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Drug War Chronicle

Comprehensive coverage of the War on Drugs since 1997

  • MMJ leaf and stethoscope KY ODCP_83.jpg
    MMJ leaf and stethoscope KY ODCP_83.jpg

    Medical Marijuana Update

    From the US Supreme Court to the local city council chambers, medical marijuana continues to be a contentious issue. Here's the latest.
  • Joint Interagency Task Force South headquarters, Key West, Florida (jiatfs.southcom.mil)
    Joint Interagency Task Force South headquarters, Key West, Florida (jiatfs.southcom.mil)

    Spending Cuts Hurting Cocaine Interdiction, Admiral Says

    Sequestration is hobbling the military's ability to catch cocaine-smugglers headed for the US, the commander of the Joint Interagency Task Force complained Wednesday.
  • Orrin Hatch, old-time drug warrior
    Orrin Hatch, old-time drug warrior

    Hatch Adds Marijuana Grow Amendment to Immigration Bill

    Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) has added an amendment to the immigration reform bill that would create enhanced penalties for marijuana grows on federal public lands -- no matter what your citizenship status.
  • hemp field at sunrise (votehemp.com)
    hemp field at sunrise (votehemp.com)

    Hemp Legalization Amendment Introduced for Farm Bill

    An amendment to allow industrial hemp planting has been added to the omnibus farm bill. Both Oregon senators and both Kentucky senators support it, and so does Vermont Sen. Pat Leahy.
  • pile-of-cash_115.jpg
    pile-of-cash_115.jpg

    This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

    New York City seems indifferent to the costs imposed on it by rogue narcs, a Florida deputy gets popped for growing weed, a US Virgin Islands environmental cop gets popped for cocaine trafficking, and a rogue California narc heads for prison.
  • prison-overcrowding_12.jpg
    prison-overcrowding_12.jpg

    Federal Appeals Court Panel Extends Crack Sentencing Retroactivity

    A panel of the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati has held that the Fair Sentencing Act's reduction in sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine offenses should be extended to all federal crack prisoners, regardless of when their offense took place.
  • Colombian President Santos (l) receives the report from OAS head Insulza in Bogota Friday (oas.org)
    Colombian President Santos (l) receives the report from OAS head Insulza in Bogota Friday (oas.org)

    OAS Releases Historic Report on Drug Policy Alternatives [FEATURE]

    The Organization of American States has issued a historic report on drug policy that includes discussion of possible legalization and regulation regimes. It will be the basis for ministerial-level discussions in the region, and could pave the way for discussions at the 2016 UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs.