Colombia’s President Calls for End of War on Drugs

He is seeking a new regional consensus.

Thoughts on the Breonna Taylor Case and Beyond

Considering Breonna Taylor’s death, police shootings, and human rights.

Considering US Attitudes toward Latin America

Pondering lack of US interest in our friends to the south.

Our Awful Criminal Justice System

A stroll down memory lane.

Beto O’Rourke Hands Republicans A Gift On Guns

At last week’s debate, Beto O’Rourke handed Republicans and gun rights advocates a nicely wrapped gift with his claim that he would seize guns from otherwise law-abiding Americans.

Illinois Set To Become 11th State To Legalize Marijuana

Further progress for advocates of marijuana legalization from the Land of Lincoln.

Denver Votes To Decriminalize Psychadelic Mushrooms

In a first of its kind move, voters in Denver have voted to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms.

Marijuana Legalization Becoming Consensus Issue Among 2020 Democratic Candidates

Democratic candidates for President are quickly voicing support for marijuana legalization.

Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Criminal Justice Reform

The Senate overwhelmingly passed major reforms in Federal sentencing and related laws. As the name of the bill implies, it’s a first step, but a good first step.

Trump Selects Former Attorney General William Barr To Be New Attorney General

William Barr, who served as Attorney General under President George H.W. Bush, has been selected to replace Jeff Sessions as Attorney General.

Election Day Was A Good Day For Marijuana Legalization

On Tuesday, Michigan joined the ranks of the states where marijuana is legal and several other states legalized it for medical purposes.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions Fired

President Trump has fired his Attorney General, a move than many are interpreting as the precursor to a move against Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

Drug War Insanity

Scenes from the war on drugs.

North Dakota To Vote On Marijuana Legalization In November

Another step forward in the seemingly unstoppable movement toward nationwide legalization.

Supreme Court Tosses Federal Law Barring Sports Betting

A big win for Federalism and common sense at the Supreme Court.

Tough Talk on Drugs is Empty Talk

President Trump is not being bold on drugs. Instead, he is just recycling old, failed idea.

Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit That Sought To Strike Down Federal Marijuana Laws

A Federal Judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to invalidate Federal laws against marijuana use and possession.

Trump: Execute All the Big Drug Dealers

The President would like to copy Singapore’s zero-tolerance policy. The US Constitution stands in his way.

Federal Lawsuit Seeks To Challenge Federal Laws Against Marijuana

A Federal Court in New York City is set to hear argument tomorrow in a case that essentially argues that a large swath of Federal laws regarding marijuana are unconstitutional.

Illegal Drugs Illegal Drugs

Norway Poised To Decriminalize All Illegal Drugs

Norway is poised to make some big changes to its drug laws.

Donald Trump Shrugging Donald Trump Shrugging

American Ideals?

Some thoughts about why the president’s remarks on immigration are so problematic.

Supreme Court Justices Appear Skeptical Of Law Barring Legalization Of Sports Gambling

The Supreme Court heard argument today in a case challenging a 1992 law barring sports gambling in all but a handful of states, and the Justices appeared skeptical of the law.

Baby Boomers No Longer The Majority Of U.S. Voters

A new study shows that Baby Boomers no longer account for the largest segment of voters in the United States.

Supreme Court Accepts New Jersey’s Challenge To Federal Law Barring Sports Betting

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case involving New Jersey’s challenge to a Federal law outlawing sports betting.

Rand Paul Speaks Out Against Potential Trump Nominees

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul is speaking out against several of President-Elect Trump’s proposed Cabinet nominees.

California, Two Other States, Legalize Recreational Marijuana

The fight for marijuana legalization advances in California.

Delaware Becomes The Latest State To Decriminalize Marijuana

Delaware has become the latest state to liberalize its laws regarding marijuana.

Supreme Court Considers Case Where Civil Asset Forfeiture And The Sixth Amendment Collide

The Supreme Court is now considering a case that deals with the problem of overly broad civil asset forfeiture laws and a Defendant’s right to counsel under the Sixth Amendment.

Mexico’s Supreme Court Opens The Door To Marijuana Legalization

A decision from Mexico’s Supreme Court has opened the door to legalization of marijuana south of the border, but it’s likely to proceed much slower than in the United States or Canada.

Bernie Sanders Wants To End The Federal Marijuana Ban, Conservatives Should Support Him

Senator Bernie Sanders wants to let states decide how to regulate marijuana, or to not regulate it at all if they choose. Intellectually honest conservatives should support his effort.

New Poll Shows Support For Marijuana Legalization Continues To Rise

Public support for marijuana legalization continues to rise. As with the marriage equality movement, it’s obvious where this will end, The only question is how long it will take to get there.

The Prison-Industrial Complex

The problem goes beyond the War on Drugs.

Colorado Supreme Court Rules Employee Can Be Fired For Smoking Pot At Home

Marijuana is legal in Colorado, but it’s illegal under Federal Law. Because of that, the Colorado Supreme Court dismissed a claim by resident who was fired when he tested positive for pot.

Slowly But Surely, Republicans Seem To Becoming Less Socially Conservative

It will be some time before sanity prevails in the GOP, but slowly but surely Republicans seem to be becoming less socially conservative.

Obama Administration To Take Steps To Cut Back On Police Militarization

President Obama is taking steps to reduce police militarization, but there’s much more that needs to be done.

Chris Christie’s Reefer Madness

When it comes to marijuana policy, Chris Christie is stuck in the past.

US-Latin American Relations

Some thoughts on a column by Roger Noriega on the Obama administration and Latin America,

Only One Person Has ‘Blood On His Hands’ In The Deaths Of Officers Ramos And Liu, And He’s Already Dead

NYPD Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were shot dead while sitting in their patrol car In Brooklyn. And those suggesting that anyone other than the killer has “blood on their hands” are being absurd.

Some Questions for Those who Oppose an Opening with Cuba

A little round of Qs and As on US-Cuban policy.

Rand Paul The GOP Front Runner? Not Likely

Even leaving aside the fact that it is far too early to be making such assessments, the idea that Rand Paul is the front runner for the Republican nomination in 2016 fails the logic test.

Governor Of Arkansas Set To Pardon His Son

On his way out of office, Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe is set to pardon his son for an 11 year-old non-violent marijuana conviction.

Stealing Isn’t a Crime When Police Do It

Civil asset forfeiture gives “highway robbery” a whole new meaning.

Most PATRIOT Act ‘Sneak And Peek’ Warrants Used In War On Drugs, Not War On Terror

Not surprisingly, a law passed in the wake of the September 11th attacks has been used mostly for things that have nothing to do with terrorism.

Voters In Washington, D.C. And Oregon, And Probably Alaska, Approve Marijuana Legalization

Big victories for advocates of marijuana legalization.

Rand Paul Is Right. The GOP’s Brand Sucks, But That’s Only Part Of The Problem

Rebranding alone isn’t going to fix what’s causing the GOP to lose ground among a whole host of demographic groups.

Federal Judge Blocks Sports Betting In New Jersey, But It Should Be Legal Everywhere

Not surprisingly a Federal Judge has blocked New Jersey’s latest effort to legalize sports gaming. As a matter of policy, though, there’s no reason it shouldn’t be legal to place wagers on sporting events.

Social Issues Now Benefiting Democrats

Once something that generally benefited Republicans, social issues are now becoming a wedge issue for Democrats.

The New York Times Endorses Marijuana Legalization

The Grey Lady sees the light on a major part of the War On Drugs.