The Smarter Brand of Justice - Actor Russell Brand Solves the Failed War on Drugs in 1 Minute & 35 Seconds

Via George Stroumboulopoulos:

Russell Brand's Latest Role: A Defender Of Harm Reduction Drug Strategies

"Addressing members of the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee in the U.K., Brand argued bluntly that treating drug addiction as an illness rather than as a criminal activity is not only a humane approach, but a sensible one that will "prevent people from committing crimes." (Seriously, go read the whole Strombo Health post.)



Forty years after Nixon's War on (People Who Use Certain) Drugs infected countries the world over, the truth is being recognized and shared everywhere; prohibition has failed and government cannot incarcerate people out of addiction.

Four Decades of overly punitive criminal convictions haven't achieved their goal of reducing recidivism and an ever-expanding mountain of expert research and evidence correlates that Harm Reduction programs like Rehab, Therapy and even Yoga, trumps imprisonment significantly in terms of reaching and maintaining sobriety.  Plus, these Harm Reduction strategies also cost less than keeping (primarily non-violent) drug offenders locked up where they are less likely to have access to adequate therapeutic and job skills programs. 

Also worth discussing, what will become of us now with the passing of Bill C-10?  I hope Canadians are prepared for the influx of recreational cannabis users, small time pot growers, and illegal substance abusers (some who are sadly victims of mental illness and childhood abuse) into our taxpayer supported penal institutions.  Rehab spots behind bars were scarce before, and I'm afraid we ain't seen nothin' yet!  Correctional Service of Canada and the Justice Department might as well change their names to Punishment Disservice of Harperland and the "Tough on Crime!" Ministry respectively.

Drug abuse, whether it is for illegal drugs, alcohol, prescription drugs, etc. is uniquely personal.  Treat the person as a patient and they have a fighting chance to manage and successfully beat their addiction(s).  Criminalize and convict them, and it further damages their mental state and exponentially hinders their potential for recovery.

Just because a person uses drugs does not mean they are undeserving of compassion, and realistically our drug policies must reflect that truth.  So Thank You, Mr. Brand, for bringing even more attention to the failure of the War on Drugs, your passionate testimony is much appreciated by those of us campaigning for the reform of our national and global drug laws. 

Hey Harper! Get Off My Lawn!

My response to this article:

It's time for Canada and all nations to admit that the War On Drugs is lost, in fact, just like The Noble Experiment it could never have been won to begin with.  We do not respect the laws of drug prohibition because they are unenforceable.  To prohibit the use of a plant that we have used for thousands of years for medicine, relaxation, paper, food, fabric, fuel, etc. is not only unjust, but an impossible endeavor.
 
I respect laws that are created to keep society safe from truly violent and dangerous people.  As a Mother I believe a majority of police and judicial resources must be focused on those who truly pose a threat to society.   But the law of Cannabis Prohibition is so ridiculous that it causes disrespect for the law and law enforcement, which is a shame because there are many great police, lawyers, judges, etc. out there who really do care about people, most notably members of L.E.A.P. ~ Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.

Politicians must concede that they cannot legislate human behavior when it comes to what we eat and drink, how we medicate or what we grow in our gardens.  It is the ultimate persecution of our freedom(1) of personal autonomy and wreaks of ownership!  We're not perfect, we're Human, we use drugs, we always have, deal with it!  The mere notion that government believes laws can stop plants from growing in the ground is ludicrous.

End the Drug War that empowers and enriches cartels and organized criminals.  Provide truthful facts to our children about all substances and regulate the sale of drugs to adults.  Revive the farming of the Industrial and food grade Hemp plant the world over so we can help our environment and conquer famine and malnutrition.  We can concentrate on more important things like our disastrous economy, health care, school boards and old and failing infrastructures.  Every taxpayer dollar we spend fighting this unwinnable war is a dollar stolen from proven programs that really do help support the health and safety of all of us.  When it comes to paying for helicopters flying through the air searching for plants(2) or schools and hospitals, I know without a doubt where I want my tax dollars to go!


via YouTube: David Bratzer, a police officer in British Columbia, Canada, says he has seen how marijuana prohibition and the failed "war on drugs" directly lead to the growth of organized crime and cause gruesome illegal market violence. David is a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, which anyone can join for free at CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com



"The Law Makes Us Lawless"
The awesome Ken Burns and Lynn Novick documentary
"Prohibition" can be viewed at PBS online.

"I, as a responsible adult human being, will never concede the power to anyone to regulate my choice of what I put into my body, or where I go with my mind. From the skin inwards is my jurisdiction, is it not? I choose what may or may not cross that border. Here I am the Customs Agent. I am the Coast guard. I am the sole legal and spiritual government of this territory, and only the laws I choose to enact within myself are applicable." 

~ Alexander Shulgin PhD, Chemist and author

(1) The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/charter/page-1.htmlhttp://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/charter/page-1.html

(2)  “Globally, the annual risk of eradication is continually below 10% for each crop [of opium poppy, coca bush, and cannabis plant].” source

“Get off my lawn!” - Stay out of my business, my personal life.

Contest-y Goodness!

What's better than pre-ordering Mark Haskell Smith's new book "Heart of Dankness: Underground Botanists, Outlaw Farmers, and the Race for the Cannabis Cup"?

Why, that would be receiving a Goodie Bag and contest entry for pre-ordering Mark's new book, Heart of Dankness!

Broadway Books is happy to celebrate its new publication and anyone who pre-orders a copy of Heart of Dankness before April 3rd. – via ANY retailer – will receive a Goodie Bag with rolling papers, a signed bookplate, and an entry to win a copy of Jason King’s amazing Cannabible boxed set. It's Contest-y Goodness!

Pic courtesy of http://heartofdankness.tumblr.com/

"In Heart of Dankness: Underground Botanists, Outlaw Farmers, and the Race for the Cannabis Cup author Mark Haskell Smith guides us through the fascinating world (and underworld) of high-end cannabis. While reporting on the Super Bowl/Mardi Gras of the marijuana world, the international competition held annually in Amsterdam known as the Cannabis Cup for the Los Angeles Times, Smith sampled some rare high-grade weed in an Amsterdam coffee-shop, which left him relaxed, happy, lucid, and energetic—anything but stoned. He realized this weed had a superior smell, taste, and high, the “dankness” so sought after by true pot connoisseurs. This intrigued him so much that he set off on a quest for what brings about these qualities.

Also, stay tuned for my review!

"What does “Dank” mean to you?"

THIS! Is The War On Drugs:

"Dying cancer patient booted from hospital for medical marijuana"

The headline screamed at me and my head fell down in horror and sadness.

This is what happens when ideology controls our drug policy. No one deserves to be treated like this. Nobody!

A request to medicate outside, but still on the hospital campus should have been the solution for UCSF Medical Center - throwing a dying cancer patient out of their hospital is nothing short of pure, Human Evil!

I responded:

"The Drug War is not, I repeat, it is not a "War on Drugs" - it is a War Against People Who Use Drugs. Especially relating to Cannabis, what better way to appease prescription drug makers than to continue its Prohibition? For thousands of years Cannabis has been used by Humans for medicine, but (Alas! Sighs Big Pharma...) it is a Plant and our gifts from Mother Nature cannot be patented.

Further to Anslinger's targeting of minorities after repeal of the 14th Amendment (all those booze chasing Feds in the FBN needed to create another boogeyman to keep their jobs) Nixon tapped into the fact that those damn Hippies, musicians, artists, War Resisters, etc - liked to use Cannabis, what a perfect way to criminalize 'em all!

Nowadays, Law Enforcement ("Asset Forfeiture, anyone?)" and Private Prisons LOVE Prohibition. It keeps their arrest rates high and their prison cells filled, no wonder they lobbied so fiercely against Prop 19!!!

In North America where patients like Angel Raich are thrown out of hospitals for using natural medicine, we have absolutely no right to proclaim we are "Free". If we were truly free we would not be persecuted for using a plant, the mere notion that government criminalizes us for putting a substance in our very own personal body is insanity! I weep for us.....

Be well, sweet Angel, I am so, so sorry you must endure this violation of Human Rights..."


When will this end? When will we stop criminalizing people for what they choose to use for medicine and recreation? I am beyond upset. This is unacceptable. This kind of treatment of our fellow human beings is atrocious and just makes me more determined to fight our drug laws.

SHAME ON UCSF Medical Center!!!

"INCARCEREX" - Do Not Mix With The Charter Or Common Sense

Tonight was so very sad, justice in Canada has suffered a terrible blow!

Ottawa mum on cost to provinces as crime bill clears House

Because we all know, the Conservatives are “Tough on Crime!“


"INCARCEREX" - Do Not Mix With The Charter or Common Sense - Made before the second last election but still spot on relevant today.

The Liberals have already officially responded:

POSTED ON DECEMBER 5, 2011

OTTAWA – Liberal Leader Bob Rae made the following statement today on Bill C-10, the omnibus crime bill:

“I want to salute the hard work of our friend and colleague Irwin Cotler, the Liberal Justice and Human Rights critic, who has worked tirelessly to try to improve this legislation for the benefit of all Canadians. He introduced amendments to get tougher on terrorists. He introduced amendments to incorporate the needs and views of Quebec. Unfortunately, his expert advice and work were almost completely ignored – the only exception being when the Conservatives tried to re-introduce Mr. Cotler’s sensible amendments on terrorism as their own, despite having first rejected them without explanation.

Mr. Cotler continued:

“The Conservatives’ bundling together of 9 bills that warranted independent discussion, their shutting down of debate in committee, and their rejection of all amendments while arrogantly labeling others as supporters of criminals and not victims, undermines Parliament and democratic process. They have rammed through the House of Commons a law and order agenda that is poorly thought-out, rushed and demonstrates the Conservative commitment to governing by ideology instead of facts and evidence.

This bill will impose mandatory minimums that will turn young offenders into hardened criminals. It fails the mentally ill, aboriginal people, visible minorities and the poor. It repeats the mistakes of failed, expensive and discredited American crime policy. Police and prisons officials from states like Texas are telling Mr. Harper very clearly: We tried what you are doing but it drained the public coffers and made our communities less safe. Do not go down our failed path.

At the end of the day we will have more crime, less justice, skyrocketing costs, prison overcrowding, less rehabilitation for the offenders, less protection for victims and less protection for the public. Liberals are committed to pursuing a crime and justice approach that is evidence-based, cost effective and focused on preventing crime and victimization.”

Please also visit It Could Get Worse for different ways you can still help "Kill the Bill".

The disappointment in the MP's who voted for this "Everything plus the kitchen sink" Bill has me cranky, up late, and tired. *sigh*.......


UPDATE: March 12, 2012: As expected, the Conservatives ignore experience, evidence and experts, they have their ideology, Damnit!

Harper’s promise fulfilled as House passes crime bill

Sad days ahead for Canada, indeed....