Drug War Chronicle #784 - May 16, 2013

The IRS's use of an obscure provision to deny standard exemptions to medical marijuana dispensaries is causing pain to patients and providiers, and inspiring some creative thinking among law professors.

After several years of laying the groundwork, North Carolina harm reductionists have successfully shepherded one bill through the legislature already this year. Another one sailed through the House this week.

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New York City arrested around 50,000 people for small-time marijuana possession a couple of years ago. This year, the number looks to be around 30,000, thanks to changes in policy and heightened public scrutiny.

Vermont is about to become the 17th state to either decriminalize or legalize marijuana.

The feds stay on the attack in California, and fallout from last week's state Supreme Court decision allowing local dispensary bans mounts. There's news from other states as well.

Colorado has taken another step down the path of drug sentencing reform with the passage of Senate Bill 250. The governor is expected to sign it into law.

China and Southeast Asian nations have renewed their vows in the fight against illegal drug use and the drug trade. The UNODC officiated.

Legal cannabis in the Caucausus? It could happen if some politicians in Georgia have their way.

There has been a questionable drug war killing in California's East Bay. An unarmed drug suspect was shot and killed as he fled police, who claimed they feared for their safety.

If it weren't for crooked cops in the Land of Lincoln, this space would be blank this week. Instead, we have an Illinois corrupt cops twofer.