Drug War Chronicle

A Maryland police chief embarrasses himself with bogus marijuana death claims, welfare drug testing bills face challenges in the Deep South, a hemp bill advances in Indiana, Russia's drug czar says "nyet" to legalization, and more.

A Europe-wide marijuana legalization initiative campaign is underway, a Republican legalization groups will hold its first meeting in Texas, there's still a California legalization initiative trying to make the ballot this year, state legislatures deal reflexively with familiar drug issues, and more.

Marijuana politics continues to dominate the drug news, but meanwhile, the FDA has banned its first tobacco product, the DEA wants you to snitch out pain pill abusers, Delaware makes diverting a pain pill a felony -- and speaking of Delaware and diversion, someone has been diverting Oxycontin from the medical examiner's office, and more.

The arrest of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, legendary head of the Sinaloa Cartel is big news, but will it have any impact?

Marijuana legalization in the District of Columbia hits a bump, the Epilepsy Foundation comes out for medical marijuana, India passes landmark access to pain medication legislation, and more.

The District of Columbia's top lawyer has thrown a wrench in the works for DC marijuana legalization initiative proponents. He says it should not be appproved by the Board of Elections because a provision in it violates federal law. His opinion is not binding, but it carries weight.

Colorado is rolling in the marijuana tax dollars, Washington state gets closer to licensing legal grows, a New Hampshire patient grow bill is moving, the Europeans are worried about some new drugs, and more.

We review Nicholas Parsons' Meth Mania: A History of Methamphetamine and find it most useful.

California counties continue to struggle with dispensary and growing rules, Reno's mayor has a change of heart, some Oregon cities may have to change their ways, and more.

Concern over methamphetamine use and users has generated large amounts of misinformation that lead to bad policies, Dr. Carl Hart and coauthors find in a new report this week. He has some policy prescriptions, too.