Drug War Chronicle #776 - March 21, 2013

New York City and the NYPD are under fire this week for both their stop-and-frisk policing program and their massive number of marijuana possession busts in a state where it is supposed to be decriminalized.

Former New Zealand prime minister and current head of the UN Development Program Helen Clark has toughly criticized the reliance on criminal justice approaches in the global drug war.

Last year we began to offer the book "Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know" as an option for donating members. Authors of it are now consulting for Washington State on implementing legalization there. You can support us and get some insights into what they might do, by ordering it here.

Medical marijuana action was concentrated in state legislatures this week, although there was also news from the Massachusetts attorney general's office.

The District of Columbia has now joined ten states in implementing 911 Good Samaritan laws designed to reduce overdose deaths by removing the fear of arrest and prosecution from victims and witnesses who seek medical help.

A marijuana decriminalization bill is moving in Maryland.

Washington state has selected a consulting firm led by drug policy scholar Mark Kleiman to be its marijuana consultant. Reformers have reacted with caution.

Recalcitrant law enforcement and opposition from the governor's mansion is scuttling medical marijuana in Minnesota this year, even though it has broad popular support. But there's always next year.

A New Hampshire marijuana legalization bill has been voted down by the House. Another one remains alive, but is bottled up in committee.

Vermont is now the latest state to see a marijuana legalization bill introduced.

Nevada is the latest state to see a marijuana legalization bill in the wake of last November's victories in Colorado and Washington.

A Customs agent, a Texas deputy, and a small-town California cop all go down this week.