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Drug War Chronicle

Comprehensive coverage of the War on Drugs since 1997

  • Caravan for Peace vigil, Brownsville, Texas, August 2012
    Caravan for Peace vigil, Brownsville, Texas, August 2012

    The Top Ten Drug Policy Stories of 2012 [FEATURE]

    In some ways, 2012 has been a year of dramatic, exciting change in drug policy, as the edifice of global drug prohibition appears to crumble before our eyes. In other ways it's still business as usual in the drug war. Here, we look at the biggest drug policy stories of the year.
  • MMJ leaf and stethoscope KY ODCP_62.jpg
    MMJ leaf and stethoscope KY ODCP_62.jpg

    Medical Marijuana Update

    Dispensary wars continue in California, a package of restrictive bills passes in Michigan, and DC's long-awaited dispensaries are a step closer to opening.
  • pile-of-cash_94.jpg
    pile-of-cash_94.jpg

    This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

    A small-town Florida department run amok loses its chief -- at least temporarily -- an Alabama cop gets caught delivering weed, four South Texas cops get caught running cocaine, and a Camden, New Jersey, sergeant goes down for a dope squad run amok there.
  • More than 330,000 were doing prison time for drugs in the US at the end of 2011. (supremecourt.gov)
    More than 330,000 were doing prison time for drugs in the US at the end of 2011. (supremecourt.gov)

    US Has 330,000 Drug Offenders in Prison

    The number of prisoners in America is declining ever so slightly, but there are still 330,000 drug offenders doing time in state and federal prisons.
  • Do_Not_Cross,_Crime_Scene_36.jpg
    Do_Not_Cross,_Crime_Scene_36.jpg

    Memphis Officer, Dallas Man Killed in Separate Drug War Incidents

    A female Memphis police officer was killed in a raid on a marijuana dealer, and a Dallas man died in an altercation with police investigating a report of drug activity. They are the 63rd and 64th to be killed in the US domestic drug war so far this year.
  • stopsign-300px_0.jpg
    stopsign-300px_0.jpg

    How People Are Using Drug War Chronicle

    We print a few of the testimonials received this year about what Drug War Chronicle does for the work of all the organizations in the movement.
  • President Barack Obama (whitehouse.gov)
    President Barack Obama (whitehouse.gov)

    Obama Comments Beg the Question on Marijuana Legalization

    President Obama said Friday that going after marijuana users in states where it is legal is not a "top priority," but did not address what the federal government will do about taxation and regulation of marijuana commerce.
  • Marijuana is legal in the Motor City. Someone tell the cops. (wikimedia.org)
    Marijuana is legal in the Motor City. Someone tell the cops. (wikimedia.org)

    Michigan Cops Ponder Detroit Marijuana Legalization Vote

    Detroit voted to legalize possession of up to an ounce by adults on private property, but local law enforcement is either ignoring the vote or still trying to figure out how to respond.
  • Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (leahy.senate.gov)
    Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (leahy.senate.gov)

    Senate Judiciary Committee to Hold Hearings on Marijuana Policy

    Pressure is mounting on the Obama administration to say how it will respond to the marijuana legalization votes in Colorado and Washington. Now, the head of the Senate Judiciary Committee is calling for hearings on the issue.