Drug War Chronicle #623 - March 12, 2010

The Senate Judiciary Committee has unanimously approved a bill that would reduce -- but not eliminate -- the infamous sentencing disparity between federal crack and powder cocaine offenses. The House Judiciary Committee has already passed a similar measure that would completely eliminate the disparity. Now it is up to the House and Senate leadership to get those bills to a floor vote, and advocates say it is the House bill that should move.

Ibogaine is touted by a growing number of proponents as an addiction cure. The African herb still hasn't gotten mainstream respect, but that may be about to change, if the 2010 Ibogaine Conference is any indication.

Being a thoughtful, compassionate, and curious physician dealing with hard-core addicts in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside makes Dr. Gabor Maté especially well-placed to write an important book about addiction. He has done so. You should read it.

Bad cops, bad cops, whatcha gonna do when they come for you? Although the Chronicle took a week off last week, corrupt cops didn't. Here are two weeks' worth of rogues and villains.

It's been a hard couple of weeks in Mexico. At least 375 people were killed in prohibition-related violence, including many police officers.

Somebody overdosing, but his companions are afraid to call for help for fear of getting busted? You won't have to worry about that anymore in Washington state -- unless you're the dealer.

Looking for a job, but have a criminal record? You'll find a little more forgiveness now in New Mexico.

The Puritan impulse remains alive and well in Kansas. When confronted with the notion that someone had found a way to get high that wasn't illegal, Kansas responded by making it illegal.

The Hawaii legislature has overwhelmingly passed not one, not two, but three different marijuana reform measures -- two dealing with medical marijuana and one with decriminalization. Now, the Aloha State needs a strong showing in the House to avert a likely gubernatorial veto attempt.

For the third year in a row, the New Hampshire House of Delegates has passed marijuana reform legislation. But it looks like for the third year in a row, it will be killed by a gubernatorial veto -- if it gets that far.

MedicalMarijuana.ProCon.org, part of the ProCon.org family, is an in-depth web site presenting information and views from a variety of perspectives on the medical marijuana issue. The Chronicle is running a series of info items from ProCon.org over the next several weeks, and we encourage you to check it out.

"Long-time Drug Warrior Changes His Mind, Supports Medical Marijuana and Decriminalization," "Six Groups Who Benefit From the Drug War," "Stupid Arguments Against Medical Marijuana, Part 1," "Stupid Arguments Against Medical Marijuana, Part 2," "Everything You Need to Know About Marijuana Legalization," "How Many Cops Does It Take to Bust a Marijuana User?"

Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.

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The Drug Policy Alliance is hiring a state director in New Mexico, and a National Organizing and Field Director working from New York.