'Lead Essay' Category Archive

Ending Cannabis Prohibition in America

by Allen St. Pierre
Lead Essay
November 11th, 2011

Allen St. Pierre, the executive director of NORML, surveys the political landscape of cannabis Prohibition. He finds significant disparity between public opinion and federal policy; even so, state policies have been much more susceptible to change. Among many other suggestions, he urges advocates to confront the “fear factor” surrounding cannabis, to win more diverse political allies, and to be more open about being “pot tolerant.”

Read: Ending Cannabis Prohibition in America

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Losing Hearts and Minds in the Drug War

by Norm Stamper
Lead Essay
November 9th, 2011

Norm Stamper argues that when people see the true face of the War on Drugs, they are justifiably outraged. The average citizen can now take videos almost anywhere and then publicize what they’ve recorded. The result? YouTube clips of military-style police raids, in which the violence meted out seems vastly disproportionate to any possible wrongdoing by the suspects. Police have an important job to do in our society. They need the public’s respect if they’re going to succeed, and the War on Drugs is getting in the way.

Read: Losing Hearts and Minds in the Drug War

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