Drug War and Drug Policy

The Real Reason Pot Is Still Illegal

The Real Reason Pot Is Still Illegal The Real Reason Pot Is Still Illegal

Opponents of marijuana-law reform insist that legalization is dangerous—but the biggest threat is to their own bottom line.

Jul 2, 2014 / Feature / Lee Fang

Report: SWAT Teams Armed With Military Equipment Spend Most of Their Time Waging the Drug War

Report: SWAT Teams Armed With Military Equipment Spend Most of Their Time Waging the Drug War Report: SWAT Teams Armed With Military Equipment Spend Most of Their Time Waging the Drug War

The ACLU finds that SWAT teams spend more time kicking down suspected drug offenders’ doors than rescuing hostages or stopping gunmen.

Jun 24, 2014 / Steven Hsieh

For Tennessee Lawmakers, Punishing Pregnant Women Is More Important Than Protecting Fetal Life

For Tennessee Lawmakers, Punishing Pregnant Women Is More Important Than Protecting Fetal Life For Tennessee Lawmakers, Punishing Pregnant Women Is More Important Than Protecting Fetal Life

Some anti-abortion activists are agreeing with feminists: Tennessee’s new law criminalizing pregnant women is awful. So why did it pass?

Apr 30, 2014 / Michelle Goldberg

Tracking a Marked Population in the US Borderlands

Tracking a Marked Population in the US Borderlands Tracking a Marked Population in the US Borderlands

Along the US-Mexico border, the high-powered cameras are pointed at you and the drones are above you.

Apr 23, 2014 / Todd Miller

Obama Plans to Grant Clemency to ‘Hundreds, Perhaps Thousands,’ of Nonviolent Drug Offenders

Obama Plans to Grant Clemency to ‘Hundreds, Perhaps Thousands,’ of Nonviolent Drug Offenders Obama Plans to Grant Clemency to ‘Hundreds, Perhaps Thousands,’ of Nonviolent Drug Offenders

Obama has so far granted fewer pardons than any modern US president.

Apr 21, 2014 / Steven Hsieh

Will the Supreme Court Let Florida Drug-Test All Its Government Employees?

Will the Supreme Court Let Florida Drug-Test All Its Government Employees? Will the Supreme Court Let Florida Drug-Test All Its Government Employees?

What does a positive test mean when your economic fate hinges on the result? What kind of “discipline” is maintained by subjugating bodily privacy in the name of “public safety”?

Apr 18, 2014 / Michelle Chen

Eric Holder Pushes for Reduced Drug Sentences

Eric Holder Pushes for Reduced Drug Sentences Eric Holder Pushes for Reduced Drug Sentences

The proposal would reduce sentences for nonviolent drug traffickers by about a year.

Mar 13, 2014 / Steven Hsieh

What Happens When Mexico’s Drug Kingpin Falls?

What Happens When Mexico’s Drug Kingpin Falls? What Happens When Mexico’s Drug Kingpin Falls?

US officials claim the capture of Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán is a major drug war victory. They're wrong.

Mar 7, 2014 / Laura Carlsen and Foreign Policy In Focus

Rand Paul and Eric Holder Might Actually Get Something Important Done in Washington by Working Together

Rand Paul and Eric Holder Might Actually Get Something Important Done in Washington by Working Together Rand Paul and Eric Holder Might Actually Get Something Important Done in Washington by Working Together

The unlikely allies are leading a push to reform sentencing guidelines for nonviolent drug offenders.

Mar 4, 2014 / Steven Hsieh

US Border Agents Intentionally Stepped in Front of Moving Vehicles to Justify Shooting at Them

US Border Agents Intentionally Stepped in Front of Moving Vehicles to Justify Shooting at Them US Border Agents Intentionally Stepped in Front of Moving Vehicles to Justify Shooting at Them

An internal review of the US Border Patrol raises serious questions about the agency’s use-of-force policy.

Feb 28, 2014 / Steven Hsieh

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