Drug War Chronicle

An Birmingham, Alabama, man becomes the 15th person to die in US domestic drug law enforcement operations so far this year after a deputy shot him as he drove off from an interrupted drug deal. Police said he tried to run them over.

A Louisiana congressman is threatening to try to undo DC decriminalization law after a House hearing today.

A new designed law proponents say is designed to help babies will actually hurt drug-using pregnant women, advocates say. It's bad science and bad policy, they say, and they will keep fighting it.

House Republicans were "concerned" about DC's decrim at a hearing this morning, an Oregon poll shows a majority for legalization, harm reduction measures move in three states, an Oklahoma medical marijuana initiative is about to start signature-gathering, and more.

Another poll has marijuana legalization at the tipping point, a Colorado bill to form credit co-ops for pot businesses passes, an Illinois bill to let kids with epilepsy use medical marijuana is moving, a New York naloxone bill passes, Pittsburgh needle exchanges get some breathing room, and more.

Journalist (and New Mexico goat farmer) Doug Fine has written the handbook to America's next hemp revolution. It's pretty inspiring, and a fun read, too. Check out our review of Hemp Bound.

Signature-gathering for an initiative to legalize marijuana in Washington, DC on this November ballot is ongoing through July 6. If you are in the area and have ten hours a week or more, you are eligible to apply for a paid position. The campaign is also seeking volunteers.

A bid to ease access to medical marijuana for vets failed in Congress, but not by much; California continues to grapple with local regulation issues, limited CBD medical marijuana bills continue to prove popular, a Washington state family can't use a medical marijuana defense for growing medical marijuana, and more.

A reform rollback in New Zealand, a hearing on DC decrim in Congress tomorrow, a medical marijuana trial becomes a travesty, the DEA makes another change-nothing drug bust, and more.

More jail guards gone bad, a Florida cop slinging steroids heads for prison, a California cop stealing pain pills from the elderly does, too, and so does a TSA agent who took bribes to look the other way.