Chronicle Book Review: Smoke and Ashes
Amitav Ghosh creates a rich, provocative, and eye-opening portrait of the rise of the opium trade.
Drug War Chronicle
Comprehensive coverage of the War on Drugs since 1997
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Methamphetamine. The UN reports that production and trafficking is rampant in East and Southeast Asia. (Creative Commons)South Africa Legalizes Marijuana, DE Governor Signs MedMJ Expansion Bill, More... (5/29/24)
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime issues a new report on East and Southeast Asian drug trafficking, California psychedelic reform proponents ponder a 2026 initiative, and more. -
The abortion drug mifeprestone. It is now a controlled substance in Louisiana. (Genbiopro)LA First State to Make Abortion Drugs Controlled Substances, NH Senate Approves Marijuana Legalization Bill, More... (5/28/24)
South Korea threatens to arrest its citizens if they smoke pot in countries where it is legal, Ireland wields harm reduction services as summer festival season arrives, and more. -
Harvesting opium poppies. There is not a lot of that going on in Afghanistan anymore. (UNODC)MN Lawmakers Set Stage for Legal Weed Industry, Afghans Eradicate Miles of Opium Poppies, More... (5/24/24)
The DEA releases its annual drug threat assessment, a new poll finds Texans are ready to legalize weed even if their political leaders are not, and more. -
More than 17 million Americans are toking up on a daily or near-daily basis--more than are drinking alcohol regularly. (IRIN)Study Finds More Americans Using Pot Daily Than Booze, LA House Approves Making Abortion Drugs Controlled Substances, More... (5/23/24)
A Massachusetts bill to create a study group on therapeutic psychedelics for veterans advances, a Colorado city kills its needle exchange program, and more. -
A .50 caliber rifle seized at the Port of Nogales. (CBP)Federal Bill Would Restrict .50 Caliber Rifles in Bid to Block Cartel Access [FEATURE]
.50 caliber sniper rifles can take down a chopper, penetrate armor, and hit a target from a mile away. For $9,000 one can be yours. The Mexican cartels say "yes, please." -
This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
An Arkansas cop gets caught slinging dope in uniform and a West Virginia federal prison guard breaks bad. -
South Dakota's Badlands. The state may not be such a bad land for pot smokers after November. (Creative Commons)NY Medicinal Psilocybin Bill Filed, NH Marijuana Legalization Bill Amended Again, More... (5/22/24)
Alaska lawmakers have approved a bill that would increase workplace saliva drug testing, a South Dakota marijuana legalization initiative appears poised to appear on the November ballot, and more. -
Magic mushrooms and other natural psychedelics will be the subject of a Maryland task force studying how to make them available. (Creative Commons)CA Assembly Approves Marijuana Cafes, MD Governor Signs Psychedelic Task Force Bills, More... (5/21/24)
A Louisiana bill to prepare for marijuana legalization is killed, a New Hampshire bill to legalize marijuana is facing objections in the House, and more. -
A .50 caliber Remington rifle. An emerging favorite of Mexican cartels, it can take down a helicopter. (Remington)Trump Demands Biden Take Drug Test, Chicago DA Goes After Pretextual Traffic Stops, More... (5/20/24)
A trio of harm reduction bills are still alive in Illinois as the legislative session ticks toward a close on Friday, a trio of congressional Democrats files a bill restricting .50 caliber weapons, and more.