Drug WarRant Saturday, April 30, 2005 Are they really that stupid? In the New York Times, via Jacob Sullum at Hit and Run: Five years and $3 billion into the most aggressive counternarcotics operation ever here, American and Colombian officials say they have eradicated a record-breaking million acres of coca plants, yet cocaine remains as available as ever on American streets, perhaps more so. "It's very disturbing," said a senior State Department official traveling here with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is on a five-day tour of the region. Colombian traffickers still provide 90 percent of the cocaine used in the United States and 50 percent of the heroin, just as they did five years ago, the government says. "Key indicators of domestic cocaine availability show stable or slightly increased availability in drug markets throughout the country," the White House drug policy office acknowledged in February. Officials added that prices have remained stable and purity has improved. ... Even with the contradictory results from the first five years, the Bush administration is asking Congress to extend Plan Colombia for at least one more year. The president's budget proposal asks for another $734 million next year on top of the $2.9 billion already spent. A senior State Department official who is involved in the Colombia program said, "Give us another year or so and see if there is any effect." At a news conference [in Bogota] on Tuesday, Ms. Rice said Washington had no intention of reassessing the program, adding that such a move would most likely take a long time to see results in the United States... [Dan] Burton, the subcommittee chairman, said he was inclined to favor the president's request to renew Plan Colombia financing. This is five times as much as the federal government spends on the arts. Now you may disagree with arts funding, and you may not like all the art that comes from arts funding, but arts funding at least doesn't destroy the rainforest, increase international violence and terrorism, spread poison on poor farmers' crops with nothing to show for it -- at least with the arts funding you can get a pretty good symphony and some excellent arts in the schools now and then. So yes, really. I want to know. Are they really that stupid? A prominent blogger recently accused me of being a fanatic because I assumed my opponents were either dishonest or uninformed. OK, then, I'm a fanatic. For what choice do I have when my opponents fail to provide any logical explanation for their positions, while at the same time refusing to even seriously consider alternate solutions? I cannot, and will not, sit here and say "Well, they must have some good reason for this that they're not sharing." Nor can I say "Well, they're entitled to their opinion." This isn't about opinion; it's about facts. I will continue to be a fanatic until the prohibitionists can make some kind of showing that they are both honest and well informed -- something I don't expect anytime soon. 3:30:58 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment [] Clarification on Raich opinion dates Apparently the Supreme Court will not be releasing any opinions this Monday (May 2) after all. This means that the next possible date for decisions is Monday, May 16. Via SCOTUSblog: The remaining scheduled dates for issuance of opinions are May 16th, 23d and 31st, and each of the four Mondays in June. (If needed, the Court might add further dates between June 21st and June 30th.) Here's the Supreme Court Calendar (pdf). I had earlier assumed that the May 2 and 16 dates were the last possibilities for Raich -- given that there are only 4 cases left from the December arguments (Raich was argued Nov. 29 but that was part of the December arguments). At this point, I have no idea how long the Court will take with Raich. I expected it before now. While it's frustrating to continue waiting, I can only think that the delay is a positive thing. 1:28:38 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment [] Thursday, April 28, 2005 Hempfest at Illinois State University Tomorrow (Friday, April 29), M.A.S.H. (Mobilizing Activists and Students for Hemp) at Illinois State University will be holding their Spring Hempfest out on the quad, from noon until about 7 pm. Music, speakers, jewelry-making and just hanging out on the quad. If you're in the area, stop by. I'll be speaking around 2:30 pm. 11:37:45 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment [] More evidence that the prohibitionists are lying to you Karen Tandy: Over the past decade, drug policy in some foreign countries, particularly those in Europe, has gone through some dramatic changes toward greater liberalization with failed results. Consider the experience of the Netherlands, where the government reconsidered its legalization measures in light of that country's experience. Reality (Mayors Back Legalization of Cannabis): Amsterdam -- A majority of the mayors of the 30 largest Dutch cities support the legalisation of cannabis, backing a controversial call from Democratic Reform Minister Alexander Pechtold. John Walters: "The number of Americans admitted to hospital emergency wards because of marijuana use has doubled to 120,000 annually in the past five years," said a recent news story in this newspaper, paraphrasing Mr. Walters at a Washington news conference. Reality (NORML, via Cannabis News): Louisville, KY: Use of cannabis is not independently associated with injuries requiring hospitalization, according to clinical data published in the March issue of the Journal of TRAUMA Injury, Infection, and Critical Care. A research team at SUNY (State University of New York) Buffalo's Department of Family Medicine conducted a logistical retrogression analysis of approximately 900 trauma patients with positive toxicology screens for drugs and alcohol. Authors found, "Alcohol and cocaine use is independently associated with violence-related injuries, whereas opiate use is independently associated with nonviolent injuries and burns. ... Associations of positive toxicology test results for ... cannabis ... with injury type, injury mechanisms, and outcomes were not statistically significant." NORML Senior Policy Analyst Paul Armentano said that the findings countered allegations from the Drug Czar's office that cannabis use is a leading "factor in emergency room visits." Armentano said: "Among trauma patients requiring hospitalization, cannabis is rarely mentioned independent of other drugs. More importantly, cannabis use alone is not associated with the sort of serious or violent injuries that are typically correlated with the use of alcohol and cocaine - two substances that, unlike marijuana, often increase aggressive or risk-taking behavior among users." 10:09:39 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment [] Stop Prisoner Rape I received a note from Andrea Cavanaugh, the public outreach associate for Stop Prisoner Rape, a national human rights organization. Stories from Inside SPR is launching a groundbreaking new project built around firsthand accounts of sexual assaults against inmates held on drug charges. Stories from Inside will examine how the "war on drugs" and three-strikes laws have exacerbated prison overcrowding and led to a dramatic increase in prisoner rape. When it is released to the public, the project will help shatter stereotypes about prisoner rape and the commonly held perception that drug defendants "get what they deserve" while in custody. SPR is seeking non-violent drug offenders who are survivors of prisoner rape and who are willing to participate in the project. If you are willing to participate, contact Andrea. For more background, please read this feature at the Drug War Chronicle. It's an eye-opener. And remember (paraphrasing William F. Buckley): Even if one takes every allegation of the prohibitionists at face value, drug prohibition has done far more harm to far more people than drugs ever could. 7:16:06 AM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment [] Wednesday, April 27, 2005 Surreal Reading... DEA's Karen Tandy is speaking out. This release from the DEA has her article: "Marijuana: The Myths Are Killing Us," which appeared in the March issue of Police Chief Magazine. She starts by using the death of a 14-year-old girl who may have died from ecstacy and whose friends were afraid to get help becuase they might get in trouble as a way to attack medical marijuana efforts! This is the lowest of the low -- and she got it directly from Mark Souder. I just wonder if Irma Perez' sister is aware of how these drug warriors are using her. Then in the usual guise of "exposing myths," she procedes to spread some of the most atrocious lies about marijuana. It's all the same old stuff. Now maybe you think that Karen Tandy, as head of the DEA, would be an expert on medical marijuana. Let's go back a bit to her confirmation hearing. Senator Durbin asked: Durbin:Are you aware of information regarding the medicinal benefits of marijuana (for example: an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine on [January] 30, 1997; the 1999 Institute of Medicine report "Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base authorized by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy; and the 1988 ruling from the DEA's chief administrative law judge, Francis L. Young)?..."[links added] Tandy:"I am not personally familiar with the sources you cite discussing the putative "medicinal benefits of marijuana..." Idiot. Visiongain Report Announces Cannabinoids as a Potential Blockbuster This is just bizarre to read. Speculation on how many millions of dollars will be generated by different cannabinoid-based drugs being developed world-wide in matter-of-fact financial guidance Visiongain values the current cannabinoid market in 2005 at $110.5 million. This value is the combined world revenues of Marinol, Nabilone and also includes generic Dronabinol in Germany. This is a 6.3% growth increase from 2004, where revenues totalled $104 million. By 2010 sales of these products could reach a potential of just under $200 million. Over the forecast period, 2002 to 2010, this will generate a CAGR% of 10.76%. By 2006 the cannabinoid market is expected to develop from the limited, controversial, niche market of today, to that with a much higher profile with additional approved therapeutic areas. I read both of these items this morning and my head just about exploded. 11:10:14 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment [] Tell the truth, lose your job Some of you may remember my report on the recent circus in Alaska where politicians sought to out-do themselves coming up with bogus information and outright lies about marijuana -- part of an attempt by Alaska Governor Murkowski to over-ride the state's constitution and claim that marijuana has somehow become extraordinarily dangerous. The one sane voice then -- Barbara Brink, head of the public defenders agency, who testified against the bill. Now it's reported that Gov. Murkowski won't be reappointing her. Somebody get this jerk governor a job in the private sector. The only words I want to hear from him are "Do you want fries with that?" Related: If you can get through Anchorage Daily News' annoying registration process, there's a cute satirical piece about the subject - a "what if Murkowski tried to ban wine" speculation. 10:50:18 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment [] Raich Speculation Again today, the Supreme Court Justices released their opinions and Raich v. Ashcroft wasn't there. Now there's nothing that requires them to release their opinion on a certain date or in a certain order, but they will need to finish up by June (and there's only 2 more days coming up in which they'll release opinions: May 2 and 16) [correction: May 16 is now the next possible date, but there are a number of other dates after that]. And there are only a few cases left from the December session (Raich was argued November 29, which was considered the first day of the December session). Now there could be many uninteresting technical reasons for Raich to be so late, but I thought we could take this time while we're waiting to do some wild speculating just for fun. So here's a few of mine: It's a very close decision, and it's taken a lot of internal wrangling to create a majority coalition. The decision will end up 5-4 with some concurring in part and dissenting in part. The Chief Justice has a strong interest in states' rights, and therefore wanted to have significant input, but his illness has made that difficult to do in a timely manner. The Justices have been taking the time to do extra research on medical marijuana and how the government's FDA approval processes work to understand why it hasn't gone that route. The Justices have decided to carve out a specific states' rights area for medical marijuana (using something like Barnett's "state sub-class" concept or Kreit's "economic enterprise" approach) and they're taking the time to make sure they understand what other areas this new case law will impact. The Justice writing the majority opinion understands that this will be considered a landmark case in the future, and is taking additional time writing it to make it beautifully written and constructed as well. The Justices are making a strong case for states rights in Raich (thereby reducing the power of Congress) and want to take the extra time to include some witty rebukes at those in Congress who have been agitating against the Judiciary. (OK, that's just real wishful thinking on my part) Now maybe it's my cockeyed optimism showing through, but in all my scenarios it looks pretty good for Raich (and certainly not a slam dunk for the government). What do you think? Got any speculations of your own? 9:54:44 AM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment [] Tuesday, April 26, 2005 A Group to Watch... The Baltimore Sun reported Sunday, about a convention of a very interesting coalition: Yesterday, representatives of 15 black professional organizations that formed the National African American Drug Policy Coalition in the fall met to devise a strategy for changing drug laws they say unfairly punish African-Americans. Among the group's leaders is Kurt L. Schmoke, who while mayor of Baltimore in 1988, called drug addiction a public health problem and advocated decriminalizing drugs. The group includes doctors, attorneys, social workers, treatment specialists and judges who endorsed some of the same solutions Schmoke advocated nearly 20 years ago. Here's their website. 10:38:50 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment [] Monday, April 25, 2005 Anticipation... I thought it would be good to recap just a few of the major events in drug policy reform that are in the works. The Supreme Court Decision in Raich v. Ashcroft. The next possible dates for a decision are April 26, April 27, May 2, and May 16. Raich Day of Action. If the result of the Supreme Court Decision is negative, then 50 hours later, a nationwide action will occur to raise the awareness that legislative relief is needed. Hinchey Rohrabacher-Amendment. If the decision is negative, you'll be asked to contact your Congressperson to pass the Hinchey-Rohrabacher Amendment, which prevents the federal government from using federal funds to interfere with states that have medical marijuana laws. (This is the same amendment that failed in 2004 and 2003.) Truth in Trials. It's possible that such an outcome would also revive interest in the Truth in Trials Act sponsored by Senator Durbin (which allows individuals who use marijuana for medical purposes under doctor supervision to mention that fact in federal drug trials.) Plan Colombia Funding. Tomorrow (Tuesday, April 26) is national call-in day to protest the administration's plans to send another $731 million to Colombia. Call your Senators and Representatives tomorrow. Perfect timing, too! Condoleeza Rice is scheduled to be in Colombia on Wednesday to promote Plan Colombia. If the call-in goes well, this could dampen Rice's media promotion of this waste of taxpayer money. HR 1184, if enacted, would repeal the HEA Drug Provision that denies federal financial aid to many of those who most need it. No date set yet for considering HR 1184, although we hope it will happen during this session (currently in House Subcomittee on Workforce Protections. Take action now. A legal challenge was filed on Friday by the ACLU on behalf of Professor Lyle Craker, Ph.D. against the DEA, for their policy of obstructing private research that could lead to marijuana being approved as a prescription medicine. A hearing is scheduled this summer. Re-scheduling petition. The Coalition for Rescheduling Cannabis submitted a petition to re-schedule Cannabis on October 11, 2002, which was accepted by the DEA on April 3, 2003. Expected date of final response by the DEA: when hell freezes over. Data Quality Act Complaint. An attempt to force Health and Human Services to use their own rules to correct falsehoods about medical marijuana. Filed in October with a 60 day response time required. Given 3 extensions and finally responded by claiming to be able to fold their response into the re-scheduling petition (above). ASA has 30 days to appeal. "Defending America's Most Vulnerable: Safe Access to Drug Treatment and Child Protection Act of 2004" -- an odious bill by Rep. James Sensenbrenner. The House Judiciary Committee could vote on it this week. Take Action. Future Supreme Court cases of importance, include the Hoasca Tea Case and a a consent to search issue, which will be heard in the next term. Sativex, having cleared Canadian hurdles, will be looking for approval in the United States. GW Pharmaceuticals, understanding that medical marijuana in the U.S. is a matter of politics, not merely of clinical trials, has hired Andrea Barthwell to lobby. If I've left out anything important, let me know -- this is just off the top of my head. And, of course, this is just the national scene -- there's tons going on at the state level. See, in particular, Grits for Breakfast for everything happening in Texas, and follow Loretta for news from Alabama. The really positive thing when you look at this list is that drug policy reformers are using every tool at their disposal - legislative, executive, judiciary, science, public awareness, states, etc. It's necessary to combat the intense propaganda paid for by our own tax dollars, and it's this kind of comprehensive effort that has the best chance of eventual success. 9:00:15 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment [] Drug Use Prevalence Under Legalization Daksya has a diary entry over at Nephalim's Drug War Revealed asking whether people think drug use would increase a little, a lot, or none under legalization. Go give your opinion. 9:06:29 AM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment [] MPP, ACLU, scientists fight federal obstruction of research The Marijuana Policy Project reports that they will hold a telephone press conference today at noon to discuss "developments in the effort to overcome Drug Enforcement Administration obstruction of medical marijuana research." Participating: Lyle Craker, Ph.D., director, medicinal plant program, University of Massachusetts Amherst; Rick Doblin, Ph.D., president, Multidisciplinary Institute for Psychedelic Studies; Allen Hopper, staff attorney, ACLU; Steve Fox, director of government relations, Marijuana Policy Project; Phillip Alden, patient living with AIDS who dropped out of a medical marijuana study due to the low quality of government-grown marijuana that researchers are forced to use. And more on this in the Washington Times: ACLU enters marijuana research dispute The ACLU said it filed a statement with a federal administrative law judge opposing the DEA's refusal to allow University of Massachusetts Professor Lyle Craker to grow the alternative source of research-grade marijuana. ... The ACLU said it will host a conference Monday on "the federal government's pattern and practice of blocking scientists from conducting research on the medical benefits of marijuana, and how this obstruction of research affects the current legal debate over medical marijuana, particularly in the U.S. Supreme Court in Raich v. Ashcroft." [Looks like some more pro-pot organizers who don't give a rat's ass about patients -- right, Mark?] 8:35:58 AM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment [] Sunday, April 24, 2005 Mark A.R. Kleiman's Asinine Comment I just noticed Mark Kleiman's post about Sativex. He does a fairly good job of summarizing the situation, and talks about how the advent of Sativex may affect the framing of the debate on both sides of the medical marijuana issue. So far, OK, (although I don't agree with him that, for political reasons, "the pro-drug side -- apart from Rick Doblin's MAPS -- has [been] denying the need for research." That's a crass over-simplification. The pro-drug side has, in fact, asserted that there is sufficient research already to allow for medical marijuana use and re-scheduling. We simply are not going to bend over and let the government continue to assert a requirement for more research as a delaying tactic, while blocking research at the same time. We would welcome more legitimate research.) After Mark explained the mechanisms that are behind the way the two sides are framing the debate, he ends up his post with this extraordinarily offensive comment: If you guessed from the above that neither side of the drug-policy debate actually gives a rat's ass about sick people, you're a remarkably good guesser. Now I often consider Kleiman to be an intelligent fellow, so I don't think this remark is the result of abject stupidity. I'm hoping it was ill-considered, glib rhetoric -- you know, to give the end of the post some kind of personal pizazz. Either that, or it was an attempt to maintain his "cred" as a "balanced" expert, so he could continue to get lucrative gigs in that area (in which case, if you guessed that he doesn't give a rat's ass about the truth, you'd be a remarkably good guesser.) Let me lay it out clearly, in case Mark's actually stupid. Pro-pot side The (as he calls it) "pro-pot" position is that marijuana should be legal. We recognize (and fully admit) that acceptance of medical marijuana will help legalization, so we frame our debate in that way. The mere fact that we frame our debate does not mean that we don't care about medical marijuana patients -- our goals follow the same path. There may be some individuals in the pro-pot community that don't care about sick people, but that can't be determined by our position on marijuana. Personally, even if marijuana was somehow not an interesting or useful recreational substance, I would be fully behind stopping the indefensible government interference with medical treatment. If those on the pro-pot side didn't care about sick people to further our goals, there might be other things that we'd do. For example, we might try to get Marinol taken off the market somehow, in the hopes that having one less medicine available would increase the pressure on legalizing medical marijuana. Or, in fact, we'd discourage the development of Sativex. Mark, oddly, calls our support of Sativex part of an inconsistent set of positions, but it's actually proof that, while Sativex makes our overall message in some ways more complex, we desire its approval for medical marijuana patients. I get tired of being told that because I support legalization, I don't really care about sick people. It's false and offensive. It's also logically an improper construction. Imagine your wife has come down with an illness. She has a job offer that she must accept by next month (with a huge increase in pay), but she can only do so if she's well. If you hope that she gets well quickly and is able to take that job, does that mean that you don't give a rat's ass about her health? The drug warrior side Now the drug warrior part of Mark's statement is indisputable. The drug warriors have also known that acceptance of medical marijuana will help legalization, so they have resisted medical marijuana (beyond that of any other controlled substance) by restricting research, demonizing and lying about medical marijuana, lobbying against medical marijuana laws, and so forth. They have actively used taxpayer's dollars to prevent sick people from using medicine. They have caused people's deaths. They have sent armed federal agents to arrest sick people and yank up their medicine. To put me in the same category with these monsters is offensive, and I hope Mark A.R. Kleiman will have the courtesy to apologize. Update: Edit: Section referencing correspondence, and my responses, removed by request. 4:29:53 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment []