The Speakeasy Blog
Massachusetts Crime Lab Scandal Endangers 34,000 Drug Cases
A Massachusetts crime lab analyst whose zeal to help prosecutors win drug cases has endangered the prosecution of more than 30,000 drug cases after her misconduct in the lab was uncovered. Chronicle story here.
Drug Sentences Driving Federal Prison Population Growth, Government Report Finds
Doh! The GAO has found that the drug war is driving federal prison overcrowding and that that can have negative consequences. That's a shocker. Chronicle story here.
Drugs (Mainly Marijuana) and the 2012 Presidential Election [FEATURE]
What role will marijuana play in the presidential election campaign? Look to Colorado. Chronicle feature story here.
Medical Marijuana Update
No DEA raids or federal threat letters to report this week, but the battles over medical marijuana continue on many fronts. Chronicle story here.
Washington Marijuana Legalization Measure Polling Strong
Six weeks out from election day, the Washington marijuana legalization initiative is showing the best polling numbers yet. Chronicle story here.
ACLU Fights Decision in Cell Phone Tracking Case [FEATURE]
A US 6th Circuit Court of Appeals decision saying police do not need a warrant to track people through their cell phones has broad implications. The ACLU is on the case. Chronicle feature story here.
This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
A Louisiana cop gets strung out in a hurry, a Florida cop is has car problems, a Kentucky state trooper has perv problems, and one member of a rogue New Jersey drug squad heads to prison. Chronicle story here.
Former DEA Heads Urge Holder to Oppose Marijuana Legalization Measures
Now, here's a shocker: All the former heads of the DEA want Attorney General Holder to speak out against the marijuana legalization initiatives. Chronicle story here.
Alabama Man Kills Himself in Drug Raid
An Alabama man faced with deputies coming to take him in on drug charges shot himself instead last Sunday night. That's the 47th drug war death of the year. Chronicle story here.
The Democratic Platform on Drugs
Drug reformers won't find the Democratic platform's positions on drug policy very inspiring -- Chronicle story here.
Colorado Marijuana Legalization Initiative Maintains Nine-Point Lead
The Colorado marijuana legalization initiatives continues to hold a nine-point lead in polls, but hasn't yet broken 50%. Chronicle story here.
Colombia, FARC Rebels Set Peace Talks
Is the world's longest-running insurgency coming to an end? The Colombian government and the leftist guerrillas of the FARC have announced their first peace talks in a decade, but that's just the first step. Chronicle story here.
Obama's Embarrassing Silence on Marijuana
Scott Morgan was featured on the front page of the Huffington Post this week, as part of the HuffPost Live "online Shadow Convention":
Drug Policy in the 2012 Elections I: The Initiatives [FEATURE]
Here is our overview of initiatives headed to the ballot this November. Look for in-depth coverage of the candidates and parties, as well as action in individual states, during the coming weeks. Chronicle feature story here.
Drug War Chronicle Book Review: The Lebanese Connection
With The Lebanese Connection, global drug trade scholar Jonathan Marshall has made an important contribution to the literature -- not only of the drug trade, but also of the Middle East, terrorism, covert operations, and failed states. Chronicle book review here.
Medical Marijuana Update
Los Angeles dispensaries got a reprieve last week -- or did they? The busts there continue, despite the ban on the ban. And there's more news from around the state and the country as well. Chronicle story here.
This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
The Murray County, Georgia, scandal keeps unraveling, another prison guard goes down, and a pair of South Texas deputies are going away for awhile. Chronicle story here.
California Cops Kill Man, Seize Ecstasy Tablets
A young man sitting in a car with a pellet gun and 50 Ecstasy tablets in the wee hours of the night Sunday is dead after an encounter with police. Chronicle story here.
Danes Want Heroin Pills for Addicts
The Danish government could be providing heroin pills to addicts as early as next year under a proposal from the health minister. Chronicle story here.
Huffington Post Online "Shadow Convention" Taking On Drug War Today
Long-time readers may remember summer 2000 events we participated in, "Shadow Conventions" held outside the Democratic and Republican conventions to draw attention to neglected issues including the failed drug war. The Huffington Post is currently holding an online "shadow convention," today focusing again on drug policy.
HuffPost Live drug war coverage is taking place from 12-4pm EST (now) and 6-10pm EST, at http://live.huffingtonpost.com. I am scheduled for a panel at about 2:30pm, dealing with the drug provision of the Higher Education Act.
There is also commentary currently being linked to from the Huffington Post home page, including a piece by our Associate Editor and blogger, Scott Morgan, "Obama's Embarrassing Silence on Marijuana."
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The GOP Platform on Crime and Drugs
The Republican platform section on crime lays out the party's official positions, and while they stay "tough on crime," there are also some hints of evolving positions. Chronicle story here.
Montana's First Medical Marijuana Caregiver Dies in Prison
Montana's first registered medical marijuana caregiver has died in federal prison after being sentenced to five years on federal drug charges stemming from the DEA raids of March 2011. Richard Flor was 68. Chronicle story here.
Caravan for Peace Heads to Washington [FEATURE]
The Caravan for Peace led by Mexican activist Javier Sicilia is making waves as it heads across the country from California to Washington, DC. It has now generated more than 2,600 news articles. Chronicle feature story here.
