Executive Branch

Last year, the Justice Department encouraged federal drug prisoners to apply for clemency and commutations. More than 30,000 have, and now they are starting to trickle out of prison.

ProCon.org is a series of in-depth web sites presenting information and views from on current issues, several with relevance to drug policy. This is the last in a six week series of info items from ProCon.org appearing in Drug War Chronicle -- this one returning to MedicalMarijuana.procon.org -- and we encourage you to check it out.

Civil society groups around the world used the occassion of the UN's International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to call for an end to the global prohibition regime.

Massachusetts finally sees its first dispensary, the White House removes a barrier to marijuana research (although others remain), a Delaware kids' CBD cannabis oil becomes law, California stays busy, and more.

Ohio's political establishment gears up to block a controversial legalization initiative, the Dalai Lama supports medical marijuana, the Obama administration removes a barrier to marijuana research, Louisiana's governor rejects clemency for a man doing 13 years for two joints, and more.

A new report from Human Rights Watch finds that deportations for drug offenses are on the increase, with more than a quarter million in five years, including more than 34,000 for marijuana possession alone.

In a historic vote, the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved an amendment that would let VA doctors recommend medical marijuana to veterans in states where it is legal.

Finally.

Busy, busy at the statehouse, there's news out of Washington, DC, too, a Wyoming medical marijuana initiative gears up, and more.