Drug War Chronicle #916 - January 23, 2016

Issue #916, Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director

Due to staff travel and urgent deadlines on other projects, we were unable to publish the email editions of Drug War Chronicle on their usual schedule. Hence this issue is a long one. Note that all Chronicle articles are published on our web site as they are finalized, so check our web site on a daily basis to get the news as it comes out.

1. Why Is the Administration Sending Refugees Back to Narco War Nightmare US Helped Create? [FEATURE]

US policies helped push these people out of Central America. Now US policy is pushing them back in.

2. Dabs, the Latest Pot Trend Police and Media Are Needlessly Freaking Out About [FEATURE]

A potent form of marijuana has arrived on the East Coast, and some media outlets seem to have gotten a contact high.

3. Medical Marijuana Update

A handful of dispensaries open in New York, dispensary applications are now available in Hawaii, it looks like Florida will get another chance to vote for medical marijuana, and more.

4. This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

C'mon cops -- how many times do we have to tell you? Don't rip off the department evidence room, don't peddle cocaine, don't smuggle drugs to prisoners, and especially, don't blow up your meth lab in the federal science lab you're supposed to be protecting.

5. Chronicle AM: CA Init Cleared for Petitioning, Gets Donations, VT Gov Says Legalize, More... (1/7/16)

It's another one of those all-marijuana news days -- the California initiative hits the ground running, New Hampshire legalization bills get filed, Canadian MPs get a pot package, and more.

6. Chronicle AM: El Chapo Captured, ME Gov's Race-Tinged Remarks Draw Outrage, More... (1/8/16)

Mexican authorities have recaptured the fugitive head of the Sinaloa Cartel, Main'e Tea Party governor goes racial on drugs, while other New England states move toward drug reforms, and more.

7. Chronicle AM: CA NAACP Endorses AUMA, No MedMJ for PTSD in NY, Germany Moves on MedMJ, More... (1/12/16)

The California legalization initiative picks up a big endorsement, so does the effort to legalize it in Vermont, Hawaii dispensary applications are now available online (if you've got $5,000), the German health ministry files a draft medical marijuana law, and more.

8. Chronicle AM: Drug Policy in Obama's SOTU Speech, New England Legalization Bills Heard, More... (1/13/16)

As New England states ponder marijuana legalization, Colorado is raking in the revenues. Plus, the president touches on drug policy in his SOTU speech, and more.

9. Chronicle AM: Seattle Shrinks MJ Buffer Zones, 2nd Chance Reauth Heads for House Floor, More... (1/14/16)

Seattle moves to ease zoning restrictions on marijuana businesses, Ohio GOP lawmakers form medical marijuana task force, Mexico creates marijuana debate website, and more.

10. Chronicle AM: Another Poll Has Legalization Majority, OH Pot Politics, Brazil Approves Ibogaine, More... (1/15/16)

The drumbeat of national polls with majorities for marijuana legalization continues, one Ohio legalization effort gives up the ghost while another vows to continue, Brazil opens its doors to ibogaine, and more.

11. Chronicle AM: CA Dems Endorse Legalization, Fed Court Upholds MedMJ Firing, More... (1/18/16)

California Democrats have endorsed marijuana legalization, Bernie Sanders ties together racism and pot prohibition, a federal court upholds employers' rights to fire medical marijuana users, and more.

12. Chronicle AM: Iran Hangs More Drug Offenders, VT Legalization Hearings Underway, More... (1/19/2016)

Georgia faces a pile of pot bills, Boston cops go after one of the state's leading legalization activists, Vermont legalization hearings get underway, and more.

13. Chronicle AM: Top Cops Call for Sentencing Reform, GOP Senators Split On Reform, More... (1/20/16)

GOP legislators are busy filing retrograde drug bills across the land, from chipping away at medical marijuana in Arizona to public benefits drug testing bills in several states. Meanwhile, a battle looms over federal sentencing reform.

14. Chronicle AM: MPP Eyes OH MedMJ Init, MD Solons Override Paraphernalia Veto, More... (1/21/16)

The state legislative season is now underway and marijuana-related bills are popping up in various states, Michigan ponders roadside drug testing bills, Canada's Tories bow before the inevitability of marijuana legalization, and more.

15. Chronicle AM: Wichita "Decrim" Thrown Out, Argentina Will Shoot Down Drug Planes, More... (1/22/16)

The Kansas Supreme Court throws out Wichita's voter-approved "decrim" ordinance on a technicality, GOP committee chairs quash medical marijuana bills in Indiana, the DEA partnered with a TSA screener in a bid to seize cash from travelers, the Argentines want to shoot down drug planes, and more.

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.