Topic: Drug Policy
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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3 views on whether states should legalize marijuana
This November, voters in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington will consider ballot measures to legalize and regulate marijuana, much as alcohol and tobacco are taxed and regulated. In this first in a series of "one minute debates" for election 2012, three writers give their brief take on the issue.
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Briefing Decriminalize marijuana? Four ways America's views of pot are changing
As polls show national opinion toward marijuana use steadily changing toward greater acceptance, laws are changing and ballot initiatives are coming before voters.
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Opinion 5 solutions for Mexico's drug violence and security challenges
Drug violence has made an impact in Mexico and threatens to escalate and surpass the US border. This challenge could have far-reaching consequences for Central and North American security. Unless we act now to solve these common issues, we are placing the future competitiveness and prosperity of the entire region at risk. Here are five main points of action to move forward on Mexico's security challenges.
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Sixth Summit of the Americas: 8 things to watch
Yes, the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena will debate drug policy and Cuba. Here are eight other topics to be discussed at the Summit.
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Election 101: Who is Gary Johnson?
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Opinion Put our kids first, Mr. Holder, and enforce federal law against marijuana
Anyone who is cultivating, selling, or distributing marijuana is violating the federal Controlled Substances Act, regardless of state law. Obama must enforce federal law and begin prosecutions to stop the proliferation of 'medical' and recreational marijuana that is harming our kids.
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The Monitor's View Obama helps nip pot legalization in Latin America. How about in US?
President Obama helped prevent a move toward pot legalization by some Latin American leaders. But will he be as bold against Colorado, Washington state?
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USA Update Growth industry? Suburban mom allegedly ran $3 million marijuana business. (+video)
A woman from upper-class Scarsdale, N.Y., is charged with growing pot in a Queens warehouse. That would be illegal, but it points to the possibilities of the legal marijuana industry as states legalize the drug.
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No more drug war in Latin America? Report explores new ways to fight drugs
A new OAS report looks at alternatives to prohibiting the drug trade, including legal market regulation, reform of the UN drug convention, and smarter policing.
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Setback for medical marijuana as California court upholds local ban (+video)
Some 200 California cities and towns ban medical marijuana dispensaries, creating regions where patients cannot purchase the drug legally. Advocates want the state to regulate the business.
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Colorado court rules marijuana smokers may be fired
Medical and recreational marijuana is legal in Colorado, but federal law says employers can lawfully fire workers who test positive for the drug, ruled a Colorado appeals court Thursday.
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How did Denver’s 4/20 marijuana day turn violent?
Three people were injured by gunshots fired at the 4/20 marijuana celebration in Denver Saturday. While there is growing acceptance of marijuana use, the issue remains politically controversial with federal law at odds with the decriminalization trend among some jurisdictions.
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'4/20' marijuana celebration notes security lessons from Boston Marathon bombing
Large crowds are expected to congregate for today's annual '4/20' marijuana smoke-in and celebration around the US. Given this week's Boston Marathon bombing, police are on high alert.
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USA Update Marijuana tax touted as budgetary benefit to US and states. Really?
Marijuana tax could be a new source of revenue for strapped states, and the federal government, too, say two congressmen who have proposed such legislation. But the scale of any tax benefit is hotly disputed.
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The Monitor's View Before more states legalize pot, Obama must enforce federal law
Former DEA chiefs and an international anti-drug body advise President Obama and the Justice Dept. to uphold federal anti-marijuana law against legalization by Colorado and Washington states. Why not listen to those on the front lines of the drug wars?
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Pot on the patio? Colorado's 'surreal' path to legalizing marijuana.
Colorado's Amendment 64 Implementation Task Force is wading through the weeds of marijuana legalization, creating regulations to take pot from the shadows out into the open.
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Is the South ready to say howdy to hemp?
Along with a federal bill, Kentucky is mulling the legalization of industrial hemp, marijuana's close cousin. Is it good business sense – or a Trojan horse for legalizing pot in the South?
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Why Mayor Bloomberg opposes legalizing marijuana
Starting next month, people in New York City who get picked up on charges of having a small amount of marijuana will be released with appearance tickets. But Mayor Michael Bloomberg says he opposes legalization of marijuana.
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San Diego surrenders its war on medical marijuana
San Diego Mayor Bob Filner today declared an end to the city's legal war on medical pot, ordering civil prosecutors to "stop the crackdown on marijuana dispensaries."
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After big wins in 2012, pro-marijuana groups set their sights on other states
California and Oregon could be the next states to legalize marijuana, as pro-pot groups that spent decades campaigning seek to capitalize on 2012 victories in Washington and Colorado.
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Latin America Monitor Uruguay postpones vote on 'state as dealer' approach to drug regulation - but not for long?
President Mujica always said he wouldn't push the proposal if a majority of Uruguayans didn't accept it. But few think this postponement means the project is forever shelved.
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Obama says going after marijuana 'not a top priority' (+video)
Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law even though voters in Colorado and Washington State recently approved ballot measures legalizing small amounts of pot for adults.
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Obama: Feds will not go after states with legal pot
The president said, 'It does not make sense from a prioritization point of view' to focus on drug use in states where it is now legal.
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Obama's other option on pot: Legalize it for everyone?
Under federal law, Uncle Sam could try to block marijuana legalization in Washington and Colorado. But there's another option: President Obama could pull the US out of the marijuana wars.
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Latin America Monitor Is Latin America punishing nonviolent drug offenders too harshly?
A new report reveals that punishments in Latin America for drug-related crimes – cultivation, use, or trafficking – have become as severe as those for violent offenses.
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With a puff of smoke, pot becomes legal in Washington: How will this work?
Pot smokers lit up at Seattle's Space Needle to mark its legalization in Washington. Possessing marijuana, however, is still a federal crime, and it's not clear yet if, or how, federal laws will be enforced.
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Why did America change its mind about legal marijuana? (+video)
A new poll says that 51 percent of Americans support legal marijuana for recreational use. This comes a month after two states became the first to do just that.
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From 'no' to 'yes,' how Colorado and Washington legalized marijuana
A day many thought they would never see has come and gone. In November, after years of, 'Just say no,' Colorado and Washington state both voted to legalize small amounts of marijuana for adults over 21.
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How will Feds deal with marijuana legalization in Colorado and Washington?
A potential showdown will probably not target individual users of the drug, instead focusing on new regulations that will make marijuana sales permissible, a violation of federal law.
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Backchannels On marijuana and the Mexican drug war...
After legalization of recreational marijuana use in two US states, Mexico may rein in interdiction efforts.
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