Drug War Chronicle

Lots of action -- good, bad, and ugly -- in California this week, plus a Washington appeals court ruling that appears to clear the way for dispensaries.

Another Border Patrol agent goes bad, an Orlando cop power trips his way to trouble, a former Texas cop has problems with sticky fingers, and the Philadelphia dope squad has made a real mess for prosecutors.

HSBC Bank has admitted laundering at least $881 million in drug cartel proceeds in a plea agreement with federal prosecutors that has resulted in the forfeiture of more than a billion dollars.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans oppose the federal government intervening to block marijuana legalization in the states, a new Gallup poll has found. Is the Obama administration listening?

And then there were two. It is now legal to possess up to an ounce of marijuana or grow six plants in Colorado. The Rocky Mountain State now joins Washington state, where it went legal last week.

Medical marijuana is now one vote away from being legal in the Czech Republic after legislation passed the lower house of Parliament.

A second poll in as many weeks shows limited support for federal intervention in Colorado and Washington, and a majority saying the feds should butt out.

An armed apparent marijuana dealer was shot and killed by Georgia police after he refused to put down his gun. That's drug war death #62 so far this year.

It's a historic day. Marijuana possession is now legal in Washington state, and will be in Colorado, too, within a few weeks.

Nonprofits including those in drug policy reform face continuing challenges in the tough economic environment. That means StoptheDrugWar.org and Drug War Chronicle need your support to do our job in 2013.