HOT OFF THE 'NET

EMERGING FROM THE DRUG WAR DARK AGE

LSD and Other Psychedelic Medicines Make a Comeback

By Charles Shaw

After a 40-year moratorium, credible research for treating illnesses
and addictions with psychedelic compounds has made a miraculous comeback.

http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/90958/

MEXICO: THE MERIDA INITIATIVE DISCUSSED

Laura Carlsen is the director of the Americas program for the Center
for International Policy, which advocates foreign policy based on
demilitarization and a respect for human rights. She writes
extensively on Mexico.

Senator Patrick Leahy is a Vermont Democrat who heads the foreign
operations subcommittee and is an advocate of the package.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza/2008/07/draft-merida.html

UNCLE SAM'S PATENTED MARIJUANA MEDICINE

By Jacob Sullum

http://www.reason.com/blog/show/127475.html

BIG PHARMA IS IN A FRENZY TO BRING CANNABIS-BASED MEDICINES TO MARKET

By Paul Armentano

While the the American Medical Association claims pot has no medical
value, Big Pharma is busy getting patents for marijuana products.

http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/90469/

DRUG TRUTH NETWORK

Century of Lies - 07/08/08 - John Stossel

ABC reporter John Stossel & DTN reporter Dean Becker spend the half
hour discussing the drug war & Stossel's latest article at Townhall.com

http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=node/1960

Cultural Baggage Radio Show - 07/09/08 - Ryan King

Ryan King of the Sentencing Project + Terry Nelson with the LEAP
report, Cannabis College ad.

http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=node/1961

DISPATCHES FROM VIENNA

By Graham Boyd, ACLU

As I head to Vienna for a historic U.N. meeting on drug policy, I
find myself reflecting on the pervasive influence of the United
States on drug laws around the globe. The news of today, and of any
given day, is permeated with tragedies and dramas that exist only
because we, in the United States, have convinced ourselves and much
of the world that prison and black markets are the best solutions to
the human urge to ingest substances, despite (or perhaps because of)
their powerful ability to alter brain chemistry.

http://blog.aclu.org/category/drug-law-reform/

BC UNDER SMOKE: CANNABIS CULTURE THRIVES IN VANCOUVER

Welcome to Vansterdam, where marijuana is as close to legal as it
gets and cannabis culture has become mainstream. From the huge
smoke-ins to cannabis-friendly establishments, it's clear that
Vancouverites like their BC bud.

http://www.vancouveriam.com/videos/bc43740930ad

WHY CRACKDOWNS ON DRUGS IN PRISON COMPLETELY MISS THE POINT

By Steve Rolles, Transform Drug Policy Foundation

So another report on drugs in prisons, another outline of how bad the
problem is, another list of how drugs get into prisons, and set of
recommendations for a crackdown - based on, you guessed it, a new
co-ordinated strategy, new technology and some new guidelines on best practice.

http://drugsense.org/url/KwOE40o5

ADOPTING A HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED GLOBAL DRUG POLICY

ACLU Statement to the United Nations

http://www.aclu.org/drugpolicy/gen/35891res20080707.html

WOULD LEGALIZING CANNABIS BENEFIT YOUR COMMUNITY?

World Have Your Say, BBC World Service

Dope on the ropes : two U.S states consider legalising cannabis for
health, crime and economic reasons, you ask us... if it's the right
time to take marijuana off the crime list... Would it spare police
for bigger crimes, ease the pain of the sick and stop the dealers
cashing in? Or will it just lead to people trying stronger drugs?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/whys/

WHAT YOU CAN DO THIS WEEK

Write A Letter

Too Many Prisoners. A DrugSense Focus Alert.

http://www.mapinc.org/alert/0374.html