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

Posted on: Jan 25, 2010, Source: AlterNet

It's not as far-fetched as it sounds, but some enthusiasts may be going too far.

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

Posted on: Oct 15, 2009, Source: Daily News

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.

More Evidence That Marijuana Prevents Cancer

Posted on: Aug 21, 2009, Source: Marijuana Policy Project

New study finds that marijuana smokers have a lower risk of head and neck cancers.

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

Posted on: Jul 17, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Pot has lots of medicinal and financial benefits, but TV stations still do everything they can to avoid mentioning it.

Could Medical Marijuana Have Saved Michael Jackson?

Posted on: Jul 9, 2009, Source: Marijuana Policy Project

If Jackson needed treatment for real pain, medical marijuana might have helped.

Can THC Help Some Schizophrenics?

Posted on: Jun 5, 2009, Source: Marijuana Policy Project

Report cites "grossly psychotic, assaultive," schizophrenic "became calm, logical, nonviolent and cooperative within days" after taking THC.

Stop Subsidizing Mexican Drug Gangs

Posted on: Mar 23, 2009, Source: AlterNet

The horrifying drug-war violence south of our border with Mexico continues to worsen, and we're the ones subsidizing it.

Will Legalizing Pot Save California from its Cash Crunch?

Posted on: Feb 25, 2009, Source: Marijuana Policy Project

A new bill could make make marijuana California's newest cash crop.

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

Posted on: Feb 6, 2009, Source: AlterNet

While hypocrisy is hardly rare in American life, Kellogg's decision not to renew his endorsement contract is really egregious.

Drug Czar Fails Spectacularly at Cutting Marijuana Consumption

Posted on: Oct 8, 2008, Source: AlterNet

This is your government on drugs.

New Drug Survey Demolishes Drug Czar's Claims

Posted on: Sep 4, 2008, Source: AlterNet

The numbers are in. Marijuana prohibition is a wasteful farce. And John Walters' tenure as drug czar has been a failure.

Booze Kills, Pot Doesn't

Posted on: Aug 18, 2008, Source: AlterNet

The alcohol poisoning death rate in the United States is shockingly high, consistently between 300 and 400 a year. It's zero for pot.

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

Posted on: Jul 2, 2008, Source: AlterNet

WHO survey of 17 countries finds that we have the highest rates of marijuana and cocaine use.

The White House Returns to Stoking Fears About Potent Pot

Posted on: Jun 12, 2008, Source: AlterNet

In what is becoming a nearly annual ritual, the ONDCP has released yet another report filled with dire warnings about rising marijuana potency.

Psst... Government-Supplied Marijuana Program Turns 30

Posted on: May 7, 2008, Source: AlterNet

That's right, our government has been supplying medical marijuana to some patients for three full decades.

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

Posted on: Feb 8, 2008, Source: AlterNet

A rash of new studies of marijuana has hit the mass media, generating absurd headlines like "Smoking Pot Rots Your Gums."

Could Smoking Pot Be Good for Teens?

Posted on: Nov 9, 2007, Source: AlterNet

If you follow the White House's twisted logic, the answer could be yes.

Spinning a Failed War on Drugs

Posted on: Sep 10, 2007, Source: AlterNet

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.

New Studies Destroy the Last Objection to Medical Marijuana

Posted on: May 1, 2007, Source: AlterNet

New research on "vaporization" has demonstrated that all those fears about the ill effects of smoking marijuana are 100 percent obsolete.

Will a New Study Force Changes in Drug Law?

Posted on: Mar 14, 2007, Source: AlterNet

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.

Why Smoking Marijuana Doesn't Make You a Junkie

Posted on: Dec 18, 2006, Source: Marijuana Policy Project

The idea that marijuana is a "gateway" drug has been once again squelched by two new scientific studies.

The High Cost of Prohibition

Posted on: Jun 2, 2005, Source: AlterNet

A good case can be made that marijuana prohibition costs too much -- in money, but also in ruined lives and harm done to society.

Psychosis, Hype And Baloney

Posted on: Mar 7, 2005, Source: AlterNet

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.

Dressing Up Failure

Posted on: Sep 10, 2004, Source: AlterNet

Despite the feds' positive spin, a national survey shows that drug use remains at near-record levels.

Sex, Drugs and Prohibition

Posted on: Aug 27, 2004, Source: AlterNet

The latest report by the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse links teen sexual behavior with substance abuse – a conclusion based entirely on sensationalism.

The 'Potent Pot' Myth

Posted on: Jul 30, 2004, Source: AlterNet

Repeated claims that newer types of marijuana are far more dangerous than pot of the past create more harm than good.

Your Government Wants You to Lie to Your Kids

Posted on: Jul 19, 2004, Source: AlterNet

The drug czar's new anti-drug parenting tips blot out the truth with a heavy dose of fear.

Lies and the Lazy Reporters Who Repeat Them

Posted on: May 5, 2004, Source: AlterNet

The mainstream press doesn't get it: The theory that pot that is more potent is getting people hooked is almost certainly wrong.

The Trouble with Marijuana and Legislators

Posted on: Mar 31, 2004, Source: AlterNet

Lawmakers think that supporting medical marijuana is a radical move that will get them in trouble. It's not, and it won't.

The DEA Turns 30

Posted on: Jun 29, 2003, Source: AlterNet

A change of leadership should prompt rethinking of anti-drug strategies -- but don't hold your breath.

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.

TEENS AND DRUGS

Posted on: Aug 21, 2002, Source: Marijuana Policy Project

Bruce Mirken of the Marijuana Policy Project explains why the latest National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse survey

A Hero Prepares to Betray Us

Posted on: Mar 27, 2002, Source: Marijuana Policy Project

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.

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

Posted on: Mar 6, 2002, Source: Marijuana Policy Project

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.

Sam Farr Joins the Fight

Posted on: Feb 20, 2002, Source: Marijuana Policy Project

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.

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