taxpayers hundreds of billions of taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars, increased crime and destroyed dollars, increased crime and destroyed inner cities, fostered widespread inner cities, fostered widespread corruption and violations of human corruption and violations of human rights - and all with no success in rights - and all with no success in achieving the stated and unattainable achieving the stated and unattainable objective of a drug free America?“ objective of a drug free America?“ - - Milton Friedman, winner of Milton Friedman, winner of 1976 Nobel 1976 Nobel Memorial Prize for economic Memorial Prize for economic science science
Transcript
"Who would believe that a democratic "Who would believe that a democratic
government would pursue for eight decades government would pursue for eight decades a failed policy that produced tens of millions a failed policy that produced tens of millions
of victims and trillions of dollars of illicit of victims and trillions of dollars of illicit profits for drug dealers, cost taxpayers profits for drug dealers, cost taxpayers
hundreds of billions of dollars, increased hundreds of billions of dollars, increased crime and destroyed inner cities, fostered crime and destroyed inner cities, fostered widespread corruption and violations of widespread corruption and violations of human rights - and all with no success in human rights - and all with no success in
achieving the stated and unattainable achieving the stated and unattainable objective of a drug free America?“objective of a drug free America?“
- - Milton Friedman, winner of 1976 Milton Friedman, winner of 1976 NobelNobel
Memorial Prize for economic Memorial Prize for economic sciencescience
How We Got Into This Mess How We Got Into This Mess and the Special Interests and the Special Interests
That Keep Us Here That Keep Us Here
Suzanne WillsSuzanne WillsDrug Policy Forum of Drug Policy Forum of
– Set out to eradicate opium use– Harrison Narcotics Act– The creation of addict as a criminal– Was a severe alcoholic- Supported by temperance movement- Financially supported by wife, Elizabeth Washburn Wright
Source: Norton Mezvinsky, "The White Ribbon Reform, 1874-1920”Source: Norton Mezvinsky, "The White Ribbon Reform, 1874-1920”
In 1910 there were 12,000 temperance leagues with 248,343 members.In 1910 there were 12,000 temperance leagues with 248,343 members.
By 1920 membership had risen to 345,949.By 1920 membership had risen to 345,949.
“ “The really serious results of this The really serious results of this legislation…legislation…
will appear only gradually and will not will appear only gradually and will not always always
be recognized as recognized as such. be recognized as recognized as such. TheseThese
will be the failure of promising will be the failure of promising careers, thecareers, the
disrupting of happy families, the disrupting of happy families, the commission ofcommission of
crimes which will never be traced to crimes which will never be traced to their realtheir real
cause, and the influx into hospitals for cause, and the influx into hospitals for the the
mentally disordered of many who mentally disordered of many who would would
otherwise live socially competent otherwise live socially competent lives.”lives.”
New York Medical Journal, 1915New York Medical Journal, 1915
Harry J. Anslinger, Commissioner of Federal Bureau of Narcotics, 1930-1962
"... the primary reason to outlaw"... the primary reason to outlaw
marijuana is its effect on themarijuana is its effect on the
Distribution of Cannabis sativa L.Distribution of Cannabis sativa L.
Reefer Madness, was produced in1936 with the close collaborationof the Bureau of Narcotics.
- Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 ‘…to levy a token tax of approx. $1 on all buyers, sellers, importers, growers, physicians, veterinarians, and any others who deal in marijuana commercially, prescribe it professionally, or possess it.’ - 5 years prison and/or $2000 fine
- Doctors had to report to Bureau of Narcotics on patients or both would be fined/ jailed - Made marijuana unprofitable as a unprofitable as a pharmaceuticalpharmaceutical productproduct
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Drug Enforcement Administration
_______________________________________ ) In The Matter Of )
OPINION AND RECOMMENDED RULING, FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND DECISION OF
Administrative LAW JUDGE.
FRANCIS L. YOUNG, Administrative Law Judge
DATED: SEP 6 1988
……There is no record in the extensive medical literature describingThere is no record in the extensive medical literature describing
a proven, documented cannabis-induced fatality. a proven, documented cannabis-induced fatality.
……Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeuticallyMarijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically
active substances known to man. active substances known to man.
The World HealthThe World Health
Organization estimatesOrganization estimates
that 4 million people diethat 4 million people die
each year worldwide fromeach year worldwide from
tobacco-related illness. tobacco-related illness.
Fumigated Fumigated food crops in food crops in Colombia.Colombia.
Photo by Sanho Photo by Sanho Tree, Institute for Tree, Institute for Policy Studies.Policy Studies.
Tobacco kills over Tobacco kills over 400,000 people in 400,000 people in the U.S. every the U.S. every year and millions year and millions more worldwide.more worldwide.
Inscribed: To Governor Ray Shafer ...fromInscribed: To Governor Ray Shafer ...from
his devoted friend Richard M. Nixon his devoted friend Richard M. Nixon
The Shafer Commission issued its report on marijuana policy on March
22, 1972- Washington, DC - A Presidential commission's Washington, DC - A Presidential commission's
report recommends that marijuana be report recommends that marijuana be legalized. The Commission concluded that legalized. The Commission concluded that marijuana users "are essentially marijuana users "are essentially indistinguishable from their nonmarijuana indistinguishable from their nonmarijuana using peers by any fundamental criterion using peers by any fundamental criterion other than their marijuana use." They found other than their marijuana use." They found that, that, "Neither the marijuana user nor the drug "Neither the marijuana user nor the drug itself can be said to constitute a danger to itself can be said to constitute a danger to public safety."public safety." The Commission recommended The Commission recommended "Decriminalization of possession of marijuana "Decriminalization of possession of marijuana for personal use on both the state and federal for personal use on both the state and federal levels." levels."
The Report of the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse
Marihuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding
Commissioned by President Richard M. Nixon, March, 1972
"...the creation of ever-larger bureaucracies, ever-increasing expenditure of monies and an outpouring of publicity so that the public will know that 'something' is being done. Perhaps the major consequence of this ... has been the creation of a vested interest in the perpetuation of the problem among those dispensing and receiving funds ... In the course of well-meaning efforts to do something about drug use, this society may have inadvertently institutionalized it as a never-ending project."
17%
41%
0
10
20
30
40
50
USA Europe
6%
23%
0
5
10
15
20
25
USA Europe
Proportion of 10th graders who report ever having used
marijuana/cannabis by region
Proportion of 10th graders who have used any illicit drug other
than cannabis by region
European Survey Project on Alcohol and Drugs (ESPAD)
right to discuss Cannabisright to discuss Cannabis
with their patients.with their patients.
Angel and Robert RaichAngel and Robert Raich
Angel Raich suffers from scoliosis, a brain tumor, chronic Angel Raich suffers from scoliosis, a brain tumor, chronic nausea, nausea,
fatigue and pain. The Supreme Court will hear Ashcroft vs. fatigue and pain. The Supreme Court will hear Ashcroft vs. Raich this Raich this
winter to rule on her right to use cannabis as a medicine.winter to rule on her right to use cannabis as a medicine.
After 19 major surgeries and After 19 major surgeries and
hundreds of pharmaceuticalhundreds of pharmaceutical
drugs, George McMahon nowdrugs, George McMahon now
uses only Cannabis to controluses only Cannabis to control
his Nail Patella Syndrome.his Nail Patella Syndrome.
““The undertreatment of pain The undertreatment of pain in hospitalsin hospitals
is absolutely medieval.”is absolutely medieval.”
Dr. Russell PortnoyDr. Russell Portnoy
Pain Center at Sloan Kettering Memorial HospitalPain Center at Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital
Heroin Heroin injection injection has often has often been the been the ignition ignition point for point for AIDS AIDS outbreaks outbreaks in third in third world world cities.cities.
5% of the world’s people5% of the world’s people
25% of the world’s prisoners25% of the world’s prisoners
Correctional Populations in the United States, 1997 and Prisoners in 2002,U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics
The clinic in Bern, Switzerland is in this buildingThe clinic in Bern, Switzerland is in this building
"I know of no other "I know of no other crime crime
prevention program prevention program with with
such a big reduction in such a big reduction in
theft and other serious theft and other serious
crimes." crimes." Martin Killias,Martin Killias,
Institute of Police Institute of Police Science and Science and Criminology Criminology
All federal agenciesAll federal agencies The defense industryThe defense industry The pharmaceutical industryThe pharmaceutical industry The advertising industry and the mediaThe advertising industry and the media The prison industryThe prison industry The tobacco and liquor industriesThe tobacco and liquor industries The drug testing industryThe drug testing industry The drug treatment industryThe drug treatment industry The home security industryThe home security industry The timber industryThe timber industry The international illegal drug cartelsThe international illegal drug cartels
Essential public policy objectives -
Enhanced public order and reduced crime.
Improved public health. Protection of children. Efficient use of scarce public
resources. The War on Drugs has not only failed to
fulfill any of these objectives, but also has
exacerbated the very problems it was designed to
address. King County Washington Bar Association, Drug Policy Project, 2001
Special InterestsSpecial Interests
All federal agenciesAll federal agencies The defense industryThe defense industry The pharmaceutical industryThe pharmaceutical industry The advertising industry and the mediaThe advertising industry and the media The prison industryThe prison industry The tobacco and liquor industriesThe tobacco and liquor industries The drug testing industryThe drug testing industry The drug treatment industryThe drug treatment industry The home security industryThe home security industry The timber industryThe timber industry The international illegal drug cartelsThe international illegal drug cartels
The federal The federal bureaucracybureaucracy
MDMA and INcredible MDMA and INcredible researchresearch
Alexander T. Shulgin, Ph.DAlexander T. Shulgin, Ph.D..
Dr. Shulgin is a chemist, researcher, and author. With Dr. Shulgin is a chemist, researcher, and author. With his wife, Ann, has authored the books his wife, Ann, has authored the books PIHKAL PIHKAL and and
TIHKALTIHKAL..
Oakland psychologist and Oakland psychologist and psychotherapist Leo Zeff,psychotherapist Leo Zeff,
"the Johnny Appleseed of MDMA." "the Johnny Appleseed of MDMA."
The husband and wife “research” teamThe husband and wife “research” team
Dr. George RicaurteDr. George Ricaurte The John S. Hopkins Medical instituteThe John S. Hopkins Medical institute
Dr. Una McCannDr. Una McCann National Institutes on Drug AbuseNational Institutes on Drug Abuse
This is what the brain thinks of
Ecstasy..... Any Questions?
“ “Irretreviably flawed.”Irretreviably flawed.”
New Scientist, April 20, 2002New Scientist, April 20, 2002
The The Perils Perils
ofof
““EcstasEcstasy”y”
Senator Joseph Biden, (D) DelawareSenator Joseph Biden, (D) Delaware
Source: Source: ScienceScience, Vol 301, Issue 5639, 1479, Vol 301, Issue 5639, 1479Date: 12 September 2003 Date: 12 September 2003
RetractionRetraction
We write to retract our We write to retract our reportreport "Severe "Severe dopaminergic neurotoxicity in primates after dopaminergic neurotoxicity in primates after a common recreational dose regimen of a common recreational dose regimen of MDMA ("ecstasy")" (MDMA ("ecstasy")" (11), following our recent ), following our recent discovery that the drug used to treat all but discovery that the drug used to treat all but one animal in that report came from a bottle one animal in that report came from a bottle that contained (+)-methamphetamine that contained (+)-methamphetamine instead of the intended drug, (±)MDMA. instead of the intended drug, (±)MDMA. Notably, (+)-methamphetamine would be Notably, (+)-methamphetamine would be expected to produce the same pattern of expected to produce the same pattern of combined dopaminergic/serotonergic combined dopaminergic/serotonergic neurotoxicity (neurotoxicity (22) as that seen in the animals ) as that seen in the animals reported in our paper (reported in our paper (11).).
BE CAREFUL BE CAREFUL
Ecstasy is illegal and a conviction for possession can carry long prison sentences. Ecstasy is illegal and a conviction for possession can carry long prison sentences.
Frequent or high doses have been linked to neurotoxic damage in laboratory Frequent or high doses have been linked to neurotoxic damage in laboratory animals. It is still unknown whether such damage occurs in humans or, if it animals. It is still unknown whether such damage occurs in humans or, if it does, whether this has any long-term, negative consequences. does, whether this has any long-term, negative consequences.
Some people experience depression after taking MDMA. This is caused by MDMA's Some people experience depression after taking MDMA. This is caused by MDMA's action on certain brain chemicals. action on certain brain chemicals.
There have been some deaths associated with MDMA. Usually these have been a There have been some deaths associated with MDMA. Usually these have been a result of result of heatstrokeheatstroke from dancing for long periods of time in hot clubs without from dancing for long periods of time in hot clubs without replenishing lost body fluids. replenishing lost body fluids.
Much of what is sold as "ecstasy" on the black market actually contains Much of what is sold as "ecstasy" on the black market actually contains other drugsother drugs, some of which can be more dangerous than MDMA, like , some of which can be more dangerous than MDMA, like PMAPMA, , speedspeed, , DXMDXM and PCP. and PCP.
Mixing ecstasy with alcohol or other drugs increases the risk of adverse reactions. Mixing ecstasy with alcohol or other drugs increases the risk of adverse reactions.
The defense industryThe defense industry
Plan ColombiaPlan Colombia
A farmer dries his cocaine base in the sun in Monserrate. Photograph by Carlos Villalón A farmer dries his cocaine base in the sun in Monserrate. Photograph by Carlos Villalón
After 19 major surgeries and After 19 major surgeries and
hundreds of pharmaceuticalhundreds of pharmaceutical
drugs, George McMahon nowdrugs, George McMahon now
uses only Cannabis to controluses only Cannabis to control
his Nail Patella Syndrome.his Nail Patella Syndrome.
The advertising The advertising industry and the industry and the
mediamedia
““On strategy” content and theOn strategy” content and the
National Youth Anti-Drug National Youth Anti-Drug CampaignCampaign
November 14, 1996 meeting at the November 14, 1996 meeting at the offices of then drug czar Gen. Barry offices of then drug czar Gen. Barry McCaffrey:McCaffrey:
Drug Enforcement AdministrationDrug Enforcement Administration
Department of JusticeDepartment of Justice
White House Office of Drug Control PolicyWhite House Office of Drug Control Policy
Department of TreasuryDepartment of Treasury
Department of EducationDepartment of Education
Department of Health and Human ServicesDepartment of Health and Human Services
The White HouseThe White House
Eight senior executives from private pro-drug war Eight senior executives from private pro-drug war groups, including The Partnership for a Drug Free groups, including The Partnership for a Drug Free AmericaAmerica
ParadeParade received more received more
than any other than any other publicationpublication
for “on strategy” for “on strategy” messagesmessages
in its content.in its content.
Media Campaign Appropriations, by Media Campaign Appropriations, by Fiscal Year ($ in millions)Fiscal Year ($ in millions)
War on Drugs: The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign by Mark War on Drugs: The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign by Mark EddyEddy
Advertising Hall of Advertising Hall of AchievementAchievement
2003 Photo Gallery2003 Photo Gallery
First on the left is Stephen Pasierb, President
Partnership for a Drug-Free America
The prison The prison industryindustry
5% of the world’s people5% of the world’s people
25% of the world’s prisoners25% of the world’s prisoners
Cromwell Architects Engineers Cromwell Architects Engineers Val Verde County Jail FacilityVal Verde County Jail Facility
Del Rio, TexasDel Rio, Texas
Unit Unit LocationLocationss
Of the 55,183 Texas prisoners Of the 55,183 Texas prisoners returned to their homes during 2001, returned to their homes during 2001, 59% returned to just 5 counties.59% returned to just 5 counties.
“ “In In Lockhart, TexasLockhart, Texas, we , we operate work program operate work program facilities for the Texas facilities for the Texas Department of Criminal Department of Criminal Justice-Parole Division. As Justice-Parole Division. As there is an there is an inverse relationship between inverse relationship between marketable job skills and the marketable job skills and the incidence of incarceration, we incidence of incarceration, we have recruited private have recruited private industry to establish factories industry to establish factories within the facilities, train within the facilities, train offenders in appropriate skills, offenders in appropriate skills, and pay them for their labor and pay them for their labor under the Prison Industry under the Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP) program. “Program (PIECP) program. “
“ “Today, CCA is the Today, CCA is the sixth largest sixth largest corrections system corrections system in the country, in the country, coming just after coming just after Texas, California, Texas, California, the federal the federal government, New government, New York, and Florida.”York, and Florida.”
Congressman PeteCongressman PeteSessions Sessions outlines a outlines a
planplan
to introduce a bill to introduce a bill
requiring a mandatory requiring a mandatory lifelife
sentence for anyone sentence for anyone
caught and involved in caught and involved in thethe
manufacture of meth-manufacture of meth-
amphetamine in the amphetamine in the UnitedUnited
States as Rep. Mark States as Rep. Mark
Souder listens. SessionsSouder listens. Sessions
and Souder were at Westand Souder were at West
Mesquite High SchoolMesquite High School
Monday to give a statusMonday to give a status
report to residents on thereport to residents on the
Northeast Texas fight Northeast Texas fight
against drugs.against drugs.
Michael MarshallMichael Marshall
Staff photoStaff photo The Mesquite News, July 24, 1997The Mesquite News, July 24, 1997
Average sentences for federal Average sentences for federal convictionsconvictions
(in months)(in months)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Drugtrafficking
Manslaughter Assault Sexual abuse
Report of American Bar Association Justice Kennedy Commission, June 2004Report of American Bar Association Justice Kennedy Commission, June 2004
72.772.7
34.334.337.737.7
65.265.2
Loren Loren PoguePogue
22 years for failing to 22 years for failing to
stop the sale of a piecestop the sale of a piece
of real estate from a paidof real estate from a paid
informant to under-coverinformant to under-cover
DEA officers after they DEA officers after they saidsaid
they would build anthey would build an
airstrip and fly in drugs.airstrip and fly in drugs.
Now held in the FederalNow held in the Federal
Medical Center in Ft. Medical Center in Ft. Worth.Worth.http://www.hr95.org/hr95faces.htmlhttp://www.hr95.org/hr95faces.html
World rank in public safety World rank in public safety indicatorsindicators
(Higher rank indicates greater public safety)(Higher rank indicates greater public safety)Source: Economic and social data ranking, European Institute of Source: Economic and social data ranking, European Institute of
Japanese StudiesJapanese Studies
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
UK Netherlands USA
HomicidesAssaultsThefts
Canada Switzerland
Correctional Populations in the United States, 1997 and Prisoners in 2002,U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics
Percentage of males born in 2001 who Percentage of males born in 2001 who can be expected to serve time in their can be expected to serve time in their
lifetimeslifetimes
0.00%
5.00%
10.00%
15.00%
20.00%
25.00%
30.00%
35.00%
White Hispanic African-American
Report of American Bar Association Justice Kennedy Commission, June 2004Report of American Bar Association Justice Kennedy Commission, June 2004
5.9%5.9%
16.7%16.7%
32.2%32.2%
164,222 inmatesJune, 2003
Texas spends $1.45 million a day keeping adult drug offenders locked up.
““Data presented in this report must be interpreted with caution. All figures…are subject to updating.Data presented in this report must be interpreted with caution. All figures…are subject to updating.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
USA Thai. China Iran Sing.
OpiatesCocaineCannabisATS (meth)
Global Illicit Drug TrendsGlobal Illicit Drug Trends
(most current year available)(most current year available)
““Data presented in this report must be interpreted with caution. All figures…are subject to updating.Data presented in this report must be interpreted with caution. All figures…are subject to updating.
METHAMPHETAMINE: THE CURRENT THREAT IN EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC RIM
September 2003 DEA-03052
Drug related arrests in China 1991-Drug related arrests in China 1991-20032003
DEA resources for law enforcement officers,DEA resources for law enforcement officers,intelligence reports, China: country briefintelligence reports, China: country brief
Figure 2.1 Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Figure 2.1 Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Any Illicit Drug among PersonsAny Illicit Drug among Persons
Aged 12 or Older,Aged 12 or Older, by State: 2002 by State: 2002
use of mjuse of mj1.701.70 6.146.14 5.485.48 0.130.13
Past yr usePast yr use
of cocaineof cocaine2.382.38 1.461.46 5.825.82 1.101.10
Past mo.Past mo.
binge binge alcoholalcohol
23.4823.48 9.969.96 41.2641.26 22.1622.16
Past mo. Past mo. useuse
of tobaccoof tobacco
29.0229.02 12.8812.88 41.4641.46 29.1429.14
Past yr need Past yr need not not
get trmt-ill get trmt-ill drugdrug
2.432.43 4.474.47 6.666.66 1.281.28
Past yr need Past yr need notnot
get trmt-get trmt-alcoholalcohol
7.967.96 5.365.36 17.5317.53 6.526.52
General population per 2000 censusGeneral population per 2000 censusPrison population per Texas Dept of Criminal Prison population per Texas Dept of Criminal
Justice,Justice, Aug 2002 Aug 2002
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Whitenon-Hisp
White-Hisp
African-Am
Other
Gen. pop.Prisoners
Texas prisoners by offense Texas prisoners by offense
Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice, August, 2002Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice, August, 2002
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Violent Property Drugs Other
46%46%
19%19%
24%24%
11%11%
Religious groups which endorse a variety of drug policyReligious groups which endorse a variety of drug policy
reforms, including repealing mandatory minimum sentencing:reforms, including repealing mandatory minimum sentencing:National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USANational Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaEvangelical Lutheran Church in America
Presbyterian Church (USA), the United Church of ChristPresbyterian Church (USA), the United Church of Christ
Unitarian Universalist Association of CongregationsUnitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
Religious Society of FriendsReligious Society of Friends
Progressive National Baptist Convention Progressive National Baptist Convention Religious groups that support legal access to cannabis forReligious groups that support legal access to cannabis for
patients who have obtained their doctors' approval: patients who have obtained their doctors' approval: Episcopal ChurchEpiscopal Church
United Church of ChristUnited Church of Christ
Unitarian Universalist AssociationUnitarian Universalist Association
Union for Reform JudaismUnion for Reform Judaism
United Methodist ChurchUnited Methodist Church
Progressive National Baptist ConventionProgressive National Baptist Convention
