Drug War Chronicle

It looks like the vehicle for legalization next year in California has emerged.

This week, we've got a Tennessee twofer and Pennsylvania cop with a bad, bad pill habit.

Two federal agencies make drug policy-related announcements, Syrians are fleeing the ISIS caliphate to work in the hash fields of Lebanon, and more.

As the year winds down, we look back on the big stories in drug policy, from marijuana reform to climbing fatal overdose levels to sentencing reforms and beyond.

StoptheDrugWar.org's has a focused mission at this incredibly promising time in drug policy reform, one that is making a special difference. But our ability to move it forward depends on the generosity of our donors.

Congress again blocks the Justice Department from messing with medical marijuana in states where it is legal, California localities scurry to regulate or face losing that authority to the state, Maryland patients find out they face more delays, and more.

DPA ups the pressure on Louisiana Gov. Jindal to free Bernard Noble, Maryland patients face further delays, Colombian patients won't, and more.

Pittsburgh decriminalizes, Detroit restricts dispensaries, the U of Alabama is forcing all frat members to be drug tested, fatal drug overdoses hit a record high last year, and more.

The omnibus budget bill approved by Congress today includes several drug policy provisions, the president commutes the sentences of 93 drug war prisoners, Iranian parliamentarians move to end the death penalty for non-violent drug smuggling offenses, and more.

Christmas came early for nearly a hundred federal drug war prisoners as President Obama commuted their sentences. He has now commuted more sentences than the last five presidents combined.