Drug War Chronicle #1002 - December 21, 2017

Next year should see more legal marijuana states and also the first state to legalize it at the statehouse.

Member support has made StoptheDrugWar.org's work possible for 24 years. As hardliners in the administration and Congress push to ramp up the drug war again, we need your support now more than ever at this dangerous but still promising time. We hope you'll take this opportunity to renew your support or become a new member.

A leading Senate Republican calls for removing obstacles to medical marijuana research, a Florida judge decides to take up a case over the state's ban on smoking medical marijuana, and more.

A Tennessee deputy goes down for bribing a drug dealer and then trying to kill him, a former South Carolina narcotics commander gets nailed for stealing money from the department, and more.

Norway moves down the path toward drug decriminalization, a New Hampshire legislative committee votes down a legalization bill, the WHO gives a thumbs up to CBD, and more.

California starts rolling out recreational marijuana business licenses, Maryland approves more dispensaries, Michigan starts accepting dispensary applications, the Mexican Senate approves a bill letting the military keep playing a policing role, and more.

A Republican grandee complains about obstacles to medical marijuana research, a Florida judge will take up the state's ban on smoking medical marijuana, a North Dakota pot legalization initiative is approved for signature gathering, and more.

Cory Booker's federal marijuana bill finally finds another sponsor, Kentucky's ag commissioner pronounces himself "dumbfounded" at the DEA's recalcitrant position on industrial hemp, and more.

Mid-Atlantic state politicos are moving toward harsher sentences for some opioid offenses, Canada's July 1 marijuana legalization date may get bumped back, California's Humboldt County rejects safe injection sites, and more.