The new, more dangerous strain of COVID 19 has raised pressures facing substance misuse services to an all-time high. As more community workers contract the virus, and their close contacts and colleagues are forced to self-isolate, concern is growing for the welfare of service users and the challenges ahead. Martin Blakebrough, CEO at Kaleidoscope, … Continued
Our understanding of how psychoactive substances affect us has been largely based on researching their intoxicating effects. But what about the after effects? I’m talking about the comedowns, the hangovers, the withdrawals. This might be a more important research focus, to better understand the nature of addiction and what drives individuals to use substances … Continued
It’s been a great start to the year for social justice in cannabis reform, with the expungement of 500,000 low-level cannabis offences in the state of Illinois. This has given us reformers a boost of optimism for 2021, but is this enough? Last month, Volteface explored the proposal to expunge federal cannabis convictions through … Continued
2021 undoubtedly holds exciting opportunities for cannabis reform. The last few months of 2020 have been promising for global reform, as we’ve witnessed a shift toward evidence over ideology. Despite some good news, the work is far from done. We will continue to advocate for evidence-based drug policy through highlighting the economic, social and … Continued
People, dancefloors and drugs have always been connected. Plants with psychoactive properties and fermented fruits have been used during rituals for centuries. With time and scientific discoveries, substances may have changed. In parallel, contemporary dancefloors are increasingly commercially exploited, and their origins forgotten, in our expansion and consumption-based economies. Yet the relationship between dancefloors … Continued
The first public event for the European Cannabis Advocacy Network will take place on the 17th of December, which will be focusing on cannabis reform in Ireland and Spain. Each month we will be inviting advocates from two European countries to discuss the current state of cannabis reform in their country, and shine a … Continued
Last week the U.S House of Representatives voted in favour of passing the MORE Act, which proposes to decriminalise cannabis at a federal level. The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act was passed in the House with 228 to 164 votes. This bill aims to end cannabis prohibition, and address the social and economic … Continued
With the substantive failings of the drug war, conversations about obviously existing drug use have gained tentative traction in recent years. And yet, female drug use remains a relative unknown. Patriarchy is deeply woven into drug policy, advocacy, treatment, research and reform. Consigned to corners of Twitter and the footnote of studies on male … Continued
A new Dutch bill plans to prohibit entire groups of new psychoactive substances (NPS), instead of just one specific substance. Minister of Justice and Safety, Ferdinand Grapperhaus, plans on putting these NPS-groups on the opium list, making it illegal for vendors to sell them. As of now, many of these different types of drugs … Continued
Last week Vancouver City Council voted to decriminalise all drugs, though it still requires federal approval before it is officially enacted. If approved, this is huge. Vancouver would be the first Canadian city to decriminalise personal possession of illicit drugs, following in the path that Oregon has paved earlier this month. This legislation … Continued