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Drug War Chronicle #796 - August 15, 2013

Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director
Attorney General Eric Holder (usjoj.gov)
Attorney General Eric Holder (usjoj.gov)

As Pressure Mounts, Holder Acts on Sentencing Reform [FEATURE]

In a major policy speech to the American Bar Association Monday, Attorney General Eric Holder announced sentencing reform measures he is ordering the Justice Department to undertake, especially backing away from the use of mandatory minimum sentencing for low-level nonviolent drug offenders.
Sen. Patrick Leahy
Sen. Patrick Leahy

Leahy Blocks Release of Some Mexican Drug War Aid

Citing the failure of the US and Mexican governments to respond to requests to elaborate a strategic vision for Mexican drug war assistance, Sen. Patrick Leahy has put a hold on $95 million in Plan Merida spending.
"Bath salts" synthetic drugs (wikipedia.org)
"Bath salts" synthetic drugs (wikipedia.org)

New Zealand Regulates -- Not Bans -- Synthetic Drugs

New Zealand forgot to kneejerk when confronted with new synthetic drugs. Instead of banning them, it has instead moved to regulate them. Other countries are paying attention to the innovative response.
medical-marijuana COLO DOT_14.jpg
medical-marijuana COLO DOT_14.jpg

Arkansas Medical Marijuana Initiatives Aim at 2014

One Arkansas medical marijuana initiative has been approved for signature-gathering, while a second still must win ballot title approval. But it looks like there will be two initiative campaigns there this year.
MMJ leaf and stethoscope KY ODCP_94.jpg
MMJ leaf and stethoscope KY ODCP_94.jpg

Medical Marijuana Update

Medical marijuana wars continue in California, a Michigan town gets intrusive, Nevada prepares to rake in the dough from dispensaries, and Washington patients organize in the face of legalization.
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