CHANGE

The word for this political season is "Change." We hear it from the
candidates and from the commentators and pundits, but mainly we hear
it from the voters. I'm starting to believe them. Change is in the
air; and it smells a lot like burning bud.

At the state level, three New England states -- Vermont,
Massachusetts, and now New Hampshire -- have some kind of
decriminalization bill actively in the legislative process; and the
debate is substantive in all of them. Medical marijuana is nearing
ballot status as a referendum in Wisconsin and has been introduced
into one mid-Atlantic legislature.

In the halls of Congress, the radical restructuring of crack cocaine
sentencing, including retroactive application has been accepted and a
needle exchange program for the District of Columbia has been
approved. At least one bill recognizing state medical marijuana
programs will probably be on the agenda for the next term. Perhaps
the two reforms of the last session will convince some politicians
that they can vote for reform without committing political suicide.

Internationally, Israel is set to begin free distribution of heroin
to addicts. Morales of Bolivia and Chavez of Venezuela are both
supporting native coca growers.

The American College of Physicians, the largest and most prestigious
organization of practicing doctors, has just passed a resolution
supporting medical marijuana, calling for its availability for some
patients and for more research. The clinical trials for using MDMA in
therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are progressing. An
Administrative Law Judge has recommended approval of a
marijuana-growing license for the University of Massachusetts.

Even more, the public is for change. Large majorities nationwide
favor making medical marijuana available to patients, and large
numbers oppose imprisonment for simple possession of marijuana.

But will any of those things happen? Won't next year just be politics as usual.

I'm going to be braver than the pundits here. Nearly all of them are
predicting a Democratic President and larger Democratic majorities in
both houses of Congress. When I compare what I am seeing this year
with what I have seen in fifty years of watching presidential
politics, I predict that this year will bring a realignment -- both
in Congress and in the states -- larger than anything since FDR and
the New Deal routed the Republicans in 1932.

So what should Drug Reformers do? The first, and most important,
thing is to vote and to assist your favored candidates in
campaigning. The second is to never publicly ask one of your favored
candidates his or her position on a drug question. The issue is still
such a fright factor in politics that they will almost certainly come
up with some equivocating answer that makes them look dumb. Instead,
take an opportunity to ask that question of some one you oppose and
give him a chance to look ignorant or uncaring.

Next, begin planning and organizing now. The opening days and weeks
of a new Congress or legislature is when they will feel the most
powerful and confident and when the opposition will be most
demoralized. Petitions, resolutions, and proposed bills should reach
their targets between Election Day and the opening of the sessions.
And talk to them -- write, telephone, text, and if possible, visit
them. Let them know you care -- a lot.

I feel optimistic. Change IS in the air. But it takes a lot of
thought and work to pull that wispy idea out of the air and nail it
to solid ground. Change is in the air, but only you can make it happen.