Proposition 215,or the Compassionate Use Act of 1996,is a California law permitting the use of medical cannabis despite marijuana's lack of the normal Food and Drug Administration testing for safety and efficacy. It was enacted,on November 5,1996,by means of the initiative process,and passed with 5,382,915 (55.6%) votes in favor and 4,301,960 (44.4%) against.
The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is a component of the Executive Office of the President of the United States.
Drug czar is an informal name for the person who directs drug-control policies in various areas. The term follows the informal use of the term czar in U.S. politics. The 'drug czar' title first appeared in a 1982 news story by United Press International that reported that,"[United States] Senators ... voted 62–34 to establish a 'drug czar' who would have overall responsibility for U.S. drug policy." Since then,several ad hoc executive positions established in both the United States and United Kingdom have subsequently been referred to in this manner.
Marc Scott Emery is a Canadian cannabis rights activist,entrepreneur and politician. Often described as the "Prince of Pot",Emery has been a notable advocate of international cannabis policy reform,and has been active in multiple Canadian political parties at the provincial and federal levels. Emery has been jailed several times for his cannabis activism.
John P. Walters is the president and chief executive officer of Hudson Institute;he was appointed in January 2021. He joined Hudson in 2009 as the executive vice president and most recently was the chief operating officer. Previously,Walters was Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) in the George W. Bush administration. He held that position from February 5,2001 to January 20,2009. As the U.S. "Drug Czar",Walters coordinated all aspects of federal anti-drug policies and spending. As drug czar,he was a staunch opponent of drug decriminalization,legalization,and medical marijuana.
Commonly-cited arguments for and against the prohibition of drugs include the following:
The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) is the largest organization working solely on marijuana policy reform in the United States in terms of its budget,number of members,and staff.
The Seattle Mardi Gras riot occurred on February 27,2001,when disturbances broke out in the Pioneer Square neighborhood during Mardi Gras celebrations in Seattle,Washington. There were numerous random attacks on revelers over a period of about three and a half hours. There were reports of widespread brawling,vandalism,and weapons being brandished. Damage to local businesses exceeded $100,000. About 70 people were reported injured. Several women were sexually assaulted. One man,Kris Kime,died of injuries sustained during an attempt to assist a woman being brutalized.
Ethan A. Nadelmann is the founder of the Drug Policy Alliance,a New York City-based non-profit organization working to end the War on Drugs. He is a supporter of the legalization of marijuana in America.
The Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP),formerly Law Enforcement Against Prohibition,is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization group of current and former police,judges,prosecutors,and other criminal justice professionals who use their expertise to advance drug policy and criminal justice solutions that enhance public safety. The organization is modeled after Vietnam Veterans Against the War. As of April 2017,they have more than 180 representatives around the world who speak on behalf of over 5,000 law enforcement members and 100,000 supporters.
Peter Moskos is an American professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law,Police Science,and Criminal Justice Administration and the CUNY Graduate Center in the Department of Sociology. He is a former Baltimore Police Department officer. The son of military and Greek American sociologist Charles Moskos,he specializes in policing,crime,and punishment. Moskos was listed by The Atlantic as one of their "Brave Thinkers of 2011" for his book In Defense of Flogging. In Defense of Flogging proposes giving individuals convicted of a crime a choice between incarceration and corporal punishment.
The use,sale,and possession of cannabis containing over 0.3% THC by dry weight in the United States,despite laws in many states permitting it under various circumstances,is illegal under federal law. As a Schedule I drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970,cannabis containing over 0.3% THC by dry weight is considered to have "no accepted medical use" and a high potential for abuse and physical or psychological dependence. Cannabis use is illegal for any reason,with the exception of FDA-approved research programs. However,individual states have enacted legislation permitting exemptions for various uses,including medical,industrial,and recreational use.
This is a history of drug prohibition in the United States.
California Proposition 19 was a ballot initiative on the November 2,2010,statewide ballot. It was defeated,with 53.5% of California voters voting "No" and 46.5% voting "Yes." If passed,it would have legalized various marijuana-related activities,allowed local governments to regulate these activities,permitted local governments to impose and collect marijuana-related fees and taxes,and authorized various criminal and civil penalties. In March 2010,it qualified to be on the November statewide ballot. The proposition required a simple majority in order to pass,and would have taken effect the day after the election. Yes on 19 was the official advocacy group for the initiative and California Public Safety Institute:No On Proposition 19 was the official opposition group.
The World Federation Against Drugs (WFAD) is a group of individuals and non-governmental organizations from different parts of the world. The 1st World Forum Against Drugs was hosted in Sweden in 2008 by a group of Swedish non-Government organizations. An outcome of the first forum was the founding of WFAD in 2009 and to organize the 2nd World Forum Against Drugs in 2010. The start of WFAD had,in 2009,moral support from the US President George W Bush
Washington Initiative 502 (I-502) "on marijuana reform" was an initiative to the Washington State Legislature,which appeared on the November 2012 general ballot,passing by a margin of approximately 56 to 44 percent. Originally submitted to the Washington Secretary of State during the summer of 2011,enough signatures were collected and submitted by December to meet the required 241,153 signatures,sending it to the legislature. When the legislature adjourned without action in April,Initiative 502 automatically advanced to the November 2012 general ballot. It was approved by popular vote on November 6,and took effect over the course of a year,beginning with certification no later than December 6,2012. Along with a similar Colorado measure,Initiative 502 was credited for encouraging voter turnout of 81%,the highest in the nation.
Michael P. Botticelli is an American public health official who served as the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) from March 2014 until the end of President Obama's term. He was named acting director after the resignation of Gil Kerlikowske,and received confirmation from the United States Senate in February 2015. Prior to joining ONDCP,he worked in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Following completion of his service as ONDCP Director,he became the executive director of the Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine at the Boston Medical Center.
Peter S. Holmes is an American politician and attorney who served as the Seattle City Attorney from 2010 to 2022. He was elected in November 2009,defeating incumbent Tom Carr by a significant margin. After winning a second term uncontested in 2013,he defeated challenger Scott Lindsay in 2017 with nearly 75% of the vote,but failed to advance from the primary in a bid for a fourth term in the 2021 election.
Angela Hawken is a professor of public policy and director of the Marron Institute of Urban Management at New York University. Her research focuses primarily on drugs,crime,and corruption,and combines experimental and quantitative methods.
The Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act is a series of federal marijuana decriminalization bills that have been introduced multiple times in the United States Congress.
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