read through, reasons why legalization would be good: "decrease incarcerating people of color."

71% want to abolish Mandatory Minimums

http://reason.com/blog/2013/12/13/poll-71-percent-of-americans-want-to-el3

Doctor to be held on Silk Road drug sale charges

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/doctor-to-be-held-on-silk-road-drug-sale-charges/2013/12/12/00850e88-637d-11e3-af0d-4bb80d704888_story.html

Being born in the winter months may have a link to Schizophrenia?

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/05/20/winter-babies-at-greater-risk-for-schizophrenia/38936.html

Some more background on the portion Dustin described in his presentation.

Link between a parasite in cat faeces and undercooked meat and an increased risk of schizophrenia.

We briefly talked about this in my psychopathology class. Parasite leaves in cat feces and is transferred to humans by scooping cat litter. Apparently there's evidence to spreading in undercooked meat?Thought it was weird and kind adds to "crazy cat lady" folklore.

http://www.imperial.ac.uk/college.asp?P=7349

ADHD Diagnoses Rise

ADHD Medication over Prescribed

MPs urge Theresa May to reverse qat ban

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/nov/29/mps-urge-theresa-may-reverse-qat-ban

California soon to legalize

South Korea groups gaming with drugs and alcohol

http://gadgets.ndtv.com/games/news/south-korean-bill-that-groups-gaming-with-drugs-and-alcohol-sparks-debate-457516

pretty shocking view of gaming in South Korea

First Legal Marijuana Market

Uruguay legalizes marijuana

http://rt.com/news/uruguahttp://rt.com/news/uruguay-legalizes-sale-marijuana-987/y-legalizes-sale-marijuana-987/

Viagra as a cure for menstrual cramps?

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/2013/12/10/can-viagra-cure-menstrual-cramps/JMac8Zj8HoptjtbfWZzj8J/story.html

Psychedelics and the Brain

This site has information on how Psilocybin, LSD and Marijuana works on the brain to produce mind altering effects:

http://www.howstuffworks.com/magic-mushroom.htm

Synopsis of FDA Process

For those interested in how a drug makes it through the process of FDA approval:
http://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/ucm143534.htm

CDC: 6% of teens take psychotropic drugs

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2013/12/04/cdc-6-of-teens-take-psychotropic-drugs/?iref=allsearchhttp://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2013/12/04/cdc-6-of-teens-take-psychotropic-drugs/?iref=allsearch

Raising Coca and Hopes in Bolivia

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/05/raising-coca-and-hopes-in-bolivia/?_r=0http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/05/raising-coca-and-hopes-in-bolivia/?_r=0

Uruguay set to legalize marijuana

http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/09/world/americas/uruguay-marijuana-bill/index.html?iref=allsearchhttp://www.cnn.com/2013/12/09/world/americas/uruguay-marijuana-bill/index.html?iref=allsearch

Arrests decrease in Larimer CO after Amendment 64

Military vs cartel

http://www.bmstahoe.com/Drugs/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/petercohan/2012/07/09/is-it-time-to-legalize-illicit-drugs/

Narco Cultura- The Documentary

http://laist.com/2013/12/06/narco_cultura_examines_the_popular.php

http://cinemalatino.com/default/synopsis/1034 (page in Spanish- movie times and location info)

Sinaloa cartel's influence in the Midwest

Sinaloa cartel controls 70-80% of narcotics in and out of the Midwest

Baltimore jail officers accused of taking bribes, bringing drugs to gang members

Even though these correction officers are getting all the publicity, I'm sure hundreds of other jails and prisons have guards sneaking in drugs to the prisoners.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/23/justice/maryland-corrections-officers-indicted/index.html?iref=storysearch

Bill Would Legalize Marijuana on a Federal Level

http://www.hightimes.com/read/bill-would-legalize-marijuana-federal-level

I thought since I did my presentation on marijuana and proposed marijuana legalization that I would show what the most current status of marijuana is today.  This article was released on December 2nd!

Meth Vaccine

Here are some links to information about the Meth Vaccine. The first is the article I used in my paper but I included others also. Enjoy!

http://www.doctortipster.com/11968-new-vaccine-against-methamphetamine-drug-addiction-shows-promising-results.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/06/meth-vaccine_n_2082978.html

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/252314.php

http://www.neogen.com/blog/study-meth-vaccine-shows-encouraging-results-in-early-stages/#sthash.Mc8nZE2h.dpbs

Mouse Party

This is an flash "game" that will explain the neuroscience behind a wide variety of drugs, from alcohol to heroin. I will be showing the marijuana part as part of my presentation tomorrow.

Click Me

More Financial Evidence That The War On Drugs Is Failing!

http://blog.seattlepi.com/marijuana/2013/12/02/report-more-cracks-surface-in-worlds-backing-of-u-s-led-war-on-drugs/#10916101=0

This article highlights some more reasons why the War on Drugs is failing, primarily in the United States. Interesting how we used to be so in favor of the War on Drugs and are now hesitant to continue supporting the movement.

New approach to club culture in Manchester

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/dec/01/drug-testing-warehouse-project-nightclub

1/6 unemployed people are drug abusers....shocking or no?

http://money.cnn.com/2013/11/26/news/economy/drugs-unemployed/

Smarter way of smuggling drugs?!

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/25/drug-dealers-use-sydney-students-to-bring-drugs-into-australia

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/nov/30/un-drugs-policy-split-leaked-paper

Mexican Drug Cartels Now Into More Than Drugs-- Exporting Ore

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/mexican-drug-cartels-now-make-money-exporting-ore-21046124

Adderall Use Rising in Baseball

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24301271/mlb-mlbpa-joint-drug-report-shows-adderall-use-rising-in-baseball

More on Drug Raids: Denver Dispensaries Deny Accusations of Ties to Drug Cartels (Feds are raiding local dispensaries!)

Seems like a struggle between state and federal law. Federal law enforcers are raiding dispensaries in the Denver/Boulder area and accusing them of ties to Colombian drug cartels!
http://www.9news.com/news/article/365917/42/Denver-marijuana-dispensary-owners-deny-alleged-ties-to-Colombian-drug-cartels

Marijuana in Illinois

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/naperville_lisle/ct-medical-marijuana-zoning-naperville-tl-1128-20131128,0,1882812.story

Molly Reasons to Panic and to Not Panic

http://www.slate.com/blogs/crime/2013/10/25/molly_mdma_the_club_drug_is_dangerous_but_not_for_the_reasons_you_d_think.html

11 Facts That Reveal The Insanity Of The Global War On Drugs

Click me

Another article on the recent raids. I hope we have time to discuss this in class

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_24578615

North Korea cracks down on meth producers....to please the U.S.?

The U.S. drug war is influencing/pressuring North Korea to crack down on illegal drug producers.  North Korea expelled 5 men to the U.S. to face charges.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/20/justice/thailand-north-korea-meth-arrests/index.html?iref=allsearch

DEA Raids Marijuana Dispensaries in Denver Area (including one in Boulder)

The DEA looks to be setting the bar for future marijuana sales in Colorado. The article states that on August 29th of this year the U.S. Justice Department released a statement that they would not interfere with marijuana legalization; however, they promised to "aggressively enforce" various areas of concern should they become an issue. These areas of concern include: distribution to minors, marijuana sales revenue going to criminal organizations, transfer of marijuana to states where it is illegal, selling marijuana as a cover for distribution of other illicit drugs, violence and use of firearms involved in production, adverse public health consequences, the growth of marijuana on public land, and marijuana on federal property. It is expected that the raids that were conducted today are a result of the DEA believing these dispensaries to be violating one or more of these areas of concern. Regardless, the DEA is making a statement to future dispensaries in Colorado and there will be no room for error in future marijuana businesses.

Denver Post Article

Walter White and Jesse Pinkman in North Korea?

Members of a Hong Kong criminal organization were arrested in Thailand and tried in the U.S. on methamphetamine distribution charges (100 kilograms). Where did the meth come from? North Korea. And it was tested to be over 98 percent pure. Wasn't that the percent purity that Walter White's meth was known for? (Breaking Bad reference for those out of the loop)

ABC Article on NK Meth Bust

The Effect of Cannabis on Pregnant Women & Newborns

http://altering-perspectives.com/2013/11/effect-cannabis-pregnant-women-newborns.html

Interesting article about marijuana and it's effects on women and newborns! The quote posted below sums up the article and it's fascinating that something once thought of as a teratogen might now be harmless or even beneficial.

"The results showed no negative impact on the children, on the contrary they seemed to excel." 

Sinaloa cartel tunnel found

Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, headed by El Chapo, created one of the most sophisticated tunnels from the US to Mexico. Their tunnel had a rail system, hydraulic doors, electricity, and air conditioning.

Induced Mood Disorders?

Although it is known that individuals can have predispositions to mood disorders or substance abuse disorders through family histories, is it possible to get a mood disorder such as dysthymia or mania from induced by a substance? 

Thought this was an interesting topic and figured I'd share:

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286885-overview#a1

FDA Drug Applications: OTC Drugs

These are the guidelines for over the counter products and what is enforced. There are documents dated back to the 70's still on here. There are also useful related topics in what needs to be included in labeling, warnings, ingredients, etc,. Figured since we were talking about this in class anyone who is curious could take a look. The FDA seems to be a bit of a joke…

http://www.fda.gov/drugs/developmentapprovalprocess/howdrugsaredevelopedandapproved/approvalapplications/over-the-counterdrugs/default.htm#Laws

Uruguay expected to pass new legislation to regulate marijuana

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/18/uruguay-cannabis-law-war-on-drugs-marijuana

Why not to drink while on prescriptions

Drug cartel's Networks through Mexico

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://truthalliance.net/Portals/0/Archive/images/news/2011/08/drug-cartels.jpg&imgrefurl=http://truthalliance.net/Archive/News/tabid/67/ID/8096/Reports-CIA-Working-with-Mexican-Drug-Cartels.aspx&h=570&w=800&sz=159&tbnid=TMDag9Jun63agM:&tbnh=93&tbnw=131&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmexico%2Bdrug%2Bcartels%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=mexico+drug+cartels&usg=__vpzJkv4C-4shzLo-gNxHCga_SFA=&docid=irHJ_cgUikIAGM&sa=X&ei=6UGJUsqkHOfK2wXMyYC4AQ&ved=0CEMQ9QEwBQ

Chicago Drug violence

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2013/10/15/mexican-drug-cartels-running-chicagos-streets-n1723639

Why Legalizing Weed Just Makes Sense

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/14/weed-legalized-_n_4262033.html?1384463337&ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

Quick perspective on the War on Drugs

Quick and Simple

http://www.upworthy.com/why-the-war-on-drugs-looks-even-stupider-when-you-see-what-other-countries-do-4

Ketamine's alternative use

In high doses, ketamine is used as a tranquilizer. Ketamine, so Special K, is often used as a recreational drug or even date rape drug. In the last few years, though, new information has been discovered about ketamine use and depression. Here is an interesting link: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/261454.php

Science, Technology, and Drugs

In the 8:00 section, recently we have been talking about a fair amount about psychedelic drugs.  It seems to be common knowledge that artists, actors, and other prominent figures have used psychedelic drugs. It is interesting to see that visionaries in the Technology and Science fields also have experimented with drugs.  This link shows some very familiar faces who have reached altered states with chemical substances.
http://io9.com/5876304/10-scientific-and-technological-visionaries-who-experimented-with-drugs

Drug Addiction vs. Drug Control Spending

Here's the graph charting addiction rates vs. drug control spending efforts.

Ritalin, and how to take it

How to take ritalin

This article describes how ritalin should be taken. Pertains to Casey's paper that we discussed in class today

A Fun Buzzfeed Article on Molly!

You'll learn a lot and won't feel like it was work to read

Opinions on the new Colorado marijuana taxes

Click me

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/miley-cyrus-sings-mtv-awards-smokes-pot-article-1.1512550

Interesting how America chose to cut out the segment of Miley "apparently" smoking a joint. Anyone have some thoughts? (Note: these awards were in Amsterdam)

New drug tunnel found

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/crime/2013/11/08/ac-marquez-drug-tunnel-tour.cnn.html

Super scary

All I can say is WTF?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/05/david-eckert-enema-colonoscopy-drugs-traffic-stop_n_4218320.html

Library workshop eval.

Could you please fill out the following survey about the library workshop and how helpful it was?

Thanks!!!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFFQUmRvbDVYZ2N5MDRyOUR0YXU4cGc6MA#gid=0

Vaccine Against Meth

http://www.doctortipster.com/11968-new-vaccine-against-methamphetamine-drug-addiction-shows-promising-results.html


I found out this vaccine works the same as viral vaccines! They inject a little bit of meth molecules inside the rat and the carrier molecules help the vaccine bind. Then it blocks some of the effects of meth and someday will help cure addiction by making meth have no pleasurable factors. Pretty cool!

Drug Tunnel Between Mexico and San Diego Found

The discovery of this drug tunnel highlights how innovative drug traffickers are. The tunnel had its own ventilation and electricity!

 http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/31/us/mexico-drug-tunnel/index.html

making gains

Must be 21 to Purchase Cigarettes in New York

Proponents of the new city law claim that this raise in age requirement will save lives by reducing the number of people that become addicted to cigarettes. I must say I'm a little skeptical. After all, students in high school never seem to have a problem acquiring alcohol. If anyone under 21 really wants a pack of cigarettes, I'm sure they'll find a way fairly easily. Then again, with the tobacco tax in New York, I highly doubt anyone under 21 could even afford a smoking habit.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/31/nyregion/new-york-approves-law-to-raise-tobacco-purchasing-age-to-21.html?_r=0

FDA Scientist Survey

This survey was conducted in 2011 and provides some troubling issues happening in the FDA's area of testing. Take a look. The issues include scientists under pressure from political and corporate entities as well as discrepancies between FDA decision making and actual scientific findings.

http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/scientific_integrity/fda-survey-report-2011.pdf

Chilling news about Molly!

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-mdma-linked-to-10-chicagoarea-deaths-20131031,0,7295194.story

A drug to help detect Alzheimer's :)

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/10/25/brain-imaging-drug-approved-for-alzheimers-detection

Mayor on crack

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57610218-504083/alleged-drug-video-involving-mayor-rob-ford-reportedly-obtained-by-toronto-police/

Drug tunnel found!!!!

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57610202/major-drug-tunnel-found-on-u.s.-mexico-border-3-arrested/

FDA targets prescription drug shortages

http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-fda-targets-prescription-drug-shortages-20131031,0,7286640.story#axzz2jLiHr5lB

Massive drug tunnel discovered in bust

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2013/10/31/erin-inside-drug-tunnel-marquez-report.cnn.html

Time to End the War on Drugs and Legalize Meth

I found this while doing research and wanted to share.

http://www.policymic.com/articles/4595/time-to-end-the-war-on-drugs-and-legalize-meth

New drug tunnel found from Tijuana to San Diego

http://news.msn.com/us/major-drug-tunnel-found-on-us-mexico-border

U.S. Sham Corporations Aid Drug Lords

Drug lords getting richer. War on Drugs continues to be ineffective.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/25/opinion/ostfeld-lerner-money-laundering/index.html?iref=storysearch

For those who are interested in the PEDs in sports debate, here is a great starting point.
http://sportsanddrugs.procon.org/

Teens smoking more weed than cigarettes.

Maybe some could say they saw this coming?

http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/06/11/study-more-teens-smoking-pot-than-cigarettes/

Mexican Military refused to arrest Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman

http://www.sandiegored.com/noticias/37061/Mexican-Military-refused-to-arrest-Joaquin-El-Chapo-Guzman/

Interesting article to show how pride can get in the way of a common goal to the US and Mexico.

Israeli Drug Trials Investigate MDMA, Known as Ecstasy, as a Treatment for PTSD

http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/147990/mdma-drug-trial-for-ptsd

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies has found some cases in which MDMA has helped with the traumas of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a form of therapeutic treatment. Yet another case of psychedelic drugs being a benefit to the field of psychology.

Highest Drug Addiction Rate in the World: Iran

I wouldn't have guessed that a country as small as Iran would have the highest drug addiction rate in the world. This article quotes UN statistics regarding the percentage of the population addicted to drugs.  It makes one wonder what particular factors in the country lead to the high rate of drug abuse.  Why Iran rather than any other country?
http://news.msn.com/world/iran-drug-addiction-rate-highest-in-world

Weed Wars

For those of you who have a netflix account, they just added a documentary about medical marijuana called "Weed Wars" 

hopefully this link works, if not just search the movie title on netflix

http://movies.netflix.com/WiPlayer?movieid=70291413&trkid=13462064&t=Weed%2BWars&tctx=4%2C5%2C3f4a4c6d-01ea-4f25-b36d-d99fb43758b7-113496453

Drug use among Truck drivers inevitable?

This article presents an interesting point of view among truck drivers that use drugs while on the job. It looks at different regions of the world and its drug use among them

 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131021211714.htm

Havocscope: Global Black Market Information

Great site for research paper stats!
Really interesting website that breaks down the cost of everything sold on the black market
Be sure to check out: drug profits, drug prices by country, substance abuse stats, etc.
http://www.havocscope.com/category/substance-abuse/

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2006/07_11_06.html

This link is for those interested in clinical studies with psychedelics.

You need to post links as "links" rather than cut and paste, please!!!!

It's a pain to get to the links otherwise, cause they won't be active.

Please fill out this form before our library visit!!!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?usp=drive_web&formkey=dDBoZXV6MWxLTDB1Njd6YVVFU1d2SHc6MA#gid=0

Starting a campaign about prescription drug abuse

http://missoulian.com/news/local/montana-meth-project-launches-prescription-drug-abuse-campaign/article_f1ab159e-3b75-11e3-b4d0-001a4bcf887a.html

Horrifying New Drugs! Does New Zealand's New Synthetic Drug Law Offer a Safer Way Forward?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-e-sterling/horrifying-new-drugs-does_b_4102575.html

Mexico City Legalizing Marijuana

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/15/mexico-city-legalize-marijuana_n_4101475.html

The Most Dangerous Drug in the World

My friend just showed me this article and video about Scopolamine which was very insightful.  I had never heard of the drug and was terrified that you could blow this substance into someone's face and they basically do whatever you say while being completely competent.  I invite you to watch the video at the end of the article, as it's very interesting!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2143584/Scopolamine-Powerful-drug-growing-forests-Colombia-ELIMINATES-free-will.html

Guns To Mexico

Operation Fast and Furious, a program run by the ATF giving arms to cartels in Mexico

Interview with the Dread Pirate Roberts - operator of the Silk Road

http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2013/08/14/an-interview-with-a-digital-drug-lord-the-silk-roads-dread-pirate-roberts-qa/

War on Drugs

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/08/drug-war-mass-incarceration_n_3034310.html

How Drug Enforcement is Failing

The temporal relationship between drug supply indicators: an audit of international government surveillance systems.

found this gem on my twitter timeline and I had to share…

California Governor Vetoes Bill

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lynne-lyman/california-jerry-brown-sb-649_b_4108890.html

Krokodil- Synthetic form of heroin from Russia

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-e-sterling/horrifying-new-drugs-does_b_4102575.html

Sanho Tree talk next Thurs.

Why Drugs Should Be Legalized

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/harvard-economist-jeffrey-miron-on-why-drugs-should-be-legalized-a-886289.html

This links to an article detailing the interview of a Harvard Economist and why he thinks drugs should be legalized in America. Really interesting take on the War on Drugs from a monetary side. 

Honduras: fighting drug violence with military violence

After watching "Breaking the Taboo", I thought it was interesting to see that Honduras is now entrenched in a military-style ani-drug campaign. This tactic did not seem effective in Colombia and Mexico, according to the film. Will such actions work in Honduras?

This article is from the New York Times, posted yesterday, giving an overview of the situation.
http://nyti.ms/19JiOsk

Link to Citation website

Someone was asking for it so I thought I would throw it up on the blog.
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/

(Research Report about..) How in Denmark you can get two doses a day of lab grade heroin for free from the gov't. The result of this program lowered crime rates, saving tax payers $16,122 per addict in 2005

Cost utility analysis of co-prescribed heroin compared with methadone maintenance treatment in heroin addicts in two randomised trials

Try this link for Breaking the Taboo

http://tinyurl.com/kpswboc

Really interesting article about President Kennedy's (and others) use of methamphetamines

http://nypost.com/2013/04/21/the-kennedy-meth/

Georgia Meth Project Ads

http://georgia.methproject.org/Our-Work/view-ads.php

the georgia meth project has the craziest ads, like a weird mix between terrifying and funny. watch some here!

Working BREAKING THE TABOO Link

http://tinyurl.com/kpswboc

Click the x's on the boxes. Press play.

Texas attitudes on MMJ changing

Texas polling data. This article describes the changing public attitudes in Texas regarding MMJ and decriminalization. Further evidence that public perception of marijuana is changing all around the country and not just in liberal footholds.

Colorado farmer harvests first U.S. commercial hemp crop in 56 years

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24259474/colorado-farmer-harvests-first-u-s-commercial-hemp

Interesting dialogue of weed use on reddit

Example of Comments: 

[–]TheCrimsonKing 57 points 3 years ago

Wake up, smoke, go to work at a steady job in an office downtown. Go home, smoke, walk the dog. Basically lead a mind numbingly normal life as a productive member of society while high most of the day.

• permalink
• save

[–]grillcover 18 points 3 years ago

wow, me too. i love strolling down Wall St. high at mid-day. we're a couple-a 21st century schizoid men.

• permalink
• save
• parent

[–][deleted] 3 points 3 years ago

I'm happy getting high all the time still happens out of college years.

• permalink
• save
• parent

• http://www.reddit.com/r/Marijuana/comments/9zwka/what_are_some_things_youve_done_while_high_that/

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/may/18/drugspolicy-drugs-trade

This ia a good article that goes hand in hand with the film

Breaking the Taboo problems

Okay, the link I had seems to have been removed.  You can try this one, but unfortunately it has German subtitles.  Better than nothing though, right?  If anyone finds a better link, please post.

http://www.filmsforaction.org/watch/breaking_the_taboo_film/

Prescription Painkillers More Lethal Than Cocaine and Heroin

http://www.healthline.com/health-news/policy-fatal-painkiller-deaths-rising-070213

I thought this was pretty interesting! Hopefully ya'll do too! Amazing to me that some drugs are legal and others are illegal even though they are so similar.

Marijuana Tax

Here's the Boulder Weekly article on Prop. AA:

http://www.boulderweekly.com/article-11730-pot-taxes-a-sticky-issue.html

How the FBI shut down Silk Road, the online billion dollar black market bazaar

How the FBI shut down Silk Road, the online billion dollar black market bazaar

Medical Marijuana Farmers Market Opened in Seattle This Week

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/medical-marijuana-farmers-market-opens-seattle/nbHGc/

http://www.vice.com/read/jr-smith-and-americas-out-of-control-love-affair-with-drug-tests

An interesting read about NBA players and other pro athletes that are testing positive for weed.
Also, talks about how it relates to corporate America's drug screenings for jobs and the war on drugs.  

There are 4 people (out of 12 alive today) that the receive medical marijuana from the FEDERAL government. Check it out.

U.S. government provides marijuana to four Americans, including 72-year-old Eugene woman

Health benefits of a relatively unknown cannibinoid

The beneficial health effects of marijuana are not limited to cannibidiol (CBD), apparently cannibichromene has beneficial effects as well. This article outlines some of those benefits, with links to backing research.

Anonymized Online Black Market Shutdown, Alleged Founder/Operator Arrested

FBI shuts alleged online drug marketplace, Silk Road (Reuters)
The FBI busted Silk Road, but not the 'dark web' behind it (The Verge)

The Silk Road was an anonymized marketplace for buying and selling goods and services (primarily drugs to be quite honest), using a cryptocurrency called Bitcoin. Apparently over 1.2 billion dollars worth of Bitcoins changed hands through the site. The second article contains more technical details on how the site worked.

Regulation and taxation

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24062676/colorado-first-state-country-finalize-rules-recreational-pot

http://www.denverpost.com/marijuana/ci_24210625/colorado-marijuana-advocates-clash-over-tax-measure

Amendment 64

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_Amendment_64_(2012)

Obama's has proved to do more anti-legalization that past presidents...

Obama: From First to Worst on Medical Marijuana

http://newsjunkiepost.com/2010/02/27/five-things-you-may-‘know’-about-marijuana…-that-aren’t-true/

This is a pretty bias piece for not legalizing weed.  It can definitely fuel for some counter arguments

Prison Industrial Complex

Wikipedia is, well, wikipedia, but this article has a lot of really good linked sources at the end--so check those out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prison–industrial_complex

Use Only As Directed

http://www.propublica.org/article/tylenol-mcneil-fda-use-only-as-directed

Marijuana: A Schedule I Drug?

Which drug would you consider more likely abused: marijuana or meth? According to the DEA, the answer is marijuana.
Here is an interesting link to the DEA website on Drug Scheduling. Should cannabis really be a Schedule I drug?
http://www.justice.gov/dea/druginfo/ds.shtml 

Legalizations of Drugs in Canada

http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/Report+calls+decriminalizing+both+hard+soft+drugs/8424013/story.html

The Heretic - Research on LSD

http://www.themorningnews.org/article/the-heretic

Pro-Marijuana Billboard Challenges NFL Drug Policy

A billboard posted across from Thursday's season opener says NFL players should be allowed to smoke weed

Read more: http://nation.time.com/2013/09/05/pro-marijuana-billboard-challenges-nfl-drug-policy/#ixzz2gRKyahzZ

Mother Ditches Chemo for Weed to Help Her Son Battle Cancer!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/30/marijuana-over-chemo_n_4017985.html

Devils Breath

Wow! I never knew about this drug. I must really be under a rock! This drug really amazes me and is very scary that people never know they are under the drug's power until everything is all said and done. SCARY!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2143584/Scopolamine-Powerful-drug-growing-forests-Colombia-ELIMINATES-free-will.html

How cocaine takes the brakes off the brain

http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-cocaine-brakes-brain-20130926,0,6308686.story

Is Drug Legalization The Answer?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/28/drug-legalization-pros-cons-drug-war_n_1834417.html

Drug Legalization: Pros And Cons As To Its Viability As A Means To End The Drug War

"This post is part of the HuffPost Shadow Conventions 2012, a series spotlighting three issues that are not being discussed at the national GOP and Democratic conventions: The Drug War, Poverty in America, and Money in Politics."

"The Molly Craze is Back"

http://www.refinery29.com/2013/08/50740/molly-drug

"From psychotherapy to club therapy, MDMA has a long and complex history in pop culture."

Interesting article about how MDMA(molly) is starting to come back into the limelight of media and the controversy behind its usage.

"The next great american industry?"

Look what i found in the checkout line of Sprouts

Does this lessen his credibility? How many things can Weil be an expert on?

Dr. Sanjay Gupta- "Weed" Full Documentary

Dr. Sanjay Gupta: Weed

Vintage Advertisements for Heroin, Cannabis and Cocaine

http://io9.com/how-todays-illegal-drugs-were-marketed-as-medicines-510258499

Medical Marijuana For Kids, Pot for Tots

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/medical-marijuana-kids-some-praise-results-while-others-worry-about-6C10506407

"Why Alcohol Could Be More Dangerous Than Heroin"

The statistics say it all. Interesting to see the correlation between different drugs and its harm on individuals.

http://www.businessinsider.com/alcohol-more-harmful-heroin-2012-7#ixzz2fi9GgmaC

Drugs that cause the most harm

http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-drugs-that-cause-the-most-harm-2013-9

How to Make Money Selling Drugs

How to Make Money Selling Drugs. If you have an hour or two to spare, I highly recommend watching this documentary.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxRVhgbVN9o

It is available on iTunes as well as other online sites.

If you are interested in how our drug policies are affecting Mexico, or how Mexico is dealing with drug trafficking and violence, the below link has a ton of information. It is the home for Mexican drug war news at the New York Times.

Mexican Drug War News

Fascinating Documentary on DMT

The documentary is titled "The Spirit Molecule" and is about the drug known as DMT. The film discusses the science of the substance, which is found naturally in humans and some plant and animal species, and its relationship with spirituality and consciousness. I highly recommend you take the time to watch it. You can find it on Netflix or you can watch it on YouTube (link posted below). I have also provided the link to the documentary trailer.

Trailer: http://www.thespiritmolecule.com/html/media.php?media=Trailer

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4FaDMak-TQ

Some musicians have glamorized use of illicit substance....

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130919/news/709199748/

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/20/us/politics/administration-orders-new-step-to-curtail-stiff-drug-sentences.html?_r=0

Article about how Pot affects the brain

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/07/02/long-term-pot-use-tied-to-less-dopamine-which-may-help-explain-less-motivation/56728.html

Colorado Marijuana: Recent Development

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24062676/colorado-first-state-country-finalize-rules-recreational-pot

"Colorado first state in country to finalize rules for recreational pot"

Many of you may have already heard about this, but I think there are some interesting aspects about the newly developed regulations. There seems to be an extensive amount of rules on the recreational selling of marijuana. Will some of these rules be detrimental to the marijuana business' growth in Colorado? Are some of these regulations a little ridiculous? Some of the more interesting rules have to do with fees and licensing with costs that range from $2,750 to $14,000 and not being able to "advertise in places where kids will likely see it."

http://weheartit.com/entry/51000235


I saw this and thought it was pretty funny. This shows how most people consider having a "drug" for dinner as acceptable or humorous. But if this was about another drug it would be totally inappropriate!

http://www.policymic.com/articles/62339/forget-war-with-syria-there-s-a-massacre-much-closer-to-home

Current event article talking about even during the Syrian crisis we need to address domestic Drug problems/conflicts.

Finding Molly: The Most Popular Name in EDM

http://www.kissmyangeles.com/view/story/finding_molly

"...most people in the music business are devoid of swirling, spherical sacks of awesome, tucked between their legs. However, since I officially left the music business last Tuesday, I have no qualms about airing my former dirty laundry. The business of Electronic Dance Music, colloquially known as EDM, has a huge problem. People are dropping dead like flies. The following essay isn't a smoking gun; it's a fucking nuclear onslaught."

An insiders' perspective about drugs at music festivals.

Elephant Tusks Smuggling

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/20/world/asia/hong-kong-seizes-smuggled-elephant-tusks.html

HONG KONG — Customs officials in Hong Kong on Friday announced one of the largest seizures of smuggled ivory ever made in the city — and their fifth since October — highlighting the pervasiveness of a trade that conservationists describe as an all-out crisis for elephant populations in Africa.

The Price of Ivory

Articles and multimedia in this series explore how the surge of poaching in Africa both feeds off and fuels instability on the continent.

• Go to Series Page »

Connect With Us on Twitter

Follow@nytimesworldfor international breaking news and headlines.

Twitter List: Reporters and Editors

The shipment, consisting of 1,148 tusks weighing in at 2,183 kilograms, about 4,800 pounds, was worth an estimated $2.25 million, according to a customs department statement.

The tusks were concealed in a container coming from the West African nation of Togo.

Rising affluence in Asia has caused demand for ivory and many other wildlife products to soar in recent years, putting many animal and plant species under severe pressure.

Despite rising awareness and warnings that poaching has pushed some species to the brink of extinction, enforcement and penalties often remain weak, and represent an insufficient deterrent to poachers and smugglers, wildlife experts say.

In the case of ivory, the demand stems mainly from China, where it is highly prized for its use in ornaments and sells for hundreds of American dollars per kilogram on the black market.

Tens of thousands of elephants have been killed for their tusks in recent years in Africa, where the revenues from the poached ivory are believed to be fueling conflicts across the continent.

The fact that the number of large-scale shipments has been on the increase also is indicative of organized criminal involvement, say experts at Traffic, a group that monitors the trade in endangered wildlife.

Two other seizures made in Hong Kong in the past nine months weighed in at just over nearly 2,900 pounds, while a shipment intercepted last October weighed more than 8,300 pounds. All originated in Africa.

Hong Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines are the main transit points within Asia for large ivory consignments arriving from Africa, Richard Thomas, a spokesman for Traffic, said in an e-mail on Friday.

A version of this article appeared in print on July 20, 2013, on page A7 of the New York edition with the headline: Hong Kong:

 Smuggled Ivory Is Seized.

This caught my eye and I am wondering what the big deal with the tusks are for. I am not understanding.

"Back to school, back to drugs? Five things parents need to know"

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/09/15/back-to-school-back-to-drugs-five-things-parents-need-to-know/

Interesting article about why kids use drugs and how parents can help prevent it.

And watch out for the Czech alcohol.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/24/czech-tainted-alcohol-methanol-poisoning_n_1909316.html

Watch out for the Molly.

And what do you think, rhetorically, of the talking head guy ("it creates the body to overheat")?


http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2013/09/10/pkg-molly-kills-uva-student.wjla.html

Copenhagen looks to legalize marijuana, may seek to import weed from Colorado

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2013/03/12/copenhagen-looks-to-legalize-pot-wants-to-import-weed-from-colorado/92474/

MOST_READ - Worcester Telegram & Gazette - telegram.com

MOST_READ - Worcester Telegram & Gazette - telegram.com
Interesting article on the effects of the drug Molly.

New Laws in Texas

This article talks about Texas legislators working to change drug laws for trace amounts of cocaine, for example. I never thought about being caught with "residue" on a pipe versus a baggie of cocaine and the sentencing behind that.

http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/policy-and-politics-drug-sentencing

Crazy new billboard ad in Denver

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/billboard-broncos-stadium-encourages-league-let-players-marijuana-213443709--nfl.html

New studies showing a rise is drug use of adults over 50 and a steady rate/decline in 18-25 year olds (specifically for marijuana)

http://news.yahoo.com/drug-drops-americas-youth-rises-over-50-crowd-202408530--abc-news-topstories.html

New research into LSD

LSD may be less harmful than thought


"Over the past 50 years tens of millions of people have used psychedelics and there just is not much evidence of long-term problems."

Substance use by adolescents on an average day is alarming

Substance use by adolescents on an average day is alarming

I thought this article provided very interesting data on how adolescents are abusing drugs.

18 Things About The Drug “Molly” That Might Be Important For You To Know

Found this on the ever popular Buzzfeed and thought it was extremely interesting that they even posted it. They know their audience and who is reading and just by posting this, knows that their readers are using this drug and it has become a problem. They fluff it up with funny things about Molly with a sprinkle of true facts throughout to keep readers interested. I mean it got me to read it but do you think they actually posted it to teach people true facts about the drug or to further popularize it through pop culture/media.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanhatesthis/things-about-the-drug-molly-that-might-be-important-for-y?bffb

Senior Citizen Drug Use

http://news.yahoo.com/drug-drops-americas-youth-rises-over-50-crowd-202408530--abc-news-topstories.html

I definitely found this article to be surprising, I didn't expect the senior citizen group to the be ones using more drugs.

Cocaine, New Brain Structures, and Drug-Seeking Behavior

If you're interested in the science behind addiction, here's an article about a recent study connecting drug-seeking behavior and brain structure growth in mice given cocaine.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130825171724.htm

"Old drug, new name, deadly consequences: Meet Molly

http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news/52902537/#52902537

I saw this on NBC yesterday and thought it was super interesting. We haven't talked about Molly in class, but we've all heard of it. Just a video talking about the recent deaths at the Electric Zoo music festival and the dangers of the drug.

History of Marihuana in Relation to Witchcraft

http://antiquecannabisbook.com/chap2B/Church/Witch.htm

Interesting info on how blame was placed on the witches for these unfathomable phenomena's that were occurring. Exactly what we spoke about today in class!

Info about Crack Cocaine in the law

Crack Cocaine Sentencing

r/drugs- Reddit Link

I don't know if any of you use reddit, but this subreddit is a very useful source for any and all drug-related information. Enjoy!

r/drugs

Painkiller addictions worst drug epidemic in US history

Painkiller addictions worst drug epidemic in US history

This article discusses why painkillers are the biggest problem the US faces concerning deaths from drug use.

DEA using AT&T records (from today's NYT)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/02/us/drug-agents-use-vast-phone-trove-eclipsing-nsas.html?hp&_r=0

U.S. Gov. Drug related sentences could be making matters worse

http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/08/15/playing-politics-with-the-drug-war/

Local reaction to Dept. of Justice statement

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_23976464/boulder-area-leaders-pot-business-owners-welcome-federal

Drug Definition for 8AM

8AM Class Definition

Drug - A chemical agent, either used recreationally or medicinally, that alters one's mental, physiological, and/or emotional state from an individual's base level.

9:30-10:45 Class Definition of Drugs

Drug: A non-nutritive substance that has an altering effect on the body or mind and can result in change of social/economic relationships

I find it hard to believe that this is the first ever global survey of illicit drugs

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/pot-most-popular-illegal-drug-more-deaths-painkillers-survey-finds-8C11020761

Article on the History of Marijuana Prohibition

Attached is a lovely PBS article on the history of marijuana prohibition, steeped in racism, classism and yellow journalism. Dr. David F. Musto, a U.S. drug policy historian is interviewed. The article is a bit dated (almost 15 years old), but obviously the history of the debate has not changed.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/dope/interviews/musto.html

more on the definition of drugs

Pertaining to the definition of drugs, do you think that drugs could be considered substances that could be lived without? When I think of drugs, I think of substances that are not 100% necessary to live whereas food and water are necessary.

And then there's this . . .

After leaving class today I realized we have missed a very crucial part of our definition of "Drug." We should have included that drugs affect ones physiological, mental, and/or emotional state CHEMICALLY. I beleive this is important becuase a cast can alter ones physical state be heloing to heal a broken bone, but it is not a drug. Thoughts?

Here's an article to get us started

Is Marijuana Legalization Inevitable?

Welcome to our class blog!!!

This blog is a place for my two sections of WRTG 3020: The Politics of Drugs to share ideas, articles, videos and more.  While you will be required to post twice a month, I hope you will find this to be a welcoming space where we can continue our classroom conversations virtually, while creating a collection of media about the latest developments in the politics of drugs.  So, welcome, and start posting and commenting as soon as you would like!!!!