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Drug War Chronicle

Comprehensive coverage of the War on Drugs since 1997

  • Californians appear ready to reduce drug possession to misdemeanor. (Image courtesy Aaron Logan via Wikimedia.org)
    Californians appear ready to reduce drug possession to misdemeanor. (Image courtesy Aaron Logan via Wikimedia.org)

    Californians Favor Lessening Drug Possession Penalties [FEATURE]

    A new poll in California shows strong support for reducing drug possession from a felony to a misdemeanor and lesser, but still substantial, support for decriminalization.
  • Patients could still be arrested, but not convicted under the proposed law. (Image via Wikimedia.org)
    Patients could still be arrested, but not convicted under the proposed law. (Image via Wikimedia.org)

    Maryland Legislature Approves Medical Marijuana Defense Bill

    Maryland looks set to approve a medical marijuana affirmative defense bill, with only one more pro forma Senate vote left before it goes to the governor for his signature.
  • Warsaw skyline (image via wikimedia.org)
    Warsaw skyline (image via wikimedia.org)

    Poland Edges Toward Drug Decriminalization

    Poland is taking steps to reform its harsh drug laws with something that looks a little bit like the decriminalization of drug possession. It's a start.
  • packaged synthetics (image via wikimedia.org)
    packaged synthetics (image via wikimedia.org)

    Czechs Ban New Synthetic Drugs, Salvia, Ketamine

    Acting with great rapidity for a legislative body, the Czech Parliament has moved to ban dozens of synthetic drugs, and the stuff that gets you high in salvia divinorum, too.
  • hostagenation.jpg
    hostagenation.jpg

    Chronicle Book Review: Hostage Nation

    We review a book on Colombia and US drug policy seen through a lens focused on American contractors and Colombian politicians kidnapped by the FARC.
  • California Gov. Jerry Brown takes a tiny step toward corrections reform.
    California Gov. Jerry Brown takes a tiny step toward corrections reform.

    California Corrections "Realignment" Not Nearly Enough [FEATURE]

    California Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill "realigning" corrections in the state, but that's just the tiniest of baby steps toward fixing an out of control prison system. How about some real sentencing reform?
  • parthenon_25.gif
    parthenon_25.gif

    This Week in History

    Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.
  • prohibition fuels violence (image via Wikimedia)
    prohibition fuels violence (image via Wikimedia)

    Mexico Drug War Update

    More bloody days in Ciudad Juarez, and violence flares in Veracruz as well.