Medical Marijuana: Employers Can Fire Users, California Supreme Court Rules
The California Supreme Court has ruled that employers may fire medical marijuana users. The backlash is just getting underway.
Harm Reduction: San Antonio Police Arrest Needle Exchangers, DA Ups the Ante
Last year, the Texas legislature approved a pilot needle exchange program in Bexar County (San Antonio), but a recalcitrant District Attorney has blocked it. Now, after San Antonio police arrested needle exchangers this week, the same DA is trying to hammer them.
Marijuana: New Hampshire Decriminalization Bill Wins Support at Hearing
A bill that would decriminalize the possession of up to 1.25 ounces of marijuana got a first hearing in the New Hampshire legislature this week. Two law enforcement officials spoke out in favor of it.
Law Enforcement: Snitch Culture Gone Bad in Ohio -- 15 Prisoners to Go Free Because of Informant's Tainted Testimony
In the latest installment of an ongoing snitch scandal in northeast Ohio, a federal judge has freed 15 men sentenced to prison on crack conspiracy charges based on perjured testimony from a DEA informant. Now, the informant is in prison, and the DEA agent is in the crosshairs.
Drug Penalties: New York Governor Proposes Tax Stamps -- $200 a Gram for Cocaine
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) has proposed a tax on illegal drugs as part of his budget proposal. $3.50 a gram for marijuana might be -- if it were legal, at least -- but $200 a gram for cocaine!?
Latin America: Mexican Soldiers Raid Police in Drug Fight in Rio Grande Valley Border Cities
The Mexican army has moved into a number of Rio Grande Valley border towns in Tamaulipas state and taken over from local police, whom it is investigating for links to the drug traffic.
Latin America: US Accuses Venezuela of "Colluding" with Cocaine Trade
US drug czar John Walters accused Venezuela of "colluding" in the cocaine traffic, an accusation Venezuela did not take lying down. Meanwhile, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez says he chews coca, much to the dismay of the Miami Herald.
Marijuana: Burlington, Vermont City Council Rejects Decriminalization Measure
The city council in Burlington, Vermont, has rejected putting a marijuana decriminalization proposal before the voters. But a council committee will study the idea.