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Obama Pardon/Clemency Record Even Stingier Than Bush's, Washington Post Notes
[image:1 align:right caption:true]The Washington Post
Obama Administration's War on Medical Marijuana Continues to Escalate
[inline:sfdispensaryraid.jpg align=right caption="DEA and SFPD dispens
Marijuana Dispensaries Are Buying Safes to Store Cash After Feds Scare Away Banks
[image:1 align:right caption:true]We've reported this year on moves taken by the feds this year in California and Colorado putting
Ray Kelly Heard "Allegations of Improper [Marijuana] Arrests" Oh Really?
Ailsa Chang, the WNYC reporter who broke the recent New York Police Department marijuana a
Why Mandatory Minimum Sentencing is Wrong and Bad
[inline:scales-small.jpg align=right caption="scales of justice tilted to one side"]
Guess Who Opposes Drug Testing Welfare Applicants?
Guess who besides us and the ACLU opposes drug testing welfare applicants?
NYPD to Obey Law
In case you haven't seen our story from last Friday about the New York City Police Department'
Drugs, Freedom, and Responsibility at Burning Man
Editor's note: This is a repost of the piece I wrote about Burning Man last year. I couldn't top it, so I'm sharing it again. Enjoy.
Video: "Count the Costs of the War on Drugs," Events in Five European Capitals
Actions organized by the European Drug Policy Initiative in Sofia, Bucharest, Warsaw, Oslo and Porto -- part of the "Count the Costs of the War on Drugs" campaign, which marks the 50th an
Video: Florida Welfare Drug Testing Debate
Far from saving the state money, Florida's new welfare drug testing law, promoted aggressively by Gov.
It's International Overdose Awareness Day
[inline:overdose-awareness-day-ribbon.gif caption="Overdose Awareness Day ribbon logo" align=right]Today
Obama Stumped by Question on Marijuana Legalization
As activists for reform, we've all dreamt of a day when our opposition is left sputtering onstage, unable to form a single argument against us. That's exactly what happened on Monday when the president was asked why we can't legalize medical marijuana. It's a remarkable moment, and the subject of my latest piece at Huffington Post.
A Perfect Exhibit in the Inevitable Collapse of the War on Marijuana
[inline:medicalmarijuanawheelchair.png align=right]In case you missed it, PBS’s recent program Pot Republic has some of the best footage of the various marijuana specials that have been popping up on TV. It provides a poignant look at the evolving relationship between marijuana professionals and local law enforcement, juxtaposed against the cynical efforts of federal officials to destroy those collaborations in a desperate quest to delegitimize the industry and maintain their draconian drug war powers. In other words, it’s interesting stuff.
One-Year Anniversary of the Fair Sentencing Act
[image:1 align:left]The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 was signed a year ago today, providing the first relief for federal crack cocaine defendants. Sentencing reform, civil rights and racial justice advocates had worked on the issue for nearly 20 years.
Chronicle Update -- Book Review, Mass. MedMj Init, This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
Phil has published a Drug War Chronicle book review, "Drugs and Drug Policy," published by so
Chronicle Stories: New Zealand "Spice" Ban, Chicago to Stop Jailing Marijuana Users?
[image:1 align:left]Phil has two new stories in the Chronicle since last update.
Going Through the Motions
[image:1 align:left caption:true]Bolivia's government has announced it plans to allow "excess
What Were Florida's Legislators, Prosecutors and Judges Thinking?
[image:1 align:right caption:true]A federal judge in Orlando, Florida, did something good and important this week.
Obama Says Drug Users Must Be Treated as Criminals
No, those weren't his exact words, but his exact words don't sound much better. My latest piece at Huffington Post explores the inherent contradictions that spring forth from the president's most recent contribution to the drug policy debate. Check it out.