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Drug War Chronicle #729 - April 12, 2012

Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director
group photo at 2009 Summit of the Americas (whitehouse.gov)
group photo at 2009 Summit of the Americas (whitehouse.gov)

Historic Challenge to Drug War Looms at Cartagena Summit [FEATURE]

History is about to be made at the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena this weekend. Hemispheric heads of state will discuss alternatives to the drug war and challenge the US prohibitionist model. This could be the beginning of the end.
oaksterdam-raid-changedotorg_0.jpg
oaksterdam-raid-changedotorg_0.jpg

Dismayed But Unbowed -- Take Action Today to Save Medical Marijuana

Department of Justice prosecutors have gone over the top in their raid on Oaksterdam, even attacking places like Oaksterdam University and the Cannabis Museum that don't distribute marijuana. Tell President Obama to rein in rogue US Attorneys and keep his promise to respect state medical marijuana programs.
MMJ leaf and stethoscope KY ODCP_27.jpg
MMJ leaf and stethoscope KY ODCP_27.jpg

Medical Marijuana Update

The federal offensive against dispensaries in California and Colorado continues, even as more state legislatures take up medical marijuana.
marijuana-plants_0_23.jpg
marijuana-plants_0_23.jpg

Marijuana Reform Bills Pass in Maryland

A bill lowering penalties for the possession of small amounts of marijuana and one making possession a citeable offense have passed the Maryland General Assembly and await the governor's signature.
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320px-2003-07_Traffic_stop_on_Gregson_St.jpg

Washington State Supreme Court Limits Vehicle Searches

Police in Washington state must first obtain a search warrant to search a vehicle for evidence of the crime for which they have already arrested the driver, the state Supreme Court ruled last week.
Yemeni chewing khat, 2009 (wikimedia.org)
Yemeni chewing khat, 2009 (wikimedia.org)

Looming Dutch Khat Ban Draws Criticism, Complaints

The Dutch government appears to be moving toward banning khat, which is used almost exclusively by the country's Somali immigrant community, but the move is being increasingly criticized.
Do_Not_Cross,_Crime_Scene_11.jpg
Do_Not_Cross,_Crime_Scene_11.jpg

Jacksonville Police Kill Armed Man in Drug Raid

An attempt to take down a small-time crack dealer in Jacksonville has left one man dead after allegedly refusing to drop his weapon after police ordered him to do so.
Do_Not_Cross,_Crime_Scene_10.jpg
Do_Not_Cross,_Crime_Scene_10.jpg

Two More Drug War Deaths

A Denver man is dead of an apparent overdose after scuffling with police and a Kentucky man was shot and killed by police after fleeing from a meth lab. Those are the 20th and 21st drug war deaths of 2012.
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pile-of-cash_62.jpg

This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

More pain pill peddling, plus a pervy DARE officer, and a Hawaii cop with a medical marijuana card who was allegedly up to more than maintaining his own health.
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parthenon_72.gif

This Week in History

Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.
Permission to Reprint: This content is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Content of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.