Drug War Chronicle

Comprehensive coverage of the War on Drugs since 1997

Alaska could become the third state to decriminalize and allow therapeutic use of natural psychedelics, after Colorado and Oregon. (Greenoid/Flickr)

Alaska Natural Psychedelics Init Seeks Signatures, Call for WHO to Stand Up for Harm Reduction, More... (9/29/25)

The US Virgin Islands ends vehicle searches based on the smell of weed, the drug czar's office is reviewing Drug Free Community grants to ensure they don't promote "the radical left's agenda," and more.
This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

A San Francisco narc gets fired for having a sexual relationship with a snitch, a DHS officer heads for federal prison after getting stung, and more. Let's get to it:
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte faces justice at The Hague. (Creative Commons)

CA Governor Signs Pot Tax Rollback, ICC Prosecutors Formally File for Duterte Charges, More... (9/24/25)

The State Department adds Barrio 18 to its list of foreign "narco-terrorist" organizations, Singapore prepares to hang a Malaysian over less than two ounces of heroin, and more.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro reacts angrily to US drug decertification. (Creative Commons)

Bolivia Rejects US Drug Decertification, New Zealand OKs Therapeutic Psilocybin for Depression, More... (9/22/25)

Colombia has responded to US drug decertification by vowing an end to forced coca eradication and pausing the purchase of US military equipment, and more.
The Pentagon blows an alleged Venezuelan drug boat out of the water. (DOD)

Congressional Democrats Take Aim at Trump's Murderous Drug Boat Attacks [FEATURE]

Congressional Democrats are not the only ones raising serious concerns about a policy that allows the US military to kill criminal suspects on the high seas.
Phil receiving the Brecher Award for Journalism, 2013 International Drug Policy Reform conference

Restarting Drug War Chronicle, Continued (donations urgently needed!)

We are pleased to continue with the restarted Drug War Chronicle newsletter. Our fundraising drive, to help our longtime writer Phillip Smith continue his work and get back to full time, continues.
Editorial: A Hard Week in America

It's been a week since leading conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated. It's been a hard week, especially for those who were closest to him. But it's also been a hard week for our country.
The US has decertified Colombia over cocaine production. (Pixabay)

US Launches 2nd Murderous Attack on Alleged Venezuelan Drug Boat, MN Legal Adult-Use Pot Sales Begin, More... (9/17/25)

In its annual review of compliance with US drug war objectives, the US decertifies Colombia; Trump's drug war turns even uglier, and more.
Chronicle Book Review -- Rehab: An American Scandal

Too often, rehab is a racket.
President Trump tells a whopper about the number of drug OD deaths. (Gage Skidmore/Creative Commons)

Trump Wildly Exaggerates OD Deaths, CA Bill to Kill New Pot Taxes Goes to Governor, More... (9/15/25)

Rhode Island regulators open the licensing period for legal weed sellers, a Massachusetts therapeutic psychedelic bill advances, and more.

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