‘an alternative to the abstinence-only drug abuse prevention strategies currently dominating public discourse. Acknowledging that experimentation with consciousness is nearly universal, we believe that the creation of socially-sanctioned contexts for the beneficial uses of psychedelics and marijuana may be a powerful approach to reducing drug abuse. In other words, education about appropriate drug use may be more effective in reducing drug abuse than the pursuit of an undesirable and entirely unobtainable “Drug-Free” world.’ MAPS

“MAPS is a membership-based non-profit research and educational organization with about 1800 members. We assist scientists to design, fund, obtain approval for and report on studies into the healing and spiritual potentials of MDMA, psychedelic drugs and marijuana.”

Lester Grinspoon MD:

Most of marijuana’s powers of enhancement are not as immediately available as its capacity to lift mood or improve appetite and the taste of food. Some learning may be required, and one way to learn is through other people’s experience. Some colleagues and I hope to promote this kind of learning by assembling an anthology of accounts of cannabis enhancement experiences. It is our hope that these stories will ultimately provide the basis for a book. Toward that end, we seek to identify contributors who are willing to share their knowledge of the uses of cannabis.

Accounts judged to be useful will be posted on this website as they are received. If and when the collection is of a quality and quantity which would justify publication as an anthology, a book proposal will be written.

Lester Grinspoon MD: A Cannabis Odyssey:

Every age has its peculiar folly and if Charles Mackay, the author of the mid 19th century classic, Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds were alive today he would surely see “cannabinophobia” as a popular delusion along with the “tulipmania” and “witch hunts” of earlier ages. I believe that we are now at the cusp of this particular popular delusion which to date has been responsible for the arrest of over twelve million US citizens. I also believe that future historians will look at this epoch and recognize it as another instance of the “madness of crowds.” Journal of Cognitive Liberties

John Perry Barlow: Liberty and LSD:

Over the last 25 years, I’ve watched a lot of Dead Heads, Buddhists, and other freethinkers do acid. I’ve taken it myself. I still do occasionally, in a ritual sort of way. On the basis of their experience and my own, I know that the public terror of LSD is based more on media propagated superstition than familiarity with its effects on the real world.

I know this, and, like most others who know it, I have kept quiet about it. Journal of Cognitive Liberties

As mentioned recently somewhere on MetaFilter, this utility is the most heavy-duty solution to problems with pop-up web browser ads and spam mail I’ve ever found.

Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Abnormal Psychology, Second Edition:

• Is the DSM-IV a useful classification system?
  
• Is there gender bias in the DSM-IV?
  
• Is multiple personality disorder a valid diagnosis?
  
• Does ADHD exist?
  
• Is MDMA (Ecstasy) a dangerous drug?
  
• Does post-abortion syndrome exist?
  
• Are repressed memories valid?
  
• Is Prozac safe and effective?
  
• Has too much emphasis been placed on empirically supported therapies?
  
• Is Ritalin overprescribed?
  
• Should psychosurgery be used to treat certain psychological conditions?
  
• Does media violence promote violent behavior in young people?
  
• Is pornography harmful?
  
• Is divorce always psychologically detrimental to children?
  
• Do evolutionary factors explain rape?
  
• Has the deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill worked?
  
• Should mental health professionals serve as gatekeepers for physician-assisted suicide?
  
• Is sexual orientation conversion therapy ethical?
  
• Is the abuse excuse overused?
  
• Is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) ethical?
  

“Michael Chabon, author of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, talks about his new kids book, Summerland, and the freedom he fears is vanishing from children’s lives.” Salon

Republicans plan to control Congress

“White House officials and Republicans on Capitol Hill are so optimistic about winning control of both chambers of Congress in next month’s elections that they have begun mapping how they would use their new power…”