Drug War Chronicle #805 - October 17, 2013

In a move that cuts against more than a decade of sentencing reform efforts in California, Gov. Jerry Brown has vetoed a bill that would allow some people caught with small amounts of drugs to face misdemeanor charges instead of felonies.

Marijuana legalization could bring billions to the British government, two studies show. But there is little political will to move in that direction.

Our writer Phil Smith will be honored for his work on this newsletter in Denver next week.

Now more than ever, StoptheDrugWar.org needs your financial support to continue to provide this crucial informational tool that builds and empowers the movement. We have a special new offer for those donating $50 or more, which this post provides some updated information about.

Washington state's rules for legal marijuana commerce are now set. Look for some 300+ stores to open starting around the middle of next year.

The looming pullout of Western forces from Afghanistan could lead to an economic collapse and the strengthening of the country's opium economy, the UN anti-drug chief warned Wednesday.

An LA dispensary crackdown gets underway, an Arizona judge throws out a restrictive dispensary ordinance, the Michigan Supreme Court hears a dispensary ban case, and much, much more.

A new set of synthetic cannabinoid drugs are emerging, and the knee-jerk prohibitionist reponse -- Ban them! -- is kicking in.

The hemispheric winds of change around marijuana law reform are blowing on the Caribbean island nation of Jamaica, too. Lawmakers debated decriminalization there Tuesday.

While the conventional wisdom is to wait for 2016 for a California marijuana legalization initiative, some Californians aren't waiting. Now, a second legalization initiative has been filed.

A Tennessee meth lab raid leaves one man dead after attempting to flee in his vehicle.

A hard-partying Colorado cop calls it a career, a DC cop launders a bit of drug money, a North Carolina narc gets caught with her fingers in the jar, and a retired cop uses his old badge and cop plates to sling dope.