drug policy reform on the move

©Jeffrey Dhywood - www.world-war-d.com 1

Drug policy on the move: 2013 in progress

Keeping you informed of the global trends and major events in drug policy reform in 2013A review in reverse chronological order.

More details at http://www.world-war-d.com/

http://www.world-war-d.com/

Drug policy on the move: 2013 in progress

As 2013 winds down, positioning is starting for the next battles in November 2014 and 2016. Understand the problem, explore the solutions!

"World War D – The Case against prohibitionism, roadmap to controlled re-legalization" •The reference book on the War on Drugs and prohibitionism•A guide to psychoactive substances and substance abuse •A pragmatic blueprint for global drug policy reform and controlled legalization

50% off until December 31.Paperback $19.99 Now: $9.99Ebook $11.99 Now: $5.99Order your copy: http://www.world-war-d.com/



States with Pending Medical Marijuana Legislation

As of November 30, 2013, four States have pending medical marijuana legislation. While lots of them are long shots, MMJ is on the right track in New York and Pennsylvania. 2013 may end with over 50% of the US population living in a legal mmj state.

MinnesotaNew YorkOhioPennsylvania

http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php

http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=002481





Medical Marijuana States

As of November 30, 2013, 20 states and the District of Columbia have legal access to medical marijuana

Alaska 1998Arizona 2010California 1996Colorado 2000Connecticut 2012DC 2010Delaware 2011Hawaii 2000Illinois 2013Maine 1999Massachusetts 2012Michigan 2008

Montana 2004Nevada 2000New Hampshire 2013New Jersey 2010New Mexico 2007Oregon 1998Rhode Island 2006Vermont 2004Washington 1998























Countries with legal medical or recreational marijuana/cannabis

As of November 30, 2013, 8 countries have some legal access to medical marijuana

CanadaCzech RepublicIndia (religious use)IsraelNetherlands

SpainUnited Kingdom (limited)US (20 states + District of Colombia)


October 22: Marijuana legalization support reaches 58% - Gallup

Aftermath of Colorado and Washington legalization?Gallup released new polling data that shows an overwhelming 58% of Americans support legalizing marijuana, with 39% opposed. This is up significantly from the last time Gallup polled the question in 2012, when only 48% of Americans were in favor and 50% were opposed.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/165539/first-time-americans-favor-legalizing-marijuana.aspx

http://www.gallup.com/poll/159152/americans-federal-gov-state-marijuana-laws.aspx


August 29: Obama administration will not challenge CO & WA MJ legalization • In a memo to U.S. attorneys in all 50 states,

the Obama administration declared that it would not challenge laws legalizing marijuana in Colorado and Washington state as long as those states maintain strict rules involving the sale and distribution of the drug.


August 1: Illinois become 20th MMJ state

Governor Pat Quinn signed House Bill 1 – the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act – which will help ease pain for people across Illinois who suffer from debilitating medical conditions. The bill includes some of the nation’s strongest restrictions on the cultivation, dispensing and use of medical marijuana.

Illinois is now the 20st state to enact such legislation.


July 31: Uruguay’s House of Deputies Votes to Legalize Marijuana

In a 50-46 vote, Uruguay’s House of Deputies voted to allow the production, commercialization, and distribution of cannabis, taking the first step to becoming the first country in the world to fully legalize marijuana. The bill provides for a private but strictly regulated market for cannabis and cultivation for personal use (up to six plants) as well as membership clubs (up to 99 plants). All crops will require prior government authorization.


July 23: New Hampshire Governor sign new medical marijuana bill

The last New England state turned green on Tuesday July 23 as New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan signed the local mmj bill, bringing to 19 the number of medical marijuana states.


May 17: Illinois Senate passes medical marijuana bill

• Sponsored by Dem. State Senator Bill Haine, a former county prosecutor, the bill is the toughest in the nation and has support from doctors' groups. The bill passed by a 35-21 vote.

• Governor Pat Quinn is expected to sign the bill, making Illinois the 2nd most populous medical marijuana state after California.


May 10: Republic of Georgia Considering Marijuana Legalization

The Republic of Georgia has become the next nation considering cannabis policy reform. Minister of Labor, Health and Social Affairs, David Sergeyenko stated that the nation was considering new strategies to deal with the issue of drugs, among them, the legalization of marijuana.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/05/10/Republic-of-Georgia-considers-legalizing-marijuana-minister-says/UPI-56231368211051/


April 18: Bill to create a National Commission on Federal Marijuana Policy• Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN) introduced federal legislation to

establish a National Commission on Federal Marijuana Policy, inspired by the 1971 Shafer Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse, that would be tasked with undertaking a comprehensive review of how federal policy should interact with state marijuana laws.

• Representative Steve Cohen is joined by Representatives Jared Polis (D-CO), Earl Blumenhauer (D-OR), Jim Moran (D-VA), and Sam Farr (D-CA).

• President Obama stated in December of 2012: “What we’re going to need to have is a conversation about, how do you reconcile a federal law that still says marijuana is a federal offense and state laws that say that it’s legal?”

https://www.facebook.com/CongressmanSteveCohen


April 17: Medical marijuana passes Illinois house

After various unsuccessful attempts, the Illinois House approved a measure sponsored by Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, to let people use marijuana for medical purposes, giving the proposal its best chance of becoming law in recent years. The Senate had previously passed similar legislation.

Proponents say the legislation, which would set up a four-year pilot program, would be the most restrictive in the nation. Gov. Pat Quinn is “open-minded” on the issue and likely to sign the bill.


April 12: Respect State Marijuana Laws Act introduced in US Congress

• US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), along with a bipartisan coalition of three Republicans (Reps. Rohrabacher, Rep. Justin Amash [R-MI], and Don Young [R-AK]) and three Democrats (Reps. Earl Blumenauer [D-OR], Steve Cohen [D-TN] and Jared Polis [D-CO]) today introduced House Bill 1523: the Respect State Marijuana Laws Act.

• The measure would amend the federal Controlled Substances Act to exempt from federal prosecution individuals and businesses, including marijuana dispensaries and/or retail outlets, who comply with state marijuana laws.

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/04/new_bill_would_ease_federal_st.html


April 8: Medical marijuana passes Maryland Senate 42-4

A medical marijuana bill handily passed in the Maryland Senate by a vote of 42 to 4 after a 108-28 vote in the house

Governor Martin O'Malley is expected to sign the bill. The bill would create a state commission to oversee

medical marijuana programs at academic medical research centers that decide to participate.

Maryland will become the 19th medical marijuana state.


April 4: Uruguay to launch a broad debate about its mj legalization project

The Uruguay government proposed legalizing marijuana commerce and cultivation in June 2012. With public opposition to MJ legalization still at around 64%, President Mujica decided to slow down the project last December. The government is now launching a three-month public debate that will feature round tables, seminars, and conferences across the country.

The bill would create a National Cannabis Institute to regulate commercial marijuana production and distribution. For personal use, the bill would allow the cultivation of up to six plants and the possession of up to 17 ounces.

If passed into law, Uruguay would become the first country to formally legalize marijuana commerce.


April 4: Pew Research Center poll: 52% support for marijuana legalization

An historic Pew Research Center poll shows support for marijuana legalization at 52% in the US, an amazing 11% jump since 2010, and up from … 12% in 1969.

Generational breakdown:• Silent generation (born before WWII): 32% • Baby boomers: 50%World War-D generations (born since the beginning of the

war on drugs):• Generation X: 54%• Millenials (people born since 1980): 65%

http://www.people-press.org/2013/04/04/majority-now-supports-legalizing-marijuana/


April 4: Dutch City of Eindhoven Wants to Grow Their Own Marijuana

“The Eindhoven municipality has come out in favor of a pilot project regarding the controlled cultivation of cannabis… This suggestion is aimed at using controlled cultivation to curb the ‘back-door’ problems associated with illegal supply to coffee shops,” said Eindhoven’s mayor Rob van Gijzel in a notice to Dutch Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten.

http://www.undrugcontrol.info/en/weblog/item/4578-dutch-city-of-eindhoven-wants-to-grow-their-own-marijuana







April 3: Marijuana Legalization Bill passes Oregon House Judiciary

An Oregon marijuana legalization measure has won a committee vote for the first time.

Sponsored by the Revenue Committee, House Bill 3371, would legalize marijuana possession for adults 21 and over, provide for the cultivation of a small number of plants without regulation, and set up a system of taxation and regulation of marijuana commerce.

The bill now heads to the House Revenue Committee.

http://landru.leg.state.or.us/13reg/measures/hb3300.dir/hb3371.intro.html


March 26: Creation of the French Federation of Cannabis Social Clubs

A notice advising of the formal creation of the French Federation of Cannabis Social Clubs appeared in the Journal Officiel.

THE first fifteen of an estimated 400 "cannabis social clubs" in France have formally registered their existence as a not-for-profit association at their local préfecture.

The clubs bring together growers and consumers of cannabis, who share their produce but do not sell it. They are considered illegal in France, but legally recognized in neighboring Spain and Belgium.

Authorities could close the clubs down at any point - but organizers hope for long legal delays before that happens.


March 23: bill to legalize marijuana introduced to Maine legislature

The bill was introduced with the backing of 35 co-sponsors from across the political spectrum (2 tribal representatives, 28 Democrats, 3 Republicans, and 1 independent).

The bill would legalize Possession of up to 2.5 ounces and cultivation for personal use and establish licensing of marijuana retail stores, cultivation facilities, product manufacturing facilities and testing facilities.


March 20: New Hampshire House passes two marijuana bills

• For the fourth time in six years, New Hampshire House approved a medical marijuana bill and a decriminalization bill.

• The measures sanction five marijuana dispensaries and allow patients or caregivers to grow up to three plants for medical use.

• Adults possession of up to a quarter ounce of marijuana may be subject to a $200 maximum fine. Minors caught with marijuana would be forced to attend drug rehabilitation classes or face a $1,000 fine.


March 19: Maryland decriminalize marijuana

The Maryland Senate has voted 30-16 to eliminate potential jail time for people who possess less than 10 grams of marijuana. Possession of about two joints or less will be fined $100 in civil court.

The Maryland House Judiciary Committee is also scheduled to hold a hearing Tuesday on a measure to legalize limited amounts of marijuana for adults 21 and older.

The bill would remove all penalties for private possession of up to an ounce of marijuana and cultivation of up to three plants.

The measure also would direct the Maryland comptroller to license marijuana retail stores, wholesale facilities and testing facilities.


March 15: Copenhagen city council to try marijuana legalization for 3 years

Copenhagen is proposing a 3-year marijuana legalization trial to decrease gang crime and provide a better life for marijuana users.

The city may import marijuana from Colorado and Washington.

This of course would further increase the Obama administration’s quandary.


March 6: Two Dutch cities move to support cannabis production

The Dutch municipalities of Smallingerland (main city: Drachten) and Leeuwarden propose to open discussions with coffeeshop owners to regulate cannabis production.

They hope that by setting up a legal supply route they can reduce the criminality and disorder associated with drug dealing.


February 15: Czech Republic President Signs Bill Legalizing Medical Marijuana

President Vaclav Klaus signed into law Friday a bill that legalizes medical marijuana in the Czech Republic. The bill had heavy support from both ruling political parties.

The bill was overwhelmingly passed by the Czech Senate last month by a 67-2 vote after already passing the Lower House of Parliament in December.

The Czech Republic is one of the most marijuana-friendly countries in Europe. Although marijuana remains illegal, lawmakers removed all penalties for possession of up to a half ounce and cultivation of five or fewer plants in 2010.

http://www.thedailychronic.net/2013/15553/czech-republic-president-signs-bill-legalizing-medical-marijuana/

http://www.thedailychronic.net/2013/15154/czech-parliament-overwhelmingly-approves-medical-marijuana/

http://www.thedailychronic.net/2012/13714/medical-marijuana-moving-in-czech-republic/

http://www.thedailychronic.net/news/world-news/czech-republic/


February 14: Federal Medical Marijuana Bills Introduced in Congress

In Anticipation of Patient-Led Congressional Lobbying Effort, a bipartisan group of more than a dozen Members of Congress co-introduced legislation today that would reclassify marijuana for medical use and provide federal defendants the right to use state law compliance as evidence in medical marijuana trials, a right they’re currently denied.


February 12: Hawaii marijuana legalization bill dies in HI congress

In the first reversal since the historic Colorado & Washington marijuana legalization, a marijuana legalization bill died in Hawaii before getting to the floor for lack of support, even though it was backed by the house majority leader and the speaker of the house.

Legalization bills have also been filed in Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, and are expected shortly in Maine, Vermont and Pennsylvania.


February 5: Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act introduced to Congress

Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced two pieces of legislation to de-federalize marijuana policy and provide a system of regulation and taxation for marijuana in states where it is legal.

Others worthy marijuana-related moves in US congress:• Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell came out in support of hemp

legalization in his home state of Kentucky• U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., is expected to introduce legislation

allowing states to set their own policy on marijuana.• Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. plans to hold a hearing on the

conflict between state and federal marijuana laws and urged an end to federal "mandatory minimum" sentencing.


January 30: Colombia to debate legalization of synthetic drugs

Colombia's Justice Minister, Ruth Stella Correa, has said a new drugs bill would legalise the personal use of synthetic drugs, such as ecstasy.

The new drug bill is expected to be put forward to the Colombian Congress in the next few months.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-21254907




January 26-27: Drug policy reform debated at 1st summit CELAC-EU

The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) is essentially an OAS (Organization of the American States) minus the US and Canada, and with the prominent presence of Cuba. CELAC is a clear regional statement of independence from the Northerly Big Brother, and its close ally, little brother Canada as the region is experiencing unprecedented economic growth and starting to flex its political power.


Perez Molina reiterated his assessment of the war on drugs and called for an urgent revision of the 1961 convention on narcotic drugs.

He received the explicit support of presidents Juan Manuel Santos (Colombia), Laura Chinchilla (Costa Rica), Enrique Peña Nieto (México) and Dilma Rousseff (Brasil).

Also at the CELAC-EU meeting, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos ask for Europe support of drug policy debate


January 23: Tikal Summit on drug policy reform announced at Davos

President Otto Pérez Molina and the Soros foundation will convene a summit in Tikal, Guatemala in the second semester of 2013 to analyze drug policy reform and legalization. The summit will be attended by political and business leaders as well as scientists and activists. Besides the Soros Fund Management, participants include the Carter Foundation and the Beckley Foundation


January 22: WA governor encouraged by marijuana talk w/ AG Holder

After meeting with Attorney General Eric holder, WA governor Inslee felt encouraged to move forward implementing MJ legalization, and called the conversation “very satisfying” and a “confidence-builder.” “[We will] continue with rule-making and nothing I heard should dissuade us,” Inslee said.

As pressure for global drug policy reform keeps building up, It seems quite likely that the US federal government will allow the Colorado and Washington experiments to move forward.


January 19: Guatemalan president asks the West to end the War on Drugs

In a landmark interview to the UK-based Observer, Otto Pérez Molina says regulated narcotics market must be introduced to forestall threat to democracy from drug cartels. Pérez Molina will bring up the issue at Davos forum in Switzerland. Guatemala and its neighbors Honduras, Salvador, Nicaragua and even Costa Rica have been devastated, caught in the crossfire between the Mexican drug cartels.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/19/war-on-drugs-has-failed

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/19/central-america-battle-drug-cartels






Otto Pérez Molina


January 18: Marijuana Legalization Bill Introduced in Hawaii

House Speaker Joseph Souki and majority leader Scott Saiki introduced House Bill 150, the Personal Use of Marijuana Act, that would allow adults 21 years of age and older to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and to cultivate a limited number of marijuana plants in a secure and locked location. It also would allow for licensed and regulated marijuana retail stores, as well as licensed facilities to cultivate, manufacture and test marijuana.


The beginning of a nationwide trend?

Marijuana legalization bills are expected to be introduced this year by lawmakers in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. 2013 could end with marijuana legalized in up to 8 states.

Medical marijuana bills have already been introduced in six states: Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, New Hampshire, New York, Kansas and Idaho. Another six states may follow: Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Medical marijuana states are poised to pass 20 later on this year and may reach the 25 count.


January 16: British Medical Association Report

, The British Medical Association, a professional association and registered trade union for doctors, published a comprehensive report on drug policy in the UK making clear the role they feel medical practitioners should play, not only in improving care of problem drug users, but also in becoming involved in the political debate over drug policy.

http://bma.org.uk/news-views-analysis/in-depth-drugs-of-dependence/full-report


January 14: UK all-parliamentary Group For Drug Policy Reform

In the UK, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Drug Policy Reform issued a report: recommends sweeping changes to current drug policies and decriminalization of all drugs with legalization of the least dangerous ones. The report was promptly rejected by Prime Minister David Cameron, claiming that the current approach to drugs in the UK is “the right one and is working”, making one wonder what he has been smoking lately. Meanwhile, his Deputy Prime Minister and partner in the ruling coalition, Nick Clegg, declared that the “drugs war is lost” and “current drugs policy have not been delivering for a while”.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21004715

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21004715

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9745098/Current-drugs-policy-not-delivering-says-charity-after-Nick-Clegg-attacks-conspiracy-of-silence-over-illegal-drugs.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9745098/Current-drugs-policy-not-delivering-says-charity-after-Nick-Clegg-attacks-conspiracy-of-silence-over-illegal-drugs.html


January 11: UN victory on coca leaf for Bolivia

Bolivian president Evo Morales set an important international precedent when his country rejoined the United Nations’ 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs with reservations, as the U.N. recognized the traditional use of the coca leaf and Bolivians’ right to chew the coca leaf in their territory.


Marijuana moving to the mainstream in the US?

In the aftermath of the decisive victories for marijuana legalization in Colorado and Washington, recent polls conducted since then reveal a rapidly widening support for medical marijuana as well as full legalization, and this support is now reaching into the Southern states that have traditionally been strongly opposed even to medical marijuana.


The fight is just starting

While there is a definitive change in public attitude, the fight is far from over. In many ways, it just started. The victories of 2012 will mobilize opposition to reform and while prohibitionism may just eventually crumble under the weight of its own contradictions, we need to ready ourselves for a long fight. After the heady victories of 2012, we must get ready to go down to the trenches.


Stay informed

The surest path to change starts with educating yourself and people around you, dispelling the lies, the myths and propaganda, getting a clear vision of the issues and the challenges.

"World War D – The Case against prohibitionism, roadmap to controlled re-legalization" is the most comprehensive book on the issue; the reference book on the War on Drugs and prohibitionism; a guide to psychoactive substances and substance abuse; a pragmatic blueprint for global drug policy reform and controlled legalization - http://www.world-war-d.com/



What you can do

The groundbreaking victories of 2012 didn’t fall from the sky. They were the result of the hard work and dedication of activists fighting in the trenches, working with legislators, educating the public, implementing harm reduction programs in the field. More than ever, they need your support. Underneath is a link to the major advocacy groups out there. http://www.world-war-d.com/legalization-activism/legalization-advocacy-groups/

http://www.world-war-d.com/legalization-activism/legalization-advocacy-groups/

http://www.world-war-d.com/legalization-activism/legalization-advocacy-groups/


2013: What to expect

Uruguay should finalize its controlled legalization of Marijuana. Other countries may follow

The number of medical marijuana states is likely to reach 20, with Illinois, New York and New Hampshire likely candidates.

States such as Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, California, Oregon and Montana may try the state legislature route to marijuana legalization.


The Organization of American States is reviewing the impact of current drug policy on the region, with report expected in June. Will more Latin American countries break away from the War on Drugs orthodoxy?

Already legal in Spain, cannabis social clubs are spreading all over Europe, a trend likely to accelerate in 2013. In France, between 150 to 200 cannabis social clubs plan on coming out of the closet next February.


2012, a tipping point for global drug policy?

A momentous year in review


Global trends at the end of 2012

Harm reduction practices, such as needle exchange, maintenance and substitution programs are being implemented in a growing number of countries.

Drug use is decriminalized across most of Latin America

Medical marijuana is legal in Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Finland, Italy, Spain, Israel and Portugal and soon Czech Republic.


December 14: Obama has "bigger fish to fry"

Under pressure to react, President Barack Obama declared that federal law enforcement agencies have "bigger fish to fry" than prosecuting marijuana users in Colorado and Washington. “we're going to need to have is a conversation about, How do you reconcile a federal law that still says marijuana is a federal offense and state laws that say that it's legal?"


December 13: Senate Judiciary hearing on MJ federal policy in 2013?

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is planning a hearing next year to discuss federal policy towards Colorado and Washington post-marijuana legalization. He offered a compromise solution to drug czar Gil Kerlikowske: “One option would be to amend the Federal Controlled Substances Act to allow possession of up to one ounce of marijuana, at least in jurisdictions where it is legal under state law.”


December 6: Czech Parliament Approves Medical Marijuana

The Czech Republic's lower house of Parliament has approved legislation to legalize cannabis for medical purposes. The bill still needs to be approved by the upper house to become law.

Cannabis is already decriminalized and widely tolerated in the Czech Republic.


December 5: Breaking the taboo

Launch of “Breaking the Taboo”, a global grass-roots campaign against the War on Drugs, by the Beckley Foundation, The Global Commission on Drug Policy, Virgin Unite, Avaaz and Sundog Pictures. The Mission Statement of the campaign, the Beckley Foundation Public Letter, calls for a new approach to the War on Drugs. It is signed by nine ex-Presidents, twelve Nobel prize winners, and many other world figures.

http://www.world-war-d.com/2012/12/14/breaking-the-taboo-2/




Breaking the Taboo reached over 1,300,000 views and was released in Spanish (narrated by Gael Garcia Bernal).The petition has been signed by 670,000 people worldwide


November 27: UN to hold an emergency drug policy summit

The UN General Assembly adopted a proposal to hold an emergency drug policy summit, scheduled for early 2016 after an intensive preparatory process that will begin next year.

• The proposal was introduced to the UN general Assembly by Mexico, Colombia and Guatemala on September 26 and backed by the majority of Latin American governments, as well as those of Spain and Portugal at the Ibero-American Summit in Cadiz, on November 17.


November 17: Ibero-American Summit call for drug policy debate

Spain, Portugal and the majority of Latin American governments call for drug policy reform at the Ibero-American Summit in Cadiz, Spain.


November 6: Marijuana legalization in Colorado and Washington

Voters in Washington and Colorado approved marijuana legalization initiatives by wide margins.

Massachusetts became the 18th state to legalize medical marijuana in a landslide victory.

The historic vote sent shockwaves throughout the world and provoked strong reaction in Latin America.


October: Portugal debating legalization of cannabis social clubs

The Portuguese parliamentary group Bloco de Esquerda (BE) is debating a project of law of regulation of marijuana along a Spanish-style cannabis club model. The project is still in its draft phase.


September 26: request for global drug policy debate at the UN

Mexico, Colombia and Guatemala request an open global debate on drug policy reform at

the UN General Assembly.


August 12 –September 12:Javier Sicilia & Caravan for peace

To protest the violence ravaging his country and alert public opinion in the US, Mexican poet and activist Javier Sicilia led a month-long caravan for peace with justice and dignity throughout the US from San Diego to Washington DC.


June 19: Uruguay unveils plans to legalize marijuana under state control


Proposal: marijuana to be legally available under government control through a user registry

and subject to quality control and traceability. Objective: to combat insecurity and violence by

separating the markets of mj and hard drugsThe proposal was drafted by President José

Mujica and his government and requires parliamentary debate before final approval. If

adopted, Uruguay would become the first country in the world to establish a controlled

marketplace for marijuana.


April 14-15: Drug legalization debated at the summit of the Americas

At the request of Guatemala and with the support of Colombia, the 34 countries of the Organization of American States debated drug legalization at the Summit of the America in Cartagena, Colombia.

For the first time ever, drug legalization is debated at a major international summit, with 34 heads of states from the Americas and Caribbean, including USA, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentine, Chile


February 11: Guatemala calls for a tightly regulated marketplace

• On February 11th, Guatemalan president Perez Molina announced that he will propose drug legalization and control in Central America at the next meeting of regional leaders, the Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana (SICA). Members: Belice, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua y Panamá


January 14th, 2012:Otto Perez Molina

4 days after taking office on January 14th, 2012, Perez Molina started talking about drug policy reform.

“I believe that drug legalization would have to be a strategy agreed by the whole region”

Guatemalan president Otto Perez Molina


Prelude

Three key events paved the way for the momentous developments of 2012


December 6, 2011“Tuxtla System for Dialogue”

First region-wide official expression of discontent with the War on Drugs

Attended by the presidents of Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama,

Dominican Republic, and Chile, as well as First Vice-President of Costa Rica, and the Ministers

of Foreign Affairs of Belize, Colombia, and El Salvador.


“What would be desirable, would be a significant reduction in the demand for illegal drugs.

Nevertheless, if that is not possible, as recent experience demonstrates, the authorities of the consuming countries ought then to explore the

possible alternatives to eliminate the exorbitant profits of the criminals, including regulatory or market oriented options to this end. Thus, the

transit of substances that continue provoking high levels of crime and violence in Latin American and

Caribbean nations will be avoided.”


June 2011:Global Commission on Drug Policy Report

http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/ "The global war on drugs has failed, with

devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world."

http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/


“End the criminalization, marginalization and stigmatization of people who use drugs but who do no harm to others. Challenge rather

than reinforce common misconceptions about drug markets, drug use and drug dependence. Encourage experimentation by governments

with models of legal regulation of drugs to undermine the power of organized crime and

safeguard the health and security of their citizens.”


Commissioners include:

Aleksander Kwasniewski, Former President of Poland; César Gaviria, Former President of Colombia; Ernesto Zedillo, Former President of Mexico; Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Former President of Brazil; George Papandreou, Former Prime Minister of Greece; Jorge Sampaio, Former President of Portugal; Ricardo Lagos, Former president of Chile; Ruth Dreifuss, Former President of Switzerland; Paul Volcker, Former Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, US; George Shultz, Former Secretary of State, US; Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, United Kingdom

http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/aleksander-kwasniewski/

http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/aleksander-kwasniewski/

http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/bios/cesar-gaviria/

http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/bios/cesar-gaviria/

http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/ernesto-zedillo/

http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/fernando-henrique-cardoso/

http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/george-papandreou/

http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/bios/jorge-sampaio/

http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/bios/jorge-sampaio/

http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/ricardo-lagos/

http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/ruth-dreifuss/

http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/ruth-dreifuss/

http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/paul-volcker/

http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/george-shultz/

http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/richard-branson/


March 2009: Report of the Latin American Commission on Drugs and

Democracy.

http://www.drogasedemocracia.org “Breaking the taboo, acknowledging the failure

of current policies and their consequences is the inescapable prerequisite for the discussion

of a new paradigm leading to safer, more efficient and humane drug policies.”

http://www.drogasedemocracia.org/


“Prohibitionist policies based on the eradication of production and on the

disruption of drug flows as well as on the criminalization of consumption have not

yielded the expected results. We are farther than ever from the announced

goal of eradicating drugs.”


Commissioners include:

• César Gaviria Trujillo, president of Colombia (1990-94) and secretary general of the Organization of American States (1994-2004)

• Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León, president of Mexico (1994-2000)

• Fernando Henrique Cardoso, president of Brazil (1995-2002)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A9sar_Gaviria_Trujillo



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organization_of_American_States

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernesto_Zedillo_Ponce_de_Le%C3%B3n

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Henrique_Cardoso


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controlled legalizationOrder on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0984690409/


http://www.amazon.com/dp/0984690409/

drug policy reform on the move

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