Drug War Chronicle #521 - February 1, 2008
New Membership Offer: Three Exciting New Book Offers for Our Donating Supporters
Medical Marijuana and the Right to Work: Under Attack in California and Oregon, At Risk In Most Other States As Well
Last week's California Supreme Court ruling allowing employees to fire medical marijuana users has shined a light on a gray area in medical marijuana law. While protections vary from state to state, they are for the most part limited and untested, and patients who want to work are at risk.
Pain Wars in the Heartland: With Their Doctor Behind Bars, Kansas Patients Wonder Where To Turn
The feds arrested a Kansas pain doctor and his wife last month, charging them with improperly prescribing narcotic pain relievers. While they claim to be protecting the public, the doctor's patients beg to differ.
Appeal: Three Exciting New Book Offers for Our Donating Supporters
We are pleased to offer the works "Over the Influence: The Harm Reduction Guide for Managing Drugs and Alcohol," "Women Behind Bars: The Crisis of Women in the US Prison System," and "Cannabis: Yields and Dosage," as our latest membership premium gifts.
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."
Students: Intern at DRCNet and Help Stop the Drug War!
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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.
Sentencing: US Attorney General Raises Specter of Violent Crime Jump If Crack Prisoners Released, Warns He Could Try to Block It
US Attorney General lashed out against early release for federal crack cocaine offenders twice last week, resorting to demagogic claims and warning he may try to block it.
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.
Medical Marijuana: Berkeley Declares Itself a Sanctuary City
With the DEA raiding dispensaries in the Bay Area this year, the Berkeley City Council voted Tuesday to make the city a medical marijuana sanctuary.
Medical Marijuana: First Kansas Bill Introduced
The first medical marijuana bill in Kansas history was introduced this week. It would provide a medical defense for persons arrested for possession.
Europe: German Police Use Grow Shop Customer Lists in Massive Marijuana Garden Busts
Police across Germany engaged in massive raids on marijuana grows Monday. Some of the busts were based on information from grow shop customer lists.
Death Penalty: More Drug Executions in Saudi Arabia, More Death Sentences in Vietnam, But a Rare Sign of Leniency in China
Saudi Arabia executed more drug offenders this week, and Vietnam sentenced more to death. But in a rare move, China commuted the death sentences of two Ugandan women.
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...
Weekly: This Week in History
Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.
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Job Opportunities: System Support Specialist and Graphic Designer, Marijuana Policy Project, Washington DC
The Marijuana Policy Project is seeking a System Support Specialist and a Graphic Designer to be based in MPP's headquarters in Washington, DC.
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Permission to Reprint: This content is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Content of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.