Despite marijuana legalization (Proposition 19) failing in California this past voting period, attitudes towards marijuana are shifting. The general public is beginning to recognize the failures of the War on Drugs, particularly in regards to marijuana. It’s getting more difficult to seat an unbiased jury and even judges are becoming more reluctant to hand down strict sentences on marijuana charges. [Read more…]
States Rush To Control Synthetic Drugs
Over the past few years, the nation has seen an influx of what are being called “synthetic” drugs. Spice, K2, LOL, and BZP are just a few of the substances causing a scramble as lawmakers grapple with creating laws for these formulas not previously seen and adults and kids alike rush out to buy up the substances before they are completely banned. [Read more…]
Prescription Drug Use Monitoring by Police?
Could your legal and legitimate private medical records, such as what prescriptions you take, be freely available to police? That is what one state’s law enforcement agency is after, and the trend could spread. [Read more…]
States Take Varying Approaches on Prescription Drug Control
Although the abuse of prescriptions drugs has been climbing for the past several years, some states have yet to enact legislation to try and control it. However, many are doing what they can to keep these drugs from the people who don’t legitimately need them while maintaining ease of access for people who do. Strategies and laws vary considerably from state to state. [Read more…]
Dept. of Justice Defends Drug Courts Before House Panel
Drug courts are specialized courts that seek to keep people out of the criminal justice system. Rather than focusing on punitive measures like prison time, they instead focus on rehabilitation and prevention. Despite such courts coming under fire from the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Inspector General, the DOJ’s acting Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance defended them before a House Panel this week. [Read more…]
Crack-Cocaine Sentencing Disparities Reduced By Congress
Last week Congress moved to reduce the disparities between the crack cocaine and powder cocaine sentences. The difference between the two had been a point of controversy since the 1980s with critics claiming the difference was racist and completely irrational. [Read more…]
U.S. Attorney General Supports Expanding Drug Courts
Though not present in every jurisdiction, drug courts are an effective alternative to the typical criminal courts when it comes to drug offenses. These courts began in Florida in 1989 and are now present in every state, to one extent or another. United States Attorney General Eric Holder announced this week that drug courts are a “top priority” to the Justice Department. [Read more…]
Mass Legislator Seeks to Close Drug Prosecution Loopholes in Melendez-Diaz
A Massachusetts state legislator has introduced a bill to make it more difficult for accused drug offenders to game the court system as a result of current evidence requirements. [Read more…]
Is Obama Administration Ending the “War” on Drugs?
In several key announcements and policy shifts, it appears as if the Obama Administration is supporting an approach to drug laws that marks a contrast from past administrations. While the “War on Drugs” started with Richard Nixon ages ago, it has taken years for the government to recognize its shortfalls and move towards correcting the problems where they begin. [Read more…]
Supreme Court to Take Another Look At Melendez-Diaz
In an unusual move, the US Supreme Court will hear a case that could alter or overrule the Melendez-Diaz decision, a case from just six months ago. [Read more…]
