Wednesday, July 29, 2009

The Union I just finished watching the newly available DVD: The Union: The Business Behind Getting High that was released yesterday. It's outstanding! It is the most comprehensive documentary review of cannabis policy, politics, history, myths, science, and.. humanity that I've seen. It's compelling (and yes, a little overwhelming -- you almost need to take a break during it to absorb everything). It takes you briefly through the history of criminalization, debunks every bit of reefer madness nonsense from the suffocated monkeys' lost brain cells to Walters' marijuana treatment stats, explores the Chong and Emery cases, takes you into grow-ops and the business of black market cannabis, talks with the scientists and economists and doctors and patients and hemp activists and members of LEAP. It also vividly demonstrates the absolute lack of integrity of so many who promote continued criminalization, including Presidents of the United States. There are tons of great quotes in it. I started writing some down, but then couldn't choose, so I'm not going to bother. I really recommend getting it and showing it to your friends. If you buy it by going to the link above, it sends a few cents my way without adding to your cost if you wish. Here's a trailer: 8:54:11 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment []

Bookstore Blues I used to love nothing better than spending hours wandering through large bookstores. Yesterday, I spent some time browsing the three-story Borders Books in downtown Chicago. Despite looking fairly extensively (though not asking), I was unable to find any books about the drug war. However, prominently displayed on the main floor were "nonfiction" books by Michelle Malkin, Mark Levin and Glenn Beck. Sigh. I realize that Borders is just providing what the customers want, but that's even more depressing. .... Speaking of the Blues, I was privileged to hear Shun Kikuta play blues guitar (with J.W. Williams) at Kingston Mines on Monday night. Damn! .... A thought that went through my head while I was at Kingston Mines... Any plan involving the legalization of marijuana really, really, really should consider accommodating blues and jazz clubs. 4:57:53 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment []

One step closer to ending the cocaine sentencing disparity Via ACLU press release: The House Judiciary Committee today voted to pass a bill that would eliminate the discriminatory disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentencing under federal law. Today's vote clears the way for H.R. 3245, the Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act of 2009, to be voted on by the full House. The bill removes references to "cocaine base" from the U.S. federal code and takes the welcome step of removing the five-year mandatory minimum sentence for simple possession of crack cocaine. It's not victory, but it's progress, folks. Good news. 2:32:52 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment []