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Drug War Chronicle

Comprehensive coverage of the War on Drugs since 1997

  • DEA administrator Michele Leonhart may be approaching her "sell by" date, and so may the agency she heads. (doj.gov)
    DEA administrator Michele Leonhart may be approaching her "sell by" date, and so may the agency she heads. (doj.gov)

    Chronicle AM -- May 16, 2014

    The DEA is in the hot seat, it looks like Minnesota will be the next medical marijuana state (but they won't be able to smoke it), California could actually get around to regulating its dispensary system, California voters will vote on whether to drug test doctors (!), the Russians are snarking about Afghanistan, and more.
  • When Mitch McConnell is criticizing the DEA, you know you're living in a different century. (senate.gov)
    When Mitch McConnell is criticizing the DEA, you know you're living in a different century. (senate.gov)

    Chronicle AM -- May 15, 2014

    An evangelical pollster has support for marijuana legalization at 58% (but not among Christians), the Senate Minority Leader takes on the DEA over hemp, a California defelonization sentencing initiative hands in signatures, we have a fascinating look at meth culture in Tehran, and more.
  • MMJ leaf and stethoscope KY ODCP_131.jpg
    MMJ leaf and stethoscope KY ODCP_131.jpg

    Medical Marijuana Update

    Initiative signature-gathering campaigns are underway in Arkansas and Ohio and about to get underway in Oklahoma, the future of San Jose dispensaries remains unsettled, Minnesota lawmakers meet to search for a conference committee compromise, and more.
  • People are dying of prescription drug overdoses at a rate three times that of a decade ago, says the CDC. (wikimedia.org
    People are dying of prescription drug overdoses at a rate three times that of a decade ago, says the CDC. (wikimedia.org

    Chronicle AM -- May 14, 2014

    The NFL is about to adopt a more sensible marijuana policy, the DEA will unblock imported hemp seeds so Kentucky can do some research, Minnesota legislators try to reach a compromise on medical marijuana, the rate of prescription overdose deaths is up, and more.
  • pile-of-cash_162.jpg
    pile-of-cash_162.jpg

    This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

    Strange goings on in Phoenix, some Philly narcs get their hands slapped, another prison guard gets in trouble, and a couple of crooked cops head for prison.
  • DC legalization campaign Yes on 71.gif
    DC legalization campaign Yes on 71.gif

    Chronicle AM -- May 13, 2014

    The DC marijuana legalization initiative picks up some welcomed support, there's a legal challenge to Washington state's ability to collect marijuana taxes, a Republican US senator talks drug reform and takes some jabs at Obama, fentanyl-laced heroin in killing people in Philadelphia.
  • Do_Not_Cross,_Crime_Scene_77.jpg
    Do_Not_Cross,_Crime_Scene_77.jpg

    Texas Officer Shot Leading SWAT Drug Raid Dies

    A Texas police officer has died after being shot Friday in a pre-dawn SWAT drug raid. The last time that happened, a grand jury refused to indict the shooter.
  • Oklahoma state Sen. Constance Johnson (D) is running for the US Senate and talking marijuana reform. (oksenate.gov)
    Oklahoma state Sen. Constance Johnson (D) is running for the US Senate and talking marijuana reform. (oksenate.gov)

    Chronicle AM -- May 12, 2014

    Elderly senators grumble about new-fangled rules allowing legal marijuana businesses to use the financial system, there are more legalization polls, an Oklahoma US Senate candidate is talking marijuana reform, there is medical marijuana initiative news, Minnesota passes asset forfeiture reform and the governor signs it, and more.