Drugs & Prohibition

Honduran victims of US drug war still await justice

"In the increasingly militarised drug war, suspects are sometimes killed in the field; suspicion of involvement in drug trafficking warrants a death sentence. Government drug warriors on the scene play the role of judge, jury and executioner. This May 11 marked one year since the tragic killing of four indigenous villagers in Ahuas, in Honduras' Moskitia region. The victims, who included a pregnant woman and a 14-year-old boy, were killed in a joint US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)/Honduran police counter-narcotics operation. Three other villagers were shot and wounded." Continue reading →

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Marijuana: The Next Diabetes Drug?

"Toking up may help marijuana users to stay slim and lower their risk of developing diabetes, according to the latest study, which suggests that cannabis compounds may help in controlling blood sugar. The new research, which was published in the American Journal of Medicine, is not the first to find that the drug has a two-faced relationship to weight. Three prior studies have shown that marijuana users are less likely to be obese, have a lower risk for diabetes and have lower body-mass-index measurements. And these trends occurred despite the fact that they seemed to take in more calories." Continue reading →

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Marijuana By Itself Not a Significant Factor in Fatal and Injury Crashes in 2012

"Fewer than 1 percent of suspected impaired drivers involved in such crashes tested positive for nothing but marijuana. New Times' findings, based on a records request satisfied by DPS this week, jibe with statistics we reported earlier this month in our feature article about Arizona's zero-tolerance marijuana-DUI law. Drivers suspected of impairment in crashes that hurt or killed people in Phoenix, Chandler, and Scottsdale were rarely found to be impaired by marijuana, our earlier research showed." Continue reading →

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Revisiting the ‘Crack Babies’ Epidemic That Was Not

"Scientific studies in the 1980s led to predictions that a generation of children would be damaged for life. Those predictions turned out to be wrong. This supposed epidemic — one television reporter talks of a 500 percent increase in damaged babies — was kicked off by a study of just 23 infants that the lead researcher now says was blown out of proportion. And the shocking symptoms — like tremors and low birth weight — are not particular to cocaine-exposed babies, pediatric researchers say; they can be seen in many premature newborns. A much more serious problem, it turns out, is infants who are born with fetal alcohol syndrome." Continue reading →

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Read more about the article U.S. drug czar: Marijuana is drug most often linked to crime

U.S. drug czar: Marijuana is drug most often linked to crime

"Kerlikowske, a former Seattle police chief, has consistently opposed legalization since he became President Barack Obama’s top drug policy adviser in 2009. His position puts him at odds with two states, Washington and Colorado, that voted in November to legalize marijuana, a controlled substance that remains illegal under federal law. With the Obama administration doing nothing so far to try to stop them, both states are proceeding with plans to begin selling marijuana for recreational use next year. A third state, Alaska, might follow soon, with legalization supporters aiming to get the measure on the state’s primary ballot in August of next year." Continue reading →

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Orwell Reigns Over Raw Milk Trial

"The trial of Vernon Hershberger for the crime of selling healthy, unprocessed milk to informed and willing customers is a sadly damning commentary on the times in which we currently live. This humble yet learned Amish farmer faces the ruin of his farm, his family, and jail time in a trial that highlights the utter depravity of the so-called authorities who claim the right to rule over the rest of us. Over and over thugs raided the peaceful Hershberger's farm, destroying his property and terrorizing his ten children. His crime was selling a product that has been consumed from time immemorial and which thousands upon thousands of families increasingly swear by." Continue reading →

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100MPH Police Chase of Pot Car Ends in Fatal Crash, Injured Workers

"A Nevada man died Monday afternoon after his marijuana-laden car crashed during a high speed police pursuit on Interstate 80 in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The as yet unnamed man becomes the 13th person to die in US domestic drug law enforcement operations so far this year. According to KCRA TV, the California Highway Patrol began pursuing a BMW near Big Bend, and the chase lasted 20 minutes at speeds exceeding 100mph before the BMW driver lost control, his car went airborne, and containers and jars of marijuana went flying." Continue reading →

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Cops Go Undercover at High School to Bust Special-Needs Kid for Pot

"Californians Doug and Catherine Snodgrass are suing their son’s high school for allowing undercover police officers to set up the 17-year-old special-needs student for a drug arrest. They were 'thrilled' when their son -- who has Asperger's and other disabilities and struggled to make friends -- appeared to have instantly made a friend named Daniel. 'Daniel,' however, was an undercover cop with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department who 'hounded' the teenager to sell him his prescription medication. When he refused, the undercover cop gave him $20 to buy him weed, and he complied -- not realizing the guy he wanted to befriend wanted him behind bars." Continue reading →

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84-year-old woman with oxygen tank arrested for drugs

"An 84-year-old woman in Albuquerque has been arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, tampering with evidence and possession of drugs. Court documents showed that Lillie Smith, who uses a oxygen tank, was not arrested in 2011 when her son was busted for dealing drugs. As Blount County Sheriff’s Office deputies were serving a warrant on her son, Nathan Jones, officers said that they observed Smith trying to stash marijuana and cocaine. Neighbors insisted that Smith had only allowed her son to deal drugs out of the apartment where they both lived because she needed someone to take care of her." Continue reading →

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US Department of Treasury Targets Bitcoin Poker Sites

"In March, FinCEN exercised its power under the Bank Secrecy Act to clarify its position on convertible virtual currencies. The clarification means bitcoin poker sites that accept US players could find themselves in hot water if they facilitate the transfer of convertible virtual currency, which occurs whenever a player gains from or loses to another bitcoin poker player. Regardless of where they are based, bitcoin poker rooms could face prosecution under 18 USC 1960 (prohibition of unlicensed money transmitting businesses). The legislation was originally written to combat money laundering, but the clarification by FinCEN brings bitcoin services within its scope." Continue reading →

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