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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.

10 Years to Life for Medical Marijuana

ReasonTV released this video a few weeks ago about the federal medical marijuana crackdown and the case of Aaron Sandusky, who is facing federal charges for operating a dispensary.

The Democratic Platform on Drugs

Drug reformers won't find the Democratic platform's positions on drug policy very inspiring.

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%.

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.

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&qu


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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 inc


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Do You Read Drug War Chronicle?

Do you read Drug War Chronicle? If so, we need your feedback to evaluate our work and make the case for Drug War Chronicle to funders. We need donations too.

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.

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.

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.

Medical Marijuana Update

The battle of Los Angeles continues, Arizona prosecutors don't like their medical marijuana law, and a bill is pre-filed in Kentucky. There's also lots more going on.

Book Review: Drugs, Insecurity, and Failed States: The Problems of Prohibition

We review "Drugs, Insecurity, and Failed States: The Problems of Prohibition," a new book from the very establishment International Institute for Strategic Studies.

This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

There's something funny going on in Georgia, the DEA is investigating missing drug evidence in West Virginia, more prison guards get in a trouble, and an Alabama cop gets caught with sticky fingers. Just another week of drug-related law enforcement corruption.

California Drug Overdose Prevention Bill Passes

A bill designed to reduce overdose deaths by preventing the prosecution on drug charges of victims or people who seek emergency aid for them has passed the California legislature and awaits the governor's signature.

Springfield, Missouri, Decriminalizes Marijuana Possession, But...

The city council in Springfield, Missouri reluctantly passed a marijuana decriminalization ordinance to avoid a citizen vote, but has plans to amend it.

Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Initiative Polling Very Well

A new Public Policy Polling survey has the Massachusetts medical marijuana initiative making a strong showing, well above 50%.

Alabama Narcs Kill One, Wound One

A 21-year-old black man killed Wednesday by Alabama narcs is the 44th person to die in US domestic drug law enforcement operations so far this year.

NAACP Regional Chapters Endorse CO, OR, WA Marijuana Initiatives

Marijuana legalization initiatives in Colorado and Washington state picked up regional NAACP endorsements this week as the most recent polls show them both leading, but by no means comfortably. Oregon's initiative also gained the civil rights group's support, earlier this month.

Arkansas Medical Marijuana Initiative Makes Ballot

Arkansas will be the first southern state where voters will have a chance to approve medical marijuana at the polls. An initiative there has qualified for the November ballot, state officials said Monday.

Medical Marijuana Update

The feds strike again in California, this time in Orange County, and meanwhile, the battle over the LA dispensary ban heats up. There's plenty more news, too.

This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

Drug prohibition-related police corruption never stops, and there are so many varieties of law enforcement misdoing...

Chronicle Book Review: The FARC

If you're interested in Colombia, coca and cocaine, and leftist guerrilla armies, we have a book for you.

New Jersey Good Samaritan Overdose Bill Passes

New Jersey will become the ninth state to enact a Good Samaritan drug overdose prevention law -- if Gov. Christie signs it into law.

No Warrant Needed for Illinois Drug Wiretaps [FEATURE]

Illinois police now have the right to wiretap or record "drug suspects" without a warrant under a new state law. At the same time, they want to arrest you if you do that to them. Some folks are more equal than others.

Iowa City Man Killed in Undercover Drug Operation

An Iowa City man was shot and killed by undercover members of a drug task force last Thursday after "an altercation ensued and shots were fired."

New Orleans Cop Indicted in Drug Raid Killing

In a rare event, a police officer has actually been indicted for killing someone during a drug raid. What would be even more rare would be for him to actually be convicted.

US-Mexican Caravan for (Drug War) Peace Gets Underway [FEATURE]

Hoping to put a human face on the drug war's toll, a cross-border Caravan for Peace has begun its weeks-long, 27-city journey across the US.

Three More Drug War Deaths

Three more people have died in drug war-related incidents in recent days, including a police officer.

Medical Marijuana Should Make Arkansas Ballot

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act looks set to qualify for the ballot after proponents handed in three times as many signatures as they need to make it for the November election.

Now They're Trying to Ban... Kratom? [FEATURE]

Kratom is a fairly innocuous organic substance that is useful in treating a number of conditions, but that doesn't mean people in power don't want to reflexively ban it. The fight is on in Pinellas County, Florida.

North Dakota Medical Marijuana Petitions Handed In

North Dakota could be voting on medical marijuana this fall. Initiative campaigners have handed in 150% of the signatures they need to qualify. Now, they have to wait and see if they have enough valid signatures.

New Hemp Bill Introduced in US Senate

In a bipartisan effort, four US senators are cosponsoring a bill that would differentiate hemp from marijuana under the Controlled Substance Act.

This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

It never stops, does it? Here's another seven bad apples.

Medical Marijuana Update

The end of dispensaries in LA looms, more threat letters in Colorado, and a medical marijuana initiative in North Dakota!? That's just some of the news.

Olympic Athlete's Expulsion for Marijuana Raises Questions

The expulsion of American Olympic judo competitor Nick Delpopolo from the Games after he tested positive for marijuana is raising questions about why pot is on the list of substances banned for athletes in the first place.

Arizona SWAT Team Kills Man in Drug Raid Shootout

A kick-the-door-down SWAT team drug raid was met with gunfire at a Phoenix house early Thursday. One man was killed, making him the 39th to die in US domestic drug law enforcement operations so far this year.

Springfield (Missouri) Marijuana Decriminalization Initiative Certified

Springfield, Missouri, voters will have a chance to vote for marijuana decriminalization in November -- if the city council doesn't approve it first -- after an initiative there qualified Thursday.

Police Kill Miami Man in Marijuana Grow House Shootout

A Miami man is dead after police said he opened fire on them as they investigated a possible marijuana grow house. Still no word if it actually was a marijuana grow house, though.

Bipartisan Bill to Fight Overdoses Filed in Congress

A couple of dozen House members have introduced a bill aimed at reducing the steadily climbing toll from drug overdoses, most of them from prescription opioid pain relievers, by providing federal support for state and local prevention and education programs, including expanded use of naloxone.

Vermont Farmer Crushes 7 Police Cars with Tractor over Pot Arrest

A man rolled his 15 ton tractor over seven police vehicles -- five marked police cruisers, an unmarked car and a transport van -- in retaliation for a marijuana possession and resisting arrest bust.

Medical Marijuana Update

What!? No DEA raids? Not this week, but the federal crackdown on dispensaries continues, and cities and localities in medical marijuana states continue to grapple with the issues around it.

Handcuffed Marijuana Offender Shot, Killed in Police Car

Police say a young Mississippi man shot himself while cuffed with his hands behind his back in the back sear of a police car with a gun they missed while searching him after arresting him for marijuana. His mother isn't buying it.

Lebanon Hash Eradication Hits New Obstacle

Lebanon's annual effort to wipe out hashish production is having a particularly rocky time this year. On Tuesday, eradicators were stuck without bulldozers after locals refused to rent to them. At least no one was shooting at them this week.

This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

A crank-dealing sheriff cops a plea, an LA narc gets a case of sticky fingers, an Arkansas narc develops a fondness for dope, and a North Carolina parole officer gets caught forcing his parolees to supply him with dope.

DOJ to Sentencing Commission: Fewer Prisoners, Please

The Justice Department is signaling it wants a smaller federal prison population because we can't afford our mass incarceration binge anymore, but it doesn't want to talk about the drug war.

Woman Walks After Prosecutorial Perfidy in Tucson [FEATURE]

Aurora Lopez-Avila is back home in Mexico. A mother of three, she struggles daily to rebuild a shattered life that once hung in the balance -- after sitting for more than two years in a Tucson, Arizona, federal jail facing charges that she attempted to transport 10 kilos of cocaine across the Arizona-Mexico border on December 8, 2009.

Medical Marijuana Rescheduling Lawsuit Moving

Ten years after the Coalition for Rescheduling Cannabis filed a petition to remove marijuana from Schedule I and one year after the DEA rejected that petition, a federal appeals court is set to hear the evidence.

"You Can't Stop AIDS Without Ending the Drug War" [FEATURE]

The International AIDS Conference in Washington this week saw foreign drug users and sex workers excluded even amidst a rising clamor for ending the drug war to help stop the spread of disease.

Colombia Coca Cultivation Ticks Upward

Coca production in Colombia ticked upward last year after four straight years of declines, the UNODC said in a new report. It's still way down from its peak, though.

Medical Marijuana Update

Harborside fights for its life, LA bans dispensaries, and Oregon transplant hospitals are lightening up on medical marijuana patients. Those are the big stories this week, but there's plenty more, too.

Two More US Drug War Killings

One man is dead after swallowing drugs and being hit with a stun gun in Indianapolis as he tried to flee an arrest. Another is dead in Massachusetts after he was shot trying to flee an arrest in his car.

This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

Bad cop, no donut for a Miami sergeant, two more TSA screeners cop pleas in LA, and a Phoenix cop couldn't keep his paws off the evidence room goodies.

Washington Marijuana Initiative Has Good Week

Washington state's I-502 marijuana legalization initiative did well in polling this week and even better in fundraising. This thing could win, and it has the money to help make that happen.

Lebanon Hash Farmers Attack Eradicators

It's almost time for the hash harvest in Lebanon, and farmers are taking up arms to protect their cash crop from eradicators.

Marijuana Authors Talk at Oaksterdam [FEATURE]

There was some interesting and well-informed discussion at Oaksterdam University Saturday night as the authors of four recent books on marijuana sat down to talk and think out loud.

Oakland to President Obama: Change Your Ways! [FEATURE]

In one of the largest medical marijuana demonstrations in years, as many as a thousand people came out in Oakland Monday to let President Obama know he needs to end the federal crackdown on dispensaries.

Live Video from Oakland Demo

Live video feed from the Oakland "Save Harborside" medical marijuana protest.

Belize Ponders Marijuana Decriminalization

The English speaking Central American nation of Belize has undertaken a review of whether to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Montana Marijuana Initiative Comes Up Short

A proposed constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana in Montana has failed to gather enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, but voters in Big Sky County will still have the chance to vote on medical marijuana.

Did You Know? "Stops" by New York City Police in 2011, on DrugWarFacts.org

DrugWarFacts.org, a publication of Common Sense for Drug Policy, is an in-depth compilation of key facts, stats and quotes on the full range of drug policy issues, excerpted from expert publications on the subjects. The Chronicle is running a series of info items from DrugWarFacts.org -- check them out!

Book Review: "Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know"

Four academic specialists on drug policy have come together to pen "Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know." It's a pretty handy primer.

Pelosi Suggests Movement Post-Election on Medical Marijuana

Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday she may be open to making changes in federal law surrounding medical marijuana. That's her strongest statement yet on the issue.

Feds Target California's Highest Profile Dispensary

Federal prosecutors have targeted Harborside Health Center, California's iconic largest dispensary, with an asset forfeiture action. But Harborside isn't just going to roll over and play dead.

Chronicle Book Review Essay: Summer Marijuana Reads

We review three books on various aspects of marijuana culture. There's some pretty good stuff there, too.

Medical Marijuana Update

Last week's middle of the week holiday made things fairly quiet on the medical marijuana front, but it looks like Massachusetts voters will have a chance to join the ranks of the medical marijuana states in November, and other efforts are underway in some surprising places.

Narc Scandal Front and Center in Florida Sheriff Race [FEATURE]

Scandal in the Pinellas County, Florida, Sheriff's Office over its efforts to bust indoor marijuana growers is providing plenty of fodder for the sheriff's challengers this campaign season.

This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

A former Missouri sheriff heads to federal prison, a former Kansas City cop is headed there, too, and a former South Carolina deputy is looking at drug charges.

Obama Signs Synthetic Drug Ban Bill

"Bath salts" and "fake weed" are now banned on federal law after President Obama signed into law the FDA safety bill to which the bans were attached.

Did You Know? Facts About Switzerland's Heroin Maintenance Programs, on DrugWarFacts.org

DrugWarFacts.org, a publication of Common Sense for Drug Policy, is an in-depth compilation of key facts, stats and quotes on the full range of drug policy issues, excerpted from expert publications on the subjects. The Chronicle is running a series of info items from DrugWarFacts.org -- check them out!

Did You Know? Facts About Switzerland's Heroin Maintenance Programs, on DrugWarFacts.org

DrugWarFacts.org, a publication of Common Sense for Drug Policy, is an in-depth compilation of key facts, stats and quotes on the full range of drug policy issues, excerpted from expert publications on the subjects. The Chronicle is running a series of info items from DrugWarFacts.org -- check them out!

Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Initiative Makes Ballot

It looks like Massachusetts has a good shot at becoming the 18th medical marijuana state. An initiative there has qualified for the ballot.

Arkansas Medical Marijuana Signatures Handed In

Arkansas proponents for a medical marijuana initiative met a critical deadline last week, but still have thousands of signatures to gather if they're going to make the November ballot.

Singapore to Relax Death Penalty for Some Drug Traffickers

Hard-line Singapore has announced it is modifying its mandatory death sentence for drug traffickers. It's just a small change, but it may save a few lives, and serve as a signal for other drug death penalty states.

Drug War Snapshot: Ocean City, Maryland

The police in Ocean City, Maryland, are on a mission to maximize marijuana arrests, and they're doing quite well at it. Factor that in to your vacation plans.

Drug War Snapshot: Nueces County, Texas

In Corpus Christi, police have been arresting a thousand people a year on drug charges. That's the single largest reason people make it to felony court in Nueces County.

Drug War Snapshot: Volusia County, Florida

The criminal justice system in Volusia County, Florida, is running largely on the drug war if last Friday's jail bookings are any indication.

Oregon Marijuana Initiative Hands in Final Signatures

Oregon's OCTA marijuana legalization initiative has handed in a final 57,000 signatures. It needs 32,000 of them to be valid to make the November ballot. But election officials invalidated almost half of earlier signatures, so it's still nail-biting time for proponents.

Georgia Puts Welfare Drug Testing on Hold

Georgia's governor was quick to sign a welfare drug testing bill into law, but now he wants to wait for a legal challenge to a similar law in Florida before implementing that law that was supposed to go into effect July 1.

Mexico President-Elect Wants Drug Legalization Talks

Mexico's next president has joined the ever growing chorus of Latin American leaders calling for a serious discussion of drug legalization, even as he announced he would continue to fight the drug war in Mexico.

Mexico's Drug War Version 2.0 [FEATURE]

Mexico's president-elect is going to rejigger the way the country prosecutes its war on the drug cartels, but no radical changes are apparent.

Puerto Rico Narcotics Officer Killed in Ambush

A Puerto Rican narcotics officer becomes the year's 29th drug war fatality after being ambushed in his vehicle Tuesday night.

Did You Know? Federal Expenditures on the Drug War, from DrugWarFacts.org

DrugWarFacts.org, a publication of Common Sense for Drug Policy, is an in-depth compilation of key facts, stats and quotes on the full range of drug policy issues, excerpted from expert publications on the subjects. The Chronicle is running a series of info items from DrugWarFacts.org -- check them out!

Did You Know? Federal Expenditures on the Drug War, from DrugWarFacts.org

DrugWarFacts.org, a publication of Common Sense for Drug Policy, is an in-depth compilation of key facts, stats and quotes on the full range of drug policy issues, excerpted from expert publications on the subjects. The Chronicle is running a series of info items from DrugWarFacts.org -- check them out!

Did You Know? Portugal's Decriminalization Record, on DrugWarFacts.org

DrugWarFacts.org, a publication of Common Sense for Drug Policy, is an in-depth compilation of key facts, stats and quotes on the full range of drug policy issues, excerpted from expert publications on the subjects. The Chronicle is running a series of info items from DrugWarFacts.org, and we encourage you to check it out.

Did You Know? Portugal's Decriminalization Record, on DrugWarFacts.org

DrugWarFacts.org, a publication of Common Sense for Drug Policy, is an in-depth compilation of key facts, stats and quotes on the full range of drug policy issues, excerpted from expert publications on the subjects. The Chronicle is running a series of info items from DrugWarFacts.org, and we encourage you to check it out.

Medical Marijuana Update

The feds continue to play hardball in California and local elected officials across the state are grappling with the issues. Meanwhile, Vermont moves ahead on dispensaries while New Hampshire's medical marijuana bill can't overcome a gubernatorial veto, and that's not all.

Chicago Decriminalizes Marijuana Possession

Following the lead of some of its suburbs, Chicago has decriminalized the possession of less than 15 grams of marijuana for adults.

New Hampshire Medical Marijuana Veto Stands

An effort to override Gov. John Lynch's veto of a medical marijuana bill succeeded in the House but fell short in the Senate.

This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

A scandal that keeps on giving in Florida, a pair of bad apple deputies in LA get their just rewards, a crooked NYPD cop gets his, too, and much, much more.

New Jersey Assembly Passes Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

A decriminalization bill has passed the New Jersey Assembly, but faces an uphill battle to overcome a veto threat from Gov. Christie.

NYPD Sued Over Stop and Frisk Marijuana Arrests

NYPD refuses to stop charging people with misdemeanor marijuana possession after stopping and frisking them and forcing them to empty their pockets so they can be charged with "public possession," so now the Legal Aid Society is suing to make them knock it off.

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