Skip to main content

Drug War Chronicle #638 - June 25, 2010

Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director

Feature: UN, Western Nations Complicit in Drug Offender Executions, Report Says

The UNODC, the European Commission and its member states, as well as Japan and the US all contribute to overseas anti-drug law enforcment programs that result in people being sentenced to death for drug offenses, the International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) said in a report this week. It needs to stop, and IHRA has some concrete recommendations on how to do that.

Marijuana: California Decriminalization Bill Headed for Assembly Floor Vote

California half-way decriminalized simple pot possession back in the 1970s, setting a maximum $100 fine, but leaving offenders with a misdemeanor criminal record. Now, a bill that has already passed the Senate and is moving in the Assembly would complete the process by downgrading the offense to a civil citation.

Latin America: Mexico Drug War Update

There is no end in sight to the prohibition-related violence plaguing Mexico, and now, the cartels have started making threats aimed at law enforcement on the US side of the border.

Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

A Virginia sheriff is under investigation for dipping into asset forfeiture funds, a Dallas-area narc's credibility is under question, a small-town Missouri cop gets caught buying coke to replace coke he pilfered, and, of course, two more jail or prison guards get busted.

The Border: Obama Seeks $600 Million in Emergency Funds for Heightened Security

As the rising conservative clamor to "secure the border" -- whatever that means -- grows louder, the Obama administration is moving fast to pay for more border guards, customs and immigration agents, DEA agents, FBI task forces, and even a couple of unmanned drones -- about $600 million total of "emergency appropriations."

Weekly: Blogging @ the Speakeasy

"John Stossel Debates Drug Laws with Sean Hannity," "Sarah Palin and the Marijuana Legalization Debate," "Supporting Harsh Drug Laws is Political Suicide in NY," "Ethan Nadelmann Destroys Bill O'Reilly in Drug War Debate," "Radley Balko Discusses Botched Drug Raids on FOX," "Government-Sponsored Murder in the Name of Prohibition," "Police Kill Grandmother's Dog in Botched Drug Raid," "Reminder: Marijuana Already Exists."

Appeal: 2010 is Important in Drug Policy -- And So Are You

2010 is a critical year in the effort to end prohibition and the war on drugs. The StoptheDrugWar.org (DRCNet) "Changing Minds, Changing Laws, Changing Lives" campaign is asking for you to pitch in -- your support is more important now than it has ever been before!
Permission to Reprint: This content is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Content of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.