Stories by Bruce Mirken

Bruce Mirken is a San Francisco-based writer and media consultant who served as director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project from 2001 to 2009.

The Marijuana Cancer Cure Cult

It's not as far-fetched as it sounds, but some enthusiasts may be going too far.
Posted on Jan 26, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Why Is L.A.'s District Attorney Aiding and Abetting Mexican Drug Cartels?

Attorney Cooley has sweeping plans to boost the profits of drug cartels, and increasing the slaughter these vicious gangs perpetrate on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Posted on Oct 15, 2009, Source: Daily News

More Evidence That Marijuana Prevents Cancer

New study finds that marijuana smokers have a lower risk of head and neck cancers.
Posted on Aug 21, 2009, Source: Marijuana Policy Project

Censored on TV: Why Are Some Stations Keeping Pot in the Closet?

Pot has lots of medicinal and financial benefits, but TV stations still do everything they can to avoid mentioning it.
Posted on Jul 17, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Could Medical Marijuana Have Saved Michael Jackson?

If Jackson needed treatment for real pain, medical marijuana might have helped.
Posted on Jul 10, 2009, Source: Marijuana Policy Project

Can THC Help Some Schizophrenics?

Report cites "grossly psychotic, assaultive," schizophrenic "became calm, logical, nonviolent and cooperative within days" after taking THC.
Posted on Jun 5, 2009, Source: Marijuana Policy Project

Stop Subsidizing Mexican Drug Gangs

The horrifying drug-war violence south of our border with Mexico continues to worsen, and we're the ones subsidizing it.
Posted on Mar 23, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Will Legalizing Pot Save California from its Cash Crunch?

A new bill could make make marijuana California's newest cash crop.
Posted on Feb 25, 2009, Source: Marijuana Policy Project

Kellogg's Wimps Out Over Phelps's Bong Hit: What Century Are They Living in?

While hypocrisy is hardly rare in American life, Kellogg's decision not to renew his endorsement contract is really egregious.
Posted on Feb 6, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Drug Czar Fails Spectacularly at Cutting Marijuana Consumption

This is your government on drugs.
Posted on Oct 8, 2008, Source: AlterNet

New Drug Survey Demolishes Drug Czar's Claims

The numbers are in. Marijuana prohibition is a wasteful farce. And John Walters' tenure as drug czar has been a failure.
Posted on Sep 4, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Booze Kills, Pot Doesn't

The alcohol poisoning death rate in the United States is shockingly high, consistently between 300 and 400 a year. It's zero for pot.
Posted on Aug 19, 2008, Source: AlterNet

The World Health Organization Documents Failure of U.S. Drug Policies

WHO survey of 17 countries finds that we have the highest rates of marijuana and cocaine use.
Posted on Jul 2, 2008, Source: AlterNet

The White House Returns to Stoking Fears About Potent Pot

In what is becoming a nearly annual ritual, the ONDCP has released yet another report filled with dire warnings about rising marijuana potency.
Posted on Jun 13, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Psst... Government-Supplied Marijuana Program Turns 30

That's right, our government has been supplying medical marijuana to some patients for three full decades.
Posted on May 7, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Latest Anti-Pot Quack Science: 'Marijuana Makes Your Teeth Fall Out'

A rash of new studies of marijuana has hit the mass media, generating absurd headlines like "Smoking Pot Rots Your Gums."
Posted on Feb 9, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Could Smoking Pot Be Good for Teens?

If you follow the White House's twisted logic, the answer could be yes.
Posted on Nov 10, 2007, Source: AlterNet

Spinning a Failed War on Drugs

It gets harder and harder for the government to try and convince people that we are winning the war on drugs, yet they keep trying.
Posted on Sep 11, 2007, Source: AlterNet

New Studies Destroy the Last Objection to Medical Marijuana

New research on "vaporization" has demonstrated that all those fears about the ill effects of smoking marijuana are 100 percent obsolete.
Posted on May 2, 2007, Source: AlterNet

Will a New Study Force Changes in Drug Law?

A two-year study from a British commission is recommending a reality-based approach to drug law, rooted in science and focused on reducing harm. Americans should take note.
Posted on Mar 15, 2007, Source: AlterNet

Why Smoking Marijuana Doesn't Make You a Junkie

The idea that marijuana is a "gateway" drug has been once again squelched by two new scientific studies.
Posted on Dec 19, 2006, Source: Marijuana Policy Project

The High Cost of Prohibition

A good case can be made that marijuana prohibition costs too much -- in money, but also in ruined lives and harm done to society.
Posted on Jun 2, 2005, Source: AlterNet

Psychosis, Hype And Baloney

Although the mainstream media is eating it up, a new study claiming a link between marijuana use and psychosis should be approached with great caution.
Posted on Mar 7, 2005, Source: AlterNet

Dressing Up Failure

Despite the feds' positive spin, a national survey shows that drug use remains at near-record levels.
Posted on Sep 10, 2004, Source: AlterNet

Sex, Drugs and Prohibition

The latest report by the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse links teen sexual behavior with substance abuse – a conclusion based entirely on sensationalism.
Posted on Aug 27, 2004, Source: AlterNet

The 'Potent Pot' Myth

Repeated claims that newer types of marijuana are far more dangerous than pot of the past create more harm than good.
Posted on Jul 30, 2004, Source: AlterNet

Your Government Wants You to Lie to Your Kids

The drug czar's new anti-drug parenting tips blot out the truth with a heavy dose of fear.
Posted on Jul 19, 2004, Source: AlterNet

Lies and the Lazy Reporters Who Repeat Them

The mainstream press doesn't get it: The theory that pot that is more potent is getting people hooked is almost certainly wrong.
Posted on May 6, 2004, Source: AlterNet

The Trouble with Marijuana and Legislators

Lawmakers think that supporting medical marijuana is a radical move that will get them in trouble. It's not, and it won't.
Posted on Apr 1, 2004, Source: AlterNet

The DEA Turns 30

A change of leadership should prompt rethinking of anti-drug strategies -- but don't hold your breath.
Posted on Jun 30, 2003, Source: AlterNet

MPP's Post-Election Wrap Up

Though Question 9, the Nevada marijuna decriminalization initiative, was defeated in this week's election, almost 40% of Nevada voters rejected marijuana prohibition, and there were positive developments in marijuana-related elections elsewhere.
Posted on Nov 7, 2002, Source: Marijuana Policy Project

TEENS AND DRUGS

Bruce Mirken of the Marijuana Policy Project explains why the latest National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse survey
Posted on Aug 22, 2002, Source: Marijuana Policy Project

A Hero Prepares to Betray Us

Vermont Governor Howard Dean is a hero to many gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans for his progressive treatment of his state's civil unions law, but right now all signs are that Gov. Dean is preparing to betray people living with AIDS.
Posted on Mar 28, 2002, Source: Marijuana Policy Project

New York Times Ad Urges Bush: Stop the War on Medical Marijuana

Signed by 300 elected officials, doctors, and celebrities, a full page ad in the New York Times urges Bush to stop the war on medical marijuana.
Posted on Mar 7, 2002, Source: Marijuana Policy Project

Sam Farr Joins the Fight

Representative Sam Farr (D - Calif.) whose district includes counties in northern California, at a crucial time has joined the battle to protect patients from the Drug Enforcement Administration's ongoing war against medical marijuana, signing on as a cosponsor of H.R. 2592.
Posted on Feb 21, 2002, Source: Marijuana Policy Project