Drugs & Prohibition

Crime Lab Scandal Leaves Mass. Legal System In Turmoil

"A scandal in a Massachusetts crime lab continues to reverberate throughout the state's legal system. Several months ago, Annie Dookhan, a former chemist in a state crime lab, told police that she messed up big time. Dookhan now stands accused of falsifying test results in as many as 34,000 cases. As a result, lawyers, prosecutors and judges used to operating in a world of 'beyond a reasonable doubt' now have nothing but doubt. Already, hundreds of convicts and defendants have been released because of the scandal. Now, the state's highest court may weigh in on how these cases should be handled." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCrime Lab Scandal Leaves Mass. Legal System In Turmoil

U.K. police hope to sniff out pot growers with marijuana-scented cards

"Thousand of houses in the UK are being sent marijuana-scented 'scratch and sniff' cards in a new bid to track down marijuana growers. The charity group Crimestoppers explained the cards were designed to educate residents about the smell of marijuana. They hope once people can recognize the smell of cannabis plants, they will be able to help law enforcement officials identify illegal growing operations. The green-and-black cards also provide other signs to look out for, including homes that have 'visitors at unsociable hours' or buildings that generate an excessive amount of heat. Homes with closed blinds should be under suspicion as well." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.K. police hope to sniff out pot growers with marijuana-scented cards

Washington cops working to ‘desensitize’ drug dogs to marijuana smell

"Police in Washington state are working to retrain their drug-sniffing dogs so that they’re less likely to alert when they smell marijuana. The retraining is part of the state’s law enforcement reforms following November’s voter-backed legalization measure, which will ultimately require police to notify judges as to whether a drug dog used to obtain probable cause for a search has been trained to comply with state law. While most departments are going along with the change, including the Washington State Patrol, the Tacoma Police Department is refusing to comply." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWashington cops working to ‘desensitize’ drug dogs to marijuana smell

Maryland Senate Passes Marijuana Decriminalization

"A bill that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana in Maryland passed the state Senate Tuesday by a nearly two-to-one margin. The vote was 30-16. Senate Bill 297 would make possession of 10 grams (about a third of an ounce) or less a civil offense punishable by no more than a $100 fine. A state legislative fiscal and policy analysis of the bill estimated that it would result in small losses in fine revenues, small savings from decreases in the number of jail days, and would significantly reduce caseloads in the Office of the Public Defender. The bill now proceeds to the House, where it has been assigned to the Judiciary Committee." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMaryland Senate Passes Marijuana Decriminalization

NYPD Spent 1 Million Hours Making 440,000 Marijuana Possession Arrests Over Last Decade

"The NYPD spent 1 million hours making 440,000 arrests for low-level marijuana possession charges between 2002 and 2012, according to a new report released Tuesday -- just as legislative leaders in Albany are deciding whether to pass a bill reforming drug laws. The NYPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Drug Policy Alliance's numbers. Activists have been sharply critical of Bloomberg's record on marijuana, pointing out that during his tenure, the NYPD has arrested more New Yorkers for marijuana possession than the last three mayors combined." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNYPD Spent 1 Million Hours Making 440,000 Marijuana Possession Arrests Over Last Decade

Colorado corrections department chief killed at his home

"Authorities in Colorado are looking for suspects in the shooting death of the director of the state department of corrections, Tom Clements, at his home Tuesday night. KCNC-TV reported Wednesday morning that Clements was shot while answering the front door of his home in Monument, Colorado, around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Though emergency reponders were called in, Clements was pronounced dead at the scene. According to The Associated Press, Clements was appointed by Hickenlooper to head the department in 2011 after working in the Missouri Department of Corrections for more than 30 years." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingColorado corrections department chief killed at his home

Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll resigns over Internet gambling scandal

"Florida’s Republican lieutenant governor on Tuesday resigned amid questions about her connection to an Internet gambling firm that that is being investigated for racketeering, money laundering and lying about how much it donated to veterans. Carroll submitted her resignation to Gov. Rick Scott (R) on Tuesday after she was interviewed about her links to Allied Veterans of the World, a nonprofit which operates Internet cafes in Florida. Allied Veterans co-owner Jerry Bass, his lawyer and two top officers from Jacksonville’s Fraternal Order of Police were arrested on Tuesday after a raid on Internet cafes run by the nonprofit." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFlorida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll resigns over Internet gambling scandal

Will Grigg: Prison Profiteers

"One aspect of drug prohibition that gets far too little attention is the fact that the drug war is immensely profitable for prohibitionists. No decent person has anything but contempt for Drug Kingpins – but it’s difficult to see how Prohibition Profiteers are any less contemptible. And they’re hardly the only people who have become wealthy by monetizing the misery generated in the prison-industrial complex. Public incarceration is the only consistently growing sector of our increasingly socialized economy." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWill Grigg: Prison Profiteers

Packed Seattle hearing on new pot law

"They came in suits and cowboy hats, with cropped gray hair and long ponytails, and they filled one room at Seattle City Hall and spilled into another, about 400 strong. They were there to express views about the state’s new legal-marijuana law enacted last fall by Initiative 502. Growers, breeders, sellers and advocates came out to push a variety of platforms. Washington’s new law, which allows those 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of pot, must be implemented by December. In theory, adults will then be able to walk into stores around the state and buy locally grown pot that is licensed, taxed and regulated by the state." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPacked Seattle hearing on new pot law

Michigan couple grew 206 marijuana plants ‘across the street from city hall’

"A couple in Coloma, Michigan was arrested Wednesday and charged in connection to a marijuana growing operation authorities claim they found in the rear of their computer repair business, located directly across the street from the town’s city hall. In all, police said they pulled 206 marijuana plants out of the building. The couple, 66-year-old Dennis Dickson and 57-year-old Emily Jacobs, were arrested Wednesday afternoon following an investigation by the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Authorities said the total value of the grow was roughly $206,000." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMichigan couple grew 206 marijuana plants ‘across the street from city hall’