Marijuana may increase psychosis risk, analysis says

The study does sound solid actually...the risk of psychosis, to begin with though, is tiny. An increase, while unfortunate, doesn't actually amount to too much more of a risk. But if you are afraid of going crazy, well...

Boost Self Confidence Through Your Nose

A new nasal spray that can apparently cure shyness and make people more social in groups is being tested at the University of Zurich. The spray is now set to undergo large scale testing and could hit the market in the next decade. Sign me up.