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Save the Date

Critical Perspectives on the Drug War

A symposium presented by
Law Students for Sensible Drug Policy at UC Irvine

Saturday, February 21, 2015

8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (tentative)

EDU 1111, UC Irvine School of Law (map)

Since 1970, the U.S. has spent over $1 trillion on the War on Drugs. Despite decades of effort and incarcerating over 31 million people for drug-related offenses, use remains high and drug supply and purity are greater than ever. Clearly, prohibitionist policies have not worked.

A growing percentage of Americans feel that the Drug War is a failure and that it’s time to reevaluate our approach. The recent victories of legal marijuana in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington, D.C., along with Colorado and Washington before that, highlight the growing desire and readiness for sensible drug policies.

This symposium will bring together experts from the legal, political, and judicial arenas, as well as civil rights activists, harm reduction workers, entrepreneurs, and full-time reform workers for a deeper look at how U.S. drug policies have affected society, and what lies ahead on the horizon. There will be an emphasis on marijuana policy since the cannabis industry is already becoming a major player in California and nationwide.

Panel Topics:

  • Alternatives to Incarceration
  • Legalization Efforts
  • Research and Public Health Implications
  • Emerging Industries

Featured Speakers

  • Graham Boyd, Director, New Approach PAC
  • Dr. Lakisha Jenkins, The Kiona Foundation
  • Hon. James Gray, Superior Court of Orange County (Ret.)
  • Lynne Lyman, Drug Policy Alliance
  • Martin Lee, Project CBD
  • Hon. Joe Perez, Superior Court of Orange County
  • Amanda Reiman, Drug Policy Alliance
  • Christian Sederberg, Vicente Sederberg
  • Whitney Englander, Harm Reduction Coalition
  • Tina Kim, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
  • Lance Rogers, Senior Associate, Viridis Law Group (a division of Bremer Whyte Brown & O’Meara)
  • Troy Dayton, ArcView Group

MCLE credit available

Stay tuned for more details