Politics

Maryland… psychedelics and drug decriminalization… bills

…features of the current bill that the lawmaker said her amendment removes would have explicitly required the task force to make recommendations “for the sale and taxation of natural psychedelic substances.” …establish a “Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances” that would be overseen by the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA). Originally, the “Task…

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Politics

Oregon is ready to restart the drug war

The Oregon experiment was unique in America, where on any given day 350,000 people – roughly the equivalent of the population of Cleveland – are locked up on drug offenses, and drug-possession arrests occur at a clip of one every 23 seconds… three years later, Measure 110 now stands as a cautionary tale about the failure to match…

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Politics

…organizers push back against HB 4002’s passage…

Shouts of “For justice, for justice!” and “We won’t go back to the war on drugs!” permeated the state Capitol Saturday [3/2/2024] afternoon… Republican Senator Tim Knopp added that the goal of the bill is not to go back to the war on drugs. “The war on drugs decades ago disenfranchised minority communities,” he said.…

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Politics

Oregon… recriminalizing…

“The passage of this bill will still be a regression toward the failed war on drugs,” said Rep. Mark Gamba, D-Milwaukie, who said opposing the bill was the toughest vote he’d taken as a lawmaker. “It’s a step backwards for us as a society.” Democrats who backed the bill argue this treatment-forward approach would still…

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Politics

Measure 110 rollback – now with $211 million price tag – heads to vote

As the bill that would undo Oregon’s drug decriminalization law advances through the Legislature… The committee tasked with addressing criticism of Measure 110 is expected to vote Tuesday [2/27/24] on House Bill 4002… scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Original Article (Oregon Live):Measure 110 rollback – now with $211 million price tag – heads to voteArtwork Fair…

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Politics

How Oregon became a linchpin for the Country’s drug policies

Repealing decriminalization would be a mistake. Researchers studying Measure 110’s effects recently presented compelling evidence that the current law is extremely unlikely to have done the harm for which it is being blamed. But rampant misinformation – often being spread for political gain – means that the legislature is likely to return to its old-school…

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