We seem to still sort of function under this mythology that most people can do fine if they simply go into a detox or a 28-day rehab and they will come out and they will be fine. […]

We are civilized users. It’s possible to be active in volunteer work and even political work while using. We get the respect we deserve, but it’s taken 22 years. […]

Data from government-sponsored surveys show that teenagers are less likely to use marijuana and, if they do, less likely to abuse it than they were before this sea change in state policy. […]

Addiction does discriminate: it hits hardest those who are already down or feel that they will never be able to rise. […]

Legal highs have become victim to a new moral panic. All the new act will do is drive people towards illegal drugs and alcohol, the most harmful substance of all. […]

From Republican Donald Trump to Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, and candidates from the Green and Libertarian parties, too, the Marijuana Policy Project sees promise toward the federal legalization of pot. […]

There is a need to shift the objectives of drug policy away from process measures such as crop eradication statistics, arrest rates, seizures and imprisonment statistics. Governments need to explore and focus on solutions that promote public health, human rights and citizen engagement and participation. […]

“The evidence shows testing will keep our young people safe from harmful drugs and it’s got the support of the Police Association,” a Greens spokeswoman said. But Rene Hidding was unswayed by the Police Association’s support for the Tasmanian Greens’ proposal to hire staff and purchase equipment to conduct pill testing at festivals. […]

For decades, the entire drug policy debate was stalled. Harm reduction was a fringe concept. Now, we have USA Today endorsing safe injection facilities and the New York Times supporting marijuana legalization. It’s increasingly difficult to find someone to quote who favors arresting and jailing users, or who opposes access to the overdose antidote naloxone on moral grounds. […]

The marijuana legalization movement is in full swing this year, with 14 states currently considering ballot initiatives to legalize for either recreational or medical purposes. While 23 states already have legal marijuana systems in place, public opinion is quickly shifting in favor of cannabis reform and voters in states across the US will have the opportunity to continue the momentum…