SteveRolles
@steverolles.bsky.social
Senior Policy Analyst for Transform Drug Policy Foundation
www.transformdrugs.org mostly tweeting on drug policy/law reform. Own views etc. Also/formerly @stevetransform on *the other place*
www.transformdrugs.org mostly tweeting on drug policy/law reform. Own views etc. Also/formerly @stevetransform on *the other place*
Quick correction - In Singapore the death penalty is available and regularly used for over 500g trafficking of cannabis, or 200g of resin (unsure if it's available for less). But this is more than 2oz re my comment (& you can buy 1oz in Colorado).
July 3, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Quick correction - In Singapore the death penalty is available and regularly used for over 500g trafficking of cannabis, or 200g of resin (unsure if it's available for less). But this is more than 2oz re my comment (& you can buy 1oz in Colorado).
Some UK Police & Crime commissioners have called for cannabis to be made a Class A drug
In this interview I shoot down this ridiculous idea, and try to map out a better way forward
t.co/VXiARjVEaG
In this interview I shoot down this ridiculous idea, and try to map out a better way forward
t.co/VXiARjVEaG
https://youtu.be/xkhrI1r1Q_0?si=O2eCDIyqxKbN3aST
t.co
July 3, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Some UK Police & Crime commissioners have called for cannabis to be made a Class A drug
In this interview I shoot down this ridiculous idea, and try to map out a better way forward
t.co/VXiARjVEaG
In this interview I shoot down this ridiculous idea, and try to map out a better way forward
t.co/VXiARjVEaG
*Does drug criminalisation increase harmful drug use? A scoping review*
'these findings allow for the preliminary conclusion that drug criminalization may increase use among some population segments'
New paper in the 'Drug Science Policy & Law' journal
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
'these findings allow for the preliminary conclusion that drug criminalization may increase use among some population segments'
New paper in the 'Drug Science Policy & Law' journal
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
June 27, 2025 at 4:28 PM
*Does drug criminalisation increase harmful drug use? A scoping review*
'these findings allow for the preliminary conclusion that drug criminalization may increase use among some population segments'
New paper in the 'Drug Science Policy & Law' journal
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
'these findings allow for the preliminary conclusion that drug criminalization may increase use among some population segments'
New paper in the 'Drug Science Policy & Law' journal
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Also; most cocaine related deaths involve polydrug use (Scotland 2020: only 8% were cocaine alone).
www.crew.scot/wp-content/u...
& whilst autopsy/forensics cant make a distinction, other data suggests most are related to smoked crack/injected cocaine rather than snorted powder (all are Class A)
4/
www.crew.scot/wp-content/u...
& whilst autopsy/forensics cant make a distinction, other data suggests most are related to smoked crack/injected cocaine rather than snorted powder (all are Class A)
4/
www.crew.scot
June 20, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Also; most cocaine related deaths involve polydrug use (Scotland 2020: only 8% were cocaine alone).
www.crew.scot/wp-content/u...
& whilst autopsy/forensics cant make a distinction, other data suggests most are related to smoked crack/injected cocaine rather than snorted powder (all are Class A)
4/
www.crew.scot/wp-content/u...
& whilst autopsy/forensics cant make a distinction, other data suggests most are related to smoked crack/injected cocaine rather than snorted powder (all are Class A)
4/
Drugs death data has always been something of a minefield - and UK methodology has evolved over this period
But stats pedantry aside, I hope this illustrates that any assumption harsher penalties will deliver better outcomes is tragically misguided & scientifically untenable
3/
But stats pedantry aside, I hope this illustrates that any assumption harsher penalties will deliver better outcomes is tragically misguided & scientifically untenable
3/
June 20, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Drugs death data has always been something of a minefield - and UK methodology has evolved over this period
But stats pedantry aside, I hope this illustrates that any assumption harsher penalties will deliver better outcomes is tragically misguided & scientifically untenable
3/
But stats pedantry aside, I hope this illustrates that any assumption harsher penalties will deliver better outcomes is tragically misguided & scientifically untenable
3/
Note: this is data for England and Wales only -
ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
Numbers are even higher if Scotland and NI (where data is compiled separately) are included
2/
ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
Numbers are even higher if Scotland and NI (where data is compiled separately) are included
2/
Deaths related to drug poisoning in England and Wales - Office for National Statistics
Deaths related to drug poisoning in England and Wales from 1993 to 2022, by cause of death, sex, age and substances involved in the death.
ons.gov.uk
June 20, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Note: this is data for England and Wales only -
ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
Numbers are even higher if Scotland and NI (where data is compiled separately) are included
2/
ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
Numbers are even higher if Scotland and NI (where data is compiled separately) are included
2/
'Making a drug class A will deter use & help keep communities safe'
A familiar Government narrative - but true or false?
Cocaine has been class A for 60 years - hows that worked out?
Here's a graph showing the 100x increase in cocaine-related deaths over the last 30 years
1/
A familiar Government narrative - but true or false?
Cocaine has been class A for 60 years - hows that worked out?
Here's a graph showing the 100x increase in cocaine-related deaths over the last 30 years
1/
June 20, 2025 at 2:29 PM
'Making a drug class A will deter use & help keep communities safe'
A familiar Government narrative - but true or false?
Cocaine has been class A for 60 years - hows that worked out?
Here's a graph showing the 100x increase in cocaine-related deaths over the last 30 years
1/
A familiar Government narrative - but true or false?
Cocaine has been class A for 60 years - hows that worked out?
Here's a graph showing the 100x increase in cocaine-related deaths over the last 30 years
1/
Reposted by SteveRolles
"U.S. Dietary Guidelines are expected to eliminate the long-standing recommendation that adults limit alcohol consumption to one or two drinks per day", according to @reuters.com.
As the article states, this would be "a major win" for the alcohol industry.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
As the article states, this would be "a major win" for the alcohol industry.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Exclusive: US to drop guidance to limit alcohol to one or two drinks per day, sources say
U.S. Dietary Guidelines are expected to eliminate the long-standing recommendation that adults limit alcohol consumption to one or two drinks per day, according to three sources familiar with the matter, in what could be a major win for an industry threatened by heightened scrutiny of alcohol's health effects.
www.reuters.com
June 18, 2025 at 2:13 PM
"U.S. Dietary Guidelines are expected to eliminate the long-standing recommendation that adults limit alcohol consumption to one or two drinks per day", according to @reuters.com.
As the article states, this would be "a major win" for the alcohol industry.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
As the article states, this would be "a major win" for the alcohol industry.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Reposted by SteveRolles
🚨NEW BLOG🚨
*Harm reduction as a form of resistance*
The amazing plenary speech by Michelle Wazan, from
@Skoun_org in Lebanon, at the @HRInews #HRI25 conference in Bogota last month
transformdrugs.org/blog/michell...
*Harm reduction as a form of resistance*
The amazing plenary speech by Michelle Wazan, from
@Skoun_org in Lebanon, at the @HRInews #HRI25 conference in Bogota last month
transformdrugs.org/blog/michell...
Harm reduction as a form of resistance | Transform
transformdrugs.org
June 18, 2025 at 2:56 PM
🚨NEW BLOG🚨
*Harm reduction as a form of resistance*
The amazing plenary speech by Michelle Wazan, from
@Skoun_org in Lebanon, at the @HRInews #HRI25 conference in Bogota last month
transformdrugs.org/blog/michell...
*Harm reduction as a form of resistance*
The amazing plenary speech by Michelle Wazan, from
@Skoun_org in Lebanon, at the @HRInews #HRI25 conference in Bogota last month
transformdrugs.org/blog/michell...
Reposted by SteveRolles
The UN Coca Leaf Review and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights:
Can the @WHO Meet the Moment?
Brilliant new long read explainer in the @TNInstitute *Coca Chronicles* series - by @MartinJelsmaTNI & John Walsh from @WOLA_org
www.tni.org/en/article/t...
Can the @WHO Meet the Moment?
Brilliant new long read explainer in the @TNInstitute *Coca Chronicles* series - by @MartinJelsmaTNI & John Walsh from @WOLA_org
www.tni.org/en/article/t...
The UN Coca Leaf Review and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights: Can the WHO Meet the Moment? | Transnational Institute
Will the WHO confront its colonial legacy and right a historic wrong? The critical review of the coca leaf could transform global drug policy and marks an important moment for Indigenous rights and tr...
www.tni.org
June 18, 2025 at 1:57 PM
The UN Coca Leaf Review and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights:
Can the @WHO Meet the Moment?
Brilliant new long read explainer in the @TNInstitute *Coca Chronicles* series - by @MartinJelsmaTNI & John Walsh from @WOLA_org
www.tni.org/en/article/t...
Can the @WHO Meet the Moment?
Brilliant new long read explainer in the @TNInstitute *Coca Chronicles* series - by @MartinJelsmaTNI & John Walsh from @WOLA_org
www.tni.org/en/article/t...
Reposted by SteveRolles
Heartbroken to hear about Peter Krykant. We had many adventures, scientific and ridiculous, here and far away. It was an honour to evaluate your van, the first UK drug consumption room, and I'll never stop talking about it. Thinking of his boys whom he loved so very much and all who loved him
June 15, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Heartbroken to hear about Peter Krykant. We had many adventures, scientific and ridiculous, here and far away. It was an honour to evaluate your van, the first UK drug consumption room, and I'll never stop talking about it. Thinking of his boys whom he loved so very much and all who loved him
There may be a time where toxicology & risk is properly established for some novel cannabinoids; if lower than legal cannabis this cld provide a justification for a regulatory model. We are nowhere near this IMHO; we know little about these products because they are so new
8/🧵
8/🧵
June 10, 2025 at 10:09 PM
There may be a time where toxicology & risk is properly established for some novel cannabinoids; if lower than legal cannabis this cld provide a justification for a regulatory model. We are nowhere near this IMHO; we know little about these products because they are so new
8/🧵
8/🧵
Some places where the novel legal product mkts have become established (eg in NZ for SCRAs & Czechia for hemp derived cannabinoids) regulation models have been established before cannabis is legalised. While this is obviously mad it's also a legacy of cannabis prohibition
7/🧵
7/🧵
June 10, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Some places where the novel legal product mkts have become established (eg in NZ for SCRAs & Czechia for hemp derived cannabinoids) regulation models have been established before cannabis is legalised. While this is obviously mad it's also a legacy of cannabis prohibition
7/🧵
7/🧵
My take on this; regulate cannabis (see Transform guide on how) and ban all these synthetic & semi-synthetic products.
This may seem prohibitionist... But there's no responsible regulatory model where you can just invent new drugs and start selling them unregulated.
6/🧵
This may seem prohibitionist... But there's no responsible regulatory model where you can just invent new drugs and start selling them unregulated.
6/🧵
June 10, 2025 at 10:09 PM
My take on this; regulate cannabis (see Transform guide on how) and ban all these synthetic & semi-synthetic products.
This may seem prohibitionist... But there's no responsible regulatory model where you can just invent new drugs and start selling them unregulated.
6/🧵
This may seem prohibitionist... But there's no responsible regulatory model where you can just invent new drugs and start selling them unregulated.
6/🧵
Notably use of these 'intoxicating hemp' products is twice as high in cannabis US prohibition states than in regulated cannabis states.
It is clear that the market opportunity for these products is created by the farm bill loophole combined with cannabis prohibition
5/🧵
It is clear that the market opportunity for these products is created by the farm bill loophole combined with cannabis prohibition
5/🧵
June 10, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Notably use of these 'intoxicating hemp' products is twice as high in cannabis US prohibition states than in regulated cannabis states.
It is clear that the market opportunity for these products is created by the farm bill loophole combined with cannabis prohibition
5/🧵
It is clear that the market opportunity for these products is created by the farm bill loophole combined with cannabis prohibition
5/🧵
Research suggests in this largely unregulated wild west many products are mislabeled and/or contaminated. Many are also entirely synthetic (not hemp derived) & many contain hemp derived semisynthetic delta 9THC (ie regular THC) - in both cases federally illegal
4/🧵
4/🧵
June 10, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Research suggests in this largely unregulated wild west many products are mislabeled and/or contaminated. Many are also entirely synthetic (not hemp derived) & many contain hemp derived semisynthetic delta 9THC (ie regular THC) - in both cases federally illegal
4/🧵
4/🧵
The speakers have made it clear how little is known about most of these substances in terms of toxicology, potency & risks. Even consumers often dont know what they are using
Amazingly these products are legal (but unregulated) in many states where cannabis remains illegal
3/🧵
Amazingly these products are legal (but unregulated) in many states where cannabis remains illegal
3/🧵
June 10, 2025 at 10:09 PM
The speakers have made it clear how little is known about most of these substances in terms of toxicology, potency & risks. Even consumers often dont know what they are using
Amazingly these products are legal (but unregulated) in many states where cannabis remains illegal
3/🧵
Amazingly these products are legal (but unregulated) in many states where cannabis remains illegal
3/🧵
While some states have banned these novel cannabinoids (most - but not all - derived from hemp derived CBD)& there are efforts to close the loophole at a federal level - it has unleashed a policy shit-storm for US regulators & public health advocates
www.marijuanamoment.net/congressiona...
2/🧵
www.marijuanamoment.net/congressiona...
2/🧵
https://marijuanamoment.net/congressional-…
June 10, 2025 at 10:09 PM
While some states have banned these novel cannabinoids (most - but not all - derived from hemp derived CBD)& there are efforts to close the loophole at a federal level - it has unleashed a policy shit-storm for US regulators & public health advocates
www.marijuanamoment.net/congressiona...
2/🧵
www.marijuanamoment.net/congressiona...
2/🧵
Fascinating session at @CannRegulators assoc conference on novel & new cannabinoids - including an 'alphabet soup' of new semi-synthetic cannabinoids such as Delta8 & HHC nominally legalised in the US by the 2019 Farm bill & widely sold, largely unregulated, across the US
1/🧵
1/🧵
June 10, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Fascinating session at @CannRegulators assoc conference on novel & new cannabinoids - including an 'alphabet soup' of new semi-synthetic cannabinoids such as Delta8 & HHC nominally legalised in the US by the 2019 Farm bill & widely sold, largely unregulated, across the US
1/🧵
1/🧵
And finally on Thursday afternoon, before I head home, I'm sharing insights on EU policy developments at the International Cannabis Bar Association @theINCBA cannabis law institute
5/🧵
5/🧵
June 10, 2025 at 10:00 PM
And finally on Thursday afternoon, before I head home, I'm sharing insights on EU policy developments at the International Cannabis Bar Association @theINCBA cannabis law institute
5/🧵
5/🧵
On Thursday morning I'm joining a meeting of the Minority Cannabis Business Association - to learn about how evolving experiences with equity programs can help shape future devlopmenta in the UK and Europe.
minoritycannabis.org
4/🧵
minoritycannabis.org
4/🧵
MCBA – MCBA
Minority Cannabis Business Association
minoritycannabis.org
June 10, 2025 at 10:00 PM
On Thursday morning I'm joining a meeting of the Minority Cannabis Business Association - to learn about how evolving experiences with equity programs can help shape future devlopmenta in the UK and Europe.
minoritycannabis.org
4/🧵
minoritycannabis.org
4/🧵
Im on a panel on regulating high potency cannabis products, but the wider event is a great opportunity to connect with many regulatory pioneers & learn about what's working (& what's not), how emerging challenges are being tackled and share analysis from Europe
3/🧵
3/🧵
June 10, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Im on a panel on regulating high potency cannabis products, but the wider event is a great opportunity to connect with many regulatory pioneers & learn about what's working (& what's not), how emerging challenges are being tackled and share analysis from Europe
3/🧵
3/🧵
First up today is the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA) summit; regulators from US reform states meeting external stakeholders (Inc a few international voices like us) to explore development and implementation of best practice
www.cann-ra.org/meetings/8cu...
2/🧵
www.cann-ra.org/meetings/8cu...
2/🧵
2025 CANNRA External Stakeholder Meeting: Denver, CO — Cannabis Regulators Association
The purpose of the CANNRA External Stakeholder Meeting is to bring together a diverse array of national and international stakeholders in cannabis to engage in discussions with CANNRA member regulator...
www.cann-ra.org
June 10, 2025 at 10:00 PM
First up today is the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA) summit; regulators from US reform states meeting external stakeholders (Inc a few international voices like us) to explore development and implementation of best practice
www.cann-ra.org/meetings/8cu...
2/🧵
www.cann-ra.org/meetings/8cu...
2/🧵
I'm in Denver, Colorado this week for a triple whammy of cannabis policy events....
Quick thread (discussion on policy to follow as they come up....)
1/🧵
Quick thread (discussion on policy to follow as they come up....)
1/🧵
June 10, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I'm in Denver, Colorado this week for a triple whammy of cannabis policy events....
Quick thread (discussion on policy to follow as they come up....)
1/🧵
Quick thread (discussion on policy to follow as they come up....)
1/🧵
