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Rumors of NYPD Sexually Assaulting a Marijuana Suspect

by smorgan, October 28, 2008, 08:37pm
The New York Post has a horrible story alleging that NYPD officers sodomiz

Random Searches in Our Nation’s Capital

by smorgan, October 28, 2008, 08:10pm
I’ve got a post at Flex Your Rights about a new random search program that will supposedly protect Wa

$5 Million to Catch One Drug Trafficker?

by smorgan, October 27, 2008, 06:36pm

If anything resembling success ever happens in the drug war, this would be it:

Will Mexico's Drug War Violence Come to the U.S.?

by smorgan, October 27, 2008, 05:21pm
A troubling alert from the FBI:

"Economically, our criminal justice policies are cutting our throat"

by smorgan, October 27, 2008, 04:58pm
CJPF President Eric Sterling has a simply fantastic

Smoking Pot Won’t Make You Stupid, But Stupid People Do Smoke Pot

by smorgan, October 23, 2008, 10:45pm
Despite major ballot initiatives pending in Massachusetts and Michigan, these are the two most-reported marijuana stories of the month:

Parents Are Using Drug Dogs on Their Own Children

by smorgan, October 23, 2008, 10:27pm
I suppose it was just a matter of time:

Wow, I almost forgot it was Drug Free Work Week

by smorgan, October 23, 2008, 12:48am

Fortunately, the drug czar remembered, which makes sense because it’s his third favorite drug war theme-week.

Why Do Prison and Alcohol Lobbies Oppose Drug Treatment?

by smorgan, October 22, 2008, 09:29pm
I’ve been severely remiss in failing thus far to cover the very important Prop. 5 in California.

Giuliani Robocall Attacks Obama on Drug Sentencing

by smorgan, October 22, 2008, 08:00pm
Voters in several swing states are receiving this recorded message from Rudy Giuliani:

The Drug War is Destroying Mexico Right Before Our Eyes

by smorgan, October 21, 2008, 10:00pm
Everywhere you look, it is just so obvious that the drug war is making Mexico’s problems worse, not better:

Could Mexico City Become the Next Amsterdam?

by smorgan, October 21, 2008, 08:08pm
As the failure of the drug war in Mexico becomes increasingly difficult to deny, we’re beginning to see a change in the tone of the drug policy discussion:

The Drug War Sends White People Into Treatment, While Black People Get Felonies

by smorgan, October 21, 2008, 07:08pm
This Cleveland Plain-Dealer story just completely blows the lid off the inherent racism of the war

Drug Czar Tells Cartels to Surrender or Die

by smorgan, October 20, 2008, 11:26pm
If the traffickers don’t surrender soon, drug czar John Walters will kill them with his bare hands:

More Drug War = More Violence

by smorgan, October 20, 2008, 09:19pm
Look how AFP frames the spike in drug trade violence plaguing Mexico:

Further Evidence That the Drug War Doesn't Protect Children

by smorgan, October 20, 2008, 07:57pm
If our drug policy made sense, 6-year-old children wouldn’t be kidnapped in blackmarket business disputes:

DEA Thrills Schoolchildren With Awesome Drug War Parade

by smorgan, October 18, 2008, 05:25pm
Sometimes, with all the innocent people being killed, it’s easy to forget how much fun the drug war

Officer Cleared After Shooting Unarmed Mother and Her Baby

by smorgan, October 16, 2008, 10:28pm
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to imagine a situation in which police could be held accountable for recklessly killing someone in a drug raid:

Study: Drug Czar’s Billion Dollar Anti-Drug Ad Campaign is a Failure

by smorgan, October 15, 2008, 08:49pm
The drug czar likes to claim that we criticize his ad campaign because we want more kids to use marijuana. Will he say the same about researchers hired by Congress?

Another Complete Failure from the Drug Czar

by smorgan, October 14, 2008, 08:05pm
John Tierney at the New York Times points to a new report showing that the drug czar’s offic

Legalizing Marijuana Would Stop Growers From Destroying Our Forests

by smorgan, October 14, 2008, 07:43pm
The annual marijuana harvest season each fall brings increased discussion of the hopeless process of eradicating outdoor marijuana crops on public land.

Drug Cop Admits His Career Was Built Around Lies and Wrongful Convictions

by smorgan, October 13, 2008, 07:13pm
Even if you support arresting people for drugs, do you trust the people who are paid to fight the drug war?

Police Steal Money from Elderly Medical Marijuana Patients

by smorgan, October 13, 2008, 06:40pm
It is not at all uncommon for the war on drugs to target the very last people among us who ought to be treated as criminals:

Laser-Guided Missiles Aren’t the Answer

by smorgan, October 13, 2008, 04:23pm
I was just chatting with a gentleman outside our office who was interested (as most are) to learn what exactly it is that we work on up here. I’m not sure he quite understood, however.

Travel Alert: Mexico Unsafe Thanks to War on Drugs

by smorgan, October 10, 2008, 07:02pm
The drug war in Mexico is going so horribly wrong that the State Department is wa

If Terrorists and Drug Traffickers Collaborate, It’s the Drug War’s Fault

by smorgan, October 09, 2008, 07:45pm
Has drug war destabilization in South America become a threat to our national security?

Heroin Trafficking in Afghanistan is a Really Big Deal, Unless the President’s Brother Does It

by smorgan, October 09, 2008, 05:22pm
Rumors that the brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai may be involved in drug trafficking have not been investigated. Why?

Canadian Police Hire Researchers to Attack Harm Reduction

by smorgan, October 09, 2008, 04:27pm
The battle over harm reduction in Vancouver just gets uglier all the time:

Further Evidence That Drug War Politics Are Changing

by smorgan, October 08, 2008, 09:52pm
As public attitudes surrounding the war on drugs continue to evolve, we’ll begin to see more of this type of thing:

The Amazing Gigantic Missing Heroin Stash

by smorgan, October 08, 2008, 08:18pm
Here’s another completely odd phenomenon discovered in the laboratory of drug prohibition:

The World’s Smallest Bag of Marijuana

by smorgan, October 07, 2008, 09:24pm
Try reading this unhinged Boston Globe editori

Obama's Mixed Messages on the Drug War

by smorgan, October 07, 2008, 07:48pm

A couple weeks ago, I noted the contradiction between Obama's

Mexican President Proposes Decriminalizing Drug Use

by smorgan, October 06, 2008, 09:21pm
We covered this in The Drug War Chronicle, but I think it needs more discussion:

FDA Embraces Harm Reduction…Sort of

by smorgan, October 06, 2008, 06:56pm
Check out this interesting logic from the FDA:

How Come "Joe Sixpack" is an American Hero, While "Joe Stoner" Gets Arrested?

by smorgan, October 06, 2008, 06:34pm

Paul Armentano at NORML points to Sarah Palin's glorific

Mark Souder vs. The New Drug War Politics

by smorgan, October 02, 2008, 11:40pm

Drug war hall-of-famer Rep.

Calvina Fay vs. The New Drug War Politics

by smorgan, October 02, 2008, 10:11pm
The Drug Free America Foundation’s perpetually panic-stricken director Calvina Fay gave a speech at the World Forum Against Drugs that was so over-

New Poll: Democrats and Republicans Agree That the Drug War is a Failure

by smorgan, October 02, 2008, 06:35pm

New Zogby data shows a bipartisan consensus that the drug war is a losing battle:

Police Discover World’s Largest Marijuana Plants

by smorgan, October 01, 2008, 07:39pm
Drug enforcement officers never tire of their overpowering compulsion to exaggerate marijuana seizures to the point of absurdity.

The Drug War Bailout

by smorgan, October 01, 2008, 07:30pm
The last time our country faced a major economic crisis, we ended alcohol prohibition. Think about that.

Police Defend the Right to Choke Marijuana Suspects

by smorgan, September 30, 2008, 09:50pm

Watch this video of Mount Juliet, TN police officer Bill Cosby choking a marijuana suspect into unconsciousness during a traffic stop.

SWAT Raids Often Target Innocent People

by smorgan, September 29, 2008, 08:05pm
In addition to killing an unarmed mother of six and shooting a baby, it turns out that the SWAT team in Lima,

Nasal Congestion Sufferer Arrested for Buying Too Much Cold Medicine

by smorgan, September 29, 2008, 06:31pm
The drug war’s mindless persecution of sick people goes beyond medical marijuana:

When Police Mistake Chocolate For Hash…

by smorgan, September 29, 2008, 05:23pm
NaturalNews.com has the unbelievable story of a Canadian couple who run a small chocolate company.

Poll Shows Strong Support in Mexico for Drug Legalization

by smorgan, September 25, 2008, 08:34pm
A BBC World Service poll released Monday found Mexicans evenly divided on the question of whether drug legalization should

Rachel Hoffman Fallout: One Officer Fired, Others Reprimanded

by smorgan, September 25, 2008, 08:18pm
At long last, we’re seeing some accountability for the officers who got Rachel Hoffman killed after coercing her into working as an informant in the mindbending

Police Kill Really Small Dog, Claim it Threatened Them

by smorgan, September 24, 2008, 07:47pm
This is getting really out of hand. What kind of cop is scared of a Jack Russell terrier?

New Developments in the Ryan Frederick Case

by smorgan, September 24, 2008, 06:38pm
Ever since Ryan Frederick was charged with murder for killing a police officer who he mistook for a burglar during a botched drug raid, the case against him has become increasingly difficult to believ

Idiot Proposes Lengthy Prison Sentence for George Michael

by smorgan, September 23, 2008, 06:51pm
George Michael’s latest drug arrest has reduced Ross Clark at The Times Online to a sputtering mess.

Cop Fired For Choking Marijuana Suspect

by smorgan, September 23, 2008, 04:16pm

See!? There really is accountability in the war on drugs. All you have to do is get video of a cop nearly killing a guy over a petty misdemeanor.

Salvia is Potent, But is it Dangerous?

by smorgan, September 23, 2008, 03:41pm
The Washington Post has a trainwreck of an editorial calling for preliminar

Obama's Contradictory Position on the Drug War

by smorgan, September 22, 2008, 07:21pm

At a campaign appearance in Jacksonville, FL, Barack Obama proposed federal drug war funding as a solution to the city’s problems with violent crime:

Another Sign That Medical Marijuana Laws Are Working

by smorgan, September 22, 2008, 12:22pm
Regulating medical marijuana under state law makes it possible for police to protect private property:

Anti-Marijuana Crusaders Caught Violating Campaign Laws

by smorgan, September 18, 2008, 08:03pm
We already know marijuana prohibition is a fraud, so it should come as no surprise that the people fighting to protect prohibition cannot be trusted to obey the law themselves.

Don't Worry, It's Just a Grenade Attack in Your Neighborhood

by smorgan, September 18, 2008, 05:43pm
Frightening headlines documenting Mexico’s surging drug trade violence can be found on a daily basis, and they tell the true story of drug prohibition about as succinctly as anyone could ask for:

Study: Decriminalizing Marijuana Doesn’t Increase Use

by smorgan, September 17, 2008, 10:51pm
Bruce Mirken at the Marijuana Policy Project Blog points to some revealing data from the National Research Council:

Happy Constitution Day!

by smorgan, September 17, 2008, 08:52pm
In honor of Constitution Day, Pete Guither has some sarcastic observations regarding how tragically far removed we ar

Drug Czar Embarrassed By Marijuana Arrest Rates

by smorgan, September 16, 2008, 11:22pm
New FBI data showing that 872,721 Americans were arrested for marijuana last year must

A New Record for U.S. Marijuana Arrests

by smorgan, September 16, 2008, 09:32pm
Every year, more Americans are arrested for the pettiest crime on earth:

Mark Kleiman vs. "Drug Policy Reform"

by smorgan, September 15, 2008, 11:35pm
Cato Unbound has posted two more essays in its online series debat

Cheye Calvo Speaks Out Against the Police Tactics That Killed His Dogs

by smorgan, September 11, 2008, 10:06pm
I had the opportunity to see drug war victim Cheye Calvo speak this afternoon at the Cato Institute, discussing the heavily-publici

Jonathan Caulkins vs. The Boring Drug War Debate

by smorgan, September 10, 2008, 11:07pm
Yesterday I noted Cato Unbound’s online discussion series surrounding the terrific article

If Salvia Isn’t Toxic or Addictive, What’s the Argument for Banning it?

by smorgan, September 09, 2008, 10:04pm
The New York Times has a fascinating piece on t

How to Use Drugs Without Ruining Our Lives

by smorgan, September 09, 2008, 07:11pm

Cato Unbound has a wonderful piece, Towards a Culture of Responsibl

Jurors Fight Back Against the War on Medical Marijuana

by smorgan, September 08, 2008, 11:00pm
Further proof that railroading medical marijuana defendants in federal court has consequences:

Smoke a Joint, Get Your Boss Fired

by smorgan, September 08, 2008, 09:07pm
Yikes, it looks like marijuana hysteria in Japan has nearly ruined the sport of sumo wrestling:

If the Drug War Makes Sense to You, Nothing Else Will

by smorgan, September 08, 2008, 08:20pm
Terrorism blogger Douglas Farah doesn’t understand why South American nations aren’t

Victim’s Rights in the War on Drugs

by smorgan, September 04, 2008, 04:17pm
Pete Guither pointed out the other day that the Republican platform contains this vague statement on victim’s rights

Palin Pick Makes Medical Marijuana a Problem Issue For McCain

by smorgan, September 04, 2008, 03:32pm
We know she used marijuana when it was legal in Alaska.

Police Raid Wrong Address, Hit Innocent Man With the Butt of a Shotgun

by smorgan, September 03, 2008, 05:23pm
Also from Radley Balko, another horrific botched drug raid.

Prosecutor Getting Nervous in the Ryan Frederick Case

by smorgan, September 03, 2008, 04:22pm
…as well he should since Ryan Frederick is innocent and the whole thing is a colossal travesty.

Republicans Promise to Continue the Drug War

by smorgan, September 02, 2008, 07:53pm
Pete Guither points out that the Republican Party’s newly released

BREAKING: People Smoke Pot at Outdoor Concerts

by smorgan, September 01, 2008, 08:14pm
In a daring undercover investigation, anti-marijuana activist Lisa Silverman has exposed the seedy criminal underworld that lurks along the lawn at a Ziggy Marley show:

$20,000 Bond for One Ecstasy Pill

by smorgan, September 01, 2008, 07:14pm

As I read through my Google News alerts each day, I usually just ignore the multitudes of petty drug arrests that made headlines for no reason. But this one jumped out at me:

How Much More Public Support Does Medical Marijuana Really Need?

by smorgan, August 29, 2008, 12:43am
CNN hosted an interview with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday which featured democratically elected questions courtesy of the popular website Digg.

New Medical Marijuana Regulations Are a Good Thing

by smorgan, August 27, 2008, 08:48pm
Bruce Mirken at the MPP Blog points out this observation from the

Police Cannot Identify Good Marijuana

by smorgan, August 26, 2008, 07:40pm
Via DrugWarRant, here’s another typical case of police wildly exaggerating the value of a marijuana seizure:

"Extremely Small Amount" of Marijuana Causes Panic Throughout Massachusetts

by smorgan, August 26, 2008, 06:24pm

It all started when an "extremely small" package of marijuana fell from the pocket of 19-year-old Sean LaCroix at his grandparents’ house, where he lived.

California Attorney General Tells Police to Uphold Medical Marijuana Laws

by smorgan, August 25, 2008, 09:26pm
Ten years after the passage of Proposition 215, California Attorney General Jerry Brown has finally clarified that law-enforcement must respect the state’s medical marijuana law:

Biden is a "Moderate" on Crime Issues?

by smorgan, August 25, 2008, 08:15pm

The Chicago Tribune on Biden:

Joe Biden's Awful Record on Drug Policy

by smorgan, August 24, 2008, 08:08pm
Among the likely choices for Obama's running mate, Joe Biden was not the person reformers were hoping to see on the democratic ticket.

Panel Calls For No Marijuana Enforcement During Democratic National Convention

by smorgan, August 21, 2008, 07:27pm
Police in Denver must be so sick of Mason Tvert.

California Legislature Passes Employment Rights Bill for Medical Marijuana Patients

by smorgan, August 21, 2008, 05:54pm
This is big news:

Excellent Video: The Human Cost of Marijuana Prohibition

by smorgan, August 20, 2008, 09:27pm
The Marijuana Policy Project has put together an absolute must-see video telling the stories of real people who were unfairly targeted by the war on dr

College Presidents Call for Debate on Lowering the Drinking Age

by smorgan, August 20, 2008, 09:03pm
It's encouraging to see prominent educators take a stand for more sensible drug policies:

Pet Mountain Lion Gets Man Arrested for Marijuana

by smorgan, August 19, 2008, 05:30pm

Ok, if you're growing marijuana, don't harbor an illegal pet mountain lion:

Stephen Colbert's Top 7 Drug Moments

by smorgan, August 19, 2008, 04:24pm
In a shameless, yet brilliant, ploy to generate web traffic, comedy Central has compiled a list of their favorite drug-themed Stephen Colbert clips. It worked on me.

If You Oppose Marijuana Laws, But Support Other Drug Laws, Read This

by smorgan, August 18, 2008, 10:01pm
Pete Guither has an excellent breakdown of why our policy towards the most dangerous drugs is just as flawed as our

Canadian Health Minister Attacks Doctors for Supporting Safe Injection Sites

by smorgan, August 18, 2008, 09:39pm
The latest outrage in Canada's heated harm reduction debate came at the hands of Health Minister Tony Clement who went off the rails by questioning the ethics of doctors who practice harm reductio

If the Drug War Works, Why Did Teen Access to Marijuana Increase This Year?

by smorgan, August 14, 2008, 09:37pm
Today, the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) released a

The War on Drugs in 100 Seconds

by smorgan, August 14, 2008, 06:09pm

Another Top Drug War Official Calls for Legalization

by smorgan, August 13, 2008, 05:33pm
Julian Critchley was director of the British Cabinet's anti-drug office, where he worked with the British drug tsar to coordinate the nation's drug policy.

Stephen Colbert's Latest Outrageous Attack on Medical Marijuana

by smorgan, August 13, 2008, 03:10pm

Bob Barr Condemns Violent, Dog-Murdering Drug Raid

by smorgan, August 12, 2008, 07:10pm
Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr is the first presidential hopeful to speak out regarding the brutal drug raid in Berwyn Heights, MD that resulted in the death of the mayor's two dogs:<

Mexican Cartels Have Begun Kidnapping Americans

by smorgan, August 12, 2008, 05:48pm
The more "progress" Mexico makes in its U.S.-funded war on drugs, the more of this sort of thing we can look forward to:

Mayor Calvo Says Botched Drug Raids Are Commonplace

by smorgan, August 11, 2008, 08:15pm
Radley Balko points out this remark from B

TV Networks Refuse to Allow Discussion of Marijuana Laws

by smorgan, August 11, 2008, 07:28pm
One of the few remaining tactics for effectively defending our marijuana laws is to prevent them from even being discussed:

An Excellent Column on Marijuana Prohibition From Reuters

by smorgan, August 07, 2008, 09:44pm

Fairness requires that I call attention to Reuters columnist Bernd Debusmann's excellent piece,

Florida Prosecutor Stands Up For Rachel Hoffman, Refuses to Work With DEA

by smorgan, August 07, 2008, 08:27pm
The fallout following Rachel Hoffman's murder is becoming intense.

After Killing His Dogs, Police Admit Mayor Calvo Was Probably Innocent

by smorgan, August 06, 2008, 10:48pm
The botched drug raid fiasco in Berwyn Heights, MD grows more embarrassing for Prince George's County police everyday.

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