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Drug War Chronicle #733 - May 10, 2012

Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director
Rep. Hinchey addresses a 2005 press conference on medical marijuana, as Montel Williams awaits his turn at the podium.
Rep. Hinchey addresses a 2005 press conference on medical marijuana, as Montel Williams awaits his turn at the podium.

House of Representatives Votes Down Defunding Medical Marijuana Raids [FEATURE]

In a bid to snuff out the federal medical marijuana crackdown, four US congressman have introduced an amendment that would bar the Justice Department from spending money to do so. Late Wednesday, it failed, but the issue went to the House floor.
Brian Wilbourn's conviction was overturned because of prosecutorial misconduct.
Brian Wilbourn's conviction was overturned because of prosecutorial misconduct.

False Testimony: How Prosecutors Leave Justice Behind [FEATURE]

Prosecutors across the country are misbehaving -- and getting away with it. And among the common forms of misconduct are hiding exculpatory evidence and knowingly using false testimony to win convictions.
Dea_color_logo.jpg
Dea_color_logo.jpg

DEA Forgets Student in Cell, Pols Want Answers

DEA agents arrested a San Diego college student in a drug bust, then forgot about him, leaving him in a holding cell for five days. Now, the California congressional delegation wants answers, and his lawyer wants the DEA to pay big bucks.
Nancy Pelosi had Obama's ear after he won the White House in 2008. Will he listen to her now? (wikimedia.org)
Nancy Pelosi had Obama's ear after he won the White House in 2008. Will he listen to her now? (wikimedia.org)

Pelosi Condemns Medical Marijuana Crackdown

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has joined the chorus of critics condemning the Obama administration's crackdown on medical marijuana businesses. Will that catch the president's attention?
cannabis cafe in Amsterdam (wikimedia.org)
cannabis cafe in Amsterdam (wikimedia.org)

Dutch "Weed Pass" Plan Hitting Bumps

The Dutch move to bar foreigners from cannabis cafes on the southern border has been met by coffee shop closures in protest, legal action, and police who seem to have better things to do. Meanwhile, the drug tourists are simply driving deeper into the country.
proconlogo_2.gif
proconlogo_2.gif

Did You Know? Legal Drinking Age 138 Countries, from ProCon.org

ProCon.org is a set of in-depth web sites presenting information and views from on current issues, several with relevance to drug policy. The Chronicle is currently running a series of info items from ProCon.org -- this one from drinkingage.procon.org -- and we encourage you to check it out.
MMJ leaf and stethoscope KY ODCP_31.jpg
MMJ leaf and stethoscope KY ODCP_31.jpg

Medical Marijuana Update

The national battle over medical marijuana is heating up, Connecticut is about to become the 17th medical marijuana state, and state and local battles continue. And so do the DEA raids. Busy, busy, busy.
320px-2003-07_Traffic_stop_on_Gregson_St_1.jpg
320px-2003-07_Traffic_stop_on_Gregson_St_1.jpg

Colorado Per Se Drugged Driving Bill Dies

A bill that would label drivers impaired if they have more than five nanograms of THC per milliliter in their blood even if they are not actually impaired has passed the Colorado Senate and a House committee, but the clock ran out on it Wednesday.
Charlottesville City Council (City of Charlotteville)
Charlottesville City Council (City of Charlotteville)

Charlottesville Says Decriminalize or Regulate Marijuana

The city council in the Virginia college town of Charlottesville had adopted a resolution calling on the state to consider decriminalizing or regulating marijuana, but balked at adding lowest law enforcement priority language.

LEAP Hiring Speakers Bureau Director (Applications Due Tomorrow!)

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition is an international nonprofit educational organization created to give voice to law-enforcers who believe the US war on drugs has failed. They are hiring a Speakers Bureau Director, most likely based in the Washington, DC area.
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.