Drug War Chronicle

Comprehensive coverage of the War on Drugs since 1997

Colombian President Gustavo Petro reacts angrily to US drug decertification. (Creative Commons)

Bolivia Rejects US Drug Decertification, New Zealand OKs Therapeutic Psilocybin for Depression, More... (9/22/25)

Colombia has responded to US drug decertification by vowing an end to forced coca eradication and pausing the purchase of US military equipment, and more.
The Pentagon blows an alleged Venezuelan drug boat out of the water. (DOD)

Congressional Democrats Take Aim at Trump's Murderous Drug Boat Attacks [FEATURE]

Congressional Democrats are not the only ones raising serious concerns about a policy that allows the US military to kill criminal suspects on the high seas.
Phil receiving the Brecher Award for Journalism, 2013 International Drug Policy Reform conference

Restarting Drug War Chronicle, Continued (donations urgently needed!)

We are pleased to continue with the restarted Drug War Chronicle newsletter. Our fundraising drive, to help our longtime writer Phillip Smith continue his work and get back to full time, continues.
Editorial: A Hard Week in America

It's been a week since leading conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated. It's been a hard week, especially for those who were closest to him. But it's also been a hard week for our country.
The US has decertified Colombia over cocaine production. (Pixabay)

US Launches 2nd Murderous Attack on Alleged Venezuelan Drug Boat, MN Legal Adult-Use Pot Sales Begin, More... (9/17/25)

In its annual review of compliance with US drug war objectives, the US decertifies Colombia; Trump's drug war turns even uglier, and more.
Chronicle Book Review -- Rehab: An American Scandal

Too often, rehab is a racket.
President Trump tells a whopper about the number of drug OD deaths. (Gage Skidmore/Creative Commons)

Trump Wildly Exaggerates OD Deaths, CA Bill to Kill New Pot Taxes Goes to Governor, More... (9/15/25)

Rhode Island regulators open the licensing period for legal weed sellers, a Massachusetts therapeutic psychedelic bill advances, and more.
Missouri activists Eapen Thampy and Deb Nash hand in initiative petitions in Jefferson City. (Missourians for a Single Market)

MO Inits Would Regulate Marijuana and Hemp Like Alchohol, NYT Says Venezuelan Drug Boat Had Turned Back Before US Sunk It, More... (9/12/25)

Nebraska's governor signs emergency medical marijuana regulations after forcing cultivation cap, the US attack on the Venezuelan drug boat is now raising even more questions, and more.
Vice-President JD Vance. Sen. Rand Paul has called him out for callous remarks about killing suspected drug smugglers. (senate.gov)

Rand Pauls Rips JP Vance Over Drug Boat Attack Comments, Swiss Take Another Step Toward Legal Weed Market, More... (9/10/25)

Santa Cruz County is moving to join California's ever-growing ranks of localities that allow for marijuana consumption lounges, Nebraska medical marijuana regulators tighten up commercial grow rules in a bid to appease the Republican governor, and more.
Phil receiving the Brecher Award for Journalism, 2013 International Drug Policy Reform conference

Restarting Drug War Chronicle, Continued (donations urgently needed!)

We are pleased to continue with the restarted Drug War Chronicle newsletter. Our fundraising drive, to help our longtime writer Phillip Smith continue his work and get back to full time, continues.

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