Drug War Chronicle #566 - January 2, 2009

1. Feature: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly -- The Top 10 Drug Policy Stories of 2008

As we wave goodbye to 2008, it's worth taking a moment to look back at the biggest drug policy stories of the year. It's a definite mixed bag, but better than most recent years. Following this story is another that looks forward into 2009 -- also likely to be a mixed bag, but with more signs of life to bring hope to drug reformers.

2. Feature: Gazing Into the Crystal Ball -- What Can We Expect in 2009?

Will 2009 be a happy New Year for positive drug policy changes? Here, we take a look at what could -- or couldn't -- be coming down the pike, as well as some festering issues that aren't going to go away.

3. Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

New year, same old same old. Another jailer gone bad, another deputy with problems, and a murky tale from Tennessee involving cops, docs, guns, and pills.

4. Marijuana: Massachusetts Decriminalization Goes Into Effect Today -- Includes Hashish

Marijuana is decriminalized in Massachusetts effective today. Hash, too.

5. Medical Marijuana: Maine Activist Wins Acquittal on Growing, Trafficking Charges

Don Christen has jousted with Maine authorities over marijuana for years. Now, he's just won a major victory in court.

6. Drug Testing: Federal Judge Rejects West Virginia School Board's Random Tests of Teachers

West Virginia's Kanawha County school board wanted to subject teachers to random, suspicionless drug testing, but a little thing called the US Constitution got in the way.

7. Coerced Snitching: Fall-Out Continues in the Case of Murdered Informant Rachel Hoffman

It's been a little more than six months since social pot dealer Rachel Hoffman was intimidated into becoming a snitch and sent off to buy cocaine and guns from men who killed her. Now, her family is suing the Tallahassee Police Department and seeking legislation to protect other young victims of predatory policing.

8. Europe: Dutch Appeals Court Rules Five-Plant Home Growers Cannot Be Prosecuted, No Matter How Big the Harvest

Under existing jurisprudence and guidelines, people in Holland can grow up to five marijuana plants without fear of prosecution. Now, a court has ruled that no matter how big the harvest, if you grow five or less, you're safe.

9. Latin America: Peru's Shining Path Making a Comeback?

The Peruvian government managed to defeat the bloody Shining Path insurgency in the early 1990s. Now, the profits from prohibition are helping to bring it back to life.

10. Europe: Austria, Germany Latest to Ban Herbal Drug "Spice"

The herbal drug "Spice" is becoming popular with recreational users seeking a high, but authorities in various countries are moving to ban it, claiming it contains a dangerous synthetic cannabinoid.

11. Weekly: Blogging @ the Speakeasy

"Another Botched Drug Raid: Officers Shot, Mistaken for Burglars, No Drugs Found," "Fixing Our Criminal Justice System Isn't Political Suicide. Stop Saying That.," "Arizona's Attorney General Talks Marijuana Legalization," "An Easy Way to Ask Obama About Drug Policy Reform," "Merry(juana) Christmas! (Colbert/Willie Nelson video)," "Bush Endorses Harm Reduction Group... Sort Of," "Harm Reduction and Allan's Diplomatic Faux Pas, on the Final Day of the UN Drug Treatment Conference, Vienna."

12. Students: Intern at DRCNet and Help Stop the Drug War!

Apply for an internship at DRCNet for this spring (or summer), and you could spend the semester fighting the good fight!