Executive Branch

The IRS's use of an obscure provision to deny standard exemptions to medical marijuana dispensaries is causing pain to patients and providiers, and inspiring some creative thinking among law professors.

The feds stay on the attack in California, and fallout from last week's state Supreme Court decision allowing local dispensary bans mounts. There's news from other states as well.

Marijuana rescheduling is headed for the US Supreme Court, the California Supreme Court upheld local dispensary bans, the feds strike again in Berkeley and Washington state, and there is action in state legislatures, too.

A day after the drug czar's office issued its 2013 national drug strategy, the GAO reported that it isn't achieving most of the goals it identified in its 2010 national drug strategy.

Lots of action in California this past week, including more raids and more threat letters, plus action in various state legislatures.

The fledgling adminstration of Mexican President Pena Nieto is moving to strengthen its control over US law enforcement and intelligence agencies operating there, a change of course from the policies of his predecessor.

The first dispensary in Phoenix has opened, dispensaries in Washington, DC, are ready to go, and there has been more federal enforcement activity in California.

Military veterans and civilians, too, are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many are finding relief with marijuana, but even in some medical marijuana states, its use is not approved.