- Social:
RAND Drug Policy Research Center, co-author “Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know”
Co-Director of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center and co-author of Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know
PROFILE
Beau Kilmer
Guest
FROM Beau Kilmer
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Will California become a sanctuary state for weed? Recreational marijuana is legal in California, but not at the federal level. An Assembly committee passed a bill this week that would bar state and local police from helping federal agents crack down on those who grow and sell recreational marijuana. Attorney General Jeff Sessions opposes recreational pot, and recently signalled that a federal crackdown may be on the way.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
How a Trump presidency might affect legal weed in California Four states, including California, voted to legalize recreational marijuana on Election Day. The drug is still illegal under federal law. The Obama Administration has allowed states to do what they wanted, but that could change under Trump.
News Special Programming
Proposition 64: Legal pot gets another shot In many ways, California is a marijuana pioneer. It became the first state in the nation to legalize medical cannabis in 1996. In the years since, however, voter initiatives seeking to legalize recreational use have failed, including in 2010. Proposition 64 would make pot legal, and establish cultivation and sales taxes. Proponents say the measure would bring billions of tax dollars into the state. Opponent fear legal pot could lead to more highway accidents and put small-time pot farmers out of business.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Prop 64: A voter’s guide to legal weed Voters will decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana for people over the age of 21. If Prop 64 passes, you could grow up to six plants in your home and you could possess 28 grams of marijuana. But you could only smoke or eat it in a private home or a place with a special permit. Recent polls show that voters support the measure by a wide margin. But some of the people who stand to make the most money from Prop 64 have reservations. Growers are split on the proposition as are some dispensary owners.
Olney in L.A.
Legalize It? This November, California voters will likely decide whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. The ballot measure has the backing of former Facebook President Sean Parker and Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom. But are California voters ready to legalize it?
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Mexican Marijuana The Supreme Court of Mexico yesterday allowed people to grow, own, and use marijuana. The ruling only applied to the four people who brought the case. But it could quickly lead to a wider precedent, which would effectively legalize the drug. And maybe deal a blow to the drug cartels as a third of their business is marijuana.
To the Point
What’s the Future of Marijuana Legalization? Voters in Oregon, Alaska and the District of Columbia legalized recreational marijuana yesterday. Twenty-three states have approved it for medical use. But it’s still a prohibited schedule-one drug under federal law, just like heroin, Ecstasy and LSD. In 2016, more states around the country will be voting on various formulas for legalizing it. If they succeed, the pressure will grow on Congress and the next president. Beau Kilmer is co-director of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center and co-author of Marijuana Legalization : What Everyone Needs to Know.
Which Way, L.A.?
Is the War on Drugs a Failure? Is It Time to Legalize? The global "War on Drugs" began 50 years ago at the United Nations. Richard Nixon made it US policy 10 years later. Since then it has "failed to cut drug usage, but has filled our jails, cost millions in taxpayer dollars, fuelled organized crime and caused thousands of deaths." That's according to the Global Commission on Drug Policy , which includes former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, three former South American presidents, former Secretary of State George Shultz, ex-Federal Reserve Chair Paul Volcker, and British entrepreneur Richard Branson. We look at possible new strategies and their political viability in Washington.
To the Point
Illegal Drugs: Public Health and Public Safety The global "War on Drugs" began in 50 years ago at the United Nations. Richard Nixon made it US policy 10 years later. Since then it has "failed to cut drug usage, but has filled our jails, cost millions in taxpayer dollars, fuelled organized crime and caused thousands of deaths." That's according to the Global Commission on Drug Policy , which includes former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, three former South American presidents, former Secretary of State George Shultz, ex-Federal Reserve Chair Paul Volcker, and British entrepreneur Richard Branson. The Obama Administration says legalization would not take the money away from violent drug cartels and that drug use might increase more than ever. In any case, the panel has focused global attention on a crisis that's not going away. Does the political will exist to make any changes in strategy?
Which Way, L.A.?
Will California Legalize Marijuana? As most California voters may already know, Proposition 19 on next week's ballot says it "legalizes marijuana under California but not federal law." Beyond that, it would allow "local governments to regulate and tax the commercial production, distribution and sale of marijuana," and anyone over 21 could possess, cultivate or transport it — but not across state lines. What's the potential impact?
To the Point
Will California Legalize Marijuana? Proposition 19 on next week's California ballot would legalize marijuana for people over 21 and allow for commercial production. Local governments, now strapped for revenue, could regulate and tax a new industry and lower their costs for law enforcement and jails. Both sides are making extravagant claims, but nobody really knows what the financial, social or medical impacts might be. The latest polls show it trailing, and the Obama Administration promises a challenge, but Prop 19 could still have a nationwide impact.
Which Way, L.A.?
California Weighs Marijuana Legalization The City of Oakland got a jump on the rest of California last night by authorizing four industrial facilities to grow and package marijuana. Pot is already legal for medical uses, but recreational use is on the November ballot, and there’s a bill in the State Assembly to legalize and tax it statewide.
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To the Point
Trump fires FBI Director James Comey Vice President Mike Pence took the Administration's lead today in explaining why the President fired the Head of the FBI, saying, "The president made the right decision at the right time." Trump's action is being compared to the so-called "Saturday Night Massacre" that led to President Richard Nixon's resignation in 1973.
To the Point
Healthcare debate now shifts to the Senate Both parties are celebrating yesterday's House bill to repeal and replace Obamacare. House Republicans are cheering because they were able to pass it. Democrats are happy because they think it's so bad. We look at the details… and the politics.
Left, Right & Center
The Republican healthcare bill lives another day The House votes to repeal and replace Obamacare.
To the Point
Trump's Russia ties intensify with Comey firing Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe contradicted the Trump White House today, insisting the Bureau had not lost faith in former Director James Comey. He promised to notify the committee of any interference into investigation of the Trump campaign's contacts with Vladimir Putin's Russia. What do we know about those contacts… and how they relate to Trump's business interests and those of his family?