Drug Policy

Former George W. Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson is about the furthest thing from a bleeding-heart apologist for criminal behavior. But in his column in today’s Washington Post, Gerson makes a good case in support of needle exchange programs to combat HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne diseases among illegal drug users.
Critics claim that needle-exchange programs create a [...]

This morning’s Senate panel hearing on the wide discrepancy between sentencing for crack and powder cocaine-related crimes offered the Obama administration its first official opportunity to weigh in on the contentious issue. And while the White House announced its support for closing the gap, it also appears to be leaving Congress with the sole responsibility [...]

Well, you might have a bit more if Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Ron Paul (R-Texas) get their way. The two lawmakers have plans to reintroduce legislation to legalize the domestic farming of industrial hemp, a genetic but non-psychoactive relative of marijuana.
Hemp advocates (yes, there are hemp advocates out there) argue that the change would [...]

In Vienna, United Nations members today signed off on the United Nations political declaration recommending global drug policy for the decade to come. Despite a strong push by Europe and others to include “harm reduction” language — a reference to health-focused policies for dealing with drug abuse — opposition from the United States and others [...]

United Nations drug policy framework is scheduled to be approved next week, with the United States breaking from much of Europe and Canada.

Since 1988, the U.S. has banned federal funding for needle exchange programs. But with a president who pledges to lift the ban, why is the United States opposing UN efforts to promote them?

Politico reports that a coalition of advocacy organizations, including the National Black Police Association, has sent a letter to President-elect Barack Obama opposing the appointment of Rep. James Ramstad (R-Minn.) to lead the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Ramstad, who is a recovering alcoholic, has been mentioned as a possible choice to direct the [...]