Phillip S. Smith, Editor
David Borden, Executive Director

Now entering the Speakeasy

• 1. Introducing: The Stop the Drug War Speakeasy

  Presenting a major web site upgrade and new direction at Stop the Drug War (DRCNet).

• 2. Feature: Pain Doctor William Hurwitz to Get New Trial

  In a case with national implications, a prominent pain physician jailed as a drug dealer has won a right to a new trial.

• 3. Asset Forfeiture: Federal Appeal Upholds Seizure of Cash Despite Lack of Drugs

  Got cash in your car? A federal appeals court just made it easier for the police to seize it as drug money even if there are no drugs around.

• 4. Feature: Seattle's Hempfest Going Strong at 15

  The world's largest pro-marijuana rally celebrated its 15th birthday in Seattle last weekend.

• 5. Appeal: A Glowing Testimonial for Drug War Chronicle

  A long-time drug reform activist opines on Drug War Chronicle's inspirational value.

• 6. DRCNet on MySpace

  Nearly 1,800 people have already signed up as DRCNet "friends" on MySpace even though this is the first public announcement about it.

• 7. Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

  We have a Southern trifecta this week, with missing evidence in Alabama, a rogue task force in Mississippi, and a drug-dealing jail guard in Louisiana.

• 8. Medical Marijuana: No More Prison Threat for Renee Boje After Feds Accept Symbolic Plea

  The federal case against medical marijuana refugee Renee Boje has ended not with a bang but with a whimper as, after eight years, the feds let her cop to a plea for possession of a 1/2 gram of pot.

• 9. Industrial Hemp: California Assembly Passes Hemp Bill, Will Schwarzenegger Sign It?

  A bill that would allow legal hemp production in California has passed both houses and now awaits the governor's signature.

• 10. Sentencing: Illinois Drug War at Full Throttle, Study Finds

  Illinois may be only #2 when it comes to locking up drug offenders, but it is trying hard.

• 11. Marijuana: "Lowest Priority" Local Initiatives Make Ballot in Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Santa Monica, and Missoula

  Local initiatives that would make adult marijuana offenses the lowest law enforcement priority have made the ballot in Missoula, Montana, and three California cities.

• 12. Asia: China Begins Debate on First Comprehensive Drug Law

  The Chinese government this week began discussing what would be that country's first law aimed specifically at controlling drug abuse.

• 13. Latin America: Brazilians Oppose Marijuana Legalization By Wide Margin, Poll Finds

  A poll done by one of Brazil's leading newspapers suggests that marijuana legalization has a long way to go.

• 14. Weekly: This Week in History

  Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.

• 15. Announcement: New Format for the Reformer's Calendar

  Visit our new web site each day to see a running countdown to the events coming up the soonest, and more.