Drug War Chronicle #960 - February 7, 2017

Neil Gorsuch's record is fairly sparse and doesn't illuminate much more than an awareness of the ridiculous current state of pot policy. Well, that and a certain deference to law enforcement.

The power to commute prison sentences is rarely exercised at the state level. Anthony Papa's newest memoir makes an implicit case for it to be used much more often.

Sentencing and other criminal justice reforms advanced in the Obama years, but now there's a new sheriff in town. What are the prospects for criminal justice reform during the Trump presidency?

Arkansas legislators are trying to ban medical marijuana smoking and edibles, a new Florida bill seeks to revamp that state's medical marijuana system, and more.

Jail and prison guards are dropping like flies, a Border Patrol agent heads for prison for helping a cartel, a Louisiana cop develops a case of sticky fingers, and more.

It's all weed news today, even from the Middle East. State legislatures are taking up marijuana-related bills, and Israel is moving to decriminalize it.

The leader of the nation's largest drug reform group steps down, Maine becomes the eighth legal marijuana state, Seattle approves safe injection sites -- and isn't asking federal approval -- and more.

Technical issues stopped us from publishing yesterday and delayed us today, but the news didn't stop. Here's a couple days worth of mainly, but not entirely, marijuana policy news.

The Senate Judiciary Commitee has approved the nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions to be attorney general, a legalization bill pops up in Wyoming, a Florida bill that would fix the state's medical marijuana system has the support of the folks behind the constitutional amendment, and more.

Regulators and legislators continue to mess with the will of the voters when it comes to implementing marijuana initiatives, the Philippines' president makes more bloody-minded threats, and more.

Marijuana-related legislation is moving in several states, the HIA is suing the DEA over hemp foods, Philippines Catholic bishops speak out against drug war killings, and more.

Donald Trump threatens the career of a Texas state senator over asset forfeiture, Chris Christie vetoes an asset forfeiture reporting bill, NYC marijuana arrests jump, Rhode Islanders are ready to legalize it, and more.