Drug War Chronicle

A leading scholar of the history of American drug policy has died. David Musto's "The American Disease" broke new ground when published in 1973.

The fate of Prop 19, California's initiative to legalize cannabis on the November 2nd ballot, will determine a lot of what happens in drug reform over the next two years. Volunteers are needed to help Prop 19 now, and you don't have to live in California.

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

Steve Bloom and Shirley Halperin discuss 700 marijuana-themed films, going back to even before the famous "Reefer Madness" movie through the present.

The apparent killing of an American jet-skier on the border-straddling Lake Falcon continues to draw US media attention, but meanwhile, prohibition-related violence continues to flare across Mexico.

Forget "Hemp for Victory." How about "Hemp in my gas tank?" Researchers in Connecticut say it is well-suited for biodiesel.

The opioid antagonist naloxone has long been used to prevent overdose deaths, but now it is available as a monthly injection to block cravings for heroin and prescription opiates like Oxycontin and Vicodin.

A massive round-up of dirty cops in Puerto Rico, a massive drug conspiracy led by a South Carolina sheriff, and another greedy jail guard make the news this week.

Bolivian President Evo Morales is a former coca growers' union leader, but that doesn't mean everything is swell between Evo and the cocaleros. This week is a case in point.

A new poll of three Northwest states finds a majority support pot legalization in Washington, but not yet in Oregon or Idaho. Other poll findings suggest possible problems for Measure 74 in Oregon.