Drug policy reform on the move

Drug policy on the move:
2013 in progress
Keeping you informed of the global trends and
major events in drug policy reform in 2013
A review in reverse chronological order.
More details at
http://www.world-war-d.com/

©Jeffrey Dhywood - www.world-war-d.com

1

Drug policy on the move:
2013 in progress
As 2013 winds down, positioning is starting for the next battles in November
2014 and 2016. Understand the problem, explore the solutions!
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prohibitionism, roadmap to controlled relegalization"
•The reference book on the War on Drugs and
prohibitionism
•A guide to psychoactive substances and substance
abuse
•A pragmatic blueprint for global drug policy reform
and controlled legalization

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States with Pending Medical Marijuana
Legislation
As of November 30, 2013, four States have pending
medical marijuana legislation. While lots of them are
long shots, MMJ is on the right track in New York and
Pennsylvania. 2013 may end with over 50% of the US
population living in a legal mmj state.

Minnesota
New York
Ohio
Pennsylvania

3

Medical Marijuana States
As of November 30, 2013, 20 states and the District of
Columbia have legal access to medical marijuana
Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
DC
Delaware
Hawaii
Illinois
Maine
Massachusetts

1998
2010
1996
2000
2012
2010
2011
2000
2013
1999
2012

Michigan
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
Oregon
Rhode Island
Vermont
Washington


2008
2004
2000
2013
2010
2007
1998
2006
2004
1998

4

Countries with legal medical or
recreational marijuana/cannabis
As of November 30, 2013, 8 countries have
some legal access to medical marijuana
Canada
Czech Republic
India (religious use)
Israel
Netherlands

Spain
United Kingdom
(limited)
US (20 states + District
of Colombia)


5

October 22: Marijuana legalization
support reaches 58% - Gallup
Aftermath of Colorado and Washington legalization?
Gallup released new polling data that shows an overwhelming 58% of Americans
support legalizing marijuana, with 39% opposed. This is up significantly from the last
time Gallup polled the question in 2012, when only 48% of Americans were in favor
and 50% were opposed.


6

August 29: Obama administration will
not challenge CO & WA MJ legalization
• In a memo to U.S. attorneys in all 50
states, the Obama administration declared
that it would not challenge laws legalizing
marijuana in Colorado and Washington
state as long as those states maintain strict
rules involving the sale and distribution of the
drug.


7

August 1: Illinois become 20th MMJ state
Governor Pat Quinn signed House Bill 1 – the
Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act –
which will help ease pain for people across Illinois
who suffer from debilitating medical conditions.
The bill includes some of the nation’s strongest
restrictions on the cultivation, dispensing and use
of medical marijuana.
Illinois is now the 20st state to enact such
legislation.

8

July 31: Uruguay’s House of Deputies
Votes to Legalize Marijuana
In a 50-46 vote, Uruguay’s House of Deputies voted
to allow the production, commercialization, and
distribution of cannabis, taking the first step to
becoming the first country in the world to fully
legalize marijuana. The bill provides for a private
but strictly regulated market for cannabis and
cultivation for personal use (up to six plants) as
well as membership clubs (up to 99 plants). All
crops will require prior government
authorization.

9

July 23: New Hampshire Governor sign
new medical marijuana bill
The last New England state turned green on
Tuesday July 23 as New Hampshire Governor
Maggie Hassan signed the local mmj bill,
bringing to 19 the number of medical
marijuana states.


10

May 17: Illinois Senate passes medical
marijuana bill
• Sponsored by Dem. State Senator Bill Haine, a
former county prosecutor, the bill is the
toughest in the nation and has support from
doctors' groups. The bill passed by a 35-21
vote.
• Governor Pat Quinn is expected to sign the
bill, making Illinois the 2nd most populous
medical marijuana state after California.

11

May 10: Republic of Georgia Considering
Marijuana Legalization
The Republic of Georgia has become the next
nation considering cannabis policy reform.
Minister of Labor, Health and Social
Affairs, David Sergeyenko stated that the
nation was considering new strategies to deal
with the issue of drugs, among them, the
legalization of marijuana.


12

April 18: Bill to create a National
Commission on Federal Marijuana Policy
• Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN) introduced federal
legislation to establish a National Commission on Federal
Marijuana Policy, inspired by the 1971 Shafer Commission
on Marihuana and Drug Abuse, that would be tasked with
undertaking a comprehensive review of how federal policy
should interact with state marijuana laws.
• Representative Steve Cohen is joined by Representatives
Jared Polis (D-CO), Earl Blumenhauer (D-OR), Jim Moran (DVA), and Sam Farr (D-CA).
• President Obama stated in December of 2012: “What we’re
going to need to have is a conversation about, how do you
reconcile a federal law that still says marijuana is a federal
offense and state laws that say that it’s legal?”

13

April 17: Medical marijuana passes
Illinois house
After various unsuccessful attempts, the Illinois
House approved a measure sponsored by Rep.
Lou Lang, D-Skokie, to let people use marijuana
for medical purposes, giving the proposal its best
chance of becoming law in recent years. The
Senate had previously passed similar legislation.
Proponents say the legislation, which would set up
a four-year pilot program, would be the most
restrictive in the nation. Gov. Pat Quinn is “openminded” on the issue and likely to sign the bill.

14

April 12: Respect State Marijuana Laws
Act introduced in US Congress
• US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), along with
a bipartisan coalition of three Republicans (Reps.
Rohrabacher, Rep. Justin Amash [R-MI], and Don Young
[R-AK]) and three Democrats (Reps. Earl Blumenauer
[D-OR], Steve Cohen [D-TN] and Jared Polis [D-CO])
today introduced House Bill 1523: the Respect State
Marijuana Laws Act.
• The measure would amend the federal Controlled
Substances Act to exempt from federal prosecution
individuals and businesses, including marijuana
dispensaries and/or retail outlets, who comply with
state marijuana laws.

15

April 8: Medical marijuana passes
Maryland Senate 42-4
A medical marijuana bill handily passed in the
Maryland Senate by a vote of 42 to 4 after a 10828 vote in the house
Governor Martin O'Malley is expected to sign the
bill.
The bill would create a state commission to oversee
medical marijuana programs at academic medical
research centers that decide to participate.
Maryland will become the 19th medical marijuana
state.

16

April 4: Uruguay to launch a broad debate
about its mj legalization project
The Uruguay government proposed legalizing marijuana
commerce and cultivation in June 2012. With public
opposition to MJ legalization still at around 64%, President
Mujica decided to slow down the project last December.
The government is now launching a three-month public
debate that will feature round tables, seminars, and
conferences across the country.
The bill would create a National Cannabis Institute to regulate
commercial marijuana production and distribution. For
personal use, the bill would allow the cultivation of up to
six plants and the possession of up to 17 ounces.
If passed into law, Uruguay would become the first country to
formally legalize marijuana commerce.

17

April 4: Pew Research Center poll: 52%
support for marijuana legalization
An historic Pew Research Center poll shows support for
marijuana legalization at 52% in the US, an amazing
11% jump since 2010, and up from … 12% in 1969.
Generational breakdown:
• Silent generation (born before WWII): 32%
• Baby boomers: 50%
World War-D generations (born since the beginning of
the war on drugs):
• Generation X: 54%
• Millenials (people born since 1980): 65%

18


19

April 4: Dutch City of Eindhoven Wants
to Grow Their Own Marijuana
“The Eindhoven municipality has come out
in favor of a pilot project regarding the
controlled cultivation of cannabis… This
suggestion is aimed at using controlled
cultivation to curb the ‘back-door’ problems
associated with illegal supply to coffee shops,”
said Eindhoven’s mayor Rob van Gijzel in a
notice to Dutch Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten.

20

April 3: Marijuana Legalization Bill
passes Oregon House Judiciary
An Oregon marijuana legalization measure has won
a committee vote for the first time.
Sponsored by the Revenue Committee, House Bill
3371, would legalize marijuana possession for
adults 21 and over, provide for the cultivation of a
small number of plants without regulation, and
set up a system of taxation and regulation of
marijuana commerce.
The bill now heads to the House Revenue
Committee.

21

March 26: Creation of the French
Federation of Cannabis Social Clubs
A notice advising of the formal creation of the French
Federation of Cannabis Social Clubs appeared in the Journal
Officiel.
THE first fifteen of an estimated 400 "cannabis social clubs" in
France have formally registered their existence as a not-forprofit association at their local préfecture.
The clubs bring together growers and consumers of
cannabis, who share their produce but do not sell it. They
are considered illegal in France, but legally recognized in
neighboring Spain and Belgium.
Authorities could close the clubs down at any point - but
organizers hope for long legal delays before that happens.


22

March 23: bill to legalize marijuana
introduced to Maine legislature
The bill was introduced with the backing of 35
co-sponsors from across the political spectrum
(2 tribal representatives, 28 Democrats, 3
Republicans, and 1 independent).
The bill would legalize Possession of up to 2.5
ounces and cultivation for personal use and
establish licensing of marijuana retail
stores, cultivation facilities, product
manufacturing facilities and testing facilities.

23

March 20: New Hampshire House
passes two marijuana bills
• For the fourth time in six years, New Hampshire
House approved a medical marijuana bill and a
decriminalization bill.
• The measures sanction five marijuana
dispensaries and allow patients or caregivers to
grow up to three plants for medical use.
• Adults possession of up to a quarter ounce of
marijuana may be subject to a $200 maximum
fine. Minors caught with marijuana would be
forced to attend drug rehabilitation classes or
face a $1,000 fine.

24

March 19: Maryland decriminalize
marijuana
The Maryland Senate has voted 30-16 to eliminate potential
jail time for people who possess less than 10 grams of
marijuana. Possession of about two joints or less will be
fined $100 in civil court.
The Maryland House Judiciary Committee is also scheduled to
hold a hearing Tuesday on a measure to legalize limited
amounts of marijuana for adults 21 and older.
The bill would remove all penalties for private possession of
up to an ounce of marijuana and cultivation of up to three
plants.
The measure also would direct the Maryland comptroller to
license marijuana retail stores, wholesale facilities and
testing facilities.

25

March 15: Copenhagen city council to
try marijuana legalization for 3 years
Copenhagen is proposing a 3-year marijuana
legalization trial to decrease gang crime and
provide a better life for marijuana users.
The city may import marijuana from Colorado
and Washington.
This of course would further increase the
Obama administration’s quandary.


26

March 6: Two Dutch cities move to
support cannabis production
The Dutch municipalities of Smallingerland
(main city: Drachten) and Leeuwarden
propose to open discussions with coffeeshop
owners to regulate cannabis production.
They hope that by setting up a legal supply route
they can reduce the criminality and disorder
associated with drug dealing.


27

February 15: Czech Republic President
Signs Bill Legalizing Medical Marijuana
President Vaclav Klaus signed into law Friday a bill
that legalizes medical marijuana in the Czech
Republic. The bill had heavy support from both
ruling political parties.
The bill was overwhelmingly passed by the Czech
Senate last month by a 67-2 vote after already
passing the Lower House of Parliament in
December.
The Czech Republic is one of the most marijuana-friendly countries in
Europe. Although marijuana remains illegal, lawmakers removed all
penalties for possession of up to a half ounce and cultivation of five
or fewer plants in 2010.
http://www.thedailychronic.net/2013/15553/czech-republic-president-signs-bill-legalizing-medical-marijuana/


28

February 14: Federal Medical Marijuana
Bills Introduced in Congress
In Anticipation of Patient-Led Congressional
Lobbying Effort, a bipartisan group of more
than a dozen Members of Congress cointroduced legislation today that would
reclassify marijuana for medical use and
provide federal defendants the right to use
state law compliance as evidence in medical
marijuana trials, a right they’re currently
denied.

29

February 12: Hawaii marijuana legalization
bill dies in HI congress
In the first reversal since the historic Colorado &
Washington marijuana legalization, a marijuana
legalization bill died in Hawaii before getting to
the floor for lack of support, even though it was
backed by the house majority leader and the
speaker of the house.
Legalization bills have also been filed in
Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, and are
expected shortly in Maine, Vermont and
Pennsylvania.

30

February 5: Ending Federal Marijuana
Prohibition Act introduced to Congress
Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) and Congressman Earl
Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced two pieces of
legislation to de-federalize marijuana policy and
provide a system of regulation and taxation
for marijuana in states where it is legal.
Others worthy marijuana-related moves in US congress:
• Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell came out in support of
hemp legalization in his home state of Kentucky
• U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., is expected to introduce
legislation allowing states to set their own policy on marijuana.
• Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. plans to hold a
hearing on the conflict between state and federal marijuana laws
and urged an end to federal "mandatory minimum" sentencing.


31

January 30: Colombia to debate
legalization of synthetic drugs
Colombia's Justice Minister, Ruth Stella
Correa, has said a new drugs bill would
legalise the personal use of synthetic
drugs, such as ecstasy.
The new drug bill is expected to be put forward
to the Colombian Congress in the next few
months.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latinamerica-21254907

32

January 26-27: Drug policy reform debated
at 1st summit CELAC-EU
The Community of Latin American and
Caribbean States (CELAC) is essentially an OAS
(Organization of the American States) minus
the US and Canada, and with the prominent
presence of Cuba. CELAC is a clear regional
statement of independence from the
Northerly Big Brother, and its close ally, little
brother Canada as the region is experiencing
unprecedented economic growth and starting
to flex its political power.

33

Perez Molina reiterated his assessment of the
war on drugs and called for an urgent revision
of the 1961 convention on narcotic drugs.
He received the explicit support of presidents
Juan Manuel Santos (Colombia), Laura
Chinchilla (Costa Rica), Enrique Peña Nieto
(México) and Dilma Rousseff (Brasil).
Also at the CELAC-EU meeting, Colombian
President Juan Manuel Santos ask for Europe
support of drug policy debate

34

January 23: Tikal Summit on drug policy
reform announced at Davos
President Otto Pérez Molina and the Soros
foundation will convene a summit in
Tikal, Guatemala in the second semester of
2013 to analyze drug policy reform and
legalization. The summit will be attended by
political and business leaders as well as
scientists and activists. Besides the Soros Fund
Management, participants include the Carter
Foundation and the Beckley Foundation

35

January 22: WA governor encouraged by
marijuana talk w/ AG Holder
After meeting with Attorney General Eric
holder, WA governor Inslee felt encouraged to
move forward implementing MJ legalization, and
called the conversation “very satisfying” and a
“confidence-builder.” “[We will] continue with
rule-making and nothing I heard should dissuade
us,” Inslee said.
As pressure for global drug policy reform keeps
building up, It seems quite likely that the US
federal government will allow the Colorado and
Washington experiments to move forward.

36

January 19: Guatemalan president asks the
West to end the War on Drugs
In a landmark interview to the UK-based Observer, Otto
Pérez Molina says regulated narcotics market must be
introduced to forestall threat to democracy from drug
cartels. Pérez Molina will bring up the issue at Davos
forum in Switzerland. Guatemala and its neighbors
Honduras, Salvador, Nicaragua and even Costa Rica
have been devastated, caught in the crossfire between
the Mexican drug cartels.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/19/war-ondrugs-has-failed
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/19/centralamerica-battle-drug-cartels

37

Otto Pérez Molina


38

January 18: Marijuana Legalization Bill
Introduced in Hawaii
House Speaker Joseph Souki and majority leader
Scott Saiki introduced House Bill 150, the
Personal Use of Marijuana Act, that would allow
adults 21 years of age and older to possess up to
an ounce of marijuana and to cultivate a limited
number of marijuana plants in a secure and
locked location. It also would allow for licensed
and regulated marijuana retail stores, as well as
licensed facilities to cultivate, manufacture and
test marijuana.

39

The beginning of a nationwide trend?
Marijuana legalization bills are expected to be introduced
this year by lawmakers in Maine, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. 2013 could end
with marijuana legalized in up to 8 states.
Medical marijuana bills have already been introduced in
six states: Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, New Hampshire,
New York, Kansas and Idaho. Another six states may
follow: Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, West
Virginia and Wisconsin.
Medical marijuana states are poised to pass 20 later on
this year and may reach the 25 count.

40

January 16: British Medical Association
Report
, The British Medical Association, a professional
association and registered trade union for
doctors, published a comprehensive report on
drug policy in the UK making clear the role
they feel medical practitioners should
play, not only in improving care of problem
drug users, but also in becoming involved in
the political debate over drug policy.

41

January 14: UK all-parliamentary
Group For Drug Policy Reform
In the UK, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Drug
Policy Reform issued a report: recommends sweeping
changes to current drug policies and decriminalization
of all drugs with legalization of the least dangerous
ones. The report was promptly rejected by Prime
Minister David Cameron, claiming that the current
approach to drugs in the UK is “the right one and is
working”, making one wonder what he has been
smoking lately. Meanwhile, his Deputy Prime Minister
and partner in the ruling coalition, Nick Clegg, declared
that the “drugs war is lost” and “current drugs policy
have not been delivering for a while”.


42

January 11: UN victory on coca leaf for
Bolivia
Bolivian president Evo Morales set an important
international precedent when his country
rejoined the United Nations’ 1961 Single
Convention on Narcotic Drugs with
reservations, as the U.N. recognized the
traditional use of the coca leaf and Bolivians’
right to chew the coca leaf in their territory.


43


44

Marijuana moving to the mainstream in
the US?
In the aftermath of the decisive victories for
marijuana legalization in Colorado and
Washington, recent polls conducted since
then reveal a rapidly widening support for
medical marijuana as well as full
legalization, and this support is now reaching
into the Southern states that have
traditionally been strongly opposed even to
medical marijuana.

45

The fight is just starting
While there is a definitive change in public
attitude, the fight is far from over. In many
ways, it just started. The victories of 2012 will
mobilize opposition to reform and while
prohibitionism may just eventually crumble
under the weight of its own contradictions, we
need to ready ourselves for a long fight. After
the heady victories of 2012, we must get
ready to go down to the trenches.

46

Stay informed
The surest path to change starts with educating yourself
and people around you, dispelling the lies, the myths
and propaganda, getting a clear vision of the issues and
the challenges.
"World War D – The Case against
prohibitionism, roadmap to controlled re-legalization"
is the most comprehensive book on the issue; the
reference book on the War on Drugs and
prohibitionism; a guide to psychoactive substances and
substance abuse; a pragmatic blueprint for global drug
policy reform and controlled legalization http://www.world-war-d.com/

47

What you can do
The groundbreaking victories of 2012 didn’t fall
from the sky. They were the result of the hard
work and dedication of activists fighting in the
trenches, working with legislators, educating the
public, implementing harm reduction programs in
the field. More than ever, they need your
support. Underneath is a link to the major
advocacy groups out there. http://www.worldwar-d.com/legalization-activism/legalizationadvocacy-groups/

48

2013: What to expect
Uruguay should finalize its controlled legalization of
Marijuana. Other countries may follow
The number of medical marijuana states is likely to
reach 20, with Illinois, New York and New
Hampshire likely candidates.
States such as Rhode
Island, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Californi
a, Oregon and Montana may try the state
legislature route to marijuana legalization.

49

The Organization of American States is reviewing
the impact of current drug policy on the
region, with report expected in June. Will
more Latin American countries break away
from the War on Drugs orthodoxy?
Already legal in Spain, cannabis social clubs are
spreading all over Europe, a trend likely to
accelerate in 2013. In France, between 150 to
200 cannabis social clubs plan on coming out
of the closet next February.

50

2012,
a tipping point for
global drug policy?
A momentous year in review

51

Global trends at the end of 2012
Harm reduction practices, such as needle
exchange, maintenance and substitution
programs are being implemented in a growing
number of countries.
Drug use is decriminalized across most of Latin
America
Medical marijuana is legal in Canada, the
Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Finland, Italy, Spai
n, Israel and Portugal and soon Czech Republic.

52

December 14: Obama has "bigger fish
to fry"
Under pressure to react, President Barack
Obama declared that federal law enforcement
agencies have "bigger fish to fry" than
prosecuting marijuana users in Colorado and
Washington. “we're going to need to have is a
conversation about, How do you reconcile a
federal law that still says marijuana is a federal
offense and state laws that say that it's legal?"

53

December 13: Senate Judiciary
hearing on MJ federal policy in 2013?
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman of the
Senate Judiciary Committee, is planning a hearing
next year to discuss federal policy towards
Colorado and Washington post-marijuana
legalization. He offered a compromise solution to
drug czar Gil Kerlikowske: “One option would be
to amend the Federal Controlled Substances Act
to allow possession of up to one ounce of
marijuana, at least in jurisdictions where it is legal
under state law.”

54

December 6: Czech Parliament
Approves Medical Marijuana
The Czech Republic's lower house of Parliament
has approved legislation to legalize cannabis
for medical purposes. The bill still needs to be
approved by the upper house to become law.
Cannabis is already decriminalized and widely
tolerated in the Czech Republic.


55

December 5: Breaking the taboo
Launch of “Breaking the Taboo”, a global grass-roots
campaign against the War on Drugs, by the
Beckley Foundation, The Global Commission on
Drug Policy, Virgin Unite, Avaaz and Sundog
Pictures. The Mission Statement of the
campaign, the Beckley Foundation Public
Letter, calls for a new approach to the War on
Drugs. It is signed by nine ex-Presidents, twelve
Nobel prize winners, and many other world
figures.
http://www.world-ward.com/2012/12/14/breaking-the-taboo-2/

56

Breaking the Taboo reached over 1,300,000 views and was
released in Spanish (narrated by Gael Garcia Bernal).
The petition has been signed by 670,000 people worldwide

57

November 27: UN to hold an
emergency drug policy summit
The UN General Assembly adopted a proposal to
hold an emergency drug policy
summit, scheduled for early 2016 after an
intensive preparatory process that will begin next
year.
• The proposal was introduced to the UN general
Assembly by Mexico, Colombia and Guatemala
on September 26 and backed by the majority of
Latin American governments, as well as those of
Spain and Portugal at the Ibero-American Summit
in Cadiz, on November 17.

58

November 17: Ibero-American Summit
call for drug policy debate

Spain, Portugal and the majority of Latin
American governments call for drug policy
reform at the Ibero-American Summit in
Cadiz, Spain.

59

November 6: Marijuana legalization in
Colorado and Washington
Voters in Washington and Colorado approved
marijuana legalization initiatives by wide
margins.
Massachusetts became the 18th state to legalize
medical marijuana in a landslide victory.
The historic vote sent shockwaves throughout
the world and provoked strong reaction in
Latin America.

60


61

October: Portugal debating legalization
of cannabis social clubs

The Portuguese parliamentary group Bloco de
Esquerda (BE) is debating a project of law of
regulation of marijuana along a Spanish-style
cannabis club model. The project is still in its
draft phase.

62

September 26: request for global drug
policy debate at the UN

Mexico, Colombia and Guatemala request an
open global debate on drug policy reform at
the UN General Assembly.

63

August 12 –September 12:
Javier Sicilia & Caravan for peace

To protest the violence ravaging his country and
alert public opinion in the US, Mexican poet
and activist Javier Sicilia led a month-long
caravan for peace with justice and dignity
throughout the US from San Diego to
Washington DC.

64

June 19: Uruguay unveils plans to
legalize marijuana under state control


65

Proposal: marijuana to be legally available under
government control through a user registry
and subject to quality control and traceability.
Objective: to combat insecurity and violence by
separating the markets of mj and hard drugs
The proposal was drafted by President José
Mujica and his government and requires
parliamentary debate before final approval. If
adopted, Uruguay would become the first
country in the world to establish a controlled
marketplace for marijuana.

66

April 14-15: Drug legalization debated
at the summit of the Americas
At the request of Guatemala and
with the support of Colombia, the
34 countries of the Organization of
American States debated drug
legalization at the Summit of the
America in Cartagena, Colombia.
For the first time ever, drug legalization is debated at a major
international summit, with 34 heads of states from the Americas
and Caribbean, including
USA, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentine, Chile

67

February 11: Guatemala calls for a
tightly regulated marketplace
• On February 11th, Guatemalan president Perez
Molina announced that he will propose drug
legalization and control in Central America at
the next meeting of regional leaders, the
Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana
(SICA). Members: Belice, Costa Rica, El
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua y
Panamá

68

January 14th, 2012:
Otto Perez Molina
4 days after taking office
Guatemalan president
on January
Otto Perez Molina
14th, 2012, Perez Molina
started talking about
drug policy reform.
“I believe that drug
legalization would have
to be a strategy agreed
by the whole region”


69

Prelude
Three key events paved the way for the
momentous developments of 2012


70

December 6, 2011
“Tuxtla System for Dialogue”
First region-wide official expression of
discontent with the War on Drugs
Attended by the presidents of Guatemala,
Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama,
Dominican Republic, and Chile, as well as First
Vice-President of Costa Rica, and the Ministers
of Foreign Affairs of Belize, Colombia, and El
Salvador.

71

“What would be desirable, would be a
significant reduction in the demand for
illegal drugs. Nevertheless, if that is not
possible, as recent experience
demonstrates, the authorities of the
consuming countries ought then to explore
the possible alternatives to eliminate the
exorbitant profits of the criminals, including
regulatory or market oriented options to this
end. Thus, the transit of substances that
continue provoking high levels of crime and
violence in Latin American and Caribbean
nations will be avoided.”

72

June 2011:
Global Commission on Drug Policy
Report
http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/
"The global war on drugs has failed, with
devastating consequences for individuals and
societies around the world."


73

“End the criminalization, marginalization and
stigmatization of people who use drugs but
who do no harm to others. Challenge rather
than reinforce common misconceptions about
drug markets, drug use and drug dependence.
Encourage experimentation by governments
with models of legal regulation of drugs to
undermine the power of organized crime and
safeguard the health and security of their
citizens.”

74

Commissioners include:
Aleksander Kwasniewski, Former President of Poland;
César Gaviria, Former President of Colombia; Ernesto
Zedillo, Former President of Mexico; Fernando
Henrique Cardoso, Former President of Brazil; George
Papandreou, Former Prime Minister of Greece; Jorge
Sampaio, Former President of Portugal; Ricardo
Lagos, Former president of Chile; Ruth Dreifuss, Former
President of Switzerland; Paul Volcker, Former
Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, US; George
Shultz, Former Secretary of State, US; Richard
Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, United Kingdom

75

March 2009: Report of the Latin
American Commission on Drugs and
Democracy.
http://www.drogasedemocracia.org
“Breaking the taboo, acknowledging the failure
of current policies and their consequences is
the inescapable prerequisite for the discussion
of a new paradigm leading to safer, more
efficient and humane drug policies.”

76

“Prohibitionist policies based on the
eradication of production and on the
disruption of drug flows as well as on the
criminalization of consumption have not
yielded the expected results. We are
farther than ever from the announced
goal of eradicating drugs.”


77

Commissioners include:
• César Gaviria Trujillo, president of Colombia
(1990-94) and secretary general of the
Organization of American States (1994-2004)
• Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León, president of
Mexico (1994-2000)
• Fernando Henrique Cardoso, president of
Brazil (1995-2002)


78

Support our action for global drug
policy reform
Order "World War D – The Case against
prohibitionism, roadmap to controlled relegalization" http://www.world-war-d.com/
• The reference book on the War on Drugs and
prohibitionism
• A guide to psychoactive substances and
substance abuse
• A pragmatic blueprint for global drug policy
reform and controlled legalization
Order on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0984690409/

79

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