Drug War Chronicle #481 - April 13, 2007
1. Feature: The War on Salvia Divinorum Heats Up
Efforts to ban salvia divinorum are spreading across the country. So far, it's illegal in five states and various towns and cities, and seven more states have bills pending this year. The DEA is looking at it, too.2. Feature: Oregon's Messy Medical Marijuana Statehouse Politics
A plethora of bills affecting medical marijuana patients or the state medical marijuana program are active in the Oregon legislature this year -- in part because of a strong activist base, in part because of legislative foes.3. Book Offer: Lies, Damn Lies, and Drug War Statistics
An important new book debunks literally years of statistical legerdemain by the nation's central drug policy office -- and is DRCNet's latest premium for our members.4. Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
More cops arrested, a dispatcher, too, and yet another prison guard goes to prison.5. Marijuana: After Denver Votes to Legalize It, Cops Arrest Even More
When Denver residents voted to legalize the possession of up to an ounce of marijuana in 2005, city officials vowed to ignore the will of the voters. Now, they are adding insult to injury.6. Medical Marijuana: Bill to Make Rhode Island Law Permanent Passes House, Senate Committees
A bill that would make Rhode Island's medical marijuana permanent is headed for House and Senate floor votes. Unless it passes, the program will end June 30.7. Medical Marijuana: Minnesota Bill Passes Senate Committee
The Minnesota medical marijuana bill continues to move through the legislature.8. Medical Marijuana: California Begins Taxing Dispensaries
California's medical marijuana community is split over whether taxation will help to normalize the coops as accepted business or expose them to greater risk by creating a paper trail available to the feds.9. Asia: China Sets Up Drug User Data Bank
Sometimes being a dictatorship has its advantages, at least if you work for the police. China has created a data bank of drug users with more than three-quarters of a million names.10. Europe: French Anti-Globalist Activist and Presidential Candidate Says Legalize Marijuana
Anti-globalization activist and French presidential candidate José Bové is calling for the legalization of marijuana.11. Weekly: This Week in History
Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.12. Job Opportunity: Two Openings at Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) is hiring for two positions -- Office/Project Manager and Media Director.13. Announcement: DRCNet Content Syndication Feeds Now Available for YOUR Web Site!
Support the cause by featuring automatically-updating Drug War Chronicle and other DRCNet content links on your web site!14. Announcement: DRCNet RSS Feeds Now Available
A new way for you to receive DRCNet articles -- Drug War Chronicle and more -- is now available.15. Announcement: New Format for the Reformer's Calendar
Visit our new web site each day to see a running countdown to the events coming up the soonest, and more.Drug War Chronicle #480 - April 6, 2007
1. Editorial: Things Are Gradually Moving in the Right Direction
A bill to repeal some mandatory minimum sentences in Maryland by restoring parole has gotten further so far than any similar attempt to date. But winning even when our case is the clearest is still a struggle.2. Feature: Among Architects, a Prison Design Boycott Gains Steam
Architects are among those who profit from policies that lead to mass incarceration, but one professional grouping is leading a Prison Design Boycott Campaign.3. Drug War Chronicle Book Review: "Policing the Globe: Criminalization and Crime Control in International Relations," by Peter Andreas and Ethan Nadelmann. (2006, Oxford University Press, 333 pp., $29.95 HB)
The war on drugs is one part of a web of international crime control regimes that have developed over centuries. But past definitions of crime and today's are not all the same.4. Book Offer: Lies, Damn Lies, and Drug War Statistics
An important new book debunks literally years of statistical legerdemain by the nation's central drug policy office -- and is DRCNet's latest premium for our members.5. Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
A Georgia fire captain gets caught peddling coke, a pair of New Haven narcs lose their jobs, a former Mississippi police chief cops a plea, and a former Ohio cop goes back to prison.6. Medical Marijuana: New Mexico Becomes Twelfth State to Approve It
With the stroke of a pen, Gov. Bill Richardson has made New Mexico the 12th medical marijuana state.7. Methamphetamine: Feds Make First Cold Medicine Bust Under Combat Meth Act
A New York state man has earned the dubious distinction of being the first person arrested under the federal Combat Meth Epidemic Act, which restricts access to cold medicines containing methamphetamine precursor chemicals.8. Harm Reduction: New Mexico Governor Signs Overdose Death Reduction Measure
With Gov. Bill Richardson's signature on the 911 Good Samaritan Act, New Mexico becomes the first state to provide limited immunity from prosecution to people who seek emergency medical treatment for overdose victims.9. Voting Rights: Florida Clemency Board Votes to Restore to Most Felons
Acting at the behest of Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, the state of Florida has moved to restore voting rights to most ex-felons.10. The Presidency: Past Drug Use Would Disqualify Nominee for Only 19% of Americans, Poll Finds
Past drug use by a presidential candidate is close to the bottom of the list of concerns for voters, a Gallup poll has found.11. Methamphetamine: Nevada Governor's Working Group Issues Preliminary Report
A Nevada governor's panel on methamphetamine is calling for more money for treatment, prevention, and policing, but lacks even a mention of harm reduction.12. Information: NIDA Drug Library Closed Due to Budget Woes
The NIDA drug library has been closed for budget reasons. The historic collection of more than 12,000 journal volumes and 8,000 books will be dispersed.13. Web Scan
Prison litigation, NPR, MPR, medical marijuana patients, FyR interviews, Bulletin of Cannabis Reform, Alternet, Marc Mauer on the "crime wave," DrugTruth radio, restore federal parole petition, National Drug Court Month.14. Weekly: This Week in History
Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.15. Announcement: DRCNet Content Syndication Feeds Now Available for YOUR Web Site!
Support the cause by featuring automatically-updating Drug War Chronicle and other DRCNet content links on your web site!16. Announcement: DRCNet RSS Feeds Now Available
A new way for you to receive DRCNet articles -- Drug War Chronicle and more -- is now available.17. Three Job Openings at the Harm Reduction Coalition, NY and CA
Three positions are now available at the nation's leading harm reduction organization.18. Announcement: New Format for the Reformer's Calendar
Visit our new web site each day to see a running countdown to the events coming up the soonest, and more.Drug War Chronicle #479 - March 30, 2007
1. Feature: Drugs Should Be Classified According to Their Harms, British Experts Say -- And They're Not Now
A study by British drug experts calls for a science-based drug classification system based on the harm related to the use of each drug. It ranks drugs by harm, with alcohol and tobacco both ranked as more harmful than marijuana.2. Drug War Chronicle Book Review: "Beat the Heat: How to Handle Encounters With Law Enforcement," by Katya Komisaruk (2003, AK Press, 192 pp., $16.00 PB)
We don't usually review books except when they're hot off the press, but we're making an exception with attorney Katya Komisaruk's "Beat the Heat." This is the best legal self defense book we've seen in some time and we think our readers need to know about it.3. Book Offer: Lies, Damn Lies, and Drug War Statistics
An important new book debunks literally years of statistical legerdemain by the nation's central drug policy office -- and is DRCNet's latest premium for our members.4. Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
Two cops get busted, a jail guard pleads guilty, a Border Patrol agent is found guilty, and a sheriff's deputy is sent to prison. Just your typical week of drug prohibition-related law enforcement corruption.5. Law Enforcement: Atlanta Police Change Policies in Wake of Fatal Drug Raid
When 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston was killed by Atlanta undercover narcs in a botched drug raid last November, community outrage was palpable. Now, the Atlanta police are changing some of their practices and procedures.6. Law Enforcement: The Drug War Dominates Grand Jury Action in One Ohio County
Last week's grand jury action in one Ohio county opens a window on the impact of drug prohibition on the criminal justice system.7. Marijuana: Cincinnati City Council Votes to Extend Tough Ordinance
Last year, the Cincinnati city council voted for an ordinance that would make marijuana possession a criminal offense, saying it would reduce violent crime. It hasn't, but the council this week voted to extend it anyway.8. Medical Marijuana: New Hampshire Bill Narrowly Defeated
A New Hampshire medical marijuana bill has been defeated in the House. Advocates are pointing to 2/3 public support and the closeness of the vote, and are promising to come back next year.9. Marijuana: Bob Barr to Lobby for Marijuana Policy Project
Former Georgia Republican Congressman Bob Barr blocked the District of Columbia from enacting medical marijuana. That was then. Now, he has signed on as a lobbyist with the Marijuana Policy Project.10. South America: Bolivia Moves to Block Coca Crop Expansion
The Bolivian government is moving to "rationalize" coca production in the Yungas region.11. Middle East: Marijuana Not Kosher for Passover, Says Green Leaf Party
Marijuana is not kosher for Passover, Israel's Green Leaf Party warned this week. Does that mean it is kosher the rest of the time?12. Weekly: This Week in History
Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.13. Announcement: DRCNet Content Syndication Feeds Now Available for YOUR Web Site!
Support the cause by featuring automatically-updating Drug War Chronicle and other DRCNet content links on your web site!14. Announcement: DRCNet RSS Feeds Now Available
A new way for you to receive DRCNet articles -- Drug War Chronicle and more -- is now available.15. Announcement: New Format for the Reformer's Calendar
Visit our new web site each day to see a running countdown to the events coming up the soonest, and more.Drug War Chronicle #478 - March 23, 2007
1. Feature: Prison Rape and the War on Drugs
According to a just released study, sexual assaults against prisoners are an endemic problem, not an isolated one, the drug war makes it worse, and drug war prisoners are among those most likely to be victimized.2. Feature: "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" Free Speech Case Goes to the Supreme Court
The US Supreme Court Monday heard oral arguments in the "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" case, pitting student free speech rights against schools' anti-drug policies.3. Feature: Reefer Madness Strikes a Leading British Newspaper
A decade ago, the leading British newspaper the Independent on Sunday called for the decriminalization of marijuana. This week, citing the dangers of skunk weed and alleged links to mental illness, the paper reversed course.4. Book Offer: Lies, Damn Lies, and Drug War Statistics
An important new book debunks literally years of statistical legerdemain by the nation's central drug policy office -- and is DRCNet's latest premium for our members.5. Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
Just another week of drug prohibition-related law enforcement corruption. An NYPD cop gets caught with a stash in her undies drawer, an Ohio cop has some bad hits, more prison guards get greedy, and a former St. Paul cop goes to prison.6. Medical Marijuana: Minnesota Bill Approved By Second House Panel
A medical marijuana bill in Minnesota has passed another House committee.7. The Candy Counter: Georgia Set to Ban Sales of Marijuana-Flavored Lollipops to Kids
The Georgia House has approved a bill that would ban the sale of marijuana-flavored candies to kids. If it passes the state Senate, the state would be the first in the nation to pass such a ban.8. Europe: Clamor for Licit Medicinal Afghan Opium Grows Among British MPs
A group of 40 British Members of Parliament is calling on the Blair government to support a trial program that would divert Afghan opium from the black market to the licit medicinal market.9. Europe: Heroin Substitute Buprenorphine Now Available in Scotland
Scottish authorities have approved the use of buprenorphine for heroin addicts who don't respond to or can't tolerate methadone.10. Web Scan
Libby Davies at CSSDP, prosecuting youth as adults, Drug Truth update, Silja Talvi on Raich v. Schiavo coverage, Huffington Post, Save Bernie's Farm web site.11. Weekly: This Week in History
Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.12. Announcement: DRCNet Content Syndication Feeds Now Available for YOUR Web Site!
Support the cause by featuring automatically-updating Drug War Chronicle and other DRCNet content links on your web site!13. Announcement: DRCNet RSS Feeds Now Available
A new way for you to receive DRCNet articles -- Drug War Chronicle and more -- is now available.14. Job Opportunities: PreventionWorks, Washington, DC
The needle exchange program in the District of Columbia is advertising two preliminary job descriptions.15. Announcement: New Format for the Reformer's Calendar
Visit our new web site each day to see a running countdown to the events coming up the soonest, and more.Drug War Chronicle #477 - March 16, 2007
1. Book Offer: Lies, Damn Lies, and Drug War Statistics
An important new book debunks literally years of statistical legerdemain by the nation's central drug policy office -- and is DRCNet's latest premium for our members.2. Feature: Medical Marijuana Bill Passes New Mexico Legislature, Awaits Governor's Signature
Despite an apparent vote to kill it last week, the New Mexico legislature has now passed a medical marijuana bill. It awaits only the signature of Gov. Bill Richardson, a strong supporter, to become law.3. Feature: Trouble Hits in Peru This Week Over Coca Eradication
The Peruvian government's US-backed forced coca eradication campaign is running into serious problems in the Upper Huallaga Valley. Clashes with police, roadblocks, and a general strike have all broken out in the past few days.4. Drug War Chronicle Book Review: "Lies, Damned Lies, and Drug War Statistics: A Critical Analysis of Claims Made by the Office of National Drug Control Policy," by Matthew Robinson and Renee Scherlen (2007, State University of New York Press, 268 pp., $27)
At one time or another, all of us have sputtered into our coffee cops over some outrageous claim made by the drug czar's office. Now, a pair of academics have systematically deconstructed those claims, and the results are highly illuminating.5. Quote of the Week: Sen. Jim Webb on the Incarceration Crisis
Criminal justice reformers appear to have a new advocate on Capitol Hill...6. Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
An Oregon parole officer, a former Wisconsin prosecutor, a Houston crime lab tech, and a pair of New Haven narcs have all crossed over to the dark side this week.7. Medical Marijuana: Federal Appeals Court Rules Angel Raich Can Be Prosecuted, Even If Only Marijuana Keeps Her Alive
Even terminally ill medical marijuana patients in states where it is legal are not protected from federal prosecution, a federal appeals court has ruled in a case brought by Angel Raich.8. Sentencing: Tyrone Brown is a Free Man!
Tyrone Brown is a free man! He walked out of prison in Texas Thursday after receiving a conditional pardon 17 years into a life sentence for violating probation by smoking pot.9. Harm Reduction: Los Angeles County Okays Needle Exchange Program
The County of Los Angeles has approved a $500,000 needle exchange program in a bid to slow the spread of AIDS and Hepatitis B and C.10. Medical Marijuana: Federal Judge Dismisses Charges Against Ed Rosenthal
A federal judge has gutted a federal re-indictment of "Guru of Ganja" Ed Rosenthal on medical marijuana cultivation and related charges, citing "vindictive prosecution."11. Search and Seizure: Utah Supreme Court Holds Mere Odor of Marijuana Not Enough for a Warrantless Home Search
The Utah Supreme Court has ruled that the mere odor of burning marijuana is not sufficient justification for police to enter a residence without a search warrant.12. Medical Marijuana: Minnesota Bill Approved by House Committee
With sister bills moving in both the state House and Senate, Minnesota could be on the way to becoming the 13th state to recognize medical marijuana.13. Marijuana: Grassroots Protest in Small Town Wisconsin After Drug Bust
When home town police in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, busted a bunch of 20-somethings over small-time marijuana and pill sales, some local residents cheered. But in an example of grassroots activism, others took to the streets to protest.14. Australia: NSW Greens' Call to Decriminalize Drug Possession Causes Pre-Election Stir
With state elections just 10 days away in Australia's New South Wales, the Green Party's call to decriminalize drug possession is causing a stir.15. Weekly: This Week in History
Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.16. Announcement: DRCNet Content Syndication Feeds Now Available for YOUR Web Site!
Support the cause by featuring automatically-updating Drug War Chronicle and other DRCNet content links on your web site!17. Announcement: DRCNet RSS Feeds Now Available
A new way for you to receive DRCNet articles -- Drug War Chronicle and more -- is now available.18. Job Listings: MPP, Minneapolis and DC
The Marijuana Policy Project has two new jobs available -- Information Technology in Washington and Campaigns Analyst in Minneapolis.19. Job Listing: Syringe Exchange, Harm Reduction Coalition, California
The Harm Reduction Coalition seeks a person for their Syringe Exchange Program Specialist position in California.20. Announcement: New Format for the Reformer's Calendar
Visit our new web site each day to see a running countdown to the events coming up the soonest, and more.Drug War Chronicle #476 - March 9, 2007
Lots going on this week in the Speakeasy, check it out!
1. Chronicle on the Scene Feature: In Peru, the Coca Growers' Movement Gathers Strength, But Faces Hurdles
Peru is currently the world's second largest producer of coca and cocaine, and the coca growers' movement there is gaining steam, but it still faces many hurdles, some internal, some external.2. Feature: Medical Marijuana Goes Mainstream in the States
With nearly half the states having bills pending this year and some of them likely to pass, medical marijuana has gone mainstream.3. This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
The "This Week's Corrupt Cops" feature may have been on hiatus while your editor was down South America way, but it's been pretty much business as usual. We're back now, and here's this week's edition with the usual cast of crooked cops and greedy guards.4. Maryland: Drug Reform Efforts Picking Up in the Terrapin State
Medical marijuana, mandatory minimums, college aid and campus marijuana policies are all on the agenda in Maryland this year.5. Marijuana: Wisconsin's Dane County (Madison) Will No Longer Prosecute Simple Possession
Prosecutors in Dane County (Madison), Wisconsin, will no longer bother to charge people with less than 25 grams of marijuana under state law. Now, at worst, offenders will face a fine. It's a matter of budgets and priorities, prosecutors say.6. Latin America: Brazilian Governor Says Legalize Drugs to Fight Crime
The governor of the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro has called for a debate over drug legalization both within Brazil and internationally. He argues that it would reduce crime in his violence-plagued city and state.7. Europe: British Panel Calls for Complete Drug Law Overhaul
An expert panel in Britain has concluded a two-year study of drug policy there and is now calling for a radical rethinking and a complete overhaul of the drug laws.8. Europe: Candidate's Remarks Open Window on Scottish Labor Party Drug Policy Split
A Scottish Labor Party politician is taking his party to task for turning away from harm reduction policies in favor of a hard-line approach, and he says marijuana ought to be decriminalized, and maybe heroin and cocaine, too.9. Southwest Asia: 2007 Afghan Opium Crop Could Be Record-Breaker, UN Predicts
The UN is warning that increases are happening in areas characterized by insurgency.10. Canada: Afghan Opium Should Be Bought Up and Marketed Worldwide, Defense Think Tank Says
A stolidly mainstream Canadian defense and foreign affairs think tank has called for the creation of a marketing board to buy and sell Afghan opium. It's part of a report on Canada in Afghanistan that calls for innovative thinking to avoid failure in NATO's mission there.11. Southwest Asia: Opium -- Not Just for Afghanistan Anymore?
Casting a wistful eye on Afghanistan's opium bounty, a Kyrgyz lawmaker made a (presumably tongue in cheek) suggestion that his country also allow poppy production. It would help pay off the foreign debt, and it would lead to an increase in foreign aid, he suggested.12. Europe: Dutch Left Greens Open Pro-Marijuana Web Site
Two Dutch Left Green politicians have opened a pro-marijuana web site. It is in part a guide to Dutch coffee shops, in part a parody of a ruling party anti-marijuana web site.13. Weekly: This Week in History
Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.14. Announcement: DRCNet Content Syndication Feeds Now Available for YOUR Web Site!
Support the cause by featuring automatically-updating Drug War Chronicle and other DRCNet content links on your web site!15. Announcement: DRCNet RSS Feeds Now Available
A new way for you to receive DRCNet articles -- Drug War Chronicle and more -- is now available.16. Announcement: New Format for the Reformer's Calendar
Visit our new web site each day to see a running countdown to the events coming up the soonest, and more.Drug War Chronicle #475 - March 1, 2007
Due to Phil's travel schedule the Chronicle is released a day early this week...
1. Chronicle on the Scene Feature: In the Bolivian Chapare, Evo Morales' "Coca, Si; Cocaine No" Policy Brings Peace, If Not Prosperity
The "coca, si; cocaine, no" policy of Bolivian President Evo Morales has brought peace to a region long riven by conflict and repression. But while coca farmers need no longer worry about violent conflict with the state, they are still having a hard time making enough money to survive. Plans are underway to do something about that.2. Collision Course: Bolivia's "Coca, Si; Cocaine, No" Policy Runs Afoul of the International Drug Control Board and, Probably, the United States
With the release of its annual report this week, the International Narcotics Control Board has set its sights on Bolivia and that country's pro-coca policies. The US is also preparing to make a decision on whether to decertify Bolivia as not cooperating in American drug war goals. The Bolivians don't seem to care.3. Free Speech: "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" Case Heading to Supreme Court Next Month, with Ken Starr Supporting One Side and SSDP Another
The court that not so long ago heard a case brought by Anna Nicole Smith will soon rule on whether students using the phrase "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" are entitled to 1st Amendment protection. The stakes are a lot more serious than the bizarre title may suggest.4. Medical Marijuana: Flint Becomes Fifth Michigan City to Okay It
In a Tuesday election, voters in Flint, Michigan, approved the medical use of marijuana by a very comfortable margin.5. Latin America: Killing of Salvadoran Politicians By Police in Guatemala Opens Window on Drug Corruption in Central America, Killing of Killers Closes It
Three Salvadoran politicians were brutally murdered by Guatemalan anti-drug police outside Guatemala City 10 days ago. Now, the police killers have themselves been killed in a brazen assassination while being held inside a nasty Guatemalan prison. Many questions are being raised, but dead men tell no tales.6. Europe: Legendary Irish Broadcaster Says Country Should Debate Legalizing Drugs
Long-time Irish talk show Gay Byrne is famous for tackling taboo subjects in Ireland. Now he's retired, but that hasn't stopped him from speaking out in favor of one of the remaining taboo subjects: drug legalization.7. Extreme Politics: Vermont Mayor Calls for Death Penalty for Hard Drug Dealers, Legalizing Marijuana
The mayor of Barre, Vermont, is fed up with drugs and drug policy, and his frustration is showing as he calls for both the legalization of marijuana and the death penalty for heroin and crack cocaine dealers.8. Europe: Britain to Provide Heroin to Addicts, "Restricted" Home Office Brief Says
A hush-hush Home Office briefing paper says Britain should begin prescribing heroin to hard-core users, a major London newspaper reports. It could happen as soon as next fall.9. Web Scan
Ken Gorman, Amnesty and Mark Fiore on Colombia paramilitaries, cops against the drug war, California prison cigarette black market, Tony Papa art opening, Transform on James Bond and legalization, reports from JPI and Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network/OSI/IHRD10. Announcement: DRCNet Content Syndication Feeds Now Available for YOUR Web Site!
Support the cause by featuring automatically-updating Drug War Chronicle and other DRCNet content links on your web site!11. Announcement: DRCNet RSS Feeds Now Available
A new way for you to receive DRCNet articles -- Drug War Chronicle and more -- is now available.12. Announcement: New Format for the Reformer's Calendar
Visit our new web site each day to see a running countdown to the events coming up the soonest, and more.Drug War Chronicle #474 - February 23, 2007
1. Chronicle on the Scene Feature: Bolivia's "Coca, Yes, Cocaine No" Policy is Beginning to Work
Just a little over a year into his term, Bolivian President Evo Morales is engineering a "coca, yes; cocaine, no" policy that is reducing tension there and leading to cooperative eradication efforts with farmers. Will the US government go along with it?2. Drug War Chronicle Book Review: "Lies, Damned Lies, and Drug War Statistics: A Critical Analysis of Claims Made by the Office of National Drug Control Policy," by Matthew Robinson and Renee Scherlen (2007, State University of New York Press, 268 pp., $27)
At one time or another, all of us have sputtered into our coffee cops over some outrageous claim made by the drug czar's office. Now, a pair of academics have systematically deconstructed those claims, and the results are highly illuminating.3. Marijuana: Colorado Pot Advocate Ken Gorman Killed Saturday, Days After Local News Station Did "Exposé" On Him
Prominent Colorado marijuana advocate Ken Gorman was gunned down in his home Saturday night. It appears he was targeted by robbers who may have watched a local news exposé on his medical marijuana garden.4. Newsbrief: Colorado Town Backs Away from Tougher Marijuana Penalties
City councilmen in Lafayette, Colorado, have backed away from an ordinance that would have increased penalties for marijuana possession after a judge resigned in protest and a strong grassroots efforts by Colorado activists scorched them.5. Bad Bills: Nevada Legislation Could Send Parents to Prison for 15 Years for a Single Plant
A Nevada state senator wants to make people who grow even a single marijuana plant in a home where children are present subject to a prison sentence of up to 15 years.6. Medical Marijuana: Supporters File Federal Lawsuit Against HHS, FDA
After enduring two years of stonewalling by the FDA and its mother agency, the Department of Health and Human Services, medical marijuana supporters are taking the agencies to federal court over their continuing claims that marijuana has no medicinal benefits.7. Southwest Asia: Afghan Opium Eradication Effort Sparks New Violence
Afghan President Hamid Karzai is attempting to appease his Western backers by eradicating the country's opium crop, but violence is flaring as a result.8. Europe: British Top Cop Calls for Prescription Heroin for Addicts
The head of Britain's association of police chiefs is calling for prescription heroin to be made available to hard-core addicts in a bid to reduce street crime.9. Web Scan
Canada action, Kunstler Rocky ads, Drug Truth Network, economist Levitt on the drug selling profession, Pew Trust on prison spending, CA prison guards.10. Weekly: This Week in History
Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.11. Job Opportunities: Marijuana Policy Project, Nevada and DC
MPP is hiring for two positions.12. Job Opportunity: Syringe Exchange Program Specialist, CA
The Harm Reduction Coalition is hiring a Syringe Exchange Program Specialist for work in California.13. Announcement: DRCNet Content Syndication Feeds Now Available for YOUR Web Site!
Support the cause by featuring automatically-updating Drug War Chronicle and other DRCNet content links on your web site!14. Announcement: DRCNet RSS Feeds Now Available
A new way for you to receive DRCNet articles -- Drug War Chronicle and more -- is now available.15. Errata
Hemp Bill Number Correction16. Announcement: New Format for the Reformer's Calendar
Visit our new web site each day to see a running countdown to the events coming up the soonest, and more.Drug War Chronicle #473 - February 16, 2007
Please make a generous donation for DRCNet's work in 2007!
Send us feedback on our proposed two-year-plan!
Send us feedback on our proposed two-year-plan!
1. The Anti-Dobbs: Winning the War Within Through Drug Legalization
CNN populist anchor Lou Dobbs wants the United States to commit to victory in the drug war. In an editorial modeled paragraph for paragraph after Dobbs' editorial, DRCNet executive director David Borden explains the real deal.2. Chronicle on the Scene Feature: In Peru, Coca Growers Struggle to Survive
On the eastern slopes of the Andes, as the mountains edge down into the jungles of the Amazon, hundreds of thousands of Peruvian peasants are growing coca as a cash crop to survive. But they face considerable obstacles. Here is a first report from the region.3. Medical Marijuana: DEA Judge Says Let Professor Grow Marijuana for Research Purposes
A DEA administrative law judge has ruled that a University of Massachusetts professor should be able to grow marijuana for research purposes, but the battle is not yet over.4. Medical Marijuana: Study Finds It Can Help With Pain
The first study of the efficacy of treating pain with marijuana in at least 20 years has found significant benefits for HIV/AIDS patients.5. Marijuana: Colorado Judge Resigns to Protest City's Tough New Ordinance
A Colorado town wants to increase the penalties for simple marijuana possession, but a local judge's public stand has thrown the move into doubt.6. Hemp: Ron Paul Introduces Industrial Hemp Bill in US Congress
A Texas Republican has reintroduced his bill that would legalize hemp farming in the United States. This time, a Democratic Congress will consider the measure.7. Latin America: Mexico Moves to Decriminalize Drug Possession -- So It Can Concentrate on Drug Traffickers
Mexico's ruling party is pushing through a bill that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of drugs for first time offenders and "addicts" -- but may really be designed to facilitate that country's drug war by allowing state authorities to get more involved in it and lengthen sentences for traffickers.8. Canada: Vancouver Mayor Pushes Stimulant Maintenance Plan
Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan wants to start a pilot stimulant maintenance program for up to 700 hard-core cocaine and meth users in the city's Downtown Eastside. Now he has released a poll showing strong support for the idea among Vancouver residents.9. Weekly: This Week in History
Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.10. Web Scan
Arch-drug warrior Mark Souder roasted by Tucker Carlson over TV ads, NORML's Paul Armentano on the cost of marijuana imprisonments, LEAP's Peter Christ in Florida, Tribute to LEAP's the late Eddie Ellison.11. Errata
Arkansas Pregnancy Law, Kathryn Johnston12. Announcement: DRCNet Content Syndication Feeds Now Available for YOUR Web Site!
Support the cause by featuring automatically-updating Drug War Chronicle and other DRCNet content links on your web site!13. Announcement: DRCNet RSS Feeds Now Available
A new way for you to receive DRCNet articles -- Drug War Chronicle and more -- is now available.14. Announcement: New Format for the Reformer's Calendar
Visit our new web site each day to see a running countdown to the events coming up the soonest, and more.Drug War Chronicle #472 - February 9, 2007
Please make a generous donation for DRCNet's work in 2007!
Send us feedback on our proposed two-year-plan!
Send us feedback on our proposed two-year-plan!
