In a time of global pandemic, small-time drug busts are increasingly seen as a luxury we can't afford. (Creative Commons)
Faced with Coronavirus, Big Cities Begin to Forego Drug Arrests, Prosecutions [FEATURE]
The coronavirus pandemic is pushing police and prosecutors to forego small-time drug busts and prosecutions as a means of preserving the public health.
Amsterdam cannabis cafe. It's open for carryout after the government had to reverse a pandemic-inspired ban.
Denver Pot Shop Closure Reversed, Amsterdam Cannabis Cafes Reopen, MedMj Businesses Essential More... (3/25/20)
Marijuana retail outlets stay open in Denver and Amsterdam after pandemic-inspired efforts to shut them down inspire long lines, drug reform and public health groups urge governors to keep medical marijuana dispensaries open, and more.
The US escalates its feud with Venezuela by indicting President Nicholas Maduro for "narco-terrorism. (Creative Commons)
US Indicts Venezuela's Maduro for "Narco-Terrorism," A Call to End Marijuana Arrests, Jailings, More... (3/26/20)
The US indicts a leftist Latin American leader for drug trafficking (but not a rightist one), a Michigan prosecutor gets nailed for embezzling asset forfeiture funds, and more.
psilocybin-containing magic mushrooms (Greenoid/Flickr)
OR Inits Seek Signatures Online, French Cannabis Prices Rise Fast, More... (3/27/20)
Mexico is unlikely to meet an April 30 deadline to legalize marijuana as its Senate is suspended due to the COVID-19 crisis, Oregon drug decriminalization and therapeutic psilocybin initiatives now are seeking signatures online, and more.
COVID-19 is in the nation's jails and prisons.
MO and OK Inits Could Fall Victim to Pandemic, COVID-19 Spreads Behind Bars, More... (3/30/20)
The coronavirus pandemic is taking a toll on state-level marijuana legalization initiatives, Pennsylvania says needle exchanges are "life-sustaining" during the pandemic, Vancouver moves to allow "safe supply" of regulated drugs during the crisis, and more.
Closed since mid-month because of the pandemic, Dutch cannabis cafes are now reopening, but for carryout only. (CC)
NY Legalization Bid Could Fall Victim to COVID, Dutch Cannabis Cafes Open for Carryout, More... (3/31/20)
Marijuana legalization didn't make into New York's draft budget proposal, Netherlands cannabis cafes reopen for carryout, DC psychedelic decriminalization activists find creative ways to seek signatures, and more.
Prison is no place to be in the midst of a pandemic. (ussc.gov)
NY Governor Says No Legalization in State Budget, First Federal Prisoner COVID-19 Death, More... (4/1/20)
It looks like coronavirus has killed marijuana legalization in New York this year, a new nonprofit focused on psychedelic education has emerged, a nonviolent drug offender is the first federal prisoner to die of COVID-19, and more.
Whether its drug users or quarantine violators, Philippine President Duterte has a plan: Just kill them. (Creative Commons)
Philippine Drug War Rages Despite Pandemic, NORML Issues Marijuana Policy Crisis Guidance, More... (4/2/20)
President Trump showily announces a ramping up of the drug war in the Caribbean, NORML issues pot policy guidance for lawmakers during the coronavirus pandemic, the Philippine drug war continues despite the pandemic, and more.
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.