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Drug War Chronicle #773 - February 28, 2013

Issue #773, Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director

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1. Blumenauer Pushes States Rights' Medical Marijuana Bill in Congress [FEATURE]

Oregon Democrat Earl Blumenauer held a public coming out Monday for his federal medical marijuana bill.

2. Chronicle Review Essay: More on Marijuana

Martin Lee has produced an excellent comprehensive history of marijuana, and Jim Rendon pays homage to those outlaw growers and breeders who bring us things like OG Kush and Granddaddy Purps. We review their books.

3. New (and Old) Gift Items Available with Donations of $15 or Greater

We continue our newest gift offer -- and several older but good ones -- for StoptheDrugWar.org supporters donating $15 or more.

4. Federal Appeals Court Blocks Florida Welfare Drug Test Law

The US 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a preliminary injunction blocking the state of Florida from implementing its welfare drug testing law. The law violates the Fourth Amendment's proscription against warrantless searches, the court found.

5. North Dakota Welfare Drug Testing Bill Defeated

North Dakota's legislature rejected a welfare drug testing bill Friday, even after it was amended to first require "reasonable suspicion."

6. Indiana House Approves Welfare Drug Test Bill

The Indiana House has passed a welfare drug testing bill despite a fiscal analysis showing it would be a net loser for the state, costing taxpayers more than $1 million a year.

7. Medical Marijuana Update

From the village board to the halls of Congress, medical marijuana is popping up all over. And there's action at various state houses, too.

8. North Carolina Medical Marijuana Bill Killed -- With Extreme Prejudice

A North Carolina House committee has not only failed to approve a medical marijuana bill, it has acted to ensure that the topic cannot be raised again this session.

9. Connecticut Towns Pay Out Big for Deadly SWAT Drug Raid

An overzealous Connecticut SWAT team killed an unarmed man during a 2008 drug raid that turned up a pair of crack pipes and a small amount of cocaine. Now, five towns have agreed to pay $3.5 million in one suit, and a second is pending.

10. Missouri Marijuana, Hemp Bills Filed

Three bills dealing with marijuana law reform have been filed in Missouri.

11. Maine, Maryland Marijuana Legalization Bills Filed

Marijuana legalization bills have been filed in two more states. That makes five this year, with a couple more expected to follow.

12. This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

Suspected dirty cops are under investigation in Texas and Alabama, a light-fingered (and well-connected) Philly cop gets suspended, a Texas cop gets in trouble for trying to set up the -ex, and an Indiana cop sells weed and guns to the wrong guy.
Permission to Reprint: This issue of Drug War Chronicle is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Articles of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.

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