Sentencing Reform: Massachusetts Bar Association Forms Drug Policy Task Force
The Massachusetts Bar Association has decided to form a drug policy task force with an eye toward sentencing reform in the Bay State.
Mandatory Minimums
Marijuana: Florida Bill Would Toughen Penalties for Growing
Faced with a wave of indoor marijuana growing operations, Florida drug warrior Attorney General Bill McCullom and his law enforcement and legislative allies are fighting back with a bill proposing tougher penalties and new criminal offenses.
Pain Patients: Florida Prisoner Richard Paey is Pardoned
Florida pain patient Richard Paey won some justice Thursday when Gov. Charlie Crist went beyond his family's request for clemency and instead pardoned him in full. The wheelchair bound prisoner was three years into a mandatory minimum 25-year sentence as a drug trafficker for fraudulently trying to obtain pain pills. Now he is no longer even a convicted felon.
Medical Marijuana: Bryan Epis Re-Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison
The first California medical marijuana provider prosecuted by the feds was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison -- again -- but Bryan Epis remains a free man for now.
Sentencing: Supreme Court to Decide Crack Sentencing Case
The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of a Virginia man sentenced under the harsh federal crack cocaine laws. This is the third case having to do with federal sentencing the court has taken in recent months.
Feature: Battle Royal Looms as Canadian Government Set to Unveil Tough Anti-Drug Strategy
The Harper government in Canada is about to unveil its new national drug strategy -- it's bad -- and opponents are gathering forces.
Feature: US Sentencing Commission Again Calls on Congress to Fix Crack-Powder Cocaine Sentencing Disparity
The US Sentencing Commission has again called on Congress to act to reduce sentencing inequities around the federal crack cocaine laws. Will Congress finally listen this time?
Sentencing: Maryland Governor Vetoes Bill To Give Two-Time Drug Sales Offenders Parole Eligibility
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley Wednesday vetoed a bill that would have allowed second-time drug sales offenders parole eligibility. Instead, they will remain locked up doing 10-year mandatory minimum sentences.
Sentencing: Nevada Supreme Court Justices Ask Legislature for More Discretion, More Funding for Drug Courts
With Nevada prisons bursting at the seams, state Supreme Court justices went to the legislature Monday to ask for more discretion in sentencing and more funding for drug and mental health courts.
Open Letter: You Screwed Up the "Snitch" Story, Anderson Cooper
A report by CNN's Anderson Cooper for Sixty Minutes on the "Stop Snitching" movement missed the mark widely. In this open letter to Cooper, DRCNet executive director David Borden lays out the real deal.