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Commute This Sentence; A Clemency Case Not Even President Bush Can Ignore--Or Can He?

from Washington Post, December 09, 2006
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Poppy Business Booms in Western Burma

from Mizzima News, December 09, 2006
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Pain Patients: Richard Paey Loses Appeal, Wheelchair-Bound Man to Remain in Prison

by psmith, December 07, 2006, 06:33pm, (Issue #464)
Richard Paey, the wheelchair-bound pain patient serving a 25-year mandatory minimum sentence as a drug dealer under Florida law, will remain in prison after losing an appeal this week. But a sympathetic appeals court suggested he seek clemency from the governor.

DRCNet Book Review: "Fatal Distraction: The War on Drugs in the Age of Islamic Terror," by Arnold Trebach (2006, Unlimited Publishing, 398 pp., $19.95 PB)

by psmith, December 07, 2006, 05:26pm, (Issue #464)
Arnold Trebach, the dean of American drug reform, is at it again with the publication of his latest book, "Fatal Distraction: The War on Drugs in the Age of Islamic Terror."

Drug Reform and the Democratic Congress: What's Going to Happen?

by psmith, December 07, 2006, 03:05pm, (Issue #464)
Will Democratic control of the Congress mean significant drug reform progress next year? Drug reformers certainly hope so, but the prospects are uncertain.

Judge Rejects Counties' Medical Marijuana Suit

from Los Angeles Times, December 07, 2006
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Harm Reduction: New Jersey Needle Exchange Bill Moves to Final Floor Votes Next Week

by psmith, December 07, 2006, 12:36am, (Issue #464)
New Jersey is the only state in the nation with neither needle exchange nor non-prescription needle sales, but that could change Monday as a needle exchange bill heads for final floor votes in both houses of the legislature.

Medical Marijuana: County Lawsuit Challenging California Law Thrown Out

by psmith, December 07, 2006, 12:04am, (Issue #464)
Officials of San Diego, Merced and San Bernardino counties who are hostile to California's medical marijuana law lost a court battle.

Marijuana: Yet Another Scientific Study Debunks "Gateway Theory"

by psmith, December 06, 2006, 10:56pm
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are the latest to produce studies challenging the validity of the "gateway theory" -- the idea that the use of marijuana is a "gateway" to harder drug use.

Hemp: North Dakota Becomes First State to Legalize Industrial Production

by psmith, December 06, 2006, 10:50pm, (Issue #464)
North Dakota becomes the first state to legalize industrial hemp production, with licenses available beginning January 1. But someone is going to have to do something about the DEA's opposition, or nobody's going to be growing hemp any time soon.

Law Enforcement: Rev. Al Sharpton Calls for Congressional Hearings into Police Killings of Civilians

by psmith, December 06, 2006, 10:44pm, (Issue #464)
In the wake of a trio of high-profile police killings of civilians, African-American civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton is calling for congressional hearings on police violence.

Sentencing: US Supreme Court Rules for Immigrants in Drug Possession Deportation Case

by psmith, December 06, 2006, 05:54pm, (Issue #464)
In a Tuesday decision, the US Supreme Court ruled that immigrants convicted of drug felonies under state law are not subject to mandatory deportation unless the offense is classified as a felony under the federal Controlled Substances Act.

Sentencing: US Supreme Court Lets Stand Pot Dealer's 55-Year Mandatory Minimum Sentence

by psmith, December 06, 2006, 05:50pm, (Issue #464)
Observers had hoped the court would use the case to address the excesses of mandatory minimum sentences, but no such luck.

Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

by psmith, December 06, 2006, 05:40pm, (Issue #464)
After a one-week hiatus, the corrupt cops stories are back, thanks in large part to the help of Chronicle readers -- we have a veritable potpourri of police misconduct with a heavy emphasis on the larcenous.

Pentagon Resists Pleas for Help in Afghan Opium Fight

from Los Angles Times, December 05, 2006
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Readers, Thanks for Your Help. Keep Those Corrupt Cop Story Tips Coming!

by psmith, December 04, 2006, 09:46pm
On Friday, I blogged about how for the first time in years I hadn't run a "This Week's Corrupt Cops" piece because I couldn't find any stories.

What Will a Democratic Congress Mean for Drug Reform?

by psmith, December 04, 2006, 09:37pm
One of the articles I'm working on this week will be called "Drug Reform and the Democratic Congress: What's Really Going to Happen?" I've already talked to a number of inside the beltway drug reform

Supreme Court Lets Stand 55-Year Term

from Associated Press, December 04, 2006
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Police Caught in Cross Hairs of Tijuana Violence

from San Diego Union-Tribune, December 04, 2006
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Offbeat: Make It Legal

from Sandusky Register, December 04, 2006
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Misguided Drug War Claims Another Victim

from Atlanta Journal-Constitution, December 02, 2006
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The House of Death: When 12 bodies were found buried in the garden of a Mexican house, it seemed like a case of drug-linked killings. But the trail led to Washington and a cover-up that went right to the top.

from The Observer [UK], December 02, 2006
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Supreme Court to Hear "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" Case

from Chicago Tribune, December 02, 2006
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Readers, I need your help! Where are the corrupt cops?

by psmith, December 01, 2006, 03:40pm
Some of you have undoubtedly noticed that the long-running "This Week's Corrupt Cops" feature was missing this week. That's because I didn't have any stories for it.

Town Hall Meeting on APD Shooting

from WXIA-TV Atlanta, December 01, 2006
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Drug Raids: Cops Looking Worse and Worse as Facts Emerge in Deadly Atlanta Case

by psmith, December 01, 2006, 01:34am, (Issue #463)
The killing of an elderly Atlanta woman in a drug raid last week continues to reverbrate through the community. With each passing day, the police are looking worse.

Marijuana: Lowest Priority Initiatives Coming to Maine

by psmith, November 30, 2006, 11:04pm, (Issue #463)
Maine could become the next state where municipalities pass a lowest law enforcement priority marijuana initiative. Activists there have the process well under way already.

Legalization: Vermont States Attorney Calls for Decriminalization of All Drugs

by psmith, November 30, 2006, 10:36pm, (Issue #463)
A Vermont states attorney has spoken out publicly against the drug war. All drugs should be "decriminalized" and drug abuse considered as a public health issue, he says.

Feature: World Bank-UN Report Offers Grim Assessment of Afghanistan Opium Battle, Says Winning Will Take Decades, Not Years

by psmith, November 30, 2006, 10:09pm, (Issue #463)
A new report from the World Bank and UN is just the latest to warn of the difficulties facing drug warriors in Afghanistan. The report is comprehensive, exacting, and grim.

Feature: Medical Marijuana Gets a Hearing in Michigan

by psmith, November 30, 2006, 09:04pm, (Issue #463)
Medical marijuana came to the state legislature in Michigan this week, for the first time -- and made an unexpectedly strong showing.

Sentencing: Correctional Supervision At All-Time High With Over Seven Million People Tied to the System

by psmith, November 30, 2006, 05:51pm, (Issue #463)
In its latest annual studies on the prison and probation/parole population in the US, the Bureau of Justice Statistics reports the numbers are at an all-time high. Again.

Marijuana: Michigan Legalization Initiative Gets State Okay to Gather Signatures for 2008

by psmith, November 30, 2006, 02:25pm, (Issue #463)
A Michigan group has won approval from the State Board of Canvassers to begin a signature gathering drive for an initiative that would legalize the possession of marijuana by adults.

Southeast Asia: New Thai Government to Begin Investigating 2,500 Murders Committed During Thaksin's Drug War

by psmith, November 30, 2006, 02:22pm, (Issue #463)
While he was Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra unleashed a drug war in which more than 2,500 were killed. Now that he has been deposed, the new government is promising to investigate the murders.

Southeast Asia: Myanmar Military Turns Blind Eye to Allied Ethnic Militias' Opium Trade

by psmith, November 30, 2006, 02:18pm, (Issue #463)
The military junta in Myanmar has been crowing about how it's cooperating in the fight against opium production, but a report from the Shan States suggests the military is turning a blind eye to production and trading by allied ethnic militias.

Medical Marijuana: California Supreme Court Rules Patients Can Transport It

by psmith, November 30, 2006, 02:13pm, (Issue #463)
The California Supreme Court has ruled that qualified medical marijuana patients can transport their medicine -- as much as they need -- without being subjected to arrest and conviction.

Search and Seizure: US Supreme Court Lets State Rulings Barring Drug Dog House Searches and Restricting Traffic Stop Drug Searches Stand

by psmith, November 30, 2006, 02:10pm, (Issue #463)
The US Supreme Court Monday refused to hear appeals of state court decisions limiting law enforcement's ability to conduct searches in two states.

Survey: Meth Use Climbs on East Coast

from Associated Press, November 30, 2006
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Prescription Heroin Brings Ethical Dilemma

from Inter Press Service News Agency, November 30, 2006
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Surge in Violence Shocks Even Weary Mexico; Drug Killing Nearly Doubled in Past Year

from Washington Post, November 29, 2006
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Marijuana Bill Snuffed Out

from Lansing State Journal, November 29, 2006
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Anger Spills Over in Atlanta At Killing of Aged Woman

from New York Times, November 29, 2006
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Latest on Atlanta Police Killing of Elderly Woman in Drug Raid

by psmith, November 28, 2006, 01:58am
The killing of an elderly Atlanta woman after she shot and wounded three undercover policemen during a nighttime drug raid just might end up shedding some much needed light on the sordid business that

Army Protecting Opium Trade in Myanmar

from Asia News, November 27, 2006
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Jesus Blancornelas, 70; wrote exposes on Tijuana drug cartels

from Los Angeles Times, November 25, 2006
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Drug Raids: Atlanta Police Kill Woman, 92, Who Shot Invading Officers

by psmith, November 24, 2006, 12:21pm, (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, 11:41am, (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, 09:14pm, (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, 04:29pm, (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, 03:17pm, (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, 2006
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Along the Northern Mexican Border, Fear Rules

from , November 23, 2006
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Questions Surround Fatal Shooting of Woman, 92; Police Say They Had Made Drug Buy at Home

from Atlanta Journal-Constitution, November 22, 2006
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Europe: British Drug Expert Calls for Downgrade on LSD, Ecstasy

by psmith, November 22, 2006, 05:34pm, (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, 04:40pm, (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, 03:31pm, (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, 03:27pm, (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, 03:23pm, (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, 03:21pm, (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, 2006
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Italian Lawmaker Claims He Planted Marijuana in Parliament

from Reuters, November 22, 2006
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Police Chief Says Give Heroin to Addicts

from ITV News, November 22, 2006
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Injection Site Hasn't Led to Crime, Study Finds

from Toronto Globe & Mail, November 21, 2006
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Police Chiefs to Debate Drug Fight [UK]

from Press Association (UK), November 21, 2006
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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, 2006
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Is It Time for Direct Action to Shut Down DEA Headquarters?

by psmith, November 21, 2006, 01:51pm
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, 2006
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SSDP Conference Invigorates and Educates Students and Non-Students Alike

by psmith, November 19, 2006, 11:58am
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, 2006
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Judge Rejects San Diego Challenge to Medical Marijuana Law

from Associated Press, November 17, 2006
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Heading to DC for SSDP!

by psmith, November 15, 2006, 09:14pm
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, 02:22pm
...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 10, 2006, 12:46am, (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 10, 2006, 12:10am, (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, 10:11pm, (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, 10:07pm, (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, 06:20pm, (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, 04:59pm, (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, 2006
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Election 2006: South Dakota Medical Marijuana Initiative Backers Vow to Try Again After Narrow Defeat

by psmith, November 09, 2006, 02:10pm, (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, 2006
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Sentencing: US Supreme Court to Try to Clean Up Post-Booker Ruling Issues

by psmith, November 08, 2006, 02:26am, (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, 02:20am
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, 04:29pm, (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, 04:24pm, (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, 02:22pm
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, 2006
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Tories Blocked Needle Sites Despite Internal Poll Results; 56% of Canadians in Favor of More Injection Facilities

from Ottawa Citizen, November 06, 2006
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Cloudy Future For Marijuana As Medicine

from Associated Press, November 06, 2006
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Kelo TV Poll: Medical Marijuana [South Dakota, Losing 35% to 60%]

from KELO TV Sioux Falls, November 05, 2006
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Gathering Will Mark 10 Years of Medical Marijuana Use

from Los Angeles Times, November 04, 2006
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Federal Official Criticizes Medical Marijuana Issue

from Associated Press, November 04, 2006
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Afghan Farmers Likely to Match Harvest [Record 2007 Crop Predicted]

from Associated Press, November 03, 2006
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Higher Education: Federal Court Dismisses Challenge to HEA Drug Provision

by psmith, November 02, 2006, 10:23pm, (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, 07:17pm, (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, 05:32pm, (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, 03:52pm, (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, 2006
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Medical Marijuana: Patients Challenge DEA Head at San Diego Conference, Seven Arrested

by psmith, November 02, 2006, 02:38am, (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, 02:02am, (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, 01:58am, (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.

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