News Brief

Bolivian President Evo Morales is a former coca growers' union leader, but that doesn't mean everything is swell between Evo and the cocaleros. This week is a case in point.

A new poll of three Northwest states finds a majority support pot legalization in Washington, but not yet in Oregon or Idaho. Other poll findings suggest possible problems for Measure 74 in Oregon.

Forget "Hemp for Victory." How about "Hemp in my gas tank?" Researchers in Connecticut say it is well-suited for biodiesel.

The opioid antagonist naloxone has long been used to prevent overdose deaths, but now it is available as a monthly injection to block cravings for heroin and prescription opiates like Oxycontin and Vicodin.

A massive round-up of dirty cops in Puerto Rico, a massive drug conspiracy led by a South Carolina sheriff, and another greedy jail guard make the news this week.

Another city -- and its taxpayers -- pay out the nose for SWAT team excesses.

Proposition 19 has picked up the support of the California chapter of one of the country's most prominent Latino organizations.

California Gov. Schwarzenegger could have made syringe sales to adults legal throughout the state in a bid to reduce the transmission of HIV and Hep C. Instead, he chose to extend a program leaving it up to cities and counties.

Some 288 people were killed in prohibition-related violence in Ciudad Juarez last month, and the pace is continuing this month.

While getting busted for pot possession in California is only a $100 fine, it is still a misdemeanor. Or at least it was. Now it's going to be true decriminalization.