Search REvEvolution
The legalization debate is heating up again, now that Bush is gone. Check out the Democracy Now interview below on recent changes to New York's Rockefeller Drug Laws, which set mandatory minimums for even first time, non-violent drug offenders that can be up to 15 years for a simple Class A felony possession charge. Bill Moyers' excellent interview with realistic crime-drama writer, David Simon of The Wire, adds another perspective to the argument...
In other news, the draconian U.S drug law which levies the same sentence for possession of 5 grams of crack as it does for 500 grams of cocaine is set to be overturned, due to its obviously discriminatory nature. Even Obama's been forced to comment on the issue recently, though he has said little to support legalization. Still, the push to legalize is stronger now than its been in nearly a decade...
03/18/10
Police State, USA New
Michelle Alexander
America has the highest prison population in the world—by far!. Watch this interview and read the article it's based on, which explains that the vast majority of imprisoned americans are non-violent drug offenders. 80% of them are in prison for possession—not distribution. And 60% of them are in prison for marijuana related offences...
› Prison Nation New
03/17/10
The War Next Door
Charles Bowdent
Watch this excellent interview with the author of the upcoming book, Murder City. He explains how the U.S. war on drugs has turned Juarez, Mexico--the border town nearest Texas--into a war zone. He explains how U.S. immigration policy, gun laws and NAFTA all play a major role in the escalating violence...
› Turf Battle Jaurez Cartels fight for dominance New
› Murder City New Book by Charles Bowden
Facts on America's War on Drugs
› Nearly 60% of drug busts in the U.S. are for marijuana
› Of those busts, about 80% are for possession, not distribution
› America's Afro American population is about 13% of the total
› Afro Americans account for about 14% of drug users in America
› But, Afro Americans account for over 60% of all drug offenders in prison
Source: Drug War Facts.Org
More on Drugs and Legalization
› The War Next Door the mexican drug war New
› Drug War Facts info on use, imprisonment New
› Murder City New Book by Charles Bowden
› Obama on Drugs his position, so far
› Inner City Story David Simon, creator of The Wire
› Democracy Now repealing the Rockefeller drug laws
› Drop The Rock drug law reform campaign
› Legalize It! seattle's top cop agrees
05/18/09
Obama's Slightly Nicer War On Drugs
Alternett
Obama's toned down the the rhetoric on drugs considerabley, and come out in support of some promising changes—like the examples mentioned above. But will he actually do anything except continue the same war with kinder words. And will he have the politcal balls to stand up to the big private prison operators, who have been the main beneficiaries of the war on drugs—and the war on smoking marijuana that Bush Jr. started a few years ago. This article by Arianna Huffington on Alternet summarizes the administrations position so far, and attempts to answer that question...
