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Drug War Chronicle #839 - June 19, 2014

Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director
children walking from home to school in Bamako, Mali (JoeyTranchinaPhotography©2014 Sète, France)
children walking from home to school in Bamako, Mali (JoeyTranchinaPhotography©2014 Sète, France)

What To Do About the Drug Trade in West Africa? [FEATURE]

A new report from the West Africa Commission on Drugs calls for decriminalization and a public health approach, but that may be just the beginning of changes needed in West Africa.
Rasta has reason to smile. (wikimedia.org)
Rasta has reason to smile. (wikimedia.org)

Jamaica Will Decriminalize Marijuana Possession

The land of Rastafari is about to free the ganja. A government minister announced today that it is ready to decriminalize the possession of up to two ounces for recreational, scientific, spiritual, or medical purposes.
MMJ leaf and stethoscope KY ODCP_136.jpg
MMJ leaf and stethoscope KY ODCP_136.jpg

Medical Marijuana Update

High drama in New York as a medical marijuana bill goes down to the wire, congressmembers call on HHS to help unblock marijuana research, a limited CBD medical marijuana bill becomes law in another Southern state, and more.
pile-of-cash_166.jpg
pile-of-cash_166.jpg

This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

In all the years we've been doing this weekly update, there's only been one week with no corrupt cops stories. This week is pretty quiet, but we've still got a couple.
coca plant (unodc.org)
coca plant (unodc.org)

Chronicle AM -- June 12, 2014

Marijuana reform is exciting some third-party activity, New York's medical marijuana bill is still alive amidst ongoing last-minute negotiations, the New York Senate has passed a package of anti-opiate bills that will bring on more drug war, a high-level commission calls for radical drug policy changes in West Africa, and more.
alaska yes on 2_0.jpg
alaska yes on 2_0.jpg

Chronicle AM -- June 13, 2014

Jamaica will decriminalize pot possession and Bermuda is thinking about it, legalization initiatives in Alaska and Oregon get big bucks donations, medical marijuana reform is moving in the DC city council, and more.
newapproachoregon_0.jpg
newapproachoregon_0.jpg

Chronicle AM -- June 16, 2014

It's looking like at least one Oregon marijuana legalization initiative will make the fall ballot, a legalization initiative gets underway in Oklahoma, proposed medical marijuana rule changes in New Mexico run into stiff opposition, Georgia gives up on drug testing food stamp recipients, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon gets a coca birthday cake in Bolivia, and more.
Colombia's drug reforming and peace negotiating President Juan Manuel Santos has won reelection. (wikiemedia.org)
Colombia's drug reforming and peace negotiating President Juan Manuel Santos has won reelection. (wikiemedia.org)

Chronicle AM -- June 17, 2014

It looks like Oregon is set to join Alaska in voting on marijuana legalization this year, the New York medical marijuana bill is going down to the wired, Florida's governor signs a pair of drug-related bills, Colombia's drug reforming president wins reelection, and more.
Hillary Clinton talks pot. (Wikimedia/Chatham House Flickr Stream)
Hillary Clinton talks pot. (Wikimedia/Chatham House Flickr Stream)

Chronicle AM -- June 18, 2014

A pair of potential presidential contenders speak out on marijuana, five New England governors meet on the opiate issue, New York cops are starting to be trained to use the overdose reversal drug naloxone, New York's governor makes passage of medical marijuana there iffy, the Dutch high court rules cities can ban foreigners from cannabis coffee shops, and more.
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