All Content: drug policy

Latin American Leaders Chart Course for Drug Policy Debate

Analysis & Commentary
This year's OAS General Assembly marked a milestone in the drug policy debate. It was the first time member states came together for the sole purpose of addressing drug policy and charted a path forward to continue the discussion.

Drug Policy and Human Rights Groups Unite in Support of Drug Policy Reform at the OAS

Analysis & Commentary
WOLA Senior Fellow Coletta Youngers examines the role of civil society in this year's OAS General Assembly.

A Report-Back from the OAS General Assembly

June meeting in Guatemala focuses on drug policy reform, while Cuba's absence is a frequent topic
Publication
Drug policy was a central topic at the June Regular Session of the OAS General Assembly in Guatemala. And Cuba's exclusion from the Summits of the Americas came up often. Adam talks to WOLA's John Walsh and Geoff Thale about both.

Development and Security in Tumaco, Colombia: a conversation with Sarah Krupp

A community tries to abandon coca growing, with government help. Despite initially hopeful results, risks are mounting.
Publication
Adam talks to Sarah Krupp, whose graduate work at the University of California at Berkeley took her to Tumaco, on Colombia's Pacific coast. She discusses the experience of Las Varas, an Afro-Colombian community that sought to abandon coca cultivation.

Drug Policy Reform to Take Center Stage in OAS Meeting

News
Top diplomats from throughout the region will be in Guatemala this week for the OAS General Assembly, which is slated to discuss drug policy and alternatives to the current paradigm.

The New Politics of Marijuana Legalization

Why Opinion is Changing
Analysis & Commentary
In this latest report in a WOLA-Brookings series on marijuana legalization, EJ Dionne and William Galston explore shifting public opinion surrounding legal marijuana in the United States.

Brazil Poised to Pass Harsh, Rights-Violating Drug Law

Analysis & Commentary
Despite increasing regional debate in Latin America on drug policy reforms, Brazil is at risk of sliding backwards and is poised to enact even harsher, rights-violating drug policies.

The Politics of Marijuana Legalization: Emerging Consensus or New Divide?

Video
Is public opinion changing toward marijuana legalization? Drawing from newly-released data, the panelists in this taped WOLA-Brookings event conclude that there has been a durable, significant, and cross-cutting shift toward the support of legal marijuana.

The New Politics of Marijuana Legalization

Why Opinion is Changing
Publication
In this latest report in a WOLA-Brookings series on marijuana legalization, EJ Dionne and William Galston explore shifting public opinion surrounding legal marijuana in the United States.

The Politics of Marijuana Legalization

Emerging Consensus or New Divide?
News
Is public opinion toward marijuana legalization shifting? Join WOLA and Brookings for the unveiling of new polling data and expert analysis.

Legal Marijuana in Colorado and Washington: Implementation & Implications of the New State Laws

Video
On May 21, 2013, an expert panel with in-depth knowledge of the Colorado and Washington initiatives discussed how the new laws are being implemented and the key challenges in creating regulatory regimes for recreational marijuana even as the federal ban remains in place.

Q&A: Legal Marijuana in Colorado and Washington

Publication
In this paper, WOLA Senior Associate John Walsh responds to questions regarding the implementation of new laws to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana— and the key challenges in creating regulatory regimes even as the federal ban remains in place. The paper forms part of a joint WOLA/Brookings series.

Q&A: Legal Marijuana in Colorado and Washington

Analysis & Commentary
In this paper, WOLA Senior Associate John Walsh responds to questions regarding the implementation of new laws to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana— and the key challenges in creating regulatory regimes even as the federal ban remains in place. The paper forms part of a joint WOLA/Brookings series.

The Drug Policy Reform Agenda in the Americas

An IDPC Briefing Paper
Analysis & Commentary
In this paper, Youngers identifies where drug policy reform is advancing in Latin America--and where obstacles remain.

Colombian President Santos, OAS Chief Insulza to Present New Study on Drug Policy Alternatives

Review was Mandated by Heads of State at 2012 Summit of the Americas
News
Report will explore alternatives to the current drug policy regime.

President Obama to Meet with Central American Presidents

Topics of Discussion to Include Security and Economic Cooperation
News
The Central American stop on Obama's trip seems intended to showcase positive messages about economic growth and partnership. But Central America has some huge challenges—on dealing with crime and insecurity, and on human rights and democracy—that will inevitably be part of the story.

Defending Defenders: A Discussion with Mexican Human Rights Defenders

Video
WOLA, LAWG, and PBI present an evening at Busboys and Poets with Mexican human rights defenders.

Marijuana Legalization: Are There Alternatives to State-Federal Conflict?

Video
Last November, two states, Colorado and Washington, voted to legalize and regulate marijuana—a direct challenge to federal policy under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Other states may follow suit. Can confrontation be avoided, or at least minimized? If not, what are the implications?

Marijuana Policy and Presidential Leadership

How to Avoid a Federal-State Train Wreck
Analysis & Commentary
This latest publication in the WOLA-Brookings series on marijuana policy examines how state and federal officials can respect existing laws while also enforcing them wisely to avoid federal-state clashes surrounding the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana.

WOLA-Brookings Series on Marijuana Policy: Washington Versus Washington (and Colorado)

Why the States Should Lead on Marijuana Policy
Publication
In this paper, Brookings Institution Guest Scholar Jonathan Rauch explores the implications of marijuana legalization in Washington and Oregon. The paper forms part of a joint WOLA/Brookings series.