psmith
Stories by psmith
Jesus Blancornelas, 70; wrote exposes on Tijuana drug cartels
from Los Angeles Times, November 25, 2006Location:
Drug Raids: Atlanta Police Kill Woman, 92, Who Shot Invading Officers
by psmith, November 24, 2006, 11:21am, (Issue #462)
Three undercover police officers serving a no-knock drug seach warrant in Atlanta were hit by gunfire from the 92-year old homeowner before they shot and killed her.
Marijuana: San Francisco Supervisors Approve Lowest Law Enforcement Priority Policy
by psmith, November 24, 2006, 10:41am, (Issue #462)
San Francisco became the latest in a growing list of cities taking the lead in reforming marijuana policies.
Canada: BC Business-Academic Panel Tells Government to Consider Legalizing Drugs
by psmith, November 23, 2006, 08:14pm, (Issue #462)
A blue ribbon panel says to either legalize drugs or really crack down with the goal of wiping them out.
Europe: Give Addicts Prescription Heroin, Says British Police Commander
by psmith, November 23, 2006, 03:29pm, (Issue #462)
As Britain's top cops meet to discuss drug policy, one police commander is saying the government should provide prescription heroin to addicts.
Feature: Students Lobby and Learn in DC as SSDP Comes to Town
by psmith, November 23, 2006, 02:17pm, (Issue #462)
Students for Sensible Drug Policy held its annual conference in Washington, DC, last weekend. Here's our report.
Merced Pot Grower Convicted; Jury Takes Just Two Hours to Return Verdict; Medical Marijuana Defense Fails
from Fresno Bee, November 23, 2006Location:
Along the Northern Mexican Border, Fear Rules
from , November 23, 2006Location:
Questions Surround Fatal Shooting of Woman, 92; Police Say They Had Made Drug Buy at Home
from Atlanta Journal-Constitution, November 22, 2006Location:
Europe: British Drug Expert Calls for Downgrade on LSD, Ecstasy
by psmith, November 22, 2006, 04:34pm, (Issue #462)
The head of the British Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has called for ecstasy and LSD to be reclassified as less serious drugs, but the government has signalled it isn't listening.
Harm Reduction: Yet Another Study Finds Vancouver's Safe Injection Site Benefits Users Without Harming Community
by psmith, November 22, 2006, 03:40pm, (Issue #462)
Canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper doesn't like safe injection sites, but as yet another study shows, science is not on his side.
Europe: Italian Government Loosens Marijuana Possession Limits
by psmith, November 22, 2006, 02:31pm, (Issue #462)
An administrative measure last week doubled the amount of marijuana people can possess without facing criminal charges.
Sentencing: Veteran Houston Judge Calls for Shorter Sentences for Drug Possession
by psmith, November 22, 2006, 02:27pm, (Issue #462)
Houston (Harris County) accounts for nearly 40% of all Texas prisoners serving state jail time for drug possession offenses. Now, a conservative Houston jurist says enough is enough.
Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
by psmith, November 22, 2006, 02:23pm, (Issue #462)
A couple of unusual ones this week -- a coke-dealing former fire chief in Connecticut and a Texas cop whose wife has a bad passport and some very shady connections.
Racial Profiling: It Never Went Away on the New Jersey Turnpike
by psmith, November 22, 2006, 02:21pm, (Issue #462)
As New Jersey's governor ponders whether to continue a consent decree designed to eliminate racial profiling by State Police, the ACLU says the problem is worse than ever.
Police Kill Woman, 92, in Shootout [Atlanta Drug Raid Gone Bad]
from Associated Press, November 22, 2006Location:
Italian Lawmaker Claims He Planted Marijuana in Parliament
from Reuters, November 22, 2006Location:
Police Chief Says Give Heroin to Addicts
from ITV News, November 22, 2006Location:
Injection Site Hasn't Led to Crime, Study Finds
from Toronto Globe & Mail, November 21, 2006Location:
Police Chiefs to Debate Drug Fight [UK]
from Press Association (UK), November 21, 2006Location:
Judge Calls for Easing of Drug Penalty; Citing Felony Docket Loads, He Asks Perry to Cut Sentences for Minor Possession
from Houston Chronicle, November 21, 2006Location:
Is It Time for Direct Action to Shut Down DEA Headquarters?
by psmith, November 21, 2006, 12:51pm
One of the nice things about coming to Washington is more stimulating dinner discussions than I'm accustomed to out in the boondocks.
UK is Europe's Worst Offender for Cocaine Use
from Press Association (UK), November 20, 2006Location:
SSDP Conference Invigorates and Educates Students and Non-Students Alike
by psmith, November 19, 2006, 10:58am
The Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) conference in Washington, DC saw its third and final day, and it was a rousing weekend for drug reformer
Pot Seizures Foretell Bumper Crop [in Mexico]
from Associated Press, November 19, 2006Location:
Judge Rejects San Diego Challenge to Medical Marijuana Law
from Associated Press, November 17, 2006Location:
Heading to DC for SSDP!
by psmith, November 15, 2006, 08:14pm
After five longs days incommunicado in darkest Dakota, I am crawling out of my cave and heading for the East Coast to check out the Students for Sensible
I'm sick and tired of begging my fellow citizens to not throw me in jail...
by psmith, November 10, 2006, 01:22pm
...because I might smoke something of which they don't approve.
Election 2006: Arizona Voters Take a Step Backwards on Sentencing Reform
by psmith, November 09, 2006, 11:46pm, (Issue #461)
Arizona voters took a step backward by allowing first- and second-time methamphetamine offenders to be sentenced to jail or prison -- unlike any other Arizona drug possession offenders.
Election 2006: Drug Reformers in Third Party Statewide Bids Poll Single Digits, But One Wins a State House Seat in Washington
by psmith, November 09, 2006, 11:10pm, (Issue #461)
A drug reformer won a state house seat as a Democrat this week, but third-party reformers got largely ignored at the polls.
Election 2006: Massachusetts Voters in Four More Districts Continue the Clamor for Marijuana Law Reform
by psmith, November 09, 2006, 09:11pm, (Issue #461)
Four more Massachusetts representative districts have voted to ask their reps to support either marijuana decriminalization or medical marijuana bills in the state legislature.
Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
by psmith, November 09, 2006, 09:07pm, (Issue #461)
A Kentucky deputy gets caught stealing from the office stash, so does a Cleveland court employee, and a Cleveland cop's husband's activities is raising eyebrows.
Election 2006: Local Marijuana Initiatives Win Across the Board
by psmith, November 09, 2006, 05:20pm, (Issue #461)
Statewide marijuana initiatives may have had a tough time this year, but it was a clean sweep for local lowest priority initiatives, which went five for five, plus a local medical marijuana measure.
Election 2006: Initiatives Defeated in Colorado and Nevada, But Hundreds of Thousands Voted to Legalize Marijuana
by psmith, November 09, 2006, 03:59pm, (Issue #461)
Two marijuana legalization initiatives went down to defeat in Colorado and Nevada, but by relatively narrow margins. Organizers are vowing to try again.
Dwight Gooden is Released From Prison After Seven Months
from Bloomberg News, November 09, 2006Location:
Election 2006: South Dakota Medical Marijuana Initiative Backers Vow to Try Again After Narrow Defeat
by psmith, November 09, 2006, 01:10pm, (Issue #461)
In a close vote, South Dakota voters became the first in the nation to turn back a medical marijuana initiative, but organizers vow to try again.
[Mexican] Marijuana Harvest Yields Bumper Crop
from KVOA-TV Tucson, November 09, 2006Location:
Sentencing: US Supreme Court to Try to Clean Up Post-Booker Ruling Issues
by psmith, November 08, 2006, 01:26am, (Issue #461)
Last year's Supreme Court decision making federal sentencing guidelines only advisory has led to confusion in the federal courts. Now the high court has agreed to hear two cases that could help stop the head-scratching--and maybe get some drug offenders some shorter sentences.
Looking Bad for the Statewide Marijuana Initiatives
by psmith, November 08, 2006, 01:20am
It's just after 1AM Eastern time, and it looks like the Colorado, Nevada, and South Dakota marijuana initiatives are all headed for defeat.
Sentencing: Public Hearings on Illinois SMART Act Pack 'Em In
by psmith, November 07, 2006, 03:29pm, (Issue #461)
Public hearings on an Illinois bill that would divert first-time drug possession offenders into "drug schools" instead of prison are now underway across the state, and if the crowd in Chicago is any indication, public interest is high.
Medical Marijuana: First New Federal Prosecution in Three Years Underway in California
by psmith, November 07, 2006, 03:24pm, (Issue #461)
Federal authorities had not prosecuted a California medical marijuana patient or provider since the Ed Rosenthal trial blew up in their face three years ago, but that changed Wednesday.
Let's Not Forget Massachusetts
by psmith, November 06, 2006, 01:22pm
In our list of drug policy-related ballot issues last Friday, we neglected to mention Massachusetts.
More Take the Rehab Way Out; [Enron's] Fastow is the Latest Corporate Convict to Seek Counseling to Cut Time Off Sentence
from Houston Chronicle, November 06, 2006Location:
Tories Blocked Needle Sites Despite Internal Poll Results; 56% of Canadians in Favor of More Injection Facilities
from Ottawa Citizen, November 06, 2006Location:
Cloudy Future For Marijuana As Medicine
from Associated Press, November 06, 2006Location:
Kelo TV Poll: Medical Marijuana [South Dakota, Losing 35% to 60%]
from KELO TV Sioux Falls, November 05, 2006Location:
Gathering Will Mark 10 Years of Medical Marijuana Use
from Los Angeles Times, November 04, 2006Location:
Federal Official Criticizes Medical Marijuana Issue
from Associated Press, November 04, 2006Location:
Afghan Farmers Likely to Match Harvest [Record 2007 Crop Predicted]
from Associated Press, November 03, 2006Location:
Higher Education: Federal Court Dismisses Challenge to HEA Drug Provision
by psmith, November 02, 2006, 09:23pm, (Issue #460)
A South Dakota federal court judge has dismissed a challenge to the consitutionality of the Higher Education Act's drug provision.
Feature: Colorado and Nevada to Vote on Marijuana Legalization Measures Tuesday
by psmith, November 02, 2006, 06:17pm, (Issue #460)
Less than a week out, initiatives to legalize marijuana possession in Colorado and permit regulated sales and possession in Nevada face an uphill battle, but organizers remain hopeful.
Feature: Alabama Drug Reformer Loretta Nall Accidentally Becomes the "Cleavage" Candidate
by psmith, November 02, 2006, 04:32pm, (Issue #460)
Loretta Nall didn't set out to be the "cleavage" candidate when launching her campaign, but she recognized a good strategy when a newspaper columnist thrust it upon her.
Drug Reform and Drug Reformers in the 2006 Elections -- The List
by psmith, November 02, 2006, 02:52pm, (Issue #460)
With the 2006 elections just days away, here's a look at drug reform issues and drug reformers on the ballot.
93% of Canadians Okay With Medicinal Pot
from CanWest News Service, November 02, 2006Location:
Medical Marijuana: Patients Challenge DEA Head at San Diego Conference, Seven Arrested
by psmith, November 02, 2006, 01:38am, (Issue #460)
DEA head Karen Tandy refused to meet with medical marijuana patients in San Diego Wednesday, the patients refused to leave, seven were arrested, and Tandy got to feel the heat for the actions of her agency.
South Pacific: Sympathy for Marijuana Growers in Vanuatu
by psmith, November 02, 2006, 01:02am, (Issue #460)
The South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu is seeing increased marijuana use and cultivation. While the usual suspects raise concerns, at least one member of parliament is sticking up for growers.
Marijuana: Massachusetts Gubernatorial Candidate Favors Legalization, Just Not During His Term
by psmith, November 02, 2006, 12:58am, (Issue #460)
In a debate last week, Massachusetts Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deval Patrick said he could support marijuana legalization, and in the next breath, vowed to veto a marijuana decriminalization bill if it crossed his desk.
Middle East: After Lebanon War, Israeli Cannabis Prices Spike
by psmith, November 02, 2006, 12:52am, (Issue #460)
An unintended consequence of last summer's war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon is a steep spike in hashish prices paid by Israeli consumers due to increased border security.
Coming Down to the Wire in Nevada and Colorado
by psmith, November 01, 2006, 04:44pm
We're getting down to the final days of this election season, and we're waiting with bated breath for that first marijuana legalization victory in Colorado and/or Nevada.
Unproven Meth, Cocaine "Remedy" Hits Market; Reseachers Debate Quick Fix: Is It Good Medicine or Just Marketing?
from MSNBC, November 01, 2006Location:
[South Dakota] Bill Pits Attorney General Against Medical Marijuana Proponents
from Rapid City Journal, November 01, 2006Location:
Medical Marijuana Advocates Arrested
from Fox News 6 San Diego, November 01, 2006Location:
Africa: As Marijuana Growing Expands, Swaziland Begins to Ponder Hemp
by psmith, November 01, 2006, 02:34am, (Issue #460)
Faced with falling commodity prices, Swazi farmers are turning to marijuana as a cash crop. Now there's talk of growing hemp.
Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
by psmith, November 01, 2006, 02:27am, (Issue #460)
A Virginia sheriff and most of his department goes down for reselling seized drug and guns, a Border Patrol guard gets caught turning a blind eye in exchange for sex and cash, dope is missing from the Boston Police evidence warehouse, a small town police chief pleads guilty to protecting crack dealers, and two cops are going to prison for dealing drugs.
Prescription Painkillers Becoming More Popular Than Marijuana, SAMHSA Says
from Join Together Online, October 31, 2006Location:
California Seizes Record Number of Pot Plants
from Associated Press, October 31, 2006Location:
Russia Raises Afghanistan Drugs Issue With EU
from Novosti News Agency, October 31, 2006Location:
The Cartels Are Coming, the Cartels Are Coming! (Or A New Meme Emerges)
by psmith, October 30, 2006, 01:44pm
No, not the Colombian cartels and not the Mexican cartels.
Pot Proponents Shout Down Governor
from ABC-TV7 Denver, October 29, 2006Location:
Bogota Targets Europe in Cocaine-Awareness Drive
from Financial Times, October 27, 2006Location:
Europe: Belgian MP Joins Growing Cannabis Social Club Movement
by psmith, October 26, 2006, 07:57pm, (Issue #459)
Europe's nascent Cannabis Social Club movement gained a prominent new face this week when a Belgian Member of Parliament signed on.
Canada: Supreme Court Overturns Conviction of Medical Marijuana Activist
by psmith, October 26, 2006, 07:52pm, (Issue #459)
Canada's Supreme Court on Thursday threw out the conviction of medical marijuana activist Grant Krieger because of a judge's overreaching jury instructions.
Feature: Nail-Biting Time for South Dakota's Medical Marijuana Initiative
by psmith, October 26, 2006, 06:33pm, (Issue #459)
With November 7 drawing near and drug warriors on the campaign trail, prospects for South Dakota's medical marijuana initiative are "iffy."
Feature: Lowest Law Enforcement Priority Marijuana Initiatives Face the Voters in Five Cities
by psmith, October 26, 2006, 04:51pm, (Issue #459)
Three California cities and one in Arkansas have lowest law enforcement priority marijuana initiatives on the ballot. We check in to see how they're doing as the final countdown begins.
Feature: The Next Prohibition? Poll Finds Nearly Half of Americans Favor Banning Cigarettes
by psmith, October 26, 2006, 02:20pm, (Issue #459)
A poll released Thursday finds that nearly half of Americans support making cigarettes illegal.
13,000 Joints
by psmith, October 26, 2006, 12:35pm
That's what a South Dakota sheriff just told me you could get from one marijuana plant.
With Beheadings and Attacks, Drug Gangs Terrorize Mexico
from New York Times, October 26, 2006Location:
Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
by psmith, October 26, 2006, 01:16am, (Issue #459)
More crooked cops trying to rip-off drug dealers, another one trying to rip-off his own department, and, of course, yet another prison guard trying to earn a few bucks on the side.
Law Enforcement: Lawsuit Shines Light on Florida Police Department's Shady Forfeiture Practice
by psmith, October 26, 2006, 01:13am, (Issue #459)
Florida has an asset forfeiture law that provides for legal recourse, but that's too much bother for one Sunshine State police department.
Middle East: In Battle Over Criminalizing Bongs, Israeli Justice Department Unit Calls for End to Persecuting Marijuana Users
by psmith, October 26, 2006, 01:07am, (Issue #459)
A battle over a bill to criminalize the possession of bongs, has led part of the Israeli Justice Department to call for an end to the persecution of marijuana and hashish users.
Europe: Spanish Medical Marijuana Group Goes Public with "Therapeutic Cannabis Bank"
by psmith, October 26, 2006, 01:03am, (Issue #459)
A medical marijuana activist group in the Spanish Basque country has announced the first aboveground "Cannabis Pharmacy," and the Spanish health ministry is not happy.
Opium Plan Poppycock, Experts Say
from Ottawa Sun, October 25, 2006Location:
Bush Official Speaks Against Question 7--Pro-marijuana legalization protestors at panel discussion
from The Nevada Appeal, October 25, 2006Location:
Third-Party Candidacies vs. Voting for the Lesser Evil
by psmith, October 25, 2006, 12:29am
Last week's < a href="" target=_blank_>feature article on the Zeese and Thornton campaigns (Zeese is running for US Senate in a tight race in Maryland and Thornton is running for governor of Con
WOLA/USOC Press Release: Planning Murders While Negotiating Peace: Colombian Attorney General’s Office Releases Report on Evidence Found In Paramilitary Leader Rodrigo “Jorge 40” Tovar’s Laptop
by psmith, October 24, 2006, 07:08pm
From the Washington Office on Latin America and US Office on Colombia:
Planning Mur
MP calls for licensing of opium--Afghanistan's huge opium trade should be licensed as a way to undermine the Taleban, a Tory MP has suggested.
from BBC News, October 24, 2006Location:
Rumsfeld Urged to Change Afghan Drug Trade Policy
from USA Today, October 24, 2006Location:
Alabama Candidate Campaigns on Cleavage (Loretta Nall)
from Associated Press, October 23, 2006Location:
Rise in Bribery Tests Integrity of US Border--From California to Texas, 200 Officials Indicted Since 2004
from Los Angeles Times, October 23, 2006Location:
Sheriff Cantu Couldn't Resist the Mordida--The Texas lawman, sent to prison for taking bribes, says: 'I should be punished for what I did wrong.'
from Los Angeles Times, October 23, 2006Location:
Cannabis Next Target of War on Drugs (Afghanistan)
from Institute for War and Peace Reporting, October 23, 2006Location:
Pot issue's fate at polls hazy--As officials debate the merits and dangers of marijuana, a poll shows a third voters undecided last month as undecided on Amendment 44
from Denver Post, October 23, 2006Location:
Cocaine Crisis Prompts Spain to Unleash Flood of Anti-Drug Ads
from Bloomberg News, October 23, 2006Location:
The Deputy Drug Czar Comes to South Dakota
by psmith, October 23, 2006, 12:00pm
Scott Burns, deputy director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota's largest city, on Friday.
Looking at the UN, smelling a rat---A comment on ‘Sweden’s succesful drug policy: a review of the evidence’ UNODC september 2006
by psmith, October 22, 2006, 08:52pm
http://www.cedro-uva.org/lib/cohen.looking.html
Peter Cohen (2006), Looking at th
Pot Proposals vs. Drug Warriors
from Washington Times, October 22, 2006Location:
Legalize Marijuana? Bookies Say It's Not a Safe Bet
from Aspen Times, October 22, 2006Location:
Law Enforcement Condemns Marijuana Measure (South Dakota)
from KELO TV Sioux Falls, October 21, 2006Location:
Stand Up to the DEA! (Americans for Safe Access San Diego Action, 10/31)
by psmith, October 20, 2006, 07:50pm
Please forward this message
Patients to Protest DEA Raids at upcoming San Diego Conference
Medical cannabis (marijuana) patients and advocates will protest outside
a DEA conference in San Diego on
Divided [Oregon] Supreme Court Upholds Restrictions on Police Seizures
from Salem Statesman Journal, October 20, 2006
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Consequences of Prohibition
CorruptionFinancial Corruption, Glamorization of Criminality, Government CorruptionCrime & ViolenceCivil Conflict, Drug Trade Funding Terrorists, Increased Illegal Gun Prevalence, Police/Suspect Altercations, Property Crime, Turf WarsDisorderDrug Trade in Schools, Open Air Markets, Police-Community Tensions, Political InstabilityEnvironmental HarmDeforestation, Meth LabsFutile PursuitsBusts & SeizuresHarm IntensificationDisease, Increased Drug Potency, Overdoses, Poisoned Drug Supply, Popularization of Worse Drugs
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AcademicsElectoral PoliticsBallot Measures (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020), Candidates/RacesFederal GovernmentCongress, Executive Branch (DEA, ONDCP), Federal CourtsLaw EnforcementLegal CommunityOur SideOrganizations (Changing Minds 2009, Changing Minds 2010, Director's Blog), Political LeadersPolitics Outside USCanada, Philippines, United NationsPollingState & Local GovernmentState & Local Executive Branches, State & Local Legislatures, State CourtsThe Drug DebateDecriminalization, Legalization (Legalization Supporters, Marijuana Legalization), Media, Medicalization, Moderates, Prohibition, Public Opinion, Regulation of Legal Drugs, Spending Priorities, Tax and Regulate, Treatment Not JailThe Other SideBarry McCaffrey, Jim Sensenbrenner, John Walters, Mark Souder