A Writer’s Diary Entries From Early February, 1997 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Early February, 1997 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Late December, 1996 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Late December, 1996 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Early July, 1995 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Early July, 1995 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Late May, 1993 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Late May, 1993 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Late March, 1993 | Richard Grayson

A Writer’s Diary Entries From Late March, 1993 | Richard Grayson

Richard Grayson Op-Ed Column in Gainesville Sun opposes Charlie Crist's plan to bring back prison chain gangs

Richard Grayson has an op-ed column in the Gainesville Sun today (Wednesday, April 16, 1997), opposing Florida State Sen. Charlie Crist's plan to reintroduce prison chain gangs.

Richard Grayson Op-Ed Column in Gainesville Sun: "Just Say No to Student Drug Tests"

The Gainesville Sun today (Saturday, December 28, 1996) has an op-ed column by Richard Grayson, "Just Say No to Student Drug Tests."

Gainesville Sun reports on University of Florida Law School Forum on Affirmative Action with Richard Grayson

The Gainesville Sun today (Friday, March 29, 1996) has a report on yesterday's University of Florida law school panel, "Affirmative Action: Necessary or Outdated?" sponsored by the Center for Governmental Responsibility (CGR) and the Florida Bar Foundation and presented by the Florida Bar Public Interest Law Fellows. The panel included Richard Grayson, staff attorney in social policy at CGR and UF law professors Joseph W. Little, Kenneth B. Nunn, James C. Quarles and Sharon Rush and was moderated Assistant State Attorney Phyllis D. Kotey.

An excerpt:

Attorney Richard Grayson of UF's Center for Governmental Responsibility said that the issue is timely, coming on the heels of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals striking down the University of Texas' affirmative action admission policy, ruling that preferential treatment cannot be granted to minorities.

Grayson said affirmative action also may be an important issue in this year's presidential race.

"Just last Sunday . . . Sen. Dole endorsed the California civil rights initiative, which is going to be on the ballot this November," Grayson said.

The initiative is against preferential treatment.

Gainesville Sun interviews Richard Grayson on Legal Challenges to Marijuana Laws

The Gainesville Sun today (Saturday, August 26, 1995) interviewed attorney Richard Grayson on legal challenges to marijuana laws after a Gainesville man,Dennis Watkins, the "doobie tosser," was arrested at the Hempfest celebration for tossing joints into the crowd.

An excerpt:

But court records regarding marijuana cases suggest there won't be any changes in the law because of December's hearing, said Richard Grayson, visiting assistant in law at the University of Florida's Center for Governmental Responsibility

"There have been a lot of constitutional challenges under the federal and state constitutions. Most of the challenges have been unavailing," Grayson said.

Past challenges have been based on a variety of arguments, including selective arrests, the right to privacy, religious beliefs, cruel and unusual punishment because of harsh drug laws, the lack of legislation regarding “drugs” such as alcohol and tobacco and the distinction between the use of marijuana and cocaine or heroin, Grayson said.

Grayson also noted that some drug cases have been overturned because there is a legal distinction between what occurs in the home and in public.

“Your home is your castle. You can do things there, like walk around without clothing. You can’t do that on the street.”

Watkins was charged by Gainesville Police last November for distribution and possession of marijuana after officers said he tossed marijuana cigarettes to the Hempfest crowd outside the courthouse.

“It doesn’t sound like you have much of a chance,” said Grayson about the defense’s position.

“We are hopeful we can get some favorable ruling,” said Watkins’ attorney, Gary Wainwright, about the upcoming trial.

The trial also gives marijuana supporters a chance to express their opinions to the public, Grayson said.

There is always a chance that something surprising will happen, Grayson said.

In 1978, a Florida circuit court found the state statute for private possession and use of marijuana unconstitutional following medical testimony showing the social effects of prohibition outweighed the social effects of decriminalization.

“There are all kinds of constitutional things if you have a creative attorney,” Grayson said.

Grayson also appeared as a guest on the WUFT-TV/5 program North Florida Journal in a show devoted to the issue marijuana legalization.

Richard Grayson Op-Ed Column in Gainesville Sun: "Paddling Will Not Cure Schools"

The Gainesville Sun today (Saturday, June 22, 1995) has an op-ed column by Richard Grayson, "Paddling Will Not Cure Schools."

Richard Grayson column in Gainesville Sun advocates appointing Bill Clinton to U.S. Supreme Court

Richard Grayson has a column in the Gainesville Sun today (Saturday, July 30, 1994) advocating the appointment of Bill Clinton to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Gainesville Sun features article on Richard Grayson's candidacy for U.S. Senate from Florida

Gainesville Sun & Miami Herald on Richard Grayson's "Twelve Step Barbie" in MONDO BARBIE

The Gainesville Sun (May 9, 1993) and Miami Herald (May 4, 1993) have articles on Mondo Barbie, edited by Richard Peabody and Lucinda Ebersole (St. Martin's Press) with work by Denise Duhamel, A.M. Homes, Sandra Cisneros, Kathryn Harrison, Margie Piercy, Alice McDermott, Gregg Shapiro, Lynne Barrett, Lyn Lifshin and others, including Richard Grayson, represented by his story "Twelve Step Barbie."

Gainesville Sun reports on Richard Grayson's plan for Florida legislative reapportionment

The Gainesville Sun reports today (Friday, September 27, 1991) on Richard Grayson's testimony before the Florida legislative reapportionment commission and his plan to have artists create election districts with shapes like palm trees, alligators and the space shuttle.