In response to the Los Angeles City Council joining California State Senator Scott Wiener (San Francisco) today in support of SB57—a bill to bring Overdose Prevention Programs to California—by passing a resolution authored by City Council Woman Nithya Raman, Jeannette Zanipatin, California State Director for the Drug Policy Alliance released the following statement. “With overdose deaths […]
Drug Policy Alliance
Posted inCalifornia
New Research Sends Stark Warning of Rise in Overdose Deaths Among Latino Population in California
Los Angeles, CA, March 18, 2021 – Today, the Drug Policy Alliance released The Impact of the Overdose Crisis on the Latino Community in California, new research that uncovers the often-overlooked impact of the overdose crisis on the Latino population in California. DPA commissioned the study—conducted by Dr. Avelardo Valdez, a professor and researcher at […]
Posted inUS
Congress Must Lift Lifetime Felony Drug Ban on SNAP and TANF During COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2020 – In response to the introduction of the Removing Barriers to Basic Needs Act of 2020 (H.R. 7196)–legislation that would lift a lifetime federal ban on individuals with felony drug convictions from receiving SNAP and TANF assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic–by Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) and co-sponsored by 35 other members of Congress, Grant Smith, […]
Posted inUS
Experts: Trump’s Misguided Approach Will Worsen the Overdose Crisis
March 19, 2018 – In New Hampshire today, President Trump announced a plan for his administration’s response to opioid addiction and overdose. Trump frequently characterized his plan as “getting tough” on drugs and reiterated calls for drug war strategies that evidence has shown fail to deter drug selling or drug use – including ramping up […]
Posted inLife
Black Lives Matter Memoir Reveals the Human Cost of America’s Drug War & Police Militarization
Jan. 4, 2018 – From one of the co-founders of Black Lives Matter, Patrisse Khan-Cullors, who helped turn a hashtag into global movement, comes a poetic memoir and reflection on humanity co-authored with award-winning author, journalist and activist, asha bandele. Necessary and timely, WHEN THEY CALL YOU A TERRORIST: A Black Lives Matter Memoir (St. […]
Posted inWorld
Uruguay, First Country in the World to Legally Regulate Marijuana, Begins Retail Sales Next Week
July 14, 2017 – Next week, Uruguay will begin sales of legal marijuana for adult residents. The marijuana legalization proposal was put forward by former President José Mujica in 2012 as part of a comprehensive package aimed at improving public safety. Uruguay’s parliament gave final approval to the measure in December 2013, making theirs the […]
Posted inCalifornia
While Jeff Sessions Escalates the War on Drugs, Drug Policy Reform Surges Ahead in CA
April 24, 2017 – The Drug Policy Alliance had another successful day in the California state legislature, with two more bills passing through the first house committee, AB 1578 and SB 180. These bills join the agenda with two others bills that passed through their first house committees in preceding weeks. While U.S. Attorney General […]
Posted inCalifornia
Governor Brown Moves to Align Medical and Adult Use Marijuana Regulation in California
April 5, 2017 – Late Tuesday afternoon, Governor Jerry Brown released his proposal to align medical marijuana regulations passed by the Legislature in 2015 and the 2016 Adult Use of Marijuana Act (Prop 64), both of which call for commercial licensing and regulation to begin in January 2018. The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) applauds the […]
Posted inRegional, The M Files
Separating Myth From Fact: Drug Policy Alliance Releases New Marijuana Facts Booklet
July 28, 2016 – Today, the Drug Policy Alliance released Marijuana Facts, intended for non-expert audiences seeking answers to some of the most common questions asked about marijuana use, its effects, and the rapidly-shifting legal landscape. The booklet addresses 15 frequently-asked questions about subjects such as driving, mental health, brain development, potency, edibles and concentrates. […]