Drug War Chronicle #785 - May 23, 2013

Issue #785, Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director

donations needed this month for Drug War Chronicle

1. OAS Releases Historic Report on Drug Policy Alternatives [FEATURE]

The Organization of American States has issued a historic report on drug policy that includes discussion of possible legalization and regulation regimes. It will be the basis for ministerial-level discussions in the region, and could pave the way for discussions at the 2016 UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs.

2. Federal Appeals Court Panel Extends Crack Sentencing Retroactivity

A panel of the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati has held that the Fair Sentencing Act's reduction in sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine offenses should be extended to all federal crack prisoners, regardless of when their offense took place.

3. Illinois Legislature Passes Medical Marijuana Bill

Medical marijuana has passed the Illinois legislature. Will the governor sign the bill into law? Stay tuned.

4. LA Voters Approve Medical Marijuana Dispensary Regulation, Cap

A Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensary regulation initiative that would cap their number at about 135 was approved by voters Tuesday.

5. Hemp Legalization Amendment Introduced for Farm Bill

An amendment to allow industrial hemp planting has been added to the omnibus farm bill. Both Oregon senators and both Kentucky senators support it, and so does Vermont Sen. Pat Leahy.

6. Hatch Adds Marijuana Grow Amendment to Immigration Bill

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) has added an amendment to the immigration reform bill that would create enhanced penalties for marijuana grows on federal public lands -- no matter what your citizenship status.

7. DC Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Likely Coming

The Washington, DC, city council could take up a decriminalization bill this summer. If the council doesn't act, reformers are considering an initiative, maybe even a legalization initiative.

8. Medical Marijuana Update

From the US Supreme Court to the local city council chambers, medical marijuana continues to be a contentious issue. Here's the latest.

9. Spending Cuts Hurting Cocaine Interdiction, Admiral Says

Sequestration is hobbling the military's ability to catch cocaine-smugglers headed for the US, the commander of the Joint Interagency Task Force complained Wednesday.

10. CA Police Chase of Pot Car Ends in Fatal Crash

A high-speed police chase on I-80 in California's Sierra Nevada mountains Monday left one man dead and the highway strewn with containers and jars of marijuana.

11. This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

New York City seems indifferent to the costs imposed on it by rogue narcs, a Florida deputy gets popped for growing weed, a US Virgin Islands environmental cop gets popped for cocaine trafficking, and a rogue California narc heads for prison.

12. Donations Needed This Month for Drug War Chronicle

StoptheDrugWar.org needs your support to continue our work during the most important time in drug reform we've ever seen. We have gifts to send you too, with donations of $15 or more.

13. StoptheDrugWar.org Internships: Legislative, Writing/Research, Web, IT, Admin/Finance, Communications

Interns are making an important difference fighting the good fight with us at StoptheDrugWar.org.

Permission to Reprint: This issue of Drug War Chronicle is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Articles of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.

Drug War Chronicle #784 - May 16, 2013

Issue #784, Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director

donations needed for Drug War Chronicle this month

1. The IRS War on Medical Marijuana Providers [FEATURE]

The IRS's use of an obscure provision to deny standard exemptions to medical marijuana dispensaries is causing pain to patients and providiers, and inspiring some creative thinking among law professors.

2. Harm Reduction Makes Strides in North Carolina [FEATURE]

After several years of laying the groundwork, North Carolina harm reductionists have successfully shepherded one bill through the legislature already this year. Another one sailed through the House this week.

3. Donations Needed This Month for Drug War Chronicle

StoptheDrugWar.org needs your support to continue our work during the most important time in drug reform we've ever seen. We have gifts to send you too, with donations of $15 or more.

4. StoptheDrugWar.org Internships: Legislative, Writing/Research, Web, IT, Admin/Finance, Communications

Interns are making an important difference fighting the good fight with us at StoptheDrugWar.org.

5. NYC Marijuana Arrests Declining, But Still Sky High

New York City arrested around 50,000 people for small-time marijuana possession a couple of years ago. This year, the number looks to be around 30,000, thanks to changes in policy and heightened public scrutiny.

6. VT Marijuana Decriminalization Heads to Governor

Vermont is about to become the 17th state to either decriminalize or legalize marijuana.

7. Medical Marijuana Update

The feds stay on the attack in California, and fallout from last week's state Supreme Court decision allowing local dispensary bans mounts. There's news from other states as well.

8. Colorado Legislature Passes Sentencing Reform

Colorado has taken another step down the path of drug sentencing reform with the passage of Senate Bill 250. The governor is expected to sign it into law.

9. China, Southeast Asia Vow More Better Drug War

China and Southeast Asian nations have renewed their vows in the fight against illegal drug use and the drug trade. The UNODC officiated.

10. Republic of Georgia Could Legalize Marijuana

Legal cannabis in the Caucausus? It could happen if some politicians in Georgia have their way.

11. East Bay Cops Shoot, Kill Fleeing Drug Suspect

There has been a questionable drug war killing in California's East Bay. An unarmed drug suspect was shot and killed as he fled police, who claimed they feared for their safety.

12. This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

If it weren't for crooked cops in the Land of Lincoln, this space would be blank this week. Instead, we have an Illinois corrupt cops twofer.

Drug War Chronicle #783 - May 9, 2013

Issue #783, Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director

Donations Needed This Month for Drug War Chronicle

1. California Supreme Court Rules Localities Can Ban Medical Marijuana Dispensaries [FEATURE]

The California Supreme Court has ruled that cities and counties can indeed ban medical marijuana dispensaries. That means your access to medical marijuana depends on where you live in the state. A fix could be coming from the legislature, but it's not here yet.

2. Idaho Seizes Medical Marijuana Activists' Kids [FEATURE]

Three Idaho medical marijuana activists are now caught up in a child endangerment battle after authorities seized their kids when a schoolmate got sick from what is alleged to have been marijuana that allegedly came from one of their homes.

3. Donations Needed This Month for Drug War Chronicle

StoptheDrugWar.org needs your support to continue our work during the most important time in drug reform we've ever seen. We have gifts to send you too, with donations of $15 or more.

4. StoptheDrugWar.org Internships: Legislative, Writing/Research, Web, IT, Admin/Finance, Communications

Interns are making an important difference fighting the good fight with us at StoptheDrugWar.org.

5. Congress Forms "Over-Criminalization" Task Force

Remember when we used to say "You don't have to make a federal case out of it?" Well, we did. Now, we have more than 4,500 federal criminal laws, and some members of Congress are ready to do something about it.

6. California Senate Passes Drug Defelonization Bill

A bill that would give California prosecutors the option of charging hard drug possession as a misdemeanor instead of a felony has passed the state Senate and now heads to the Assembly.

7. Colorado Marijuana Commerce Bills Approved

It went down to the wire, but on the last day of the session, the Colorado legislature passed bills to regulate the state's looming legal marijuana market.

8. Colorado Harm Reduction Bills Pass

Separate overdose prevention and syringe exchange bills were approved by the Colorado legislature this week. They now go to the governor's desk.

9. Medical Marijuana Update

Marijuana rescheduling is headed for the US Supreme Court, the California Supreme Court upheld local dispensary bans, the feds strike again in Berkeley and Washington state, and there is action in state legislatures, too.

10. New Hampshire Marijuana Decrim Bill Defeated in Senate

The next state to decriminalize marijuana won't be New Hampshire, at least not this year.

11. Louisiana Man Swallows Drugs, Dies During Search

A drug search turned fatal for a Louisiana man last Thursday night, with police saying he died after swallowing crack cocaine. He's number 11 for the year.

12. This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

Something is still rotten along Utah's Wasatch Front, a DC cop gets popped for money-laundering, a Detroit-area cop pleads to running protection for traffickers, and a South Texas cop heads for prison for shipping guns to Mexico.

Drug War Chronicle #782 - May 2, 2013

Issue #782, Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director

This issue of Drug War Chronicle is dedicated to Mike Gray.

1. A Rising Marijuana Reform Tide at the Statehouses [FEATURE]

Marijuana reform activity in state legislatures is at levels never seen before, but that doesn't mean we will see victory this year. Still...

2. Author, Filmmaker, Drug Reformer Mike Gray Dies

Writer, filmmmaker and drug reformer Mike Gray has died. He will be missed.

3. GAO Says ONCDP Not Achieving Drug Goals So Far

A day after the drug czar's office issued its 2013 national drug strategy, the GAO reported that it isn't achieving most of the goals it identified in its 2010 national drug strategy.

4. Mexico to Rein In US Agencies in Drug War

The fledgling adminstration of Mexican President Pena Nieto is moving to strengthen its control over US law enforcement and intelligence agencies operating there, a change of course from the policies of his predecessor.

5. Overdose Prevention Deal in New Jersey

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), who vetoed a Good Samaritan overdose bill last fall, has reached an agreement with legislators, folding Good Samaritan language into a naloxone overdose prevention bill. That's a twofer for New Jersey!

6. Medical Marijuana Update

Lots of action in California this past week, including more raids and more threat letters, plus action in various state legislatures.

7. Colorado Appeals Court Rules Employers Can Fire Marijuana Users

Employers can fire workers who test positive for marijuana even if their use is legal in the state, the Colorado Court of Appeals has ruled.

8. Indiana Welfare Drug Testing Bill Fails

A bid to impose drug testing on welfare recipients in Indiana has died after legislators could not agree on a means of ensuring payments to the children of recipients who tested positive.

9. This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

A couple of strange and disturbing items this week, plus some good, old-fashioned thievery.

10. StoptheDrugWar.org Internships: Legislative, Writing/Research, Web, IT, Admin/Finance, Communications

Interns are making an important difference fighting the good fight with us at StoptheDrugWar.org.

Drug War Chronicle #781 - April 25, 2013

Issue #781, Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director

Reform Depends on YOU

1. The Push is On for PTSD and Medical Marijuana [FEATURE]

Military veterans and civilians, too, are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many are finding relief with marijuana, but even in some medical marijuana states, its use is not approved.

2. Psychedelic Science Conference Examines MDMA Treatment for PTSD [FEATURE]

MAPS' Psychedelic Science 2013 conference in Oakland showcased important research on MDMA and the treatment of PTSD (as well as lots of other cool stuff).

3. Reform Depends on YOU

StoptheDrugWar.org needs your support to continue our work during the most important time in drug reform we've ever seen. We have gifts to send you too, with donations of $15 or more.

4. White House 2013 National Drug Strategy Released

The drug czar's office released the 2013 National Drug Control Strategy Wednesday. It talks a good game, but much remains the same.

5. Justice Safety Valve Act Introduced in House

With the introduction of the Justice Safety Valve Act of 2013 in the House this week, now both houses of Congress have the sentencing reform bill before them.

6. Supreme Court Rules No Automatic Deportation for Minor Marijuana Possession

The US Supreme Court has held that an immigration judge went too far when he ordered the automatic deportation of a Jamaican man who resided in the US for most of his life over the possession of 1.3 grams of marijuana.

7. Medical Marijuana Update

The first dispensary in Phoenix has opened, dispensaries in Washington, DC, are ready to go, and there has been more federal enforcement activity in California.

8. Bill Filed to Create National Marijuana Commission

US Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis has introduced a bill that would create a national marijuana policy commission similar to the 1971 Shafer Commission.

9. Puerto Rico Marijuana Legalization Bill Filed

Ten states have seen marijuana legalization bills this year. Now, add Puerto Rico.

10. Missouri Man Killed After Firing at Police in Drug Raid

A Missouri man is dead after allegedly shooting a shotgun at a police SWAT team that was executing a search warrant at his home.

11. This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

There are problems at a Maryland state prison in Baltimore, fallout continues from a bust of crooked cops in suburban Chicago, and a jail guard goes down in a Texas border town.

12. StoptheDrugWar.org Internships: Legislative, Writing/Research, Web, IT, Admin/Finance, Communications

Interns are making an important difference fighting the good fight with us at StoptheDrugWar.org.

Drug War Chronicle #780 - April 18, 2013

Issue #780, Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director

coming to a district near you

1. House Members File Bipartisan "Respect States' Marijuana Laws Act" [FEATURE]

A bipartisan group of House members have introduced a bill that would exempt states that have passed medical marijuana or marijuana legalization law from federal marijuana law enforcement.

2. Are We Really "Going Dark"? -- The DEA and Apple's iMessage [FEATURE]

A recently leadked DEA memo suggested that the feds couldn't crack the encryption on Apples's iMessage communications system. There's both more and less to it than meets the eye.

3. Your Support Makes the Difference

StoptheDrugWar.org needs your support to continue our work during the most important time in drug reform we've ever seen. We have gifts to send you too, with donations of $15 or more.

4. Federal Appeals Court Rejects Researcher's Bid to Grow Medical Marijuana

A federal appeals court has upheld the DEA's decision to not allow UMass-Amherst Professor Lyle Craker to grow marijuana for medicinal research purposes, capping a 12-year odyssey.

5. Medical Marijuana Update

More DEA raids in Los Angeles, federal prison bureaucrats ignore a Michigan medical marijuana prisoner's medical needs, and there is lots of action in state legislatures.

6. Poll of DC Voters Finds Two-Thirds Support Marijuana Legalization

A new poll shows strong public support for marijuana law reform among voters in the nation's capitol.

7. CA Lt. Gov. Newsom Calls for Legalizing Marijuana

In what could be the opening shot in the 2014 California gubernatorial race, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom came out strong for marijuana legalization and against the war on drugs Saturday.

8. Vermont House Passes Marijuana Decriminalization

The Vermont House has approved marijuana decriminalization. It still has to get through the state Senate.

9. Public Benefits Drug Test Bills Move in Three States

Bills that aim to impose drug testing on people seeking public benefits are moving in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas.

10. Kansas Governor Signs Public Benefits Drug Test Bill

A "reasonable suspicion" public benefits drug testing bill has been signed into law in Kansas.

11. This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

There's something rotten in the Salt Lake Valley and maybe in Middle Tennessee, too. Meanwhile, an Arkansas cop heads to prison for protecting dope loads and a Mississippi narc gets nailed for his pill habit.

12. The International Drug Policy Reform Conference, Denver, October 2013

The International Drug Policy Reform Conference is a biennial event that brings together people from around the world who believe that the war on drugs is doing more harm than good.

13. StoptheDrugWar.org Internships: Legislative, Writing/Research, Web, IT, Admin/Finance, Communications

Interns are making an important difference fighting the good fight with us at StoptheDrugWar.org.

Drug War Chronicle #779 - April 11, 2013

Issue #779, Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director

Reform Depends on YOU

we have arrived

1. Celebrities Urge Obama Forward on Drug, Sentencing Reform [FEATURE]

A slew of celebrities, including some not-so-usual suspects (the Kardashians!?), as well as faith, academic, and media figures, have signed on to a letter to President Obama urging him to press forward on drug and sentencing reform.

2. Feds' New Cell Phone Spying Device Raising Privacy Concerns [FEATURE]

Meet Stingray, law enforcement's newest high-tech weapon in its fight against crime. Civil libertarians and privacy advocates have some concerns, and they're starting to make their way into the federal courts.

3. Reform Depends on YOU

StoptheDrugWar.org needs your support to continue our work during the most important time in drug reform we've ever seen. We have gifts to send you too, with donations of $15 or more.

4. Pew Poll Finds Majority Support for Marijuana Legalization

For the first time in 40 years, the Pew poll finds majority support for marijuana legalization. That's in line with other recent polls showing support for marijuana legalization at the tipping point.

5. Medical Marijuana Update

Rhode Island is set to see its first dispensary open next, Mendocino County faces down the feds, and more news from around the country.

6. Modest Changes in Obama's FY 2014 Drug Budget

The White House released the FY 2014 drug budget Wednesday. Its "21st Century drug policy" still has some 20th Century priorities.

7. The International Drug Policy Reform Conference, Denver, October 2013

The International Drug Policy Reform Conference is a biennial event that brings together people from around the world who believe that the war on drugs is doing more harm than good.

8. Maryland Solons Approve Medical Marijuana Bill

Medical marijuana legislation has cleared the Maryland legislature, and the governor has said he will sign it, but it's unclear just when and where patients will be able to obtain their medicine.

9. Marijuana Legalization Bill Moving in Oregon

Marijuana legalization bills have been introduced in eight states this year. One is actually moving in Oregon.

10. Hawaii Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Dies

First marijuana legalization and now decriminalization. Marijuana law reform (except for medical marijuana) is dead this year in Hawaii, and probably next year, too.

11. Alabama, Pennsylvania See Marijuana Legalization Bills

With Alabama and Pennsylvania officially coming on board, there are now eight states that have seen marijuana legalization bills introduced this year.

12. Police Kill Texas Woman Fleeing Drug Warrants

A young Texas woman with drug warrants is dead after fleeing a traffic stop. Did she hit a cop before he shot her or vice versa?

13. This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

Some Utah narcs are having a spotlight shone on them, an NYPD cop goes down for robbing drug dealers, and a Florida deputy gets caught buying pain pills and stealing them from his aunt.

Drug War Chronicle #778 - April 4, 2013

Issue #778, Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director

Donations Needed This
Month to End Prohibition

donations needed this month to end prohibition

1. The Rocky Mountain Road to Legal Marijuana Commerce [FEATURE]

The process of crafting a regulatory regime for marijuana commerce is well underway in Colorado, but the clock is ticking.

2. Donations Needed This Month to End Prohibition

StoptheDrugWar.org needs your support to continue our work during the most important time in drug reform we've ever seen. We have gifts to send you too, with donations of $15 or more.

3. Medical Marijuana Now On Sale in Czech Pharmacies

Medical marijuana is now on sale in pharmacies in the Czech Republic.

4. DEA Targets FedEx, UPS in Online Pharmacy Battle

In its war against the diversion of prescription pills, the DEA has targeted doctors, pharmacies, wholesale drug suppliers, and now package delivery services. UPS has buckled, but FedEx is resisting.

5. Marijuana Possession Now Decriminalized in Rhode Island

It's no April Fools' Day joke -- Rhode Island has decriminalized marijuana.

6. Medical Marijuana Update

Medical marijuana bills were laid to rest in two states this week, changes in the medical marijuana law went into effect in another, and Massachusetts now appears set to open dispensaries by year's end. There's more news, too.

7. Afghan Opium Cultivation Rising, Officials Say

Afghan farmers are cultivating more opium than last year, officials said Monday.

8. Sinaloa Cartel Dominates Meth Trade, Report Finds

Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel dominates the meth trade and is getting rich doing so, a new report finds.

9. Kentucky Legislature Passes Industrial Hemp Bill

Hemp has made it through the legislature in Kentucky. Now, will the Democratic governor sign the Republican-supported bill?

10. Welfare Drug Testing Bills Moving in Kansas, Texas

Republican legislators in Kansas and Texas advanced public benefits drug testing bills this week.

11. This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

A Texas cop gets caught pilfering pain pills, a Georgia sheriff's captain gets nailed for trying to frame a woman, and a Louisiana police chief is accused of having sticky fingers.

12. StoptheDrugWar.org Internships: Legislative, Writing/Research, Web, IT, Admin/Finance, Communications

Interns are making an important difference fighting the good fight with us at StoptheDrugWar.org.

Drug War Chronicle #777 - March 28, 2013

Issue #777, Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director

Will Uruguay legalize marijuana THIS YEAR?

1. Donations Needed This Month to Stop Prohibition

StoptheDrugWar.org needs your support to continue our work during the most important time in drug reform we've ever seen. We have gifts to send you too, with donations of $15 or more.

2. Sens. Leahy, Paul Introduce Federal Mandatory Minimum Reform Bill [FEATURE]

Sens. Pat Leahy (D) and Rand Paul (R) have joined together to introduce a mandatory minimum sentence reform bill. The bill would expand the "safety valve" to all federal offenses, not just selected drug offenses.

3. Uruguay to Begin Debate on Legal Marijuana Sales

The discussion about legalizing marijuana commerce and cultivation is about to get underway in Uruguay. The president wanted to legalize it last fall, but backed off in the face of public opposition. Now, there will be an educational process to win support.

4. US Supreme Court Limits Front Door Drug Dog Sniffs

A drug dog's sniff of a home's front door is a search under the meaning of the Fourth Amendment and police must thus first obtain a search warrant, the US Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.

5. Medical Marijuana Update

There is plenty of action in state legislatures, the battle over rescheduling continues, a Maine dispensary gets called out for using pesticides, and much more.

6. Federal Court Again Blocks Missouri College Drug Testing Plan

A Missouri technical college wanted to drug test all incoming students, but for a second time, a federal district court judge has said no, and she is likely to make it permanent when the case goes to trial in July.

7. As NYC Pot Busts Continue, New York Punts on Marijuana Reform

As politicians dither, New Yorkers hoping to end New York City's reign as marijuana arrest capital of the world will have to wait. In the meantime, another thousand people are getting popped for pot in the Big Apple every week.

8. Maryland Medical Marijuana Bill Passes House

Medical marijuana legislation is moving in Maryland. A bill passed the House Monday and now heads to the Senate.

9. New York Medical Marijuana Bills Introduced

Medical marijuana bills have now been introduced this year in New York state.

10. New Mexico Drug Squad Kills Fugitive at Motel 6

An attempted drug arrest turned deadly at a Motel 6 in Carlsbad, New Mexico, Monday. It's the eighth drug war killing by police so far this year.

11. This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

Dirty cops go down in Miami and New York, so does a jail guard in DC, and a Long Island dope squad's problems continue to mount.

Drug War Chronicle #776 - March 21, 2013

Issue #776, Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director

What Everyone Needs to Know About Washington State's Marijuana Legalization Consultants

Maryland moving forward?

1. NYPD Facing Double-Barreled Challenge to Marijuana Practices [FEATURE]

New York City and the NYPD are under fire this week for both their stop-and-frisk policing program and their massive number of marijuana possession busts in a state where it is supposed to be decriminalized.

2. UN Development Program Head and Former NZ Prime Minister Slams Drug War

Former New Zealand prime minister and current head of the UN Development Program Helen Clark has toughly criticized the reliance on criminal justice approaches in the global drug war.

3. What Everyone Needs to Know About Washington State's Marijuana Legalization Consultants

Last year we began to offer the book "Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know" as an option for donating members. Authors of it are now consulting for Washington State on implementing legalization there. You can support us and get some insights into what they might do, by ordering it here.