Transform is an independent charity working towards a safer system of legal regulation for all drugs. Our
@anyoneschild
campaign tells the human story.
Cannabis reforms are accelerating across the world. Now it's time for the UK!
So we’re launching a crowdfunder to run a major UK campaign to legalise and regulate recreational cannabis!
And we need your help. Donate to regulate 👉
#LegaliseUKCannabis
BREAKING: New
@Scotgov
report calls for:
🔵Decrim of personal drug possession
🔵A roadmap to explore legal regulation of drugs
🔵Expansion of harm reduction & treatment to address drug death crisis
& Calls for Westminster to change laws to allow it
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BREAKING:
Good news!
The UN CND just voted to remove cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 single convention on drugs - finally acknowledging its medicinal/therapeutic potential
Vote was close: 27 yes, 25 no, 1 abstention
...details to follow
"This week will witness two of the most consequential votes on cannabis policy since the 1961 Single Convention marked the advent of global prohibition"
Insightful explainer from
@WOLA_org
on this week's votes at the UN, and in US Congress.
THREAD🧵
The UK Govt is ignoring the recommendation of its own experts & making possession of Nitrous Oxide a criminal offence
This reckless decision must be reversed. We need fresh thinking, not repeating past mistakes
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Huge thanks to
@GaryLineker
for supporting drug law reform. Legal regulation of drugs is the ONLY WAY to take the power away from criminals and put health before profit.
#makingdangeroussafer
BREAKING: Malta's parliament just voted to pass its cannabis legalisation Bill into law!
When enacted at the weekend it will be legal to possess, grow your own (up to 4 plants) & establish not for profit cannabis social clubs
CONGRATULATIONS MALTA!
@Releafmalta
@ownbonnici
BREAKING: Norwegian Govt Commission on decriminalisation has delivered its Recommendations to the Ministry of Health:
- Possession of all drugs for personal use decriminalised
- Problematic users directed to treatment (non-coerced)
- Expungement of possession convictions
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BREAKING: Mexico Supreme Court ruling effectively legalises personal possession, use, & private cultivation of cannabis!
Congrats to our partners at
@MUCD
,
@AramBarra
(in court today)
@zarasnapp
& all others involved in the case
Via Google translate:
🚨BREAKING🚨
The FIRST EVER FULLY-LEGAL NON-MEDICAL CANNABIS goes on sale in the Netherlands TODAY!
The new phase of the 'cannabis experiment' starts at 19 coffee shops in Breda & Tilburg
“We've been waiting for this for more than 40 years"
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Norway Government presents plans to decriminalize the personal use of illegal drugs in small quantities, citing recommendations from the United Nations and the
@WHO
“It’s high time we replace punishment with help.” says health minister
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BREAKING: Scottish Lord Advocate gives go-head for an Overdose Prevention Centre
Lives will be saved, it will be a doorway to support for many more, while communities will have fewer people injecting in the streets. We hope others follow, across the UK
Former Lab Justice Secretary Lord Falconer calls for UK to legalise drugs
"I am sorry for supporting the war on drugs. We can see with shocking clarity that it has been a tragic disaster."
Calls on Jeremy Corbyn to put legal regulation in Lab manifesto
Congratulations to Illinois for expunging 500,000 criminal records for cannabis offences.
Legalisation should not just end criminalisation going forward: it needs to redress historic harms still felt through the persisting burden of criminal records.
The Chief Executives Board of the UN, representing 31 UN agencies, including
@UNODC
, has adopted a common position recommending decriminalisation of possession and use of drugs.
Read the Transform blog/briefing :
We know that criminalisation of ppl who use drugs is costly, & fuels a range of social & health harms that disproportionately impact the most marginalised in society
But does it achieve its primary aim of deterring drug use?
Answer: *NO*
THREAD 🧵1/
Today’s new
@scotgov
roadmap for
#DrugLawReform
in Scotland; ‘‘A Caring, Compassionate and Human Rights Informed Drug Policy for Scotland’ is a groundbreaking moment for the UK's drug debate
Here's a breakdown THREAD🧵
Full report here:
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Things were different in 1971
The Misuse of Drugs Act will be 50 this year. It is outdated, harmful and was never fit for purpose.
We can't keep waiting for a new approach - let's make this year a turning point.
Join the conversation:
#50YearsOfFailure
On 15th May 2021, Switzerland will pilot Europe's first fully legal regulated cannabis market for adult-use.
Prohibition has failed to address a thriving criminal market, but public health officials see regulation as part of the answer to get drugs under control.
@KevinSabet
Heroin is used as a pediatric analgesic, cocaine is used for ENT surgery, and methamphetamine is a widely prescribed psychostimulant.
No drug is absolutely 'safe', but risk is determined by using context & motivation, dosage, preparation, method of use, & user vulnerability
Cannabis Is Officially a Medicine, Following Historic UN Vote
“There’s been progress today, but we are still dealing with a horribly outdated and broken system." says
@SteveTransform
@Narcomania
for
@vice
BREAKING: Vancouver Mayor announces plan to decriminalize possession of drugs in the city
“It is time to end the stigma around substance use, help connect more of our neighbours to health care, and save lives.”
Many of the harms associated with cocaine and ecstasy are a direct consequence of their legal status.
We can reduce these harms by taking a different approach by regulating their production and sale.
Click to view our proposals, and share your views:
We repeat: This ban is not based on evidence or sound public health thinking; it is political theatre attempting to appear ‘tough’ on antisocial behaviour - despite widespread warnings that the move will be counterproductive & harmful
📢 BREAKING: Nitrous oxide to become an illegal Class C substance by the end of the year.
We are cleaning up our streets and tackling anti-social behaviour. Those in unlawful possession could face up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine.
🔗
We are very pleased to be showcasing our mock-up safer drug cosumption room here in Glasgow.
As you can see, there is a lot of interest!
#StopTheDeaths
BREAKING: Biden "I’m pardoning all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession."
This, and his other actions have huge implications well beyond the USA.
As I’ve said before, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana.
Today, I’m taking steps to end our failed approach. Allow me to lay them out.
It's official - the Overdose Prevention Service ambulance has arrived in England! Thanks again to
@PeteKrykant_OPC
for making this possible.
Next stop, Leeds on Sep 28th! Free tickets here:
If cocaine use is going up while it's illegal and tobacco use is going down while it's legal, maybe there is a lesson there.
@SteveTransform
speaks to
@maltatoday
We are delighted to share with you our new book, How to regulate stimulants: a practical guide.
You can read a free copy of the book online here:
Let us know what you think.
#RegulateStimulants
Police issue warning about super strength Donald Trump ecstasy pills saying: "you can never be sure what these pills contain"
You could if their production and supply was legally regulated, so packaging had potency, dosage and harm reduction advice.
.
@TheLancet
Editorial
"Evidence to show criminalisation has failed is overwhelming. Bold & comprehensive reforms are needed to pursue health-oriented, rights-based drug decriminalisation policies. What more will it take for policy makers to listen?"
We are pleased to share our new publication, How to Regulate Psychedelics: A Practical Guide!
We've mapped out a concrete set of proposals for a world where non-medical psychedelics are legalised and regulated.
Order a print copy or read it online now!
BREAKING: Canadian senators vote 56-30 to legalise and regulate cannabis!
History in the making.
First G7 country to do so. Outlets should open Aug/Sept...
BREAKING: Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda has announced the legalisation and regulation of medical *and* non-medical cannabis by the end of 2018.
More to follow...
Important breakthrough: first US state to decriminalise drug possession for personal use (covering ALL DRUGS - not just cannabis) is an important milestone for drug policy reform
Oregon made history tonight by becoming the first state to decriminalize drug possession! Our c4
@DrugPolicyAct
led this campaign with
@voteYESon110
to make this visionary initiative a reality! This victory is truly transformative.
#Election2020
🙂
#OREGON
A good human story led exploration of Portugal's approach to drugs. Very welcome given the Daily Mail's power over the UK government
"Portugal reversed Europe's worst addiction crisis with an injection of radical thinking - it decriminalised drugs"
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh calls for:
- Decriminalising drug use
- Overdose Prevention Centres
- Nationwide rollout of heroin assisted treatment
We need a health-based approach to drug policy now
University of York finds opiates inside a 3,500-year-old Bronze Age jug
People have always taken drugs, they always will. So having a goal of a 'drug-free world' is ludicrous and harmful because it distorts policy away from minimising drug-related harms
Here's how the 53 member states in the Commission on Narcotic Drugs voted on the WHO recommendation to remove cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 single convention - finally acknowledging its medicinal and therapeutic utility
HT
@jfernandezochoa
@IDPCAsia
The Irish Justice Committee has just publsihed its report on sanctions for drug possession
Recs include:
🟢Decrim of personal possession & cultivation
🟢Regulation of 'certain drugs'
🟢Drug co-ops/ social clubs
🟢OPCs & HAT
🟢Citizens assembly
read:
Drugs Minister Victoria Atkins refuses to answer any questions related to
#Cannabis
due to a conflict of interest with her husband's cannabis production business.
Not a great start from the Minister in charge of...DRUG POLICY
#DrugsDebate
The Taliban's opium ban could massively reduce the UK's heroin supply, which means far more risky drugs may take over.
Governments MUST prepare to deliver:
·Overdose prevention centres
·Heroin assisted treatment
·Drug checking
·Police diversion
The Cop Who Busted the Beatles Now Wants to Legalise All Drugs
"drug laws messed up the whole way the police work. Drugs should be made legal & regulated. If you did that, you’d get rid of so much of the crime and corruption in this country"
@JSRafaelism
Cannabis becomes legal in Canada
You can walk from Alaska through Canada, down the entire US western seaboard never leaving places where cannabis is legal. Mexico is likely to follow suit
The dominoes will fall fast - including the UK within 5 years
🚨NEW BLOG🚨
The UN debates cannabis legalisation and the drug control treaties
Transform's intervention called upon the various UN entities to acknowledge the reality of global cannabis reform, & meaningfully explore options for treaty reform
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Today we brought
@PeteKrykant_OPC
's mobile overdose prevention center to Bristol - planting 4335 forget-me-not flowers to commemorate those lost to avoidable drug related deaths.
& calling on Govt to remove legal obstacles to a national roll out for this life saving intervention
"It would be outrageous to propose people should be arrested for using alcohol or tobacco. Why do we consider the use of other drugs to be any different?"
Faculty of Public Health's Dr
@holla_adam
backs
@scotgov
drugs decriminalisation etc proposals
@FPH
The 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act will be 50 this year. It is outdated, harmful and not fit for purpose.
We can’t keep waiting for a new approach - let’s make this year a turning point.
#50YearsFailure
*BREAKING*
Positive news: the UK Govt Scottish secretary announced to the Commons today that:
"If the Scottish Governmentt & the Lord Advocate decide to proceed with a pilot on drugs consumption rooms, the UK government will not intervene"
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Unhelpful 'tough on drugs' posturing from
@UKLabour
These proposals would be hugely expensive, would disproportionately criminalise already over-policed & marginalised communities, &, at best, can only achieve short term localised market displacement
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Colombia seizes 12 tonnes of cocaine in its biggest ever drugs bust
That's about 1.3% of Colombian production. UK Prime Minister's Strategy Unit says must consistently seize 60-80% of drugs to put organised crime out of business.
Canada is set to open licensed cannabis shops TOMORROW - "We expect the UK and many others to follow suit in the next five years, so that they can put government, not gangsters in control of the production and supply of cannabis.” -
Recreational cannabis use becomes legal in California When Canada follows in July you will be able to travel from Alaska to the Mexican border without leaving territory where cannabis is legal
133 NGOs sign collective statement urging the international community to act on UN human rights chief's ground-breaking call for systemic drug policy reform
The 'war on drugs' is a war on *people*
*Please read and share*
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Yesterday, Jacob Rees-Mogg said that allowing overdose prevention centres isn't 'in the best interests of society'.
Is having one of the highest drug-related deaths rates in the world in anyone’s best interests?
Following
@peterkrykant
's bravery in setting up a supervised injection van this week, I asked again for
@pritipatel
to bring forward the law change to allow supervised drug consumption rooms to go ahead legally in Glasgow - the
@ukhomeoffice
position is completely untenable.
Hats off to
@PeteKrykant_OPC
@MartinTransform
quoted "If Sturgeon shows true leadership by taking a health-led approach to drugs she will succeed where the UK govt continues to fail"
If that forces
@ukhomeoffice
to follow suit it will save lives UK-wide
Many risks associated with cocaine, MDMA & amphetamines are a direct consequence of prohibition.
The risks can be significantly reduced by regulating production and sale of stimulant drugs.
Read the book (free PDF), and share your views below:
A letter from 15 neurologists & health experts to the UK Government says criminalising possession of
#nitrousoxide
will fuel stigma, deter vulnerable ppl from seeking medical support, and increase - not decrease - health harms
🧵1/
"Your kid is 136 times more likely to be poisoned by diaper cream than by weed." - The Washington Post's Wonkblog puts the risk of children being poisoned by cannabis into perspective:
Victoria Atkins says no one has done research on how legalisation would work in practice.
AHEM - We did the research, wrote the book, and advise Governments on exactly how to do it
#DrugsDebate
BREAKING:
South Africa's constitutional court has just ruled the ban on personal cultivation and consumption of cannabis in the home is unconstitutional.
personal cultivation and private use now decriminalised (Public use and dealing remain illegal).
In a WORLD FIRST, a bill to legally regulate coca & its derivatives *including cocaine* is being debated today in the Colombian Senate
Watch the debate LIVE here:
Read our Interview with the drafter of the Bill
@LorenzoUribeB
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Police Scotland officer reverses an overdose just 2 hours after being trained to use Naloxone
Fully vindicates the efforts of all who pressed for this pilot, including within Police Scotland
Police Scotland officers administer
#naloxone
for first time in pilot project!
To see the immediate benefit of police carriage of naloxone at such an early stage in the project is extremely positive and hugely encouraging.
The Taliban's opium ban could massively reduce the UK's heroin supply, which means far more risky drugs may take over.
Governments MUST prepare to deliver:
·Overdose prevention centres
·Heroin assisted treatment
·Drug checking
·Police diversion
🚨THREAD🚨
MILLIONS CRIMINALISED & IMPRISONED UNDER THE MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT
Punitive enforcement has long dominated policy responses to a primarily public health challenge.
For 50yrs millions have had their life opportunities impacted by criminalisation & imprisonment.
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Congratulations to the Maltese Authority for the Responsible use of Cannabis on on issuing the EU's first two licenses for non profit cannabis associations.
They can now plant their first crop and enrol members with a view to opening in February...
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The UK continues to waste billions imprisoning 1000s each year for cannabis offences.
Legal regulation would collapse the illegal mkt, shrink the prison population, reduce criminalisation of youth/minorities, save money, & generate tax revenue & jobs.
US Democrat senators vow to legalise cannabis this year
“Ending the federal marijuana prohibition is necessary to right the wrongs of this failed war and end decades of harm inflicted on communities of colour across the country.”
THREAD 🧵
Under EU pressure, the German Govt has announced a paired-back set of legal cannabis reform proposals, that now includes:
🟢Personal decrim (25g)
🟢Homegrow (3 plants)
🟢Not-for-profit membership clubs
🟢 A retail sales 'research' pilot
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**PRESS RELEASE** 'Psychoactive Substances Act: UK Government Review Admits Extensive Failure'
❌NPS drug trade has shifted to street dealers
❌Use of 'SPICE' in prisons has increased
❌NPS-use among children and homeless has not fallen despite the ban
Great news that
@SadiqKhan
is ready for an honest conversation about the realities of cannabis and what legal regulation could mean in the UK with the new drugs commission 👏
Cannabis regulation elsewhere has shown us that the UK can and needs to do better.
@MayorofLondon
Alcohol must be recognised as a drug
Because it is! Start by saying "Alcohol and other drugs" not "Drugs and alcohol" which is nonsense - no one says "Metals and iron"