Controlled Substance and Policy Reform Efforts
13pp., April 7, 2005, unpublished
Provides a thorough overview of the pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, identification, therapeutic and adverse values of the drug. Surveys studies into recent claims of alinkage between chronic cannabis use and mental illness.
27pp., December 6, 2004, unpublished
Details Congressional action on a floor amendment introduced by Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA), Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) to an appropriations bill that would have prohibited the Department of Justice from using funds to prevent implementation of state medical marijuana laws. Research examines who exerted leadership, how leadership was exhibited and why, and whose leadership in Congress was most effective and why. Summarizes the state v. federal conflict regarding medical marijuana and discussion of groupthink
17pp., November 22, 2004, web published here (Adobe Acrobat PDF for this link)
Looks at the medical marijuana issue from a classical liberal perspective. Weighs concerns that the movement is unnecessarily empowering the therapeutic state and diminishing individual freedom to choose whatever drug they wish versus the belief that the movement will ultimately lead to the decriminalization of all cannabis use
14pp., April 22, 2004, unpublished
The Byrne Formula Grant Program provides federal funding for multi-jurisdictional drug task forces -- the same type of force that was responsible for the high profile tragedy at Tulia, Texas. This paper delves into how the Byrne Formula Grant Program was proposed to be reauthorized as part of a larger reauthorization of the Justice Department, and whether lawmakers were considering the Tulia tragedy as they revisited the purpose and future of the Byrne Grant Program.
12pp., November 2003, unpublished
Examines how a provision was added to the Higher Education Act of 1998 in Congress that prohibits students with prior drug convictions from receiving any form of financial aid for college
9pp., November 21, 2003, unpublished
Summarizes the medical marijuana dispute from an American legal standpoint. Looks at previous court decisions and the state v. federal conflict
11pp., June 2003, web published here (Adobe Acrobat PDF)
This Powerpoint presentation analyzes census, incarceration and drug use data to identify the disproportionate number of minorities who are incarcerated for drug use despite statistics that demonstrate non-minorities as the primary consumers of illicit substances. This presentation was originally submitted to the President of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations as introductory material to the topic of a conference sponsored by Drug Policy Alliance on Race and the Drug War.