We are certainly living in the Golden Age of Drug War reform. After too many decades of ill-fated prohibitionist policies and so-called “tough on crime” laws, more people across the United States and the globe are understanding the need to be “smart” on drug policy, instead of implementing “tough” measures that are proven failures. It is easy to see that support for marijuana law reform is increasing across the nation and world as polling data shows the greatest support for legalization in history and electoral results don’t lie.
While 2015, like other off-year elections, didn’t see the same monumental electoral victories of 2014, there have been some very important Drug War reform events. As the last days and weeks of 2015 fade away, we will have several 2015-related lists, but first out of the gate is Tony Newman of the Drug Policy Alliance, writing about his top 2015 Drug War stories in The Huffington Post, including:
President Obama Visits Prison and Gets Real about Criminal Justice Reform
President Obama spoke out forcefully against mass incarceration and the need for criminal justice reform. He challenged Congress to send him legislation that would end mandatory minimums and reduce sentences for those behind bars and he became the first president to visit a prison in July. The president also used his pardon power in a bigger way by granting 46 clemencies and is helping formerly incarceratedpeople reenter society by “banning the box” for those applying for federal jobs.
58 Percent Support for Legalizing Marijuana
According to an October Gallup poll, 58% of Americans say marijuana use should be legal in the United States. Not only is this a clear majority, but the numbers are increasing post legalization in Colorado, Washington Alaska, Oregon and Washington D.C.. California and others will hit the ballot box in 2016 to hopefully push us past the tipping point on marijuana legalization.
Canada and Mexico Make Major Moves on Marijuana Legalization
In October, Canada voted in Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party. The Liberal Party has promised to legalize marijuana in Canada.
Head on over to The Huffington Post to read Newman’s complete list as it is certainly worth reading. The Drug Policy Alliance has helped move Drug War reform around the world as much as any organization and DPA deserves a lot of praise for getting us to where we are today. After a landmark 2014 and a great 2015, 2016 is poised to potentially be the biggest year ever as California, along with a few other states, will likely end cannabis prohibition and we may even see regulated cannabis commerce implemented in Canada. It is great to live in the Golden Age of Drug War reform, but let’s be vigilant to make each and every year a better one than the next. #NoMoreDrugWar
