Drug War Chronicle #573 - February 20, 2009
Feature: INCB Calls for More of the Same on Global Drug Policy -- Critics Call for No More INCB
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has released its latest annual report on the global drug situation. It calls for increased efforts against marijuana, warns of an increasingly violent drug trade, and worries about the Internet. Critics charge the agency is stuck in the last century.
Drug War Chronicle Book Review: "Dope Menace: The Sensational World of Drug Paperbacks, 1900-1975," by Stephen J. Gertz (2008, Feral House Press, 219 pp., $24.95 PB)
"Dope Menace" is a visually stunning, very well-informed journey to the heart of America's mid-century obsession with pulp paperbacks, especially those with drug themes. If you have an interest in drugs and popular culture, you're going to want to check this one out.
Marijuana: Zogby Poll Shows Majority Support for Taxing and Regulating Marijuana on the West Coast, Support Climbing Nationwide
There is majority support for legal marijuana on the West Coast, according to a new Zogby poll. The East Coast isn't far behind.
Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
Uniformed cops, jail guards, narcs, and assistant police chiefs -- all gone bad this week.
Federal Budget: Economic Stimulus Bill Stimulates Drug War, Too
The economic stimulus bill will be stimulating the drug war, too. There's more than $3 billion in there for law enforcement, and much of that is destined for enforcing drug prohibition.
Law Enforcement: Maryland Bill Would Require SWAT Team Monitoring
When a Maryland SWAT team raided an innocent mayor's house and killed his dogs, the outrage was palpable. Now, some Maryland legislators have filed a bill that would begin to hold SWAT teams accountable.
Medical Marijuana: New Jersey Senate to Vote on Bill Monday
Is New Jersey poised to become the next medical marijuana state? The state Senate will vote on it on Monday.
Marijuana: Washington State Decriminalization Bill Wins Committee Vote
A marijuana decriminalization bill in Washington state was approved by a Senate committee Wednesday, but there has to be similar action in the state House by next week, or it's dead for the session.
Law Enforcement: DEA Spent $123,000 on Administrator's Flight to Colombia
The federal budget deficit is reaching astronomical proportions, and the DEA administrator took a $123,000 plane ride to Colombia?!?!
Methamphetamine: Bill Equating Meth Use with Child Abuse Passes New Mexico House
Does meth use equal child abuse? The New Mexico House thinks so.
Weekly: This Week in History
Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.
Feedback: Do You Read Drug War Chronicle?
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Alert: Keep the Promise, President Obama -- Stop the Medical Marijuana Raids!
Bush administration holdovers are ordering raids on state-authorized medical marijuana clinics, despite President Obama's pledge to stop them. Please ask the new president and attorney general to take corrective actions sooner rather than later.
Weekly: Blogging @ the Speakeasy
"Study: Marijuana Users Less Likely to Get Injured Than Non-Users," "Police Raid Innocent Couple Because Their Son Had a Misdemeanor Marijuana Charge," "Maryland Legislation Seeks to Address Out-of-Control SWAT Raids," "Drug War Protestors Block Traffic Along Mexican Border," "Legalizing Marijuana Doesn't Mean We Have to Legalize Horrible Crimes," "Drug War Logic 101," "Sheriff Lott Gives up on Charging Michael Phelps," "A Failed Drug Strategy Isn't the Only Way DEA Wastes our Money," "Ryan Frederick Update," "Increasing Violence in Mexico is Not a Sign of Progress in the Drug War."
Students: Intern at DRCNet and Help Stop the Drug War!
Apply for an internship at DRCNet for this spring (or summer), and you could spend the semester fighting the good fight!
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