Drug War Chronicle

While getting busted for pot possession in California is only a $100 fine, it is still a misdemeanor. Or at least it was. Now it's going to be true decriminalization.

As election day draws near, California's marijuana legalization initiative appears to be picking up voter support. It's now at 52% in one poll.

Anti-medical marijuana crusader San Diego DA Bonnie Dumanis finally got a conviction in a dispensary case, but only after a sympathetic judge refused to let the defendant mention medical marijuana.

Massachusettts decriminalized in 2008. Now, Democratic gubernatorial nominees in two neighboring states are saying they want it, too.

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

Massachusetts activists used non-binding public policy questions to successfully build support for decriminalization. Now, they're doing the same thing with medical marijuana and legalization.

Drug prohibition costs Washington and the states $88 billion a year in law enforcement costs and lost tax revenues, Harvard economist Jeffrey Miron reports.

Two mayors were among the dead in Mexico's prohibition-related violence this past week. That makes five this year.

A massively crooked sheriff, a massively enraged DEA agent, a couple of greedy cops, and a woman police officer married to the wrong guy all made the news this week.

Yet another unarmed person shot in a drug raid, this one very, very pregnant. Reports say the injuries were not life-threatening. Let's hope they stay that way.