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Drug War Chronicle #826 - March 20, 2014

Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director
Getting down to business at the CND in Vienna (unodc.org)
Getting down to business at the CND in Vienna (unodc.org)

Growing Demands for UN Drug Policy Reform [FEATURE]

The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs held its high-level session in Vienna over the weekend. Behind a bland joint memorandum, though, signs of discord abound as criticism of the global prohibition regime grows louder.
MMJ leaf and stethoscope KY ODCP_123.jpg
MMJ leaf and stethoscope KY ODCP_123.jpg

Medical Marijuana Update

A federal agency has given the okay for researchers to buy marijuana from NIDA for a PTSD study, which is a first, those CBD medical marijuana bills keep moving in heretofore medical marijuana-unfriendly states, an effort to fold Washington state's medical marijuana system into its general legalization scheme has failed, and more.
Attorney General Eric Holder endorses federal drug sentence reductions. (usdoj.gov)
Attorney General Eric Holder endorses federal drug sentence reductions. (usdoj.gov)

Chronicle AM -- March 13, 2014

Attorney General Holder endorses federal drug sentencing reductions, CBD medical marijuana bills move in the South, a New Hampshire decriminalization bill advances, Zohydro may get some competition, and the UN is generating plenty of news, and more.
A bill before Utah's governor would begin to rein in SWAT in the Beehive State. Only Maryland has done something similar.
A bill before Utah's governor would begin to rein in SWAT in the Beehive State. Only Maryland has done something similar.

Chronicle AM -- March 14, 2014

No legalization for Maryland this year, the ASA national conference is coming soon, Utah (!) passes a package of policing reform bills, welfare drug testing goes down in flames in Indiana, the Swiss ponder cannabis clubs, and more.
What will keep this Rasta smiling? Jamaican ganja farmers have some ideas. (wikimedia.org)
What will keep this Rasta smiling? Jamaican ganja farmers have some ideas. (wikimedia.org)

Chronicle AM -- March 17, 2014

Alaska state agencies complain that legalization will cost money (and they want some of it), Vermont cops complain the governor is soft on pot, federal prosecutors complain about reforming mandatory minimums, and more.
Declining federal drug prosecutions could have an impact here. (supremecourt.gov)
Declining federal drug prosecutions could have an impact here. (supremecourt.gov)

Chronicle AM -- March 18, 2014

Federal drug prosecutions are declining, marijuana legalization moves forward in the Northeast, Pennsylvania counties pay for taking babies away from mothers over false positive drug tests, and more.
Russell Brand speaks out for drug decriminalization at the CND in Vienna. (wikimedia.org)
Russell Brand speaks out for drug decriminalization at the CND in Vienna. (wikimedia.org)

Chronicle AM -- March 19, 2014

Fewer people are getting arrested for marijuana possession in Washington state after legalization -- imagine that! -- Kansas legislators want to drug test teachers, a New Jersey heroin and opiates panel has recommendations, Russell Brand goes to Vienna, and more.
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