On 23 January 1912, representatives from twelve nations signed the International Opium Convention, which contracted them to ‘use their best … Continue reading “An alternative to drug prohibition”

The heavily publicised deaths of two teenagers in Lincolnshire who took mephedrone (known as “meow meow”) has led to calls … Continue reading “Banning “meow meow” would be counterproductive”

The heavily publicised deaths of two teenagers in Lincolnshire who took mephedrone (known as “meow meow”) has led to calls … Continue reading “Banning “meow meow” would be counterproductive”

●  Philip Booth argues in the FT that ethics alone will not stop financial crises   ●  Patrick Basham and … Continue reading “Economics on the web (14.11.09)”

The brouhaha surrounding the sacking of Professor David Nutt by Alan Johnson leaves me in two minds. On the one … Continue reading “Scientific advice? Take it or leave it”

Last week the government chose to ignore its own advisors and decided not to downgrade ecstasy to a “class B” … Continue reading “The drug laws don’t work, they just make things worse”

The last century has seen a steady expansion of the ‘nanny state’, a process that has arguably accelerated in the … Continue reading “The case for lifting prohibitions”