aclu Archives - TheJointBlog

Federal Court Rules Drug Testing All College Students is Unconstitutional

December 23, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

**In a conclusive 9 to 2 vote, the 8th U.S. District Court of Appeals has ruled that drug testing all college students is unconstitutional.**

The Thursday ruling reinstates a 2013 ruling that a Missouri technical college’s mandatory drug testing policy is unconstitutional when it is applied to all students regardless of their area of focus. The ruling, which was championed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) , reverses an earlier decision by a three-judge panel.

“Fostering a drug-free environment is surely a laudable goal”, Judge Roger Wollman stated in the court’s majority opinion, but; “Linn State has not demonstrated that fostering a drug-free environment is a ‘special need’ as defined by the U.S. Supreme Court.”

Marijuana Arrests Down 99.2% This Year in Washington D.C. Compared to Last Year

November 28, 2015November 28, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

By Johnny Green, TheWeedBlog.com

It wasn’t that long ago that thousands of people were arrested for marijuana annually in Washington D.C.. 2,346 people were arrested for marijuana in Washington D.C. in 2011. Washington D.C. voters approved marijuana legalization during the 2014 Election. As a result, marijuana arrests in D.C. are down. Way down. As of November 6th (the most current data available), there have only been 7 arrests for marijuana in D.C.. Per the Washington City Paper:

President Obama to Commute Sentences of Dozens of Drug Offenders

July 14, 2015July 13, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

President Obama last commuted sentences in March, when he let 22 drug offenders free.

President Obama plans this week to free dozens of inmates serving time for non-violent drug offenses by commuting their sentences, according to a presidential spokesman.

In total, Obama plans to commute the sentences of up to 80 people, many currently in prison for non-violent, drug-related offenses. This will mean that these individuals can walk free without serving the remainder of their sentences. Some would have spent the remainder of their life incarcerated, as they’re serving life sentences.

Effort Launched in Maryland to Legalize Recreational Cannabis

January 16, 2014 by Anthony Martinelli

Advocates of a proposal to legalize recreational cannabis launched their effort today in Maryland, calling cannabis prohibition an utter failure, and noting that the public’s support for the issue is growing rapidly.

“Continuation of the current policy is continuation of failure,” said Senator Jamie Raskin, a constitutional law professor and one of the sponsors of the new proposal. “It’s part of a conversation that is taking place across the country and across the world.”

New Poll: 65% in California Support Cannabis Legalization

August 24, 2014October 17, 2013 by Anthony Martinelli

New polling released by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has found that a strong majority of those in California support the legalization of recreational cannabis. 65% are in support of such a move, with just 32% in opposition. 3% remain undecided.

The poll, which was conducted by Tulchin Research, found that a majority of every age group supports cannabis legalization, including an eye-opening 85% of those 18 to 29.

Federal Court Strikes Down Mandatory Drug Testing for College Students

September 14, 2013 by Anthony Martinelli

In a clear victory for civil rights and common sense, a federal district court has struck down a controversial policy at Linn State University in Missouri which requires all new students to submit to unprovoked drug testing. The court ruled this testing to be “unconstitutional”.

“Linn State required every incoming student to be tested for drugs, even though many of them would not be engaged in dangerous activities, and the college had no reason to believe any particular student was using drugs”, said Jason Williamson, an attorney for the ACLU, “Any student who refused to submit to the drug test—which is considered a search under the Fourth Amendment—would be denied the opportunity to pursue their education at Linn State.”

50 Years Ago Today, Martin Luther King Jr. Announced His Dream; The Drug War Wasn’t Part of It

August 28, 2013August 28, 2013 by Anthony Martinelli

50 years ago today, thousands marched on Washington and watched the inspiring Martin Luther King Jr. announce that he has “a dream”; a dream of equality, and a dream of a better future for his friends and family.

Although we’ve made tremendous strides since that speech, one can’t help but wonder what Mr. King would think of our current drug war, which has become a massive cycle of institutional racism, trapping minorities in a system which harshly criminalizes simple drug possession, creating perpetual criminals in the process by removing opportunities for housing, education and work, leading many to a life of crime just to “get by”.