Drug War Chronicle #760 - November 21, 2012

Adding to the chorus calling for the Obama administration to "do the right thing" and let Colorado and Washington proceed with legalizing and regulating marijuana, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition delivered a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder on Tuesday.

Colorado's congressional delegation is demonstrating that it heard the voice of the voters loudly and clearly on the topic of marijuana legalization. Letters are going out, bills are being filed.

We are approaching a new year, in a new time, with critical opportunities and critical work needed to be done. A tax-deductible donation as year's end approaches will make sure the word gets out in 2013 -- a non-deductible donation will help us advocate legislatively too.

Now that Colorado and Washington have blown open the door, legislators in New England are rushing to be the next to legalize marijuana.

Marijuana legalization continues to hover on the cusp of majority support nationwide, according to two new national polls.

It's been fairly quiet on the dispensary front, but action is beginning to heat up at state houses in preparation for the 2013 legislative season.

The International Narcotics Control Board predictably has "grave concerns" about the marijuana legalization victories in the US and urges the US government to ensure that it stays in compliance with international anti-drug treaties.

Uruguayan President Jose Mujica's bill to start state-operated or -regulated marijuana cultivation and distribution was presented to Congress Wednesday, and it includes home grow and "smoking club" cultivation provisions.

Singapore has taken a first baby step in moving away from resorting to the death penalty for drug offenses.

A Mexican lawmaker has just introduced a marijuana legalization bill. It's unlikely to pass, but will provide an opportunity for debate on drug policy and is yet another response to last week's legalization victories here in the US.

We log three more drug war deaths, from Arizona, Georgia, and New Mexico.

We have a trio of corrupt cops this week, including a former sheriff and a former police chief.