News Brief

A drug dog's sniff of a home's front door is a search under the meaning of the Fourth Amendment and police must thus first obtain a search warrant, the US Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.

A Missouri technical college wanted to drug test all incoming students, but for a second time, a federal district court judge has said no, and she is likely to make it permanent when the case goes to trial in July.

The discussion about legalizing marijuana commerce and cultivation is about to get underway in Uruguay. The president wanted to legalize it last fall, but backed off in the face of public opposition. Now, there will be an educational process to win support.

As politicians dither, New Yorkers hoping to end New York City's reign as marijuana arrest capital of the world will have to wait. In the meantime, another thousand people are getting popped for pot in the Big Apple every week.

Washington state has selected a consulting firm led by drug policy scholar Mark Kleiman to be its marijuana consultant. Reformers have reacted with caution.

Medical marijuana action was concentrated in state legislatures this week, although there was also news from the Massachusetts attorney general's office.

A Customs agent, a Texas deputy, and a small-town California cop all go down this week.

A marijuana decriminalization bill is moving in Maryland.

Nevada is the latest state to see a marijuana legalization bill in the wake of last November's victories in Colorado and Washington.

The District of Columbia has now joined ten states in implementing 911 Good Samaritan laws designed to reduce overdose deaths by removing the fear of arrest and prosecution from victims and witnesses who seek medical help.