Marijuana Policy Perspective: How Much is Too Much?

Driving under the influence of marijuana - how much is too much, and how can you tell? This is the first conversation in Abdi Soltani's Policy Perspectives blog series focused on marijuana policy. In it he interviews Andrea Roth, a law professor at UC Berkeley School of Law and expert on DUI.

By Abdi Soltani

Blue Ribbon Commission on Marijuana Policy

San Francisco: Future Doctors Affirm that Black Lives Matter

As medical students, we were especially disturbed by the denial of medical care of Walter Scott, the 300th person killed by police in 2015. Officers on the scene failed to perform CPR on Mr. Scott as he lay face-down on the ground, handcuffed, with five bullets in his body.

By Walker Keenan, Nicolas Barcelo

#WhiteCoats4BlackLives

Walter Scott’s Killing Is a Direct Result of the Current State of Policing in America Today

Police gunning down unarmed black men and boys is an American horror film that keeps getting replayed. Except that it isn’t a movie you can turn off: It’s a painful, outrageous, and unacceptable reality.

By Ezekiel Edwards

Walter Scott video screenshot

Exposing Immigrants to Death Dust? No Thanks

Immigration detention centers are notorious for extreme isolation and inhumane conditions. So we were more than concerned when we learned a few weeks ago that ICE wants to send immigrants to a new detention facility that would put their health and wellbeing at risk.

By Anoop Prasad, Julia Harumi Mass

hands in jail

We are Listening: ACLU Reflections from Creating Change 2015

Trans and queer activists of color took the stage at Creating Change 2015 and called into question our collective priorities by raising in a real and emotional way how race, sex, gender, gender expression, nationality, and class intersect to further marginalize people within the LGBTQ movement.

By Joey Hernández, Anna Salem

Joey Hernández and Anna Salem at Creating Change 2015

Be Vigilant. Know Your Rights Against the Deportation Machine

While the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability Program (DAPA) is being challenged in court and countless immigrant families are caught in the legal battle, we want to pause and remind everyone to remain vigilant of their rights.

By Daisy Vieyra

Florida action via ACLU of Florida

Michelle Really Needs This Surgery

On Thursday, April 2, a federal court ruled that officials at a California men's prison must provide a trans woman with surgery to affirm her gender as female - a surgery her doctors and medical experts say she desperately needs.

By Melissa Goodman

Michelle Norsworthy Photo: TransgenderLawCenter photo

Can You Be Fired for Taking Family Leave?

California created the nation's first paid family leave (PFL) program for workers more than a decade ago. The groundbreaking legislation has since helped many people meet their family caregiving obligations and bond with their children. But the system is flawed and needs a tune-up.

By Melissa Goodman

mother and daughter

Democracy is More than Just a Vote

Did you know that you have the power to impact our state laws and policies at every step of the process? Every Californian is represented in Sacramento by people you can lobby (face-to-face, by email, or by phone) to vote your way.

By Ashley Morris

ACLU of California Conference & Lobby Day 2014