Drug War Chronicle #668 - January 27, 2011
synthetic marijuana -- gone in some states, going in others? (image via Wikimedia)
Retailers Fight Efforts to Ban "Fake Marijuana" [FEATURE]
The DEA's federal emergency ban on synthetic cannabinoids may be stalled, but bills are moving in a half-dozen states. Retailers are beginning to organize to fight back.
By prescription only? Maybe in Kentucky, Nevada, and Tennessee.
State Drug Warriors Want Prescription Requirement for Sudafed [FEATURE]
In a bid to repress the home manufacture of methamphetamine, a number of states are moving to require prescriptions for over-the-counter cold and allergy medications containing psuedoephedrine. Cold sufferers, take heed!
Bryan Gonzalez (r) graduates from the Border Patrol Academy (Image courtesy Bryan Gonzalez via ACLU-NM)
Agent Fired for Legalization Views Sues Border Patrol
Can the Border Patrol fire an agent for saying he supports drug legalization? The federal courts will decide.
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Mexico Drug War Update
We present two weeks worth of Mexican drug war mayhem, and we review the death toll year by year since Calderon sent in the troops in 2007. The total has passed 35,000.
Raymond Martin -- a sheriff heads for the Big House
This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
An Illinois sheriff goes down hard, a Massachusetts police chief parties too hard, a Massachusetts cop gets nailed for helping out his local pot dealer, and a Florida motorcycle cop gets caught stealing a bud in his helmet.
Did You Know? Drug Testing Research Results, on DrugWarFacts.org
DrugWarFacts.org is an in-depth compilation of key facts, stats and quotes on the full range of drug policy issues, excerpted from expert publications. The Chronicle is running a series of info items from DrugWarFacts.org, and we encourage you to check it out.
Ex-World Leaders Form Global Drug Policy Commission
Some global heavyweights have taken on the international drug control system and how to come up with a better one.
They shoot dogs, don't they? Maybe fewer now. (image via Wikimedia)
Settlement Reached in Maryland Mayor's SWAT Raid Lawsuit
Prince Georges County, Maryland, cops messed with the wrong guy when their SWAT team hit the home of the mayor of Berwyn Heights and killed his dogs in a botched drug raid. Now they have to change their ways.
Siobhan Reynolds at a 2004 Congressional Briefing organized by the American Association of Physicians & Surgeons
Leading Pain Patient Organization Shuts Down Under Federal Pressure
A leading advocacy group for pain patients has essentially been driven out of business by a federal prosecutor and the federal courts. The Pain Relief Network will be missed.
Medical marijuana is a burning issue in Helena (image via Wikimedia)
Montana Medical Marijuana Hearing Draws Crowd
The fight over medical marijuana in Montana has moved to the state house, some trying to repeal it but most debating what are the best regulations.
Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson
Marijuana Legalization Bills Filed in Massachusetts, Washington
Which state on which coast will be the first to legalize marijuana? There are now bills filed in Massachusetts and Washington.
Virginia Capitol
Welfare Drug Testing Bills Filed in Virginia
Add Virginia to the list of states where imposing drug testing on recipients of public assistance is on the legislative agenda.
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This Week in History
Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.
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