Decriminalization

It's a historic day. Marijuana possession is now legal in Washington state, and will be in Colorado, too, within a few weeks.

Two out of three Canadians want marijuana law reform, according to a new poll. That's in line with other recent polling, but out of whack with the policies of the Conservative government.

Here's the lowdown on a mixed bag of election results for drug-related state and local initiatives and public policy questions.

The UK Drug Policy Commission has issued a report calling for the decriminalization of drug possession, among other reforms.

The association representing British Columbia municipal governments has endorsed a resolution calling for marijuana decriminalization. That puts it in line with more than two-thirds of the province's residents, but not with the federal government in Ottawa.

Dana Larsen has a plan to decriminalize marijuana possession in British Columbia. It will take up to two years.

The upper and lower chambers of the Swiss parliament have agreed on a marijuana decriminalization bill. Now it awaits a final vote next week.

Here is our overview of initiatives headed to the ballot this November. Look for in-depth coverage of the candidates and parties, as well as action in individual states, during the coming weeks.

We review "Drugs, Insecurity, and Failed States: The Problems of Prohibition," a new book from the very establishment International Institute for Strategic Studies.

The city council in Springfield, Missouri reluctantly passed a marijuana decriminalization ordinance to avoid a citizen vote, but has plans to amend it.