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Drug War Chronicle #724 - March 8, 2012

Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director
Canada's Senate Chamber
Canada's Senate Chamber

Canadian Senate Passes Harsh Crime Bill

Canada appears set to march boldly backward as the Senate has passed a Conservative crime bill that includes mandatory minimums for growing as few as six marijuana plants.
spicedrug_1_11.jpg
spicedrug_1_11.jpg

DEA Extends Ban on Fake Marijuana Chemicals

Even though Sen. Rand Paul is blocking federal legislation to ban fake marijuana (and "bath salts"), the DEA has just extended its emergency ban for another six months.
Joe Biden
Joe Biden

In Mexico, Biden Rejects Drug Legalization Talk

US Vice President Joe Biden was quick to fight back against the rising clamor for a debate on drug legalization as he landed in Mexico City Monday on a two-day trip to meet with Mexican and Central American leaders.
public mass execution in Iran, 2008 (ncr-iran.org)
public mass execution in Iran, 2008 (ncr-iran.org)

Iran Executed Nearly 500 Drug Offenders Last Year

Iran executed nearly 500 people for drug crimes last year, according to a new report from Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based NGO. Drug executions made up more than 70% of all executions in the Islamic Republic.
MMJ leaf and stethoscope KY ODCP_22.jpg
MMJ leaf and stethoscope KY ODCP_22.jpg

Medical Marijuana Update

Bills are being considered in some states, busts are going on in others, and local governments grapple with medical marijuana from Washington state to New Jersey.
Massachusetts State House, Beacon Hill, Boston (wikimedia.org)
Massachusetts State House, Beacon Hill, Boston (wikimedia.org)

Massachusetts Marijuana Legalization Bill Gets Hearing

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.
pile-of-cash_57.jpg
pile-of-cash_57.jpg

This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

Bad cops pay out big in New York, a sheriff cleans house in Florida, a sticky-fingered cop gets in trouble in North Carolina, and a California cop gets caught with his fingers in the dope jar.
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