Nonreligious voters overwhelmingly backed Biden in the November presidential race. They also may have been key in several down-ballot state measures, says a scholar of US secularism.
The legalisation of the private use of cannabis in South Africa is a victory for human rights. But, much more work needs to be done to make it practical.
If South Africa’s argument in court is that marijuana causes harm, it deserves to lose. The real question it should ask is whether criminal prohibition is the effective way forward.
The Home Office issued its last drug strategy seven years ago. A lot has changed in that time, except the Home Office’s ability to ignore the advice of experts.
The proportion of population who use legal and illegal drugs has remained stable or trended down. Fewer young people are using, but the proportion of older people using drugs and alcohol has grown.
Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said conducting on-site drug tests at public events “safely and quickly is not really a practical option”. But the technology is available.
Most of our drugs policies have failed to curb use or reduce their impact on individuals or society. It’s time for a more enlightened and informed approach.
There is strong evidence that cannabis is useful for treating a range of conditions. Legalising small-scale cultivation is a start to helping those in need.
All Australian government-funded construction sites now require contractors to have a comprehensive fitness for work policy that includes mandatory drug and alcohol testing.