Drug War Chronicle

A Minnesota women is dead after a routine traffic stop escalated into a potential drug bust and attempted escape that endangered a trooper.

A Kentucky man is this year's 33rd US drug war fatality. He was shot and killed by police after allegedly pointing a gun at them as they raided his home.

Along with the usual carnage and corruption, suspected Zetas killed 52 casino goers in a gasoline/fire attack, teachers skipped school following extortion threats, authorities bust a Sinaloa Cartel "cell" in Utah, and one cartel has put up "wanted" posters targeting leaders of another cartel and offered rewards for them.

Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.

John Ray Wilson was sent to prison Wednesday in New Jersey for the crime of growing his own medicine. Meanwhile, medical marijuana is now legal there and state-registered dispensaries are about to open. Go figure.

Oregon marijuana legalization activists are working on three different initiatives aimed at the November 2012 ballot -- but are also offering assurances about unity and working together.

Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.

A Michigan appeals court has shut the door on medical marijuana dispensaries, ruling that sales are not legal, even among patients.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott claimed he could save the state money by making welfare applicants and recipients pass drug tests. He assumed they were a bunch of addicts, but early results are proving him wrong.

The religious right is rising up to contest an Arkansas medical marijuana initiative, but the pot people have some ecumenical resources on their side, too.