Author Archives: Pete

At my talk on Saturday, I mentioned the local political dust-up I got caught in back in 2004 (some of the regulars here may remember this – Link). There was a Congressional representative in my area in Illinois with a … Continue reading →

Just finished a wonderful speech for the Illinois Libertarian Convention luncheon. Really attentive and engaged audience — particularly the three little children in the front row, who asked all sorts of very good questions (“Why do you need a tank … Continue reading →

There’s a nice video, published by Business Insider UK of former undercover police officer Neil Woods (chairman of LEAP UK) talking about drug policy. Can’t embed the video, but here it is on Facebook. Neil Woods: In the UK we … Continue reading →

Even as we progress, there are always some of these neanderthal throwbacks who show up: Texas college baseball coach: Stay home, Colorado high school potheads Actual email written from Texas Wesleyan baseball coach Mike Jeffcoat to a prospective student: “Thanks … Continue reading →

Couch friends: As I’ve mentioned before, I will be the luncheon speaker at the 2018 Libertarian Party of Illinois Convention this Saturday. I’ve got a number of points I’m looking to cover, based on past presentations I’ve given, but I’m … Continue reading →

CBS News Moneywatch brings it up: Should employers keep testing workers for pot? According to executive outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, which favors eliminating marijuana preemployment screening, companies are finding it increasingly difficult to find qualified applicants who don’t … Continue reading →

Sorry for my absence from the couch recently. I’ve been taking a bit of a break to deal with other things. I’m currently the musical director for a wonderfully bizarre production: “Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play” by Anne Washburn at … Continue reading →

There’s been a lot of talk about how Attorney General Jeff Sessions has eliminated the Cole Memo – an advisory document intended to reduce the focus on federal prosecutions of state-legal cannabis operations as long as a list of guidelines … Continue reading →

A strange year, to say the least. 2017: The Year Pot Policy Stood Still as Opioids Ravaged the Nation – a year-in-review from Rolling Stone. The take-away quote: While many federal lawmakers have called for overhauling the criminal justice system … Continue reading →

First, in Canada… Marc Emery was right; Julian Fantino was wrong In September 2011, Conservative MP and former OPP commissioner Julian Fantino stood in the House of Commons to urge MPs to vote for the Conservatives’ Safe Streets and Communities … Continue reading →