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Mexican Police 'Probed on Drugs'--The entire police force in the Mexican city of Tijuana is to be investigated on suspicion of being involved in drug trafficking and organized crime

from BBC News, October 07, 2006
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Motorists Who Take Drugs Face 'Zero Tolerance' Policy

from The Independent (UK), October 07, 2006
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Drug Abusing Mothers Targeted

from Cincinnati Post, October 06, 2006
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Review of Cannabis Laws as Drug-Fueled Violence Spirals

from This Is London, October 06, 2006
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Marijuana May Help Stave Off Alzheimer's; Active Ingredient in Pot May Help Preserve Brain Function

from Reuters, October 06, 2006
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Book Review: "De los Maras a los Zetas: Los secretos del narcotrafico, de Colombia a Chicago" by Jorge Fernandez Menendez and Victor Ronquillo (Mexico City: Editorial Grijalbo, 2006, 290 pp. PB)

by psmith, October 05, 2006, 10:13pm, (Issue #456)
Two veteran Mexican journalists take us on a tour of the murky world of the Mexican drug trade.

Feature: More California Medical Marijuana Raids: The New Status Quo?

by psmith, October 05, 2006, 09:19pm, (Issue #456)
DEA and local police agents have raided five California medical marijuana dispensaries in the past 10 days, but that leaves over 200 still in operation.

Feature: Cases of Immigrants Deported for Minor Drug Offenses Heard at US Supreme Court This Week

by psmith, October 05, 2006, 07:53pm, (Issue #456)
The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday in a pair of cases involving the deportation of immigrants for minor drug offenses.

What's up with these "pain contracts"?

by psmith, October 05, 2006, 01:08pm
Spurred by the federal government's crackdown on prescription drug abuse, doctors around the country are resorting to "pain contracts" with patients in an attempt to protect themselves from charges th

Deadly Heroin Overdoses Could Soar With Surge in Afghan Opium Production, UN Warns

from UN Office on Drugs and Crime, October 05, 2006
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Feds Raid Medical Marijuana Dispensary (This one in Palm Springs)

from Desert Sun, October 05, 2006
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Attorney for City of Newburgh, Other Man Face Marijuana Charges

from Poughkeepsie Journal, October 05, 2006
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WADA Defends Stance on Cannabis

from China Daily, October 05, 2006
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Joint Study By Two Groups Finds Pot Use Higher in BC Than Rest of Country

from Canadian Press, October 05, 2006
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Sentencing: California Governor Signs Bill To Shorten Parole for Offenders Who Take Drug Treatment

by psmith, October 04, 2006, 09:45pm, (Issue #456)
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has quietly signed legislation that will allow nonviolent offenders to get off parole if they undergo five months of residential treatment upon their release.

Hemp: California Governor Vetoes Industrial Hemp Bill

by psmith, October 04, 2006, 09:39pm, (Issue #456)
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a bill that would have allowed California farmers to grow industrial hemp.

Drug Survey: More Teens Smoke Marijuana Than Cigarettes--Prohibition Bars the Controls that Work for Tobacco, Reformers Argue

by psmith, October 04, 2006, 08:01pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OCTOBER 4, 2006 Drug Survey: More Teens Smoke Marijuana Than Cigarettes Prohibition Bars the Controls that Work for Tobacco, Reformers Argue CONTACT: Bruce Mirken, MPP dire

Mexico's Mounting Drug Trade

from Council on Foreign Relations, October 04, 2006
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Baltimore to Train Doctors in Addiction Treatment

from Baltimore Examiner, October 04, 2006
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Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

by psmith, October 04, 2006, 12:49am, (Issue #456)
We've got cops getting arrested, cops copping pleas, cops getting sentenced this week. It's like a tour of the criminal justice process. Let's get to it.

Sentencing: Federal Bill to Create Criminal Drug Dealer Registry Introduced

by psmith, October 04, 2006, 12:45am, (Issue #456)
With sex offender and meth cook registries becoming all the rage in the states, it was only a matter of time before some congressman tried it at the national level for more people.

Sentencing: Arizona Legislative Initiative Would Roll Back Reforms When It Comes to Methamphetamine Offenders

by psmith, October 04, 2006, 12:40am, (Issue #456)
Ten years ago, Arizona voters enacted a sentencing reform initiative that stopped judges from sending first- and second-time drug possession offenders to jail or prison. Now, the state legislature has crafted an initiative that would make an exception for methamphetamine offenders.

Marijuana: Idaho High Court Rules Officials Can't Block Legalization Initiative Just Because They Don't Like It

by psmith, October 04, 2006, 12:34am, (Issue #456)
When Ryan Davidson wanted to start a marijuana legalization initiative in Sun Valley, Idaho, local officials said no. Now, the Idaho Supreme Court says they were wrong.

A Capacious Body Cavity and Some Questions

by psmith, October 03, 2006, 02:20pm
A small story from the Columbia Tribune in Missouri caught my attention this morning.

Detroit Deaths From Fentanyl-Laced Heroin Could Be Reduced By Medical Treatment

by psmith, October 03, 2006, 01:55pm
Press Release Source: Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Religious Leaders Unite on Marijuana Initiative (Nevada)

from Reno Gazette-Journal, October 03, 2006
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Transform (UK) Creates Drug Policy Timeline

by psmith, October 03, 2006, 01:11pm
From Transform: Transform have produced a historical timeline, presented in tabular format, tracing the history of drug policy from 1800, to the present day.

Who's Profiting From Afghan Opium Trade?

from Al Jazeera, October 02, 2006
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From the Maras to the Zetas

by psmith, October 02, 2006, 01:26pm
UPDATE: Check out Phil's book review of De los Maras a los Zetas here. Despite the daily toll of arrests and busts i

Psychedelic Research 'Promotes Well-Being'

from In the News (UK), October 02, 2006
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Spray Plan Sparks Fear (Afghanistan)

from Edmonton Sun, October 02, 2006
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Marijuana Initiative Gets Idaho High Court's Go Ahead

from The Oregonian, October 02, 2006
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Book Review: "Pot Politics: Marijuana and the Costs of Prohibition," Mitchell Earleywine, ed. (Oxford University Press, $45.00 HB)

by psmith, September 28, 2006, 09:37pm, (Issue #455)
"Pot Politics" is an important new addition to the marijuana policy knowledge base and the reformer's arsenal.

Feature: Colorado Marijuana Legalization Initiative Trails, But the Fight Is On

by psmith, September 28, 2006, 08:31pm, (Issue #455)
A Colorado initiative that would legalize the possession of up to an ounce of marijuana is in a tough battle to win in November.

Is it my breath? or the travails of alternative advocacy journalism.

by psmith, September 28, 2006, 02:25am
Sometimes I feel like the Rodney Dangerfield of alternative advocacy journalism. I just don’t get no respect, especially from drug reform foes (for some reason).

Feature: Nevada Marijuana Initiative Organizers See Tight But Winnable Race Going Into Final Stretch

by psmith, September 27, 2006, 11:12pm, (Issue #455)
Will Nevada be the first state to vote to end marijuana prohibition? It's a very tight race.

Southwest Asia: Leading Scholar Takes Senate Foreign Relations Committee to School on Afghan Drug Trade

by psmith, September 27, 2006, 05:29pm, (Issue #455)
Professor Barnett Rubin gives the Senate Foreign Relations Committee a tutorial on the economic and political consequences of prohibition when it comes to Afghan opium.

Hemp: North Carolina Governor Signs Bill to Study Industrial Use

by psmith, September 27, 2006, 04:02pm, (Issue #455)
North Carolina has become the latest state to lay the groundwork for industrial hemp farming.

New Intervention: Novel Police Tactic Puts Drug Markets Out of Business

from Wall Street Journal, September 27, 2006
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Welcome to the New Drug Scare of 2007

from Stats, September 27, 2006
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Riverside County Bans Medical Marijuana Centers

from San Jose Mercury News, September 27, 2006
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Guilty Plea in Pot Snacks Case

from Tri-Valley Herald, September 27, 2006
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Sentencing: No Retroactive Relief for Rockefeller Drug Law Prisoners, New York Appeals Court Rules

by psmith, September 27, 2006, 01:14am, (Issue #455)
Mid-level Rockefeller drug law prisoners arrested before January 2005 will not be able to seek retroactive sentence cuts, New York's highest court has ruled.

Marijuana: Arkansas Town Joins List of Locales With Lowest Law Enforcement Priority Initiatives This November

by psmith, September 27, 2006, 01:08am, (Issue #455)
Eureka Springs, Arkansas, now joins Missoula, Montana, and three California cities as locales with initiatives on the November ballot making marijuana the lowest law enforcement priority.

Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

by psmith, September 27, 2006, 01:03am, (Issue #455)
The lucrative cross-border drug traffic draws another Border Patrol agent into trouble, a New Jersey cop's forgetfulness gets him in trouble, and two more greedy prison guards get themselves in trouble.

Taking a cue from marketing guru, peddlars now "package" drugs--Meant for foreign clients, these "packaged products" are smuggled outside India

from Mumbai Newsline/Expressindia, September 26, 2006
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Guatemalan troops storm prison with jacuzzi, drugs

from Reuters, September 26, 2006
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Pot Politics

by psmith, September 26, 2006, 01:40pm

It's going to be a lot of pot politics in the Drug War Chronicle this week.

ENCOD Press Release on Transparency in Setting European Drug Policy

by psmith, September 26, 2006, 12:05pm
A TESTCASE FOR TRANSPARENCY CITIZENS' PLATFORM CALLS FOR OPEN DIALOGUE ON DRUGS 26 September 2006 The European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policies, ENCOD, today presented its comments t

Medical marijuana takes hit as Tories announce $1 billion in cuts

from Canada Press, September 26, 2006
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Possible 40-year term debated for teen accused of drug smuggling

from Houston Chronicle, September 25, 2006
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Hilarious Video: The Hazards of Covering the Drug Beat

by psmith, September 25, 2006, 12:59pm
Now, I don't know if this is real or not, but it is quite amusing.

Barnett Rubin Lectures the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Afghan Opium

by psmith, September 25, 2006, 12:23pm
On Thursday, I crossed back into the US from British Columbia and spent the day listening to all the back and forth over Chavez's "devil" comments as I drove across Washington, Idaho, and Montana.

Feature: Drug Arrests Hit Another Record High, More than 786,000 Marijuana Arrests Alone in 2005

by psmith, September 21, 2006, 02:58am, (Issue #454)
Drug arrests in general and marijuana arrests in particular continue to rise.

Feature: US Uses Annual Drug Certification Report to Attack Bolivia, Venezuela

by psmith, September 21, 2006, 02:07am, (Issue #454)
The Bush administration used its annual drug certification exercise to lash out at Bolivia and Venezuela, and those two countries returned the favor.

Feature: House Votes to Require School Districts to Allow Random, Warrantless Mass Search Policies

by psmith, September 20, 2006, 07:11pm, (Issue #454)
The House voted Tuesday to force local school districts to gut student privacy protections.

Children Handcuffed in Police Drug Raid; Dog Also Killed During Bust, 18-Year-Old Charged With Misdemeanors, Violation

from Albany Times-Union, September 20, 2006
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Spying on Rock Festivals: High-Tech Hidden Surveillance at Wakarusa

by psmith, September 20, 2006, 02:31pm
UPDATE: Drug War Chronicle story about this incident online now. We wrot

Call for Papers--International Journal of Drug Policy

by psmith, September 20, 2006, 01:09pm
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY Call for Papers Special Issue Women and Harm Reduction: Spanning the Globe Guest editors: Susan Sherman, Adeeba bte Kamarulzaman and Patti Spittal<

Pot-Growing Busts Continue To Climb (California)

from Napa Valley Register, September 20, 2006
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Medical Marijuana: Rhode Island Program Begins to Kick In

by psmith, September 20, 2006, 03:09am, (Issue #454)
Rhode Island passed its medical marijuana law in January, the program went into effect in April, and now more than 250 patients and caregivers are registered.

Southwest Asia: Proposal for Turning Afghan Opium Into Legal Morphine Gains Support

by psmith, September 19, 2006, 11:53pm, (Issue #454)
A proposal to turn Afghanistan's burgeoning opium crop into morphine for the legal medicinal market is gaining more support.

Europe: London Police More Likely to Arrest Blacks Than Whites for Marijuana Possession

by psmith, September 19, 2006, 11:47pm, (Issue #454)
A new report from Scotland Yard finds racial profiling in marijuana enforcement, but the police won't say it's racism.

Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

by psmith, September 19, 2006, 11:41pm, (Issue #454)
A pair of crooked prison guards and an emerging scandal in Baltimore make the radar this week.

Law Enforcement: Jackson, Mississippi's Mad Mayor Melton Indicted for Drug Enforcement Crimes

by psmith, September 19, 2006, 11:37pm, (Issue #454)
Jackson, Mississippi, Mayor Frank Melton has been playing drug warrior since day one. Now he finds himself on the other side of the law.

Law Enforcement: Cops Used Hidden High-Tech Surveillance on Kansas Rock Festival-Goers

by psmith, September 19, 2006, 11:31pm, (Issue #454)
A hi-tech surveillance company's bragging about its secret demonstration during a music festival has drawn criticism for police about the operation.

US Raps Venezuela, Myanmar on Illegal Drug Trade

from Reuters, September 19, 2006
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Bolivia Drug Fight Faulted: The White House Cited Concerns About Contributions to the Illegal Drug Trade By Bolivia

from Associated Press, September 19, 2006
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On the Thai Coup Attempt

by psmith, September 19, 2006, 02:31pm
The mass media today are full of reports about the slow-motion military coup attempt taking place in Thailand.

Willie Nelson Cited for Drug Possession (Again)

from Associated Press, September 18, 2006
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Legalize All Drugs, Say Lib Dems (UK)

from BBC, September 18, 2006
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Media Regularly Misreport Marijuana/Drug Stories, New Book Charges

by psmith, September 18, 2006, 01:57pm
Press Release from the Marijuana Policy Project: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 Media Regularly Misreport Marijuana/Drug Stories, New Book Charges Other Chapters in "Pot Politics: Mar

Marijuana Debate Still Smoking

from Daytona Beach News-Journal, September 18, 2006
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A Look Inside Brazil's Drug "Commands"

by psmith, September 18, 2006, 01:16pm
Brazil, Latin America's largest and most populous nation gets surprisingly little press in the US.

Doctor Convicted of Drug Conspiracy to Be Retried (Dr. William Hurwitz)

from Washington Post, September 17, 2006
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50 Arrested at Marijuana Rally (Boston Freedom Rally)

from WCBV-TV 5, September 17, 2006
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San Deigo Leading Backlash Against California Medical Marijuana Law

from Associated Press, September 16, 2006
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Owner of Marijuana Cafe Sent to Jail (Vancouver)

from Toronto Globe & Mail, September 16, 2006
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Just Say No to Meth Registries

by psmith, September 15, 2006, 02:21pm
What sort of criminal offender merits the special distinction of being placed on a public registry? Only the most dangerous, or is it the most demonized?

Man Is Jailed in Alleged Online Sale of Marijuana (Craig's list)

from Los Angeles Times, September 15, 2006
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Afghan Fighting Blamed for Opium Bonanza

from The Daily Telegraph, September 15, 2006
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Bolivia Seeks Coca Legalization, Path to the Sea

from Jerusalem Post, September 15, 2006
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Sentencing: US 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals Throws out Crack Cocaine Sentence

by psmith, September 14, 2006, 08:05pm, (Issue #453)
A federal appeals court has thrown out a long crack cocaine sentence, saying the sentencing guidelines that call for tougher sentences for crack than cocaine are no longer mandatory, but only advisory since last year's US Supreme Court ruling in Booker.

Latin America: Colombia's FARC Guerrillas Say End Drug Prohibition

by psmith, September 14, 2006, 07:34pm, (Issue #453)
In an unusual communique, Colombia's leftist FARC guerrillas called for the global legalization of drugs.

Feature: California Activists Look for Triple Play in November

by psmith, September 14, 2006, 07:05pm, (Issue #453)
"Lowest law enforcement priority" marijuana initiatives are on the ballot in three California cities, and organizers say the prospects for victory look good.

Feature: The DEA's New Proposed Policy Statement on Pain Prescribing -- What Does It Mean?

by psmith, September 14, 2006, 05:04pm, (Issue #453)
The DEA last week issued a new policy statement on prescribing opioid pain medications, and we try to figure out what it means.

Judge Throws Out Marijuana Proponents Challenge (Colorado ballot language)

from Associated Press, September 14, 2006
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NEW NORML REPORT SUMMARIZES THE ROLE OF CANNABIS IN MODERATING DISEASE PROGRESSION - Review Of 120+ Recent Scientific Trials Reveals That In US, Politics Trumps Science

by psmith, September 14, 2006, 01:21pm
NEW NORML REPORT SUMMARIZES THE ROLE OF CANNABIS IN MODERATING DISEASE PROGRESSION - Review Of 120+ Recent Scientific Trials Reveals That In US, Politics Trumps Science September 13, 2006 - Washingto

Making Sense of the DEA's New Proposed Policy Statement on Pain Prescribing

by psmith, September 14, 2006, 12:55pm
There are definitely mixed feelings in the pain medicine community when it comes to the DEA's new proposed policy statement on prescribing pain medications.

ONDCP: Senate Panel Recommends Cutting Salaries at Drug Czar's Office

by psmith, September 14, 2006, 03:13am, (Issue #453)
In a heads-up to drug czar John Walters, a Senate panel has voted to slash funding for salaries and expenses at his office by more than half.

Latin America: In Break With Campaign Promises, Peru's New Government Will Accelerate Coca Eradication

by psmith, September 14, 2006, 02:45am, (Issue #453)
Peruvian President Alain Garcia campaigned on a promise to stop coca eradication. Now, he's changing his tune -- and his policies.

Marijuana: Texas Gubernatorial Candidate Kinky Friedman Says Legalize It

by psmith, September 14, 2006, 02:06am, (Issue #453)
One Texas gubernatorial candidate wants to legalize marijuana. Is anyone surprised that candidate is Kinky Friedman?

AP Interview: Kinky Friedman Calls for the Legalization of Marijuana

from Associated Press, September 13, 2006
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Latin America: In Southern Colombia, It's Aid Out, Soldiers In

by psmith, September 13, 2006, 10:17pm, (Issue #453)
US AID is pulling out of southern Colombia and the Colombian army is rolling in, as Washington and Bogota give up on the province of Caqueta.

Europe: Portugal Approves Safe Injection Sites, Moves to Start Prison Needle Exchange Programs

by psmith, September 13, 2006, 10:10pm, (Issue #453)
Portugal continues down a progressive path toward harm reduction with moves to open a safe injection site and establish a needle exchange program in the prisons.

Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

by psmith, September 13, 2006, 10:05pm, (Issue #453)
The rotten odor of drug war-related police corruption wafts across Tennessee from the banks of the Mississippi to the hazy hills of the Great Smoky Mountains, and that's just half of our corrupt cops this week.

Kohl Scores Easy Victory Over Masel (Wisconsin Primary)

from Capital Times, September 13, 2006
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Report from the National New Democratic Party Convention in Quebec

by psmith, September 13, 2006, 03:12pm
Report from DANA LARSEN President, eNDProhibition The unofficial anti-prohibition wing of Canada's NDP. http://www.endprohi

Panel Advises Cutting Salaries at Agency (ONDCP)

from Associated Press, September 13, 2006
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Latino Leaders Take Position Against Drug War

by psmith, September 13, 2006, 03:09am
From the Drug Policy Alliance: Latino Leaders Take Position Against Drug War Tuesday, September 12, 2006 Last week in Los Angeles, 2,000 Latino activists and leaders from all over the U.S.

Drug War Issues

Criminal JusticeAsset Forfeiture, Collateral Sanctions (College Aid, Drug Taxes, Housing, Welfare), Court Rulings, Drug Courts, Due Process, Felony Disenfranchisement, Incarceration, Policing (2011 Drug War Killings, 2012 Drug War Killings, 2013 Drug War Killings, 2014 Drug War Killings, 2015 Drug War Killings, 2016 Drug War Killings, 2017 Drug War Killings, Arrests, Eradication, Informants, Interdiction, Lowest Priority Policies, Police Corruption, Police Raids, Profiling, Search and Seizure, SWAT/Paramilitarization, Task Forces, Undercover Work), Probation or Parole, Prosecution, Reentry/Rehabilitation, Sentencing (Alternatives to Incarceration, Clemency and Pardon, Crack/Powder Cocaine Disparity, Death Penalty, Decriminalization, Defelonization, Drug Free Zones, Mandatory Minimums, Rockefeller Drug Laws, Sentencing Guidelines)CultureArt, Celebrities, Counter-Culture, Music, Poetry/Literature, Television, TheaterDrug UseParaphernalia, Vaping, ViolenceIntersecting IssuesCollateral Sanctions (College Aid, Drug Taxes, Housing, Welfare), Violence, Border, Budgets/Taxes/Economics, Business, Civil Rights, Driving, Economics, Education (College Aid), Employment, Environment, Families, Free Speech, Gun Policy, Human Rights, Immigration, Militarization, Money Laundering, Pregnancy, Privacy (Search and Seizure, Drug Testing), Race, Religion, Science, Sports, Women's IssuesMarijuana PolicyGateway Theory, Hemp, Marijuana -- Personal Use, Marijuana Industry, Medical MarijuanaMedicineMedical Marijuana, Science of Drugs, Under-treatment of PainPublic HealthAddiction, Addiction Treatment (Science of Drugs), Drug Education, Drug Prevention, Drug-Related AIDS/HIV or Hepatitis C, Harm Reduction (Methadone & Other Opiate Maintenance, Needle Exchange, Overdose Prevention, Pill Testing, Safer Injection Sites)Source and Transit CountriesAndean Drug War, Coca, Hashish, Mexican Drug War, Opium ProductionSpecific DrugsAlcohol, Ayahuasca, Cocaine (Crack Cocaine), Ecstasy, Heroin, Ibogaine, ketamine, Khat, Kratom, Marijuana (Gateway Theory, Marijuana -- Personal Use, Medical Marijuana, Hashish), Methamphetamine, New Synthetic Drugs (Synthetic Cannabinoids, Synthetic Stimulants), Nicotine, Prescription Opiates (Fentanyl, Oxycontin), Psilocybin / Magic Mushrooms, Psychedelics (LSD, Mescaline, Peyote, Salvia Divinorum)YouthGrade School, Post-Secondary School, Raves, Secondary School