dapa research poll for Mass. cannabis reform

In Massachusetts, a DAPA Research poll conducted for the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition/NORML found that 58% support legalizing marijuana and regulating it like other agricultural commodities with sales prohibited to underage persons.

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2011/dec/11/marijuana_legalization_fares_wel

Some interesting facts provided from NORML

World Leaders Make International News by Calling for Marijuana Legalization and End to Drug War

http://www.alternet.org/drugs/153298/9_huge_blows_to_the_catastrophic_war_on_drugs_--_will_we_have_sane_drug_policy_some_day

This article disusses a possible end to the failing drug war in the near future. World leaders including former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan; Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group; four former presidents, including the commission's chairman, Fernando Henrique Cardoso of Brazil; George P. Shultz, former U.S. Secretary of State; Paul Volcker, former Chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve are forming an alliance to set new policies in motion. They are trying to initiate legalization experiments, along with greater health awareness and substitutions for incarceration including treatment possibilities. This is a great step towards ending the war on drugs, which in turn will hopefully greatly decrease the amount of people incarcerated for nonviolent crimes.

Sparboe Farms dropped by McDonald's

http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2011/11/28/130288/us-egg-producer-dropped-by-mcdonalds.htm

McDonald's egg provider for the west of USA, Sparboe Farms, was dropped by McDonald's due to questionable management practices after a hidden camera exposed conditions in the farm. The camera depicted animal cruelty and unsanitary conditions. Sparboe Farms is the only corporation that went against The United Egg Producers and Humane Society Bill, which is set to be introduced to Congress, to set a federally implemented minimum level of conditions for laying hens. It will be interesting to see how this series of events plays out.

Humane Society files complaint against Smithfield pork

This article talk about a complaint filed by the Humane Society against Smithfield pork claiming that Smithfield used YouTube to show false information regarding Smithfield's animal rights and environmental practices. Smithfield uses techniques that confine their pigs into "gestation crate" that severely restrict the animals' movement. I am interested to see what unfolds from this complaint and if Smithfield will reconsider their practices.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9QOR21G2.htm

Anti-poverty week in Australia

This article discusses unequal distribution of wealth around the world and how anti-poverty week in Australia promotes individuals to discuss inequality at home and abroad. 

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/antipoverty-week-a-time-to-reflect-on-inequality-near-and-far-20111017-1lt8z.html

Mississippi considers anti-abortion law

Mississippi is putting an anti-abortion la, known as a "personhood amendment", on their November 8 ballot. The amendment is gaining a lot of support in conservative Mississippi, and some fear that this amendment will build momentum nationally against Roe v. Wade. The law legally defines a person at the moment of fertilization. The law has many negative factors, including prohibiting abortion in cases of rape or incest. The law also may prosecute women for a miscarriage and I believe this law is an invasion of one's privacy. It will be interesting to see if this bill passes and the consequences that will unfold around the nation as abortion gets banned.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/10/mississippi_personhood_amendment.html

Anti-abortion groups find new ways to put Abortion Clinics out of business

This is an old article but I think it is interesting how extreme anti abortion activists can be. Anti-abortion activists have found a new way to put abortion clinics out of business by buying out the buildings were abortion clinics are held. This is a much more drastic step in fighting abortion that goes far beyond civil disobedience. The project, known as Operation Rescue has already begun, shutting down an abortion clinic in Wichita, Kansas.

http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2942510919140941867&postID=1753424852420540032&page=1&token=1317594293981