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Biden Admin Still Working on Fogel Release

Like very many today, we are thrilled by the news of today's prisoner exchange, but disappointed that medical marijuana patient Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher imprisoned by the Russian government three years, was not included.

Sharing some good news, though, that according to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan a few minutes ago, they are still working on his case.

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Joe Biden is still president, and today, he issued a national security memorandum on fentanyl. (whitehouse.gov)

NYC Illicit Pot Shop Crackdown Having Effect, MA Senate Approves Safe Injection Sites, More... (7/31/24)

President Biden issues a national security memorandum on fentanyl, the Philippine House of Representatives approves a medical marijuana bill, and more.

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StoptheDrugWar.org's Marijuana Rescheduling Comment

Our rescheduling comment submitted on Regulations.gov last week argues that marijuana's Schedule I status harms small businesses and their workers, and that despite legalization and descheduling being our desired policy, rescheduling is the advisable step in this specific administrative process.

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New Zealand drivers could be seeing signs like these soon after the government filed a roadside drug testing bill. (sonosheriff.org)

Key GOP Lawmakers Question Marijuana Rescheduling Process, Another FL Poll Has MJ Init Winning, More... (7/30/24)

A Senate committee advances a spending bill with medical marijuana protections included, New Zealand's new conservative government files a roadside drug testing bill, and more.

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Market Street in San Francisco's Tenderloin district, home to many of the city's welfare recipients. (Creative Commons)

San Francisco Could Pay Welfare Recipients to Stay Drug-Free, MA Safe Injection Site Hearing, More... (7/29/24)

The ACLU of Missouri is suing over state officials punishing a probationer for using medical marijuana; Glasgow, Scotland, is seeking to open a drug checking site, and more.

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Students Take On DEA's Psychedelic Research Chemicals Ban [FEATURE]

The DEA is moving to ban two invaluable psychedelic research chemicals, DOI and DOC. Students and researchers with Students for Sensible Drug Policy are fighting back.

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Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, head of the Sinaloa Cartel. He is now in US custody, but his arrest is unlikely to dent the flow of dope north. (State Department)

US Nabs Sinaloa Cartel Head, MN Opens Applications for First Adult-Use Pot Licenses, More... (7/26/24)

Drug cartel clashes in southern Mexico are creating a refugee flow into Guatemala, an Oregon initiative that would require marijuana businesses to have "labor peace" agreements is poised to make the ballot, and more.

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All eyes are on the DEA as it now heads toward issuing a "final rule" on marijuana rescheduling.

Public Comment Period on Marijuana Rescheduling Proposal Ends, Thai Government Backtracks on Marijuana Recrimin, More... (7/24/24)

The House Rules Committee has again blocked marijuana reform amendments to a must-pass spending bill, public comments on marijuana rescheduling suggest strong support for scheduling it, and more.

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Kratom. It is banned in six states, regulated in others. A Kentucky law to regulate is on hold for lack of funding. (Project CBD)

OH Issues First Adult-Use Marijuana Business Licenses, US Citizen Sentenced to 13 Years on Russian Drug Charges, More... (7/22/24)

A new Kentucky law regulating kratom is in limbo for lack of funding, a new Pennsylvania bill would impose restrictions on medical marijuana users working in safety-sensitive positions, and more.

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OK Appeals Court Rules MedMJ-Using Pregnant Women Can't Be Charged with Child Neglect, Drug Czar Honors Interdiction Efforts, More... (7/19/24)

Delaware's governor signs a bill letting medical marijuana dispensaries jump-start the adult-use market, New Hampshire's governor signs a bill adding anxiety disorder to the state's list of qualifying medical marijuana conditions, and more.

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Florida Gov. Ron De Santis (R) used his Republican National Convention speech to attack the Florida marijuana legalization initiative. (Florida.gov)

Democratic Party Platform Touts Marijuana Reforms But Falls Short of 2020, More (7/18/24)

Florida Gov. Ron De Santis (R) used his Republican National Convention speech to go after the marijuana legalization initiative in his state, but the legalization campaign is far outstripping the opposition in fundraising.

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An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center. (ACLU)

The US Has Deported Half a Million People for Drug Offenses in 20 Years [FEATURE]

A new report from Human Rights Watch and the Drug Policy Alliance lifts the lid on some sordid practices in America's intertwined wars on drugs and immigrants.

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San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood. Fatal drug overdoses are declining in the city. (Creative Commons)

DEA Gets 30,000 Public Comments on Marijuana Rescheduling, San Francisco Drug Overdoses Decline, More... (7/17/24)

Nitazenes are showing up in the Massachusetts drug supply, the Biden administration extends a declaration of national emergency aimed at Mexican drug cartels, and more.

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Nitazenes. The powerful synthetic opioids are showing up in Australia's cocaine supply. (Creative Commons)

JD Vance on Marijuana Policy, Australia's Cocaine is Being Cut with Nitazenes, More... (7/16/24)

A new Senate bill would offer protections for past marijuana users seeking federal employment, the Bahamas is moving to legalize medical and spiritual marijuana, and more.

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"Pink cocaine." It is pink but it ain't cocaine.

"Pink Cocaine" Arrives in US, Congress Passes Federal Prison Reform Bill, More... (7/15/24)

The Czech government appears to be set on rolling out a full commercial marijuana legalization bill, the Philippines is dealing with its legacy of drug war prison overcrowding, and more.

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Republican lawmakers in the capitol continue to try to wreak havoc with marijuana reforms. (Creative Commons)

GOP House Lawmakers Keep Messing with Marijuana Reforms, Florida Legalization Init Faces Opposition, More... (7/12/24)

The Florida marijuana legalization initiative is well-funded but its opposition could be too, Missouri pot tax revenues flow to drug treatment, veterans, and legal services for the poor, and more.

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Chronicle Book Review: Blotter

When it comes to ingesting LSD, sometimes the medium is the message.

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is stepping up to campaign against Prop 36, which would roll back drug and sentencing reforms. (ca.gov)

MA Psychedelic Legalization Init Qualifies for Ballot, NC Latest State to Ban "Gas Station Heroin," More... (7/11/24)

A House Homeland Security subcommittee heard about the threat of Mexican cartel drones, California's governor will campaign against an initiative to roll back drug and sentencing reforms, and more.

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Medical Marijuana Update

A Delaware bill to allow medical marijuana dispensaries to jumpstart legal adult-use sales awaits the governor's signature, Kansas lawmakers will take up medical marijuana in an interim session, and more.

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Mexican federal forces are seizing loads of methamphetamine, but fentanyl? Not so much. (Creative Commons)

WA Natural Psychedelic Legalization Initiative Filed, Mexican Fentanyl Seizures Plummet, More... (7/10/24)

Lawmakers in Kansas will spend two days of an interim session on medical marijuana hearings, Malaysian drug experts laud their government for moving toward drug decriminalization, and more.