Despite only one state legalizing marijuana so far this year, for the Marijuana Policy Project, the glass is half full. We think so too. 37 comments
ON THE SPEAKEASY BLOG
Philippine Democracy and Human Rights Face a Critical Test This Week
Our ally Senator Trillanes is facing possible jailing, maybe as soon as tomorrow, for opposing Duterte's drug war killing campaign. 266 comments Trillanes Gets Reprieve, for Now
One of the few outspoken leaders opposing Rodrigo Duterte's mass murder campaign in the Philippine drug war, Senator Antonio Trillanes, is likely be jailed tomorrow. He will be the second opposition senator and Duterte critic suffering this fate. 95 comments EVENT: Human Rights Challenge: Judicial and Extrajudicial Drug War Killings, in a Time of Authoritarianism
The rise of authoritarian or authoritarian political figures has been accompanied by calls for both sanctioned and extra-legal government violence in their crime and drug policies. This event, held in association with the UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York, will focus primarily but not exclusively on the situation in the Philippines. We will also examine the ramifications of President Trump's call to administer the death penalty for drug trafficking. 104 comments VIDEO: Our Protest at the Philippine Embassy Today
There are nearly 40,000 v 174 comments Statement of ICC Prosecutor on Opening Preliminary Investigations in the Philippines and in Venezuela
The ICC is a long and uncertain road. But this is an important first step for stopping the drug war killings, restoring rule of law, and seeking justice. 173 comments Save Marijuana Legalization
Jeff Sessions is trying to turn back marijuana legalization and medical marijuana. Don't let him do it. 80 comments Action Alerts, #GivingTuesday, Issue 1000, Remembering Rep. Hinchey
As issue #1000 of the Drug War Chronicle newsletter approaches, we ask you to take advocacy actions, we ask for your financial support, and we stop to remember one of reform's best allies. 72 comments ALERT: Medical Marijuana Is Under Threat -- Tell Congress to Act!
For the first time since becoming law in 2014, the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment (formerly known as the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment) is in danger of not being renewed. 100 comments CONGRESS: Pass S. 1055 for Philippines Human Rights Accountability
This bill responds to the Philippines drug war killings, in which well over 10,000 people have been killed extrajudicially without trial by police and vigilantes. The legislation would place human rights conditions on law enforcement assistance to the Philippines. It would also fund positive public health programs for substance use issues, as well as the work of Philippine human rights defenders. 36 comments Against Jeff Sessions for Attorney General
The president-elect's nominee for Attorney General is a big-time drug warrior who could derail both sentencing reform and marijuana legalization. Please write your Senators in opposition to this nomination. 41 comments Massachusetts Legalizes It, Arkansas Okays Medical Marijuana
More marijuana victories tonight. 27 comments
AP: California Legalizes Marijuana!
The Associated Press has called it early. 29 comments
North Dakota Okays Medical Marijuana
With most of the votes counted, Measure 5 is cruising toward victory. 31 comments
Partial Initiative Results: Arkansas, Maine, Massachusetts, North Dakota
Florida has already won. Now returns are coming in from four more initiative states. 20 comments
Florida Passes Medical Marijuana!
First southern state, and a big one. 103 comments
Myths, Moralism, and Hypocrisy Drive the International Drug Control System
Our international drug policies reflect a bias towards the global north, with damaging consequences for the south. 20 comments Will UNGASS 2016 Be the Beginning of the End for the War on Drugs?
Held this April, will the United Nations General Assembly Special Session be the turning point for the international drug control system? 32 comments David Borden -- Remarks at the United Nations, February 10, 2016
Last week the UN held an NGO meeting in New York, as part of a series events leading up to this April's major drug session. 30 comments BREAKING: Another Senate Pro-Medical Marijuana Vote
The Senate Appropriations Committee just voted to extend the ban on DOJ spending funds to interfere with state medical marijuana laws. 27 comments New York Medical Marijuana Program Brings in $3 Million from Application Process
New York has closed it application process for those wishing to get one of the state's 5 permits to open a medical cannabis dispensary. Each permit would entitle the holder to open four dipsnsaries. In total, 20 dispensaries would be opened in a state with a population of over 19 million people. 32 comments URGENT: Congressional Vote on Permitting State Marijuana Laws!
Last year's legislation protecting state medical marijuana laws from federal interference is expiring soon. A vote coming as soon as tonight could extend it, while expanding it to include state legalization laws too. 20 comments CT Lawmakers Push to Add Children and Hospital Patients to Medical Marijuana Program
Both houses of the Conneticut legislature are preparing their final votes on a bill that would add children and hospital patients to the state's medical marijuana program. The bill would restrict children from smoking or vaping their medical marijuana. 17 comments Three Marijuana Reform Bills Filed in Louisiana
Three seperate marijuana reform bills have been filed in the Louisiana State Capitol. They include a restrictive medical marijuana bill supported by law enforcement, and two seperate efforts to reform the state's harsh sentencing laws. 22 comments Write and Call Congress TODAY for Vets' Access to Medical Marijuana!
An important amendment is coming up for a vote in the House of Representatives late this afternoon or early evening. Our two web forms will help you to both email and call your member of Congress to support it. 52 comments What Does Congress's Medical Marijuana Legislation Actually Mean?
The controversial "CRomnibus" bill passed by the House and Senate includes language barring the Dept. of Justice from using taxpayer funds to interfere with state medical marijuana laws. 47 comments Washington Sheriff Tells Oregon Voters: Legalization Is Already Working
King County Sheriff John Urquhart has recorded a message letting Oregon voters know that legalization in Washington State has seen wasteful arrests decrease, DUIs decrease, taxes going to schools and police, and drug prevention programs getting funding. 13 comments Summer Reading Assignment for Congress
Dean Becker of the Drug Truth Network is in Washington today to give copies of his book, "To End the War on Drugs," to every member of the House and Senate. 8 comments House Votes to Let Banks Take Deposits from Marijuana Businesses
In a historic vote this afternoon, the US House has approved an amendment to the Treasury Department appropriations bill barring the agency from spending any money to punish financial institutions that provide services to marijuana businesses where it is legal. 144 comments Read all Speakeasy Posts
FROM THE CHRONICLE
Chronicle AM: Lawrence, KS, Ends Pot Prosecutions, El Chapo's Gunmen Fight Police, Soldiers, Free His Son, More... (10/18/19)
The head of the Senate Banking Committee wants some changes made to the SAFE Banking Act, Kansas' Douglas County ends pot prosecutions, the Sinaloa Cartel battles Mexican soldiers and police to free El Chapo's son, and more. comments Chronicle AM: Northeastern Governors Meet on Pot, SC Judge Throws Out Civil Asset Forfeiture, More... (10/17/19)
At least five governors have marijuana on their minds this week, Canada allows marijuana edibles and vapes to go on sale, a South Carolina judge rules the state's civil asset forfeiture law unconstitutional, and more. 1 comment WATCH: Mexico Cartel's Killer Clowns
Mexico's narco-clowns are no laughing matter. 5 comments Does This State Have the Worst Drug Polices in America? [FEATURE]
Drug testing toddlers, felony ingestion charges, overcrowded jails and prisons, racial disparities--South Dakota has it all. 4 comments Chronicle AM: Pot Vaping Bans, DEA Shrugs Shoulders at Pain Patient Complaints, More.... (10/15/19)
The vaping crisis has impelled two more states to restrict marijuana vaping products, Mexican cartel gunmen kill 14 police in a bloody ambush, and more. comments Chronicle AM: Scottish Political Party Calls for Drug Decriminalization, Cannabis Cafes in Alaska, More... (10/14/19)
California will see a batch of new marijuana-related laws, Scotland's largest political party calls for drug decriminalization, and more. 1 comment Chronicle AM: Study Finds No Long Term Crime Increase Post-Legalization, CA Approves Medical MJ in Schools, More... (10/11/19)
A new study deflates one of the leading worries of marijuana legalization foes, the state of Texas abruptly quit taking medical marijuana dispensary applications, and more. comments Chronicle AM: New Federal Opioid Tapering Guidelines Urge Docs to Go Slow, More... (10/10/19)
HHS comes out with new guidelines for physicians on tapering patients off opioids, marijuana social equity advocates keep the pressure on Congress, Tulsi Gabbard calls for drug decriminalization, and more. 12 comments This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
A Georgia narc gets in trouble for his sticky fingers, a Philadelphia narc uses a confiscated Porsche for his stepdaughter's prom pictures, and more 7 comments Chronicle AM: UN Criticizes US Afghan Drug Lab Airstrikes, SD Moving on Hemp, More... (10/9/19)
Two UN agencies report that US airstrikes on Afghan drug labs were illegal and killed civilians, a Michigan roadside drug testing pilot program has now gone statewide, and more. 2 comments Chronicle AM: Mexico MJ Legalization Vote This Month, MA Governor Pushes High Driving Bill, More... (10/8/19)
Mexico is moving rapidly toward marijuana legalization, Scotland's largest political party is set to embrace drug decriminalization, and more. 14 comments Chronicle AM: NV Gets First Pot Lounge, British Police Force to Provide Free Heroin to Hardcore Addicts, More... (10/7/19)
Nevada sees its first "cannabis tasting room," a New York poll finds continuing support for marijuana legalization amidst the vaping scare, British drug policy upheavals, and more. 1 comment Chronicle AM: Feds Allow States to Drug Test for Unemployment, FL Marijuana Initiative, More... (10/4/19)
The Trump administration allows states to demand drug tests for laid off workers seeking unemployment benefits, a Florida marijuana legalization initiative's signature gathering campaign is off to a fast start, and more. 3 comments Chronicle AM: Philly Safe Injection Site Wins Legal Victory, Pot Companies Call for Descheduling, More... (10/3/19)
A federal judge hands a preliminary legal victory to proponents of a Philadelphia safe injection site, hundreds of cannabis industry figures call on Congress to deschedule marijuana as a means of grappling with the vaping crisis, and more. comments Chronicle AM: Nation's First Cannabis Cafe Opens Doors, Dutch Supreme Court Rules Against Ayahuasca, More... (10/2/19)
Los Angeles sees the nation's first legal cannabis cafe, the Arizona pot legalization initiative draws industry opposition, the Justice Department says DEA didn't adequately regulate opioid manufacturing, and more. 8 comments Chronicle AM: Marijuana Arrests Increased Last Year, CA Psilocybin Decrim Init Filed, More... (10/1/19)
Marijuana arrests nationwide increased last year despite spreading legalization, a California psilocbyn decriminalization initiative has been filed, and more. comments Will Oregon Be the First State to Decriminalize All Drugs? [FEATURE]
The groundwork is being laid to put a possible initiative on the 2020 ballot. 4 comments Chronicle AM: CDC Warns on THC Vaping, Indianapolis to End Small Marijuana Prosecutions, More... (9/30/19)
The feds are homing in on THC products as the vaping crisis intensifies, a Virginia poll shows a rapid increase in support for marijuana legalization there, Indianapolis says bye-bye to small-time pot prosecutions, and more. 2 comments House Passes SAFE Banking Act
In a historic vote, the House of Representatives has approved a bill to allow state-legal marijuana business access to financial services. 9 comments This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
A rapey reserve officer is in hot water in Louisiana, an NYPD officer who moonlighted as a bodyguard for El Chapo's wife gets nailed in a sting, an Indiana hospital cop gets caught with his fingers in the pain pill jar, and more. 12 comments Medical Marijuana Update
New Hampshire patients will be able to grow their own, DC patients will be able to use medical marijuana at school, and more. 4 comments Chronicle AM: MA Will Get Cannabis Cafes, Australia's Capital City Legalizes Weed, More... (9/25/19)
Massachusetts regulators approve cannabis cafes and home delivery, a key congressman pledges continuing support for broad marijuana reforms, Australia's capital city legalizes pot possession, and more. 2 comments Chronicle AM: Mexico Legalization Deadline Looms, State AGs Urge Support for Fed Marijuana Bill, More... (9/24/19)
More than 20 state attorneys general have urged congressional leaders to pass legislation to protect state-legal marijuana, Mexico faces a deadline to legalize marijuana, Canadian researchers recommend providing prescription heroin to hard-core addicts, and more. 7 comments Chronicle AM: SAFE Banking Act Battle, SD Pot Legalization Initiative Advances, More... (9/23/19)
Battle over voting on the SAFE Banking Act, South Dakota marijuana legalization initiative okayed for signature gathering, Dr. Bronner's kicks in for Oregon psilocybin initiative, and more. 9 comments Chronicle AM: House MJ Banking Bill Vote Next Week, Guatemala Now a Cocaine Producer, More... (9/20/19)
The House prepares to vote on a marijuana banking bill, New Hampshire lawmakers override a veto to ensure patients can grow their own, Guatemala concedes it is now a cocaine-producing nation, and more. 3 comments APPEAL: Help Us Respond to the Opportunities and the Crises
StoptheDrugWar.org needs your support to help us stay on the move at a time of both opportunity and crisis in drug policy. 10 comments Court Finds Prosecutorial Misconduct Led to a Drug Conspiracy Conviction, But Lets 30-Year Sentence Stand Anyway [FEATURE]
A public defender's failure to object in a timely fashion to prosecutorial misconduct cost Oscar Sosa dearly. 9 comments Chronicle AM: Beto Says Use MJ Taxes for Drug War Reparations, Yang Says Decriminalize Opiates, More... (9/19/19)
Democratic presidential contenders make dramatic policy proposals, DC loosens up on marijuana, Michigan lawmakers move toward sentencing reform, and more. 55 comments This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
A rogue DEA agent cops a plea, a former Detroit cop gets nailed as a dope dealer, and more. 8 comments Chronicle AM: Coalition Urges Delay in House Pot Banking Vote, Chicago Mayor: No Pot Shops Downtown, More... (9/18/19)
Civil rights and drug policy groups fearing a loss of momentum in ending federal pot prohibition are urging a delay in a marijuana banking bill vote, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot doesn't want pot shops downtown, and more. 4 comments 