Drugs & Vice

Sessions’ ‘New’ Drug Policy: Even More Mandatory Minimums

"The directive instructs federal prosecutors to pursue the most serious, readily provable offense. It thus resurrects the emphasis on mandatory minimum sentencing requirements, which have required judges to impose draconian sentences for drug crimes, even when they don't believe these sentences are warranted. Sessions' memo rescinds and reverses the reforms implemented by former Attorney General Eric Holder, which urged prosecutors to charge people with low-level drug cases to avoid triggering mandatory minimum sentences. Nearly half (or 92,000) of the people in federal prison are serving sentences for drug convictions." Continue reading →

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Florida sheriff taunts drug dealers in video resembling ISIS propaganda

"The 90-second video message from Sheriff Peyton Grinnell features a stern message to heroin dealers in his community, as he's flanked by four deputies in body armor and black face masks, who stoically stare into the camera. Some people made comparisons to videos from the Islamic State, the terrorist group also known as ISIS whose propaganda often features masked men delivering fiery statements." Continue reading →

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Smoking Pot Kicks You Off Transplant Lists — Even In States Where It’s Legal

"More than half the states in the country have legalized medical marijuana, but some hospitals still bar users from life-saving organ transplants. The policy delayed the late Riley Hancey's lung transplant for months." Continue reading →

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Two pints of beer better for pain relief than Tylenol: study

"By elevating your blood alcohol content to approximately 0.08 per cent, you’ll give your body 'a small elevation of pain threshold' and thus a 'moderate to large reduction in pain intensity ratings'. The researchers explained: 'Findings suggest that alcohol is an effective analgesic that delivers clinically-relevant reductions in ratings of pain intensity, which could explain alcohol misuse in those with persistent pain, despite its potential consequences for long-term health.'" Continue reading →

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Judge Orders California DA To Return Family’s Confiscated Life Savings

"The San Diego District Attorney (DA) seized all of the family’s money from their bank accounts on February 2, 2016, following a raid on James Slatic’s legal medical marijuana business. Although no one has been charged with any crime, the DA used civil forfeiture laws to seize more than $55,000 from James’ personal bank account, more than $34,000 from his wife, Annette, and more than $5,600 each from their teenage daughters Lily and Penny, who had saved the money for college. Judge Ipema’s order requires the DA to return all $100,693.85 to the Slatics." Continue reading →

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Cop fakes body cam footage, prosecutors drop drug charges

"Prosecutors in Pueblo, Colorado are dropping felony drug and weapon-possession charges after an officer involved in the case said he faked body cam footage so he could walk 'the courts through' the vehicle search that led to the arrest. The actual footage of the search that he produced in court was a reenactment of the search, the officer told prosecutors." Continue reading →

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DEA Seized $3.2 Billion From People Since 2007 Without Charging Any Crime

"Common red flags for passengers are 'traveling to or from a known source city for drug trafficking, purchasing a ticket within 24 hours of travel, purchasing a ticket for a long flight with an immediate return, purchasing a one-way ticket, and traveling without checked luggage.' DEA agents then detain and question travelers with large amounts of cash, and, if they determine the money is linked to drug activity, seize it, even if there is no hard evidence that it is connected to illegal activity. As the Inspector General notes, these agents 'rely on their immediate, on-the-spot judgment.' The passenger is then released, bereft of money but otherwise free to go." Continue reading →

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There’s a Good Chance Your Bank Is Committing a Major Crime Right Now

"You probably will be very surprised to learn who aided and abetted the drug operation: it was US banking giant Wachovia. After an investigation that took years, Wells Fargo, which now owns Wachovia, paid a $160 million fine to settle the case. You might also be surprised to hear that Wachovia’s fine wasn’t an isolated case. Citibank was caught laundering money for a Mexican drug kingpin in 2001. American Express Bank admitted to laundering $55 million in drug money in 2007. And the FBI accused Bank of America of helping a Mexican drug cartel hide money in 2012. You’ve probably never heard these stories before. The big banks pay a lot of money to keep it that way." Continue reading →

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The Fed Joins the War on Drugs

"The Federal Reserve is now in the business of enforcing the US government’s drug laws, even if that means making a mockery of both state governments’ right to set their own drug policies and the Fed’s own governing statutes. The Fed’s involvement in drug prohibition became official last month, when the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City informed Denver’s Fourth Corner Credit Union — a non-profit cooperative formed by Colorado’s state-licensed cannabis manufacturers — of its decision to deny its application for a master account. The Fourth Corner Credit Union isn’t taking this sitting down. On the contrary: it is suing the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City." Continue reading →

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