Executive Branch

In a case that could have important implications for US drug war tactics abroad, a federal appeals court has thrown out the convictions of four Panamanians tried in the US after being seized on Panamanian territory.

From the village board to the halls of Congress, medical marijuana is popping up all over. And there's action at various state houses, too.

With the introduction of medical marijuana and hemp bills this week, along with marijuana legalization legislation introduced earlier this month, Congress has a full-blown marijuana agenda before it this session. And now, it has an emerging cannabis caucus.

Opponents of marijuana legalization are organizing and fighting back, most recently with a letter to Attorney General Holder and a position statement from the drug court people. They are self-interested, but potentially dangerous.

The California Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a key case on whether localities can ban dispensaries, and medical marijuana bills died in two Midwest states, and there's more news, too.

A federal magistrate in Massachusetts has slapped down a federal government effort to seize a motel because of limite drug activity there. That's a blow against asset forfeiture abuse.

The agonizingly slow pace of implementing medical marijuana laws is causing problems in several states, while in California, the never-ending battles continue.

It may soon be harder for patients to get access to hydrocodone-based pain relievers like Vicodin after an FDA advisory panel recommended moving them from Schedule III to Schedule II in an effort to prevent overdoses and addiction.

The effort to get the executive branch to reschedule marijuana has been blocked by a federal appeals court. While appeals will continue, efforts will now turn to forcing change in Congress and with the Obama administration.