Decriminalization

The Vermont legislature will take up marijuana decriminalization bills again this year. The governor supports them, and a major obstacle has been removed, so things are promising.

Britain will study drug reforms in other countries, the Home Affairs minister said -- but not too quickly and not with any notion of decriminalizing drugs.

A marijuana decriminalization and depenalization bill has passed the New Mexico House, but the margin of victory was close, the clock is ticking on the Senate, and the Republican governor has threatened a veto.

The Norwegian government wants to decriminalize heroin smoking as a harm reduction measure in a bid to reduce overdoses.

As Attorney General Eric Holder prepared to appear before a congressional committee Wednesday, former drug warriors Tuesday called on him to enforce federal marijuana laws. The International Narcotics Control Board chimed in with criticism of legalization, too.

The Hawaii House earlier this session rejected marijuana legalization; now, it will have a chance to vote on decriminalization after a bill passed the state Senate.

Three bills dealing with marijuana law reform have been filed in Missouri.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced that police will no longer hold people arrested for small-time marijuana busts, but will instead merely have them make a desk appearance and then be released.

There is majority support for legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana in Britain, a new poll has found. And two-thirds also want to see a comprehensive review of British drug policy.

Marijuana decriminalization is dead in Indiana this year after a Republican committee chair blocked it. But it will be back.