Drug War Chronicle #687 - June 9, 2011

Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director
Richard Branson blogs about being invited onto the global commission, on virgin.com.
Richard Branson blogs about being invited onto the global commission, on virgin.com.

Big Name Panel Calls Global Drug War a "Failure" [FEATURE]

The Global Commission on Drug Policy, made up of former heads of state and other international dignitaries, is calling for fundamental reform of the international drug control system.
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ALERT: Support New Medical Marijuana Bills in Congress

Last month a bipartisan group of US Representatives introduced three new bills to protect medical marijuana patients, providers and businesses. Please visit our action alert web site to take action in support.
Marijuana Policy Project lobbyists and patient advocates watch SB 17 signed into law. (Image courtesy MPP)
Marijuana Policy Project lobbyists and patient advocates watch SB 17 signed into law. (Image courtesy MPP)

Vermont Becomes Eighth Medical Marijuana Dispensary State

Vermont's Democratic governor has stood up to threats from the US attorney, signing into law the state's medical marijuana dispensary bill.
Attorney General Holder says yes to retroactivity only for some federal crack prisoners. (Image courtesy DOJ)
Attorney General Holder says yes to retroactivity only for some federal crack prisoners. (Image courtesy DOJ)

AG Holder Backs Early Release for Crack Cocaine Prisoners

The Fair Sentencing Act, which reduced disparities between crack and powder cocaine sentences, could be about to get even fairer. The US Sentencing Commission is pondering making it retroactive, and Attorney General Holder agrees.
Lake Parc Place residents let CHA CEO Lewis Jordan know what they thought of his bright idea. (Image courtesy CHA)
Lake Parc Place residents let CHA CEO Lewis Jordan know what they thought of his bright idea. (Image courtesy CHA)

CHA Gets Angry Earful Over Drug Testing Proposal

New Chicago Housing Authority CEO Lewis Jordan has floated a plan to require drug testing of all adult residents. Thursday night, he got a taste of what residents think of his bright idea.
The California Senate chamber. There's not a lot of good news coming out of Sacramento this year. (Image via Wikimedia.org)
The California Senate chamber. There's not a lot of good news coming out of Sacramento this year. (Image via Wikimedia.org)

Not a Good Year for Marijuana So Far in Sacramento

A bill-killing deadline came and went Friday in Sacramento, and it ain't looking especially pretty for marijuana reform so far.
Bust after bust... and still no impact besides more violence. (Image via Wikimedia.org)
Bust after bust... and still no impact besides more violence. (Image via Wikimedia.org)

Mexico Drug War Update

As prohibition-related violence continues unabated, peace marchers are heading for Ciudad Juarez.
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This Week in History

Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.
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.

Source URL: https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/687