Drug War Chronicle #705 - October 20, 2011
The Feds Can't Stop Medical Marijuana, CA Activists Say [FEATURE]
The skies over California's medical marijuana industry may be dark and stormy, but the feds can't keep the sunshine away forever, well-placed activists say.
UK Government Rejects Advisors' Decriminalization Call [FEATURE]
Britain's governmental Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has once again called for the decriminalization of drug possession. Once again, the British government doesn't want to listen.
Gallup Poll Support for Marijuana Legalization at 50% for First Time
Half of all Americans now support marijuana legalization, according to the latest Gallup poll. There is majority support in every region of the country except the South.
California Doctors' Group Says Legalize Marijuana
California's largest doctors' group has called for marijuana legalization, making it the first in the nation to do so.
DEA Raids California, Colorado Medical Marijuana Operations
The feds are backing up last week's medical marijuana threats with actions -- sometimes by themselves, sometimes with the DEA working in tandem with local officials.
DEA Hits More CA Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
The feds continue their war on medical marijuana distribution in California, with two new DEA raids Monday and the use of asset forfeiture threats to shut down eight dispensaries in Orange County.
Still Time to Get to the International Drug Policy Reform Conference, LA, 11/2-5
Every two years drug policy reformers from across the United States and around the world come to the International Drug Policy Reform Conference to listen, learn, network and strategize together for change. This year the conference is in Los Angeles, November 2-5, and StoptheDrugWar.org is a partner.
Mexico Drug War Update
Mexican President Calderon admitted this week that the state of Veracruz had been left to the cartels. Meanwhile, the killing continues without let up.
Ex-NYPD Narc Testifies Cops Routinely Planted Drugs on Innocent People
NYPD narcs routintely planted drugs on innocent people, a former narc testified in court this week. That's a shocker -- not.
This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
A quiet week on the corrupt cops front this week, with only two reports. But one of them raises interesting questions: Why does a drug task force commander who steals from suspects and tries to cover up his crimes only get probation, when suspects potentially face prison?
Illinois Arrestee Swallows Drugs, Dies
An Illinois man died in police custody after swallowing drugs during a drug arrest. The death comes only weeks after the city paid out big for letting a man die in similar circumstances last year.
Job Opportunity: Policy Associate, Drug Policy Alliance, Washington, DC
The Drug Policy Alliance is hiring a new Policy Associate for the Office of National Affairs in Washington, DC.
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