THE FUTURE OF DRUG POLICY REFORM, GAUGED FROM THE DPA CONFERENCE IN ALBUQUERQUE

This was the second Drug Policy Alliance conference for me and I
truly felt honored to attend. To be in the company of so many of
those instrumental in ending such a failed and unjust policy was
glorious in and of itself. Some day when these laws have changed and
history books look back at who was a part of the movement to end the
absurdity it will in large part be because of the work done by the
people who were at this conference, and the one in 2007. People from
all aspects of the war on drugs, not just those working on medical
cannabis legislation or legalization, but those in the fields of harm
reduction, psychedelics, law enforcement, policy making and public
health were in attendance and each was able to bring something unique
to the table. To have such an array of individuals touched by the
drug war and each seeing the need that our current situation is not
working will stick with me forever.

One obvious difference about this conference than the one in 2007 was
the optimism in the air and spirit that we are on the cusp of change.
This optimism is likely due to Obama's presidential election but even
small victories are growing and popping up similar to dandelions,
contributing to this positive spirit. Whether it is the recent call
for a review of the scheduling of cannabis by the AMA, the former
leaders of Latin America calling for decriminalization of all drugs,
the FDA working with

MAPS to get MDMA approved for PTSD for veterans, or the Department of
Justice issuing formal guidelines directed against federal
interference of state medical cannabis laws, these are different
times than two years ago. And the reason is that the costs, hypocrisy
and bloodshed of this war are becoming so unbearable for so many
people that the media cannot ignore it and the politicians are slowly
beginning to react. As well, research revealing the power of
substances such as cannabis, MDMA, and amphetamines to alleviate the
physical and mental suffering of many patients begs the general
public to revisit assumptions that these substances are dangerous to
society. Indeed, many presenters at this conference seemed driven by
a deep understanding and compassion for patients who would medically
benefit from the end of prohibition.

Kind folks like Beto O'Rourke, council member of El Paso, TX, and
Nubia Legarda, from the University of Texas-El Paso Students for
Sensible Drug Policy, are examples of people who are contributing to
this new rational and compassionate era. Because of their concern for
human life and human rights, both put this issue on the international
spotlight and forced people to face the hurtful truth, namely that
the American federal government will not even let people have an open
and honest discussion about ending drug prohibition to stop the
violence in Cuidad Juarez. Each of us can do something, anything to
keep this momentum growing and add to the public outrage that is
needed in order for lawmakers to change these failed policies. In
addition to that we should expect different changes in policy for
different places because this is not simply about ending the War on
Drugs. It is also about what we do after we end that war.

For me that has been the best part of bearing witness and
participating in this momentous time, namely, having a say in exactly
how we go about regulating drug consumption once legally allowed. By
exploring tolerance ranges and cultural attitudes towards
intoxication, addiction and spirituality, one can begin to imagine
ways that their community would approach substance usage in legal
markets. I've learned of coca leaf tea, LSD and MDMA assisted
psychotherapy, opioid overdose antidotes, and jet pilots on
amphetamine. I have fantasized about drug regulation schemes and
have started to make them a reality by getting involved in the
process to change these laws and working with lawmakers on different
regulatory systems

In my opinion this world can expect a significant shift in drug
policy reform in a second term Obama administration; until then there
will be many incremental shifts back and forth. Additionally, as
Ethan Nadelmann emphasized in his opening remarks, "We need to push
Obama, but support him too," and I agree. We need to rally people
behind changing these policies. We need to show them how and why this
isn't working, what the solution is, and how we can achieve it by
engaging those who have the ability to change these policies, whether
it is politicians, the voters, or both. We can educate them and
provide them with the framework for imagining a world where addiction
is a public health matter and not reason for a person to take up
space in the police blotter and our prisons. We can show them that
all drug use is not abuse and that responsible, good people choose to
use drugs for a number of reasons.

Finally, we can teach them that children will be better protected and
that the world will be a better place once drugs are legal and regulated.

The 2009 International Drug Policy Reform Conference was a grand
event. It was full of education, professionalism and dedicated
individuals, families and organizations. It was my first time in
Albuquerque and I was impressed with the people, the food, the
scenery, and the approach that New Mexico has taken in reducing the
harm of the War on Drugs. Plus, the coffee was strong and plentiful.