Tuesday, December 2, 2008

75th Anniversary of Repeal Day is Friday Five years of Prohibition have had, at least, this one benign effect: they have completely disposed of all the favourite arguments of the Prohibitionists. None of the great boons and usufructs that were to follow the passage of the Eighteenth Amendment has come to pass. There is not less drunkenness in the Republic, but more. There is not less crime, but more. There is not less insanity, but more. The cost of government is not smaller, but vastly greater. Respect for law has not increased, but diminished. - H.L. Mencken - from Radley Balko's article at FOXNews: Repeal Day Serves as Reminder of the Folly of Our Drug Laws There will be a number of activities this week celebrating the 75th anniversary of the repeal of the first prohibition. I'll be reporting more as the week goes on. 8:52:59 AM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

Is getting high on drugs always a bad thing? Channelling Jacob Sullum, J.D> Tuccille in the Civil Liberties Examiner says "No." But, as many of us who have not just experimented with, but enthusiastically consumed various intoxicants know (Whoops! I bet I just blew my next job interview), the road to perdition is not usually lined with dried vegetation, white powder, pills or crystals. In fact, many a party, evening or weekend afternoon has been made more pleasant by "cocktail hours" that featured refreshments that would make John Walters weep. Some of us dabbled, a few of us indulged and there were occasional bingers, too. The vast majority of us, whether we still smoke or snort or not, suffered little or no harm -- in fact, we downright enjoyed our experiences, improved our moods and released a lot of tension in the process. And then we went about our responsibilities just a little more relaxed than we might have been. 7:47:42 AM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

Billboards: A Gateway to Idiots Your tax money paid for this. NORML Stash has the story. [Thanks, Allan] 12:56:39 AM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

Marijuana Nation Tonight on the National Geographic Channel: Marijuana Nation Scientists who study this plant consider it among the most complex in the plant kingdom with 400 active chemicals and compounds. And in California alone, the marijuana trade out paces the entire wine industry, placing it among the largest cash crops in the United States. Intertwined with culture, economics, law enforcement and perhaps medical miracles, this plant holds both peril and promise. Join National Geographics EXPLORER as we investigate the state of marijuana. Preview here. Showing is tonight at 10 pm Eastern/Pacific (9 pm Central), and on Saturday at 7 Eastern/6 Central. 12:41:55 AM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []