Drug War Chronicle #521 - February 1, 2008

Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director

Weekly: Blogging @ the Speakeasy

"Barack Obama Comes Out in Favor of Marijuana Decriminalization," "Berkeley City Council Tells DEA to Stay Out," "Are Racist Cops Better Organized Than We Thought?," "What Do You Think About Medical Marijuana Vending Machines?," "Crazy Sheriff Proposes "Normandy" Style Anti-Drug Invasion", "Why Does the Drug Czar's Office Oppose Efforts to Prevent Drug Overdoses?," and "Eric Sage Fights Back."

Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

A Texas probation officer gets busted, a Baltimore cop gets caught beating on a suspected drug buyer, a Virginia cop gets popped for meth, a slew of prison guards get busted in Florida, and another in New Mexico. Just another week in the drug war.

Law Enforcement: Nebraska Man Files Complaint Over Bogus South Dakota Bust

Eric Sage got pulled over on his motorcycle as he left South Dakota after the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally last summer and ended up being charged with possession of paraphernalia even though he didn't possess any paraphernalia. He fought the charges and faced threats from prosecutors if he didn't plead. Finally, the prosecutors gave up, but Sage still wants justice.

Latin America: Chávez Endorses Coca -- Again

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez' embrace of coca continued last weekend as he publicly chewed the leaf and thanked Bolivian President Evo Morales for bringing him some more. Coca isn't cocaine, Chávez pointed out.

Web Scan

Too many links to list this week -- check 'em out...
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