Drug War Chronicle #653 - October 14, 2010

Proposition 19 is getting some last-minute cash infusions from some famous folks -- not enough for a statewide TV campaign, but enough to spur get out the vote efforts. That could make a difference in this close race.

New Jersey's medical marijuana law was written as the most restrictive in the nation, and proposed state regulations released last week go even further than the spirit -- and sometimes the letter -- of the law. This fight is far from over.

Steve Bloom and Shirley Halperin discuss 700 marijuana-themed films, going back to even before the famous "Reefer Madness" movie through the present.

Another city -- and its taxpayers -- pay out the nose for SWAT team excesses.

The fate of Prop 19, California's initiative to legalize cannabis on the November 2nd ballot, will determine a lot of what happens in drug reform over the next two years. Volunteers are needed to help Prop 19 now, and you don't have to live in California.

The apparent killing of an American jet-skier on the border-straddling Lake Falcon continues to draw US media attention, but meanwhile, prohibition-related violence continues to flare across Mexico.

A massive round-up of dirty cops in Puerto Rico, a massive drug conspiracy led by a South Carolina sheriff, and another greedy jail guard make the news this week.

A new poll of three Northwest states finds a majority support pot legalization in Washington, but not yet in Oregon or Idaho. Other poll findings suggest possible problems for Measure 74 in Oregon.

Proposition 19 has picked up the support of the California chapter of one of the country's most prominent Latino organizations.

Bolivian President Evo Morales is a former coca growers' union leader, but that doesn't mean everything is swell between Evo and the cocaleros. This week is a case in point.

The opioid antagonist naloxone has long been used to prevent overdose deaths, but now it is available as a monthly injection to block cravings for heroin and prescription opiates like Oxycontin and Vicodin.

Forget "Hemp for Victory." How about "Hemp in my gas tank?" Researchers in Connecticut say it is well-suited for biodiesel.

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