News Brief

A pretty quiet week this week, but there is a juicy scandal brewing in Florida.

Bolivian President Evo Morales told the UN Commission on Narcotics Drugs Monday that Bolivians have the right to chew coca leaves. Bolivia wants the leaf removed from the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, and has rejoined the treaty only with a reservation that it recognizes traditional coca use.

If Colombian President Santos has his way, you will soon be able to possess five grams of marijuana or a gram of cocaine in Colombia without fear of arrest or prosecution.

The drug testing frenzy in state legislatures continues, with the Oklahoma House passing a bill requiring testing for welfare recipients, and candidates for political office, too.

A marijuana decriminalization has squeaked to victory in the New Hampshire House, but faces a veto threat from Gov. John Lynch (D).

The coalition behind this year's California medical marijuana initiative is shifting gears. It has dropped the initiative effort, and will instead concentrate its efforts -- and its cash -- on passing a measure in the legislature.

Two men have been killed by police in drug raids in Miami Lakes, Florida, and New Orleans. The one in Miami Lakes was armed; the one in New Orleans apparently was not.

Nevada's legislature has failed to provide a way for medical marijuana patients to buy their medicine, and that's unconstitutional, a state district court judge has ruled.

The year's 13th domestic drug war death occurred last Tuesday on a South Carolina highway.

Marijuana legalization got a hearing in the Massachusetts legislature Tuesday. While even the bill's sponsor doubts it will pass, it helps pave the way for a legalization initiative in the future.