psmith
Stories by psmith
MT Poll Has Rising Majority Support for Marijuana Initiative, New Zealand Marijuana Legalization Falters, More... (10/30/20)
by psmith, October 30, 2020, 04:33pm, (Issue #1113)
Santa Fe joins a growing list of cities and states that have banned no-knock raids, the Montana marijuana legalization initiatives look like they're heading for victory, and more.
VA Governor Signs "Breonna's Law," Oglala Nation Legalizes Marijuana, Hemp, More... (20/29/20)
by psmith, October 29, 2020, 03:46pm, (Issue #1113)
Two Native American nations take different paths on marijuana and hemp, Virginia's governor signs Breonna's Law into effect, and more.
KS Pot Poll Shocker, WY Company Sues DEA, CA Cops Over Destroyed Hemp Field, More... (10/28/20)
by psmith, October 28, 2020, 03:57pm, (Issue #1113)
Massachusetts' highest court rules worker's compensation doesn't cover medical marijuana costs, a Mississippi mayor has issued a last-minute legal challenge to the state's medical marijuana initaitive, and more.
NY Poll Has Strong Majority for Marijuana Legalization, Bolivia's New President Will Industrialize Coca, More... (10/27/20)
by psmith, October 27, 2020, 05:02pm, (Issue #1113)
Both New Yorkers and Czechs are ready to legalize marijuana, Bolivia's new president wants you to use coca toothpaste, and more.
SD Poll Has Both Legal Pot, MedMJ Initiatives Winning; Canada Sees First Legal Magic Mushroom Harvest, More... (10/26/20)
by psmith, October 26, 2020, 04:53pm, (Issue #1113)
A new poll has both of South Dakota's marijuana initiatives winning, a Glasgow activist who runs an unauthorized mobile safe inject site has been arrested but is unbowed, and more.
State, Local Regulators Call on Congress to Move on MORE Act, Rwanda to Allow MedMJ Exports, More... (10/23/20)
by psmith, October 23, 2020, 05:05pm, (Issue #1113)
Rwanda okays medical marijuana exports, state and local marijuana regulators want Congress to move on marijuana legalization, and more.
MT Supreme Court Throws Out Lawsuit Against Pot Initiatives, US Imprisonment Rate at 25-Year Low, More... (10/22/20)
by psmith, October 22, 2020, 03:33pm, (Issue #1113)
The Montana marijuana legalization initiatives have survived a last-minute legal challenge, the ACLU and DPA challenge the murder conviction of a meth-using California woman whose fetus was stillborn, and more.
This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
by psmith, October 21, 2020, 05:47pm, (Issue #1113)
It's jail guards gone wild, an Idaho city marshal gets nailed for peddling pot on duty, a South Carolina deputy heads to federal prison after getting caught in a drug sting, and more.
Medical Marijuana Update
by psmith, October 21, 2020, 04:54pm, (Issue #1113)
Missouri and Virginia see their first medical marijuana sales, a Mississippi medical marijuana initiative campaign gets in trouble with the Trump campaign, and more.
Purdue Pharma Pleads Guilty to Criminal Charges Over Oxycontin, Another NJ Pot Poll Looking Good, More... (10/21/20)
by psmith, October 21, 2020, 04:19pm, (Issue #1113)
The Trump campaign demands a Mississippi medical marijuana initiative campaign cease and desist from saying he supports it, the Transform Drug Policy Foundation releases a book on how to regulate stimulants, and more.
Filipino President Says Hold Him Responsible for Drug War Killings; NM Pot, Decriminalization Poll, More... (10/20/20)
by psmith, October 20, 2020, 04:14pm, (Issue #1113)
New York should be advancing marijuana legalization early next year, Mexico's Senate should be voting on marijuana legalization by month's end, and more.
Former Mexican Defense Minister Busted at LAX, MT Legal Pot Initiative Faces Late Legal Challenge, More... (10/19/20)
by psmith, October 19, 2020, 03:51pm, (Issue #1113)
Missouri and Virginia both saw their first legal medical marijuana sales this past weekend, the US Sentencing Commission reports more than 3,000 federal prisoners have secured sentence reductions under the First Step Act, and more.
NE MedMJ Activists Take Aim at 2022, Study Finds Heroin, Fentanyl Use Up During Pandemic, More... (10/16/20)
by psmith, October 16, 2020, 04:19pm, (Issue #1113)
Virginia's governor signs a minor marijuana reform bill into, the Mexican government has captured a major cartel leader, heroin and fentanyl use is up during the pandemic, and more.
AZ, MT Marijuana Legalization Polls, NM MedMJ Reciprocity Expansion, British Drug Deaths Up, More... (10/15/20)
by psmith, October 15, 2020, 04:59pm, (Issue #1113)
The Drug Policy Alliance is in a new push to move the MORE Act, there are new polls on the Arizona and Montana marijuana legalization initiatives, and more.
This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
by psmith, October 14, 2020, 05:22pm, (Issue #1112)
A group of New Jersey jail guards partied too hearty, an Alabama cop gets caught with cocaine and marijuana, and more.
Supreme Court Won't Hear Marijuana Rescheduling Case, New Zealand Marijuana Vote Saturday, More... (10/14/20)
by psmith, October 14, 2020, 04:39pm, (Issue #1112)
The Supreme Court slaps down the latest effort to reschedule marijuana, Pennsylvania's governor is again calling on the legislature to legalize marijuana, New Zealand votes on marijuana legalization on Saturday, and more.
The Psychedelic Revolution is Coming to the Ballot Box -- This Year [FEATURE]
by psmith, October 13, 2020, 07:20pm, (Issue #1112)
Two quite different psychedelic policy initiatives are on the ballot in Oregon and Washington, DC, next month.
NJ Police Chiefs Warn on Marijuana Legalization, European Drug Tends, More... (10/13/20)
by psmith, October 13, 2020, 04:17pm, (Issue #1112)
Mississippi's Republican governor tries to undermine a medical marijuana initiative, the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction has a new report out, and more.
VA Bill to Limit Traffic Stops Goes to Governor, NJ Pot Poll Looking Good, More... (10/12/20)
by psmith, October 12, 2020, 04:42pm, (Issue #1112)
The Arizona marijuana legalization initiative picks up a big endorsement, Michigan's governor signs a package of "clean slate" bills that includes expunging past pot offenses, and more.
CDC Reports on Rising Cocaine Overdoses, Mexico Poppy Farmers Vow to Fight Eradication, More... (10/9/20)
by psmith, October 09, 2020, 04:26pm, (Issue #1112)
South Dakota's marijuana legalization initiative picks up support from a leading state political figure, the CDC says cocaine overdose deaths nearly tripled between 2013 and 2018, and more.
VT Becomes 11th State to Legalize Personal Use Marijuana Sales, ME Legal Sales Start Tomorrow, More... (10/8/20)
by psmith, October 08, 2020, 02:47pm, (Issue #1112)
The Virginia legislature has passed bills limiting the ability of police to use the odor of marijuana as the pretext for a warrantless search, Vermont has approved a legal adult use marijuana marketplace, and more.
Oregonian Endorses Drug Decrim Measure, Mexico Cartel Post-COVID Threat, More... (10/7/20)
by psmith, October 07, 2020, 03:36pm, (Issue #1112)
Arizona may relax its past marijuana use rules for police applicants, the International Crisis Group calls out the Colombian government over the assassination of hundreds of activists and human rights workers, and more.
OR Drug Decrim Init Gets Chan/Zuckerberg Donation, DC Dems Endorse Psychedelic Initiative, More... (10/6/20)
by psmith, October 06, 2020, 03:27pm, (Issue #1112)
Facebook's founder kicks in half a million dollars for Oregon drug decriminalization, the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition launches a national dialog on the overdose crisis and COVID, a group of French MPs show their reactionary side, and more.
This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
by psmith, October 06, 2020, 10:06am, (Issue #1111)
An LAPD officer gets nailed for stealing money from a grow op worker's backpack during a marijuana raid, and a trio of jail guard break bad.
VT Battle Over Marijuana Bill, Key Mexico Leader Vows Marijuana Legalization Bill Passage by December, More... (10/5/20)
by psmith, October 05, 2020, 04:07pm, (Issue #1111)
Another Arizona poll muddies the waters on support for marijuana legalization, pressure is mounting on Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) to sign or veto the state's marijuana sales bill, and more.
Bipartisan Policy Center Recommends Safe Injection Sites, Marijuana Busts Declined Last Year, More... (10/2/20)
by psmith, October 02, 2020, 04:58pm, (Issue #1111)
The House includes marijuana banking language in its latest COVID relief bill, pot busts declined last year, an Arizona poll is looking good for marijuana legalization there, and more.
VT Governor Hints Could Veto Marijuana Sales Bill, NY Governor Calls for Arrest of Street Drug Users, More... (10/1/20)
by psmith, October 01, 2020, 03:25pm, (Issue #1111)
New Jersey's governor gets behing the marijuana legalization initiative, the Department of Health and Human Services wants to impose hair drug testing on federal employees, the New Zealand marijuana legalization referendum is facing headwinds, and more.
Montana's Marijuana Legalization Campaign Is Set for a Big October Push [FEATURE]
by psmith, October 01, 2020, 03:01am, (Issue #1111)
Montana is one of four states with marijuana legalization on the ballot this year.
Medical Marijuana Update
by psmith, September 30, 2020, 05:39pm, (Issue #1111)
Things are heating up in Mississippi as Election Day nears, the New Jersey legislature approves a medical marijuana telemedicine bill, and more.
CA Governor Signs Marijuana Appellations Bill, IL Senate Committee Takes Up Drug Penalties, More... (9/30/20)
by psmith, September 30, 2020, 04:53pm, (Issue #1111)
A new federal bill uses drugs and terrorism to take aim at tech companies' liability protections, a new Wyoming bill would ban smokable hemp and most CBD products, and more.
AZ Poll Has Legalization Init in Dead Heat, Psychedelic Group Releases Handbook for Organizers, More... (9/29/20)
by psmith, September 29, 2020, 05:12pm, (Issue #1111)
The battle over medical marijuana in Mississippi is heating up, a proposed 2022 Oklahoma marijuana legalization initiative has to go back to the drawing board, and more.
Biden Campaign Scorns Trump Demand for Pre-Debate Drug Test, NE MedMJ Advocates File for 2022, More... (9/28/20)
by psmith, September 28, 2020, 04:25pm, (Issue #1111)
Medical marijuana via telemedicine could be coming soon to New Jersey, medical marijuana via the ballot box could be coming to Nebraska in 2022, and more.
Study Finds Drug Use Rose During Pandemic, San Francisco Sues to Block Dealers from Tenderloin, More... (9/25/20)
by psmith, September 25, 2020, 04:11pm, (Issue #1111)
The Michigan legislature is moving forward on a couple of front, San Francisco prosecutors try suing Tenderloin drug dealers, and more.
OR Dems Endorse Drug Reform Inits, CA East Bay County Ends Drug Possession Prosecutions, More... (9/24/20)
by psmith, September 24, 2020, 05:02pm, (Issue #1111)
East Bay CA County Won't Prosecute for Drug Possession, OR Democrats go all in for drug decriminalization and therapeutic psilocybin initiatives, and more.
Will New Jersey Be the Next State to Legalize Weed? [FEATURE]
by psmith, September 24, 2020, 03:03am, (Issue #1110)
The Garden State is set to get a little greener come November.
No Indictments for Killing Breonna Taylor, Vermont MJ Commerce Bill Goes to Governor, More... (9/23/20)
by psmith, September 23, 2020, 04:18pm, (Issue #1110)
A Vermont legal marijuana commerce bill goes to the governor, Michael Bloomberg has paid the fines of 32,000 felons in Florida so they can vote this year, and more.
SD Marijuana Poll Has Good News, UC Berkeley to Open Psychedelic Research Center, More... (9/22/20)
by psmith, September 22, 2020, 04:37pm, (Issue #1110)
A Texas judge has temporarily lifted a ban on smokable hemp, the Ann Arbor city council approves a resolution effectively decriminalizing plant-based psychedelics, and more.
New Coalition Unveils Plan to Legalize Interstate Marijuana Commerce, Colombia Cocaine Regulation Bill, More... (9/21/20)
by psmith, September 21, 2020, 04:31pm, (Issue #1110)
People with small-time marijuana possession convictions in New York state can now move to get them expunged, Secretary of State Pompeo promises more anti-drug aid for Colombia, and more.
AZ Poll Has MJ Init With Bare Majority, White House Releases Annual Drug Certification List, More... (9/16/20)
by psmith, September 18, 2020, 03:46pm, (Issue #1110)
A new poll has the Arizona marijuana legalization initiative at 51%, the natural psychedelic decriminalization movement comes to Ann Arbor, and more.
House Postpones Marijuana Legalization Vote Until After Election Day, BC Expands "Safe Supply" of Drugs, More... (9/17/20)
by psmith, September 17, 2020, 05:00pm, (Issue #1110)
There will be no House voe on marijuana legalization until after the election, Vermont lawmakers reach agreement on regulated legal marijuana sales, British Columbia moves to expand access to a "safe supply" of drugs to replace street drugs, and more.
Book Review: Hell in the Heartland
by psmith, September 17, 2020, 03:32am, (Issue #1110)
Get ready for some creepy true crime prairie noir.
This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
by psmith, September 16, 2020, 05:11pm, (Issue #1110)
A former DEA task force member and a former DEA agent are the sole members of this week's rogue's gallery.
Marijuana Legalization Appeal Garners Broad Amicus Support, Pending Singapore Drug Execution Slammed, More... (9/16/20)
by psmith, September 16, 2020, 03:52pm, (Issue #1109)
Despite marijuana legalization, Black DC residents still make up 90% of pot arrestees; human rights groups challenge a pending drug execution, and more.
Settlement in Breonna Taylor Drug Raid Killing, UN Human Rights Chief Criticizes Philippines Drug War, More... (9/15/20)
by psmith, September 15, 2020, 04:27pm, (Issue #1109)
There is a landmark settlement in the killing of Breonna Taylor, the federal government hints at a move toward the use of hair follicle testing for federal employees, and more.
VT House Passes Marijuana Expungement, House Methamphetamine Emergency Bill Filed, More... (9/14/20)
by psmith, September 14, 2020, 04:35pm, (Issue #1109)
Montana's marijuana legalizers are now facing organized opposition, House members have filed a law enforcement-supported meth bill, and more.
NE Supreme Court Throws Out MedMJ Init, Bipartisan Federal Bail Reform for Drugs Bill, More... (9/11/20)
by psmith, September 11, 2020, 05:02pm, (Issue #1109)
The Nebraska Supreme Court blocks the state from voting on a medical marijuana initiative, both houses of the Virginia legislature pass marijuana expungement bills, and more.
Federal MJ Research Bill Wins Committee Vote, MA Report on Racial Sentencing Disparities, More... (9/10/20)
by psmith, September 10, 2020, 04:54pm, (Issue #1109)
The federal Medical Marijuana Research Act of 2019 is heading for the House floor, New Jersey Republican party leaders come out hard against marijuana legalization, and more.
Medical Marijuana Update
by psmith, September 09, 2020, 07:15pm, (Issue #1110)
All the medical marijuana news this week involves initiative campaigns.
Mass Murder at Illicit CA Marijuana Grow, Meth & Other Drug Use Up Amidst Pandemic, More... (9/9/20)
by psmith, September 09, 2020, 05:02pm, (Issue #1109)
Maine finally issues its first adult-use marijuana business licenses, a mass killing at an illegal California marijuana grow leaves seven dead, and more.
Biden Calls for Mandatory Treatment for Drug Law Violators, VT Lawmakers Closer to Legalizing MJ Sales, More... (9/8/20)
by psmith, September 08, 2020, 04:46pm, (Issue #1109)
Joe Biden's approach to drug policy appears still rooted in the last century, the Trump administration releases mandatory guidelines for hair follicle testing for truck drivers, and more.
Drug Reform Pioneer Kevin Zeese Dies at Age 64
by psmith, September 07, 2020, 04:53pm, (Issue #1110)
A towering figure in American drug reform has left us.
MN Forfeiture Report Released, PA GOP Continues to Block Marijuana Legalization, More... (9/4/20)
by psmith, September 04, 2020, 05:01pm, (Issue #1109)
The Nebraska Supreme Court hears a challenge to the state's medical marijuana initiative, Minnesota releases an audit of asset forfeiture practices in the state, and more.
CA Safe Injection Site Bill Killed, Good Polls on MS MedMJ and DC Natural Psychedelic Initiatives, More... (9/3/20)
by psmith, September 03, 2020, 04:57pm, (Issue #1108)
There are good polling results for medical marijuana in Mississippi and a natural psychedelic initiative in DC, Pennsylvania's top elected officials call for marijuana legalization, and more.
One State is About to Vote on Radical Drug Policy Reform [FEATURE]
by psmith, September 03, 2020, 02:45am, (Issue #1108)
Oregon can once more leap into the vanguard of drug policy reform by passing a measure that would decriminalize drug possession.
House to Vote on Legal Marijuana This Month, NE MedMJ Initiative Qualifies for Ballot, More... (9/2/20)
by psmith, September 02, 2020, 03:01am, (Issue #1108)
A bill to ban police searches based soley on the odor of marijuana is moving in Virginia, Pennsylvania's governor wants to legalize marijuana to help coronavirus-ravaged state economy, and more.
Canada Gov't Must Respond to Psychedelic Decrim Petition, Colombia Court Halts Coca Eradication, More... (8/24/20)
by psmith, August 24, 2020, 03:05pm, (Issue #1108)
At least one Mexican drug cartel has resorted to using drones armed with explosives, the Canadian federal government must respond to a petition calling for psychedelic decriminalization after signatures hit a trigger mark, and more.
AZ Legalization Initiative a Go, Oakland Cops Raid Mushroom Church, More... (8/21/20)
by psmith, August 21, 2020, 04:18pm, (Issue #1108)
A British prescription heroin pilot program gets extended after promising first year results, police in Oakland raid a club that was selling magic mushrooms, and more.
DEA Loses Bid to Kill MJ Rescheduling Lawsuit, Canada to Stop Prosecuting Most Drug Possession Cases, More... (8/20/20)
by psmith, August 20, 2020, 04:51pm, (Issue #1107)
A new poll shows bipartisan support for marijuana legalization, Colombian coca eradication goes into high gear amidst the pandemic, and more.
Book Review -- Crack: Rock Cocaine, Street Capitalism, and the Decade of Greed
by psmith, August 20, 2020, 02:42pm, (Issue #1107)
David Farber has written a provocative social and cultural history of crack cocaine.
Border Meth Seizures Surge, VT Lawmakers Aim for Accord on Legal Marijuana Sales, More... (8/19/20)
by psmith, August 19, 2020, 04:43pm, (Issue #1107)
Vermont legislators look to reconcile House and Senate legal marijuana sales bills, UN officials in Colombia denounce an increasing number of massacres, and more.
State Treasurers Lobby for Marijuana Banking in COVID Bill, Journalists Harassed in Colombia, More... (8/18/20)
by psmith, August 18, 2020, 04:35pm, (Issue #1107)
A coalition of state treasurers is urging Congress to pass marijuaan banking reforms as part of any coronavirus relief package, Arizona's Maricopa County improves the way it handles smalltime pot busts, and more.
Maine Marijuana Stores to Finally Open, KY "Breonna's Law" Banning No-Knock Raids Filed, More... (8/17/20)
by psmith, August 17, 2020, 03:33pm, (Issue #1107)
After years of delay, Maine regulators say retail marijuana outlets will be open in October, eight people were killed in a Colombian region where different leftist guerrillas are fighting each other for control of the drug trade, and more.
Groups Demand Action on MORE Act, MT Marijuana Inits Qualify, More... (8/14/20)
by psmith, August 14, 2020, 04:37pm, (Issue #1107)
More than a hundred social justice and drug reform groups call on Congress to move the marijuana legalizing MORE Act next month, researchers at Johns Hopkins are partnering with a nonprofit on new research into psilocybin, and more.
DC MJ Sales Init Filed, Filipino Drug Cops Face Murder Charges, More... (8/13/20)
by psmith, August 13, 2020, 03:47pm, (Issue #1106)
DC activists have filed a legal marijuana sales initiative and hope to get it on this year's ballot, the Bahamas extends the mandate of a commission charged with recommending marijuana law reforms, and more.
Can Marijuana Win Over Voters in This High Plains Red State? [FEATURE]
by psmith, August 13, 2020, 03:21am, (Issue #1106)
South Dakota voters will have not one but two different marijuana reform initiatives to decide on in November.
This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
by psmith, August 12, 2020, 05:48pm, (Issue #1106)
A Border Patrol agent does a litle drug transporting on the side, a Utah cop gets frisky with drug court probationers, a pair of California sheriff's deputies pay a price for stealing hundreds of pounds of weed, and more.
MA MJ Industry Unionization Battles, Bolivian Coca Growers Mobilize, More... (8/12/20)
by psmith, August 12, 2020, 04:24pm, (Issue #1106)
A former crime-fighting prosecutor and attorney general who now wants to legalize marijuana is Joe Biden's vice-presidential pick, a Wyoming judge frees some hemp farmers from a spurious prosecution, and more.
AZ Legalization Initiative Qualifies, Canada to Allow Psilocbyin for Terminal Patients, More... (8/11/20)
by psmith, August 11, 2020, 04:33pm, (Issue #1106)
One more state will be voting on marijuana legalization in November, Canadian authorities have granted four terminally ill patients the right to use psilocybin for coming to terms with end of life, and more.
DC Natural Psychedelic Initiative Qualifies, DPA Federal Drug Decrim Push, More... (8/10/20)
by psmith, August 09, 2020, 06:12pm, (Issue #1106)
Residents in the nation's capital will vote on whether to effectively decriminalize natural psychedelics, the Arizona marijuana legalization initiative survives a legal challenge, the Drug Policy Alliance pushes for federal drug decriminalization, and more.
New Federal Legalization Bill, Houston Narcs Indicted, Peru Coca Production Up (Maybe), More... (8/3/20)
by psmith, August 03, 2020, 04:52pm, (Issue #1105)
Peru and the US are in a dispute over how much coca and cocaine is produced there, Houston narcs involved in a deadly botched drug raid get indicted, and more.
SD Medical Association Opposes Marijuana Initiatives, ONDCP Touts Mexico Opium Reduction, More... (7/31/20)
by psmith, July 31, 2020, 04:48pm, (Issue #1105)
Rhode Island's governor is once again pushing for marijuana legalization, the South Dakota state medical association comes out against both medical marijuana and marijuana legalization initiatives, and more.
House Passes Bill to Block DOJ Meddling in State Marijuana Programs, Scots Want Safe Injection Sites, More... (7/30/20)
by psmith, July 30, 2020, 04:42pm, (Issue #1105)
The House has voted to block the Justice Department from interfering with state-legal marijuana programs, a populous Maryland county moves to end no-knock raids for drugs, and more.
Book Review: The Year of Dangerous Days: Riots, Refugees, and Cocaine in Miami 1980 [FEATURE]
by psmith, July 30, 2020, 02:31pm, (Issue #1105)
Miami, 1980. What a year.
This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
by psmith, July 29, 2020, 04:28pm, (Issue #1105)
New York City's finest are at it again, and there's more trouble in the Houston narcotics division.
House to Vote on Protecting All State-Legal Marijuana Programs, Bolivia Coca Cultivation Up, More... (7/29/20)
by psmith, July 29, 2020, 03:55pm, (Issue #1105)
An amendment to block the Justice Department from using its funds to go after state-legal marijuana programs is headed for a House vote, Maryland's Supreme Court rules that the smell of weed isn't enough for a police search and arrest, and more.
Drug Reform Pioneer Arnold Trebach Dies, Dems Reject Marijuana Legalization in Party Platform, More... (7/28/20)
by psmith, July 28, 2020, 03:58pm, (Issue #1105)
A new poll suggests the New Jersey marijuana legalization initiative is headed for victory in November, drug reform pioneer Arnold Trebach had died, and more.
House Could Vote on Marijuana Legalization in September, France to Issue Instant Fines for Drug Use, More... (7/27/20)
by psmith, July 27, 2020, 04:15pm, (Issue #1105)
The House could vote to legalize marijuana this fall, DC activists say their natural entheogen initiative has qualifed for the ballot but it's not official yet, and more.
Oakland Psychedelic Activists Take Next Step, NY Senate Passes MedMJ Housing Protections, More... (7/24/20)
by psmith, July 24, 2020, 04:24pm, (Issue #1105)
Congress could take up an amendment that aims at protecting state-legal marijuana programs next week, Oakland activists are pushing forward with plans to open up natural psychedelics for healing -- but not commercial -- purposes, and more.
Reform Groups Call for Marijuana Legalization Amidst COVID Crisis, DEA Part of Federal Anti-Crime Surge, More... (7/23/20)
by psmith, July 23, 2020, 04:38pm, (Issue #1105)
The initial draft of the Democratic platform calls for not interfering with state marijuana laws but doesn't call for legalization, a North Dakota legalization campaign comes up short, hospitals are warning of IV opioid shortages, and more.
Book Review: Kilo: Inside the Deadliest Cocaine Cartels -- From the Jungle to the Streets [FEATURE]
by psmith, July 23, 2020, 03:17am, (Issue #1104)
Here's a twitchy, harrowing look at Colombia's cocaine industry.
This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
by psmith, July 22, 2020, 04:04pm, (Issue #1104)
A pair of Chicago cops are headed to prison for their misdeeds, and a trio of prison guards break bad.
Medical Marijuana Update
by psmith, July 22, 2020, 03:39pm, (Issue #1104)
The House has approved allowing members of the military to use hemp and CBD products, an Idaho medical marijuana initiative campaign is threatening to sue the state over signature-gathering, and more.
AZ Pot Foes File Suit to Block Initiative, House Votes to Allow Military Members to Use Hemp and CBD, More... (7/22/20)
by psmith, July 22, 2020, 03:19pm, (Issue #1104)
The organized opposition makes a move in Arizona, a Pennsylvania lawmaker is trying to jumpstart a stalled marijuana legalization bill, and more.
AZ Poll Shows Strong Support for MJ Legalization, BC Premier Asks for Canada Drug Decrim, More... (7/21/20)
by psmith, July 21, 2020, 04:15pm, (Issue #1104)
The city of Chicago will pay out big time for seizing the vehicles of people in small-time drug busts, a California bill would undo some drug war sentencing excesses, the Colombian opposition has filed a bill to decriminalize and regulate cocaine, and more.
MT Legalization Activists Say They've Qualified for Ballot, Mexican Cartel Shows Off Its Firepower, More... (7/20/20)
by psmith, July 20, 2020, 04:15pm, (Issue #1104)
New Approach Montana says county-level data shows it has qualified a marijuana legalization initiative for the November ballot but the results aren't official yet, Canada's health minister says she's open to discussing drug decriminalization, and more.
CA Marijuana Arrests Decline But Disparities Persist, AR MedMJ Growers Sue to Block Competition, More... (7/17/20)
by psmith, July 17, 2020, 04:29pm, (Issue #1104)
California marijuana felonies are at the lowest level since 1954, Argentina moves to make its medical marijuana program more patient-friendly, and more.
House Hearing on DC Entheogens Init, Colombia Drug Gangs Enforce Pandemic Lockdowns, More... (7/16/20)
by psmith, July 16, 2020, 06:54pm, (Issue #1104)
A first congressional challenge to the Washington, DC, natural psychedelics initiative has been fended off, Mexico's toll of "disappeared" in drug violence in the past 14 years tops 70,000, and more.
CDC Says Fatal Drug ODs Up Last Year, FL Supreme Court Orders Rare Second Hearing in MedMJ Case, More... (7/15/20)
by psmith, July 15, 2020, 04:35pm, (Issue #1104)
After the first decline in drug ODs in decades in 2018, the number jumped again last year, the CDC says; Canadian psychotherapists want the ability to use psilocybin themselves to better treat patients using the drug, and more.
ID MedMJ Initiative Campaign Threatens to Sue Over Signature-Gathering, Colombia to Spray Coca Crops, More... (7/14/20)
by psmith, July 14, 2020, 04:42pm, (Issue #1104)
The Idaho Cannabis Coalition threatens to sue if state officials don't allow it to use electronic signature-gathering in the midst of the pandemic, a drug testing lab reports spikes in the use of four illicit drugs during the pandemic, and more.
This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
by psmith, July 14, 2020, 03:28am, (Issue #1103)
Hoo, boy! Highway patrolmen cooking up 'shrooms, district judges tipping off friends and messing up drug investigations, and more.
Drug Reform Initiatives Already on the November Ballot and Those That Could Still Make the Cut [FEATURE]
by psmith, July 14, 2020, 02:40am, (Issue #1103)
Drug decriminalization, marijuana legalization, medical marijuana, and psychedelic reform initiatives have all already qualified for the ballot this year, and more still may.
Democratic Platform to Call for Rescheduling and Decriminalizing Marijuana But Not Legalizing, Canada Police Chiefs Want Drug Decrim, More... (7/13/20)
by psmith, July 13, 2020, 04:49pm, (Issue #1103)
Democratic task forces working on the party platform have settled on rescheduling and decriminalizing marijuana but not legalizing, the Justice Department rips a Massachusetts dope squad for its resort to excessive force, Canadian police chiefs call for drug decriminalization, and more.
House Spending Bills Include MedMJ Protections, DC Psychedelic Initiative Hands in Signatures, More... (7/7/20)
by psmith, July 07, 2020, 04:54pm, (Issue #1103)
Mexico once again looks set to move forward with medical marijuana, House funding bills include protections for medical marijuana -- but not recreational marijuana -- and more.
Arkansas Marijuana Legalization Initiative Won't Make Ballot, More Mexico Mayhem, More... (7/6/20)
by psmith, July 06, 2020, 04:55pm, (Issue #1103)
Nevada's governor pushes for wholesale marijuana possession pardons, prohibition-related violence flares in Mexico, and more.
Austin Police to End Minor MJ Busts, Southern CA DAs Let 100,000 MJ Convictions Be Cleared, More... (7/3/20)
by psmith, July 03, 2020, 04:12pm, (Issue #1103)
The capital of Texas gives up on enforcing minor marijuana possession offenses, Virginia Democratic lawmakers are eyeing legalization next year, and more.
Nashville to End Small-Time Pot Prosecutions, More Cops Charged in Wake of Fatal Houston Drug Raid, More... (7/2/20)
by psmith, July 02, 2020, 04:37pm, (Issue #1103)
Drug reform initiative campaigns are handing in signatures as deadlines approach, Nashville's DA says no more petty pot prosecutions, Mexican gunmen kill 24 in a raid on a drug rehab center, and more.
OR Drug Decrim Will Go to Voters, VA Marijuana Decrim Now in Effect, More... (7/1/20)
by psmith, July 01, 2020, 04:23pm, (Issue #1103)
The Old Dominion decriminalizes pot possession, Oregon will vote on decriminalizing all drugs, drug overdoses are jumping during the pandemic, and more.
OR Therapeutic Psilocbyin Init Looks Set to Make Ballot, Atlanta Cops Quit Drug Arrests During Sickout, More... (6/30/20)
by psmith, June 30, 2020, 05:06pm, (Issue #1102)
UN human rights experts keep up the pressure on the Philippines, the Oregon therapuetic psilocbyin initiative looks set to make the November ballot, and more.
NYPD Spent Almost $100 Million on Drug Enforcement Last Year, Mexico Cartel Violence, More... (6/26/20)
by psmith, June 26, 2020, 04:31pm, (Issue #1102)
Mexico City's police chief narrowly escapes a cartel assassination attempt, the NYPD spent nearly $100 million enforcing the drug laws last year, and more.
DOJ Whistleblower Accuses Barr of Anti-Pot Bias, Marijuana Reform Pioneer Dr. Lester Grinspoon Dies, More... (6/25/20)
by psmith, June 25, 2020, 05:02pm, (Issue #1102)
Bill Barr is accused of improperly pushing probes of legal marijuana companies, DARPA is funding research into psychedelic-inspired drugs for military purposes, Virginia's Black Legislative Caucus wants marijuana legalized this summer, and more.
