Washington Post, 23 Jun 2013 – With its recent reports “The War on Marijuana in Black and White” and “Behind the D.C. Numbers,” the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) highlighted an important policy issue facing the nation. But in framing the discussion as police pursuing a war on drugs, the organization missed an opportunity to prompt a valuable discussion. As the chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), I am as interested in vibrant, healthy communities as I am in safe neighborhoods. And having large portions of the District’s population hindered in finding gainful employment because of minor arrests weakens the fabric of our communities. Nevertheless, marijuana possession is a crime, and MPD officers are sworn to uphold the law.

Washington Post, 20 Jun 2013 – It was rematch time for the White House softball team, which, as you might recall, got smoked last summer by a squad fielded by a coalition of pro-marijuana groups. The two teams squared off again Wednesday night at the field on the Ellipse, just off the White House’s front lawn, and again the One Hitters – you guessed it, that’s the pot lobby’s team – beat STOTUS, which is shorthand for “softball team of the U.S.” This time, however, the margin was a respectable 5-2 – a vast improvement over last year’s 25-3 drubbing.

Michigan Daily, 18 Jun 2013 – As the topic of marijuana legalization burns up national forums, the Students for Sensible Drug Policy are lobbying in Washington, D.C. for new drug laws. SSDP members from around the country — including one representative from the University’s chapter — met yesterday to hear speakers and later visited the Hill to talk with various congressmen in support of current bills that would alter federal drug enforcement.

Washington Times, 11 Jun 2013 – Medical Marijuana Outlet Waits for Bureaucracy to Catch Up Mike Cuthriell has navigated D.C. government regulations for two-and-a-half years to open a medical marijuana dispensary and now only needs a final inspection from the Department of Health before he can officially open his Metropolitan Wellness Center. But the center won’t be able to stay open unless the health department sanctions one more thing: patients.

Washington Examiner, 10 Jun 2013 – Courtesy of the American Civil Liberties Union, we now know that there’s a racial disparity in marijuana arrests. The ACLU released the results of its study last week. According to U.S. News & World Report, “the study showed that in 2010 black Americans were around four times more likely to be busted for pot.” The story had other revelations. “Data gleaned from FBI Uniform Crime Reporting statistics and U.S. Census numbers show that every state except Hawaii had a higher per capita marijuana arrest rate for blacks than for whites, and the disparity appears to be growing in most states. The gap between black and white arrest rates grew in 38 states and the nation’s capital between 2001 and 2010.” And yes, there are studies that show black Americans use marijuana less than white Americans do. It appears that, when it comes to law enforcement, the focus seems to be on arresting black Americans, at least for marijuana possession.

Washington Post, 09 Jun 2013 – With 16 states having decriminalized or legalized cannabis for non-medical use and eight more heading toward some kind of legalization, federal prohibition’s days seem numbered. You might wonder what America will look like when marijuana is in the corner store and at the farmers market. In three years spent researching that question, I found some ideas about the plant that just don’t hold up. 1If pot is legal, more people will use it.

Washington Post, 05 Jun 2013 – On the eve of a major conference on drug problems in the Western Hemisphere, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday that jailing people for personal drug use constitutes a human rights violation and called for abolishing criminal penalties. “To deter harmful drug use, governments should rely instead on non-penal regulatory and public health policies,” the organization said in a statement released at a news conference in Guatemala, where the annual general assembly of the Organization of American States this week will focus on the drug policies of member governments. “Subjecting people to criminal sanctions for the personal use of drugs, or for possession of drugs for personal use, infringes on their autonomy and right to privacy.”

Washington Post, 05 Jun 2013 – As Arrests Surged Over Decade, 9 of 10 Suspects in D.C. Were Black Even as the first residents trickle into city-sanctioned dispensaries for medical marijuana, the District is locking up more people than ever for marijuana possession, according to an ACLU analysis released Tuesday.

Washington Post, 26 May 2013 – For young people denied jobs, crime and public assistance become far more enticing. Marijuana laws create a permanent underclass unable to join the legitimate workforce. In a little office on the third floor of Metropolitan Police Headquarters on Indiana Avenue NW is a small window to the future – open to some, closed to many. This is where you get your D.C. “police clearance.”

Washington Post, 16 May 2013 – Barry, Wells Want to Help Those Caught With Small Amounts Some D.C. Council members are crafting legislation to lessen the penalties for marijuana possession, hoping to settle the matter before outside groups petition the issue onto the ballot.