Sadly, California's Prop 5, the Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act, lost yesterday, felled by a massive last-minute infusion of cash by California's prison guard union in opposition. Also by the scandalous opposition by several former governors and other unenlightened pols. Good try by our friends the organizers, though, they were fighting to the end. Maybe next time.
On the bright side, Sensible Fayetteville passed a lowest priority marijuana enforcement initiative in Arkansas, one more victory to add to those already mentioned here last night.
I'm sure Scott will be writing more later, and of course look for Friday's Chronicle to read Phil's comprehensive post-election drug policy reporting.
Looking for the easiest way to join the anti-drug war movement? You've found it!
Yeah , it sucks, but...
I have many concerns about drug courts anyway. I guess drug courts are better in many people's minds than prison. Well, there's always the next election.
One good bit of news is that California Proposition 6 failed! Known as the Runner Initiative, it was a "tough on crime" bill that would have seen anyone over 14 years old tried as an adult for certain 'gang' crimes. It also toughened the penalties for methamphetamine abuse, and added more money to the state's corrections budget to build prisons, among other nefarious things.
One thing that was hilarious about the bill was that its primary sponsor, Henry Nicholas, was charged with possessing methamphetamine w/ intent to distribute. He would have faced the increased sanctions for his actions under the very bill he sponsored. Just goes to show the type of hypocrites that advocate these bills in the first place.
Anyway, we won in Michigan, Arkansas, and Massachusetts! Here's hoping the Massachusetts government carries out the wishes of the people concerning Question 2!
It deserved to lose
An honest decrim to save tax dollars initiative might have won. Instead, Prop 5 contained appropriations, policy minutae, and fine print marijuana decrim (c'mon, just be upfront!). The latter suggests a serious lack of integrity on the part of the sponsors. Worst of all, Prop 5 would have created incentives for violent offenders to blame drug use for their crimes. That would backfire against reform by further enhancing the myth of the criminal dope fiend. The kinder, gentler drug war epitomized by Prop 36 and Prop 5 represents a dangerous game. DPA is effectively making the case for drug courts and creating new stakeholders in the drug war. How about just leaving drug users alone? No forced "treament," no peeing in a cup, no therapuetic nanny state. Watch how quickly decrim comes to pass when states can't make their budgets. States across the country are preparing to lay off cops and firefighters. The drug war gulag is no longer sustainable. Mark my words, in the coming years state legislatures won't be creating treatment alternatives to incarceration, they'll just stop incarcerating period.
Cali Drug War
consfearacy
The drug war is doing wonders for the state budget. Keep it up and enjoy the ruins thereof. Marijuana Prohibition is the bread and butter of the drug war. Congress started it and they will have to end it. This could be that hour.
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