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Crack cocaine users: New data from Brazil
Vera Da Ros (REDUC - Brazil)IDPC blog
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
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Last September, the Brazilian Ministries of Health and Justice presented data of two key surveys – “Estimated number of crack and similar drug users in capital cities of the country" and "Profile of crack and similar drug users – Brazil". Both surveys were headed by Francisco Bastos from FIOCRUZ, a very respected and traditional Foundation in Brazil. -
North America’s largest city moves to legalize pot
Time Magazine (US)
Monday, October 14, 2013
Legislators in Mexico City, the largest city in North America, are preparing to push through certain measures that would decriminalize and regulate the consumption of marijuana in the Mexican capital, a move that may speed pot legalization elsewhere in the continent. Proposals include the setting up of cannabis clubs to grow herb for their members and tolerance of anyone carrying up to 30 grams, or just over an ounce, of marijuana. -
Colorado faces historic challenge in regulating marijuana stores
The Denver Post (US)
Monday, October 14, 2013
As Colorado prepares for the opening of historic recreational marijuana stores, state officials are preparing for something equally as unique — a regulatory challenge of almost maddening complexity. Faced with these challenges, marijuana regulators in Colorado stop short of guaranteeing an airtight system. But Ron Kammerzell, the state Department of Revenue's deputy senior director of enforcement, is confident the department will be able to catch most fraud. -
Hemp-seed muesli led to ACT drug-driving charge: Laws under fire
The Canberra Times (Australia)
Saturday, October 12, 2013
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) new drug-driving laws have come under fire after a senior public servant who ate a breakfast muesli containing hemp seeds was dragged through a nine-month court battle. The 2011 laws raised immediate concerns from lawyers and civil libertarians for their zero-tolerance approach, which criminalises even the smallest trace of drugs found in a driver's system. Fears were raised that the laws, designed for road safety, ignored the actual impairment level of a driver and threatened to snare Canberrans who had accidentally or innocently ingested drugs. -
Latin America builds momentum against US-backed drug war
Laura CarlsenThe Huffington Post (US)
Thursday, October 10, 2013
One after another, Latin American leaders rose to the podium at the last UN General Assembly to take a stand against the United States' signature security policy in the hemisphere -- the war on drugs. "Right here, in this same headquarters, 52 years ago, the convention that gave birth to the war on drugs was approved. Today, we must acknowledge, that war has not been won," Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said. (See also: Drug policy debate in the Americas) -
After legalizing marijuana, Washington and Colorado are starting to regulate it
The Washington Post (US)
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Nearly a year ago, Washington and Colorado legalized recreational marijuana sales. Now it’s time to regulate them. The two states have taken slightly different approaches. Washington’s are slightly more restrictive. There will be limits on the number of sellers’ licenses available there, keeping plants for personal use is not allowed and advertising is restricted to 1,600 square inches (about a meter squared). Colorado has already begun accepting licenses without a cap, cultivation for personal use is allowed and stores could open as soon as January. -
Lawmakers give nod to decriminalisation of ganja
The Gleaner (Jamaica)
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Lawmakers in Jamaica gave the nod to Raymond Pryce's motion calling for the decriminalisation of ganja following two weeks of debate which saw members on the government side split on the issue. Despite sharp divisions among members of parliament on the issue, at the end of the debate, the motion was passed without dissent. (See also: Motion to decriminalise ganja passed in the House and Main recommendations of the 2011 National Commission on Ganja) -
Pot group advises how to avoid new cannabis fine
The Local (Switzerland)
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Authorities in Switzerland decriminalized possession of small amounts of cannabis earlier this month with the introduction of a 100-franc fine but a pot smokers group is already dispensing advice on how to avoid the penalty. The Zurich-based group Legalize it! believes the law is still too harsh on pot smokers and in a German-language brochure it advises users to lie to police to avoid paying the fine. -
Majority of Texas voters want to legalize marijuana
The Huffington Post (US)
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
A majority of Texas voters support marijuana legalization, according to a recent survey. Public Policy Polling found that 58 percent of Texans "support making marijuana legal for adults and regulating it like alcohol." Even more – 61 percent – were in favor of decriminalizing marijuana possession and instead punishing violations with a civil citation. Texas law currently views possession of marijuana, even on a minute scale, as a criminal offense, punishable by $2,000 in fines and up to a year of jail time. -
New Zealand’s bold experiment with regulating recreational drugs
Maia SzalavitzReuters (UK)
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
One country is trying a new approach. For the first time in history, New Zealand has created a regulatory body to oversee recreational drugs. Passed by parliament this summer on a vote of 119 to 1, the legislation has already granted interim approval to over 50 products with names like "Dr. Feelgood," "4:20," and "Everest Tibetan Toot." (See also: New Zealand’s psychoactive substances legislation)
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