Drugs & Prohibition

Can Police Read Text Messages Without A Warrant?

"In this case, police seized a cell phone during a drug investigation and monitored incoming messages. Officers responded to several texts, setting up meetings that resulted in two arrests, without first getting a warrant. Prosecutors have argued that no warrant was required because there should be no expectation of privacy in text messages, as anyone can pick up someone else’s phone and read what’s stored there. But in two related amicus briefs filed Monday, EFF argues that searching the phone for the texts without a warrant clearly violates the Constitution." Continue reading →

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Nevada bill would legalize gambling on federal elections

"If one Nevada lawmaker has his way, visitors to Sin City will soon be able to bet on the next presidential election. Las Vegas Democrat Tick Segerblom on Monday introduced a bill in the Nevada state Senate that would legalizing betting on federal elections. SB 418 would revise the state’s definition of sports betting 'to include wagers with respect to the outcome of a federal election.' 'We’re in a competitive environment,' Segerblom explained to KVVU. 'We’re basically competing against the world, and I think we need to start looking beyond what we’ve done.'" Continue reading →

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Florida bill designed to fight gambling scandal could cost state thousands of jobs

"The measure, House Bill 155, was passed by the state Senate on April 4 by a 36-4 vote, following a three-year investigation into racketeering, money laundering and other charges. The scandal led to the resignation of Lieutenant Gov. Jennifer Carroll on March 12. The new law effectively curtails the state’s so-called 'Internet cafes' — businesses that featured online games recreating slot machines. It also forbids arcades from letting customers use cash or debit or credit cards from operating their games and from handing out gift cards as prizes. Patrons must now use change to play, and winnings are capped at 75 cents." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFlorida bill designed to fight gambling scandal could cost state thousands of jobs

Legendary Havana bar ‘Sloppy Joe’s’ reopens

"Mythic Cuban bar Sloppy Joe’s, a watering hole for a who’s who of Hollywood stars during Prohibition, reopens its doors Friday in Havana. The revived bar is in the center of old Havana, just steps away from Central Park and some of the city’s grand hotels. Founded in 1920 by Spanish immigrant Jose Garcia, Sloppy Joe’s was restored exactly the way it once stood, down to its long, black mahogany bar, which was immortalized in the 1959 British film 'Our Man in Havana' with Alec Guinness and Maureen O’Hara. In its heyday, it was frequented by Errol Flynn, John Wayne, Spencer Tracy and even Clark Gable." Continue reading →

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FBI Trying to Infiltrate Keene, New Hampshire

"Apparently the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been trying very, very hard to infiltrate the KAC, judging from this account of the arrest of one of the club’s members, Rich Paul, on marijuana charges. Paul is going on trial for petty marijuana distribution offenses pursuant to testimony by an undercover FBI informant. It looks as if the trial is on state charges, but what’s interesting and disturbing is the interest the federal government has taken in the case. FBI agent Phillip Christiana apparently tried to pressure Paul into wearing a wire into the KAC and luring people into pot transactions, offering him immunity from prosecution in exchange." Continue reading →

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Obama would rather look stupid than interfere with the flow of cash to drug-war profiteers

"The White House spends all year traveling around the country talking about their 'third way' and their '21st Century Drug Policy' — that the focus needs to be on treatment and that we can’t arrest our way out of drug problems. That there’s too much focus on incarceration. At the same time, they’re dealing with severe national budget pressures, so you’d think this would be the perfect excuse to actually significantly reduce spending on things like domestic drug law enforcement. Well, the budget for domestic drug law enforcement was 9.4 billion in 2012, and they’re asking for 9.5 billion in 2014." Continue reading →

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West Virginia sheriff fatally gunned down outside courthouse

"A West Virginia sheriff was shot and killed outside a courthouse in downtown Williamson on Wednesday. According to WCHS-TV, Mingo County Sheriff Eugene Crum had been shot and killed at around 12:04 p.m. A suspected shooter was also shot before being taken into custody. The condition of the suspect was not immediately known. Officials told WSAZ that Crum had been on his lunch break when he was gunned down. The Mingo County Courthouse was evacuated, but no other injuries were reported. Crum was known for his Operation Zero Tolerance program targeting illegal drug trafficking." Continue reading →

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Reclaiming our Police Forces

"A couple of articles worth reading on the subject of Law Enforcement. One of the real important reasons for ending the drug war, in my opinion, has been to reclaim the positive relationship between police and their communities. The drug war in particular, along with militarization, has turned the police against those they are supposed to serve, and vice versa." Continue reading →

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Idaho Court of Appeals overturns marijuana DUI conviction

"The Idaho Court of Appeals has reversed a lower court's decision upholding a Boise man's conviction for driving under the influence of marijuana. The court ruled last week in the case of Geirrod Stark, who was found guilty in 2010 of driving while impaired. In its ruling, Judge Pro Tem Jesse Walters overturned the conviction, arguing Stark's blood test results only prove he'd used marijuana recently — not the day he was stopped. There's no question Stark was impaired that day Walters said, but there's no proof that drugs — and not some other condition — caused his erratic driving." Continue reading →

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Massachusetts Supreme Court Clears Drivers In Marijuana Search

"In a series of three rulings issued Friday, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court cracked down on police who have been using evidence of marijuana possession as a pretext to search automobiles. In 2008, 62 percent of state voters approved an initiative that decriminalized possession of up to one ounce of marijuana. To justify the search, prosecutors argued that by passing around a joint, Pacheco was guilty of 'distribution' of marijuana, which is punishable by two years in jail. The state argued the trooper's search was valid because he was investigating the crime of distribution. The high court did not agree." Continue reading →

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