Archive for the ‘Government’ Category
Venezuela, US Governments Spar Over Drug Fighting
On September 19, 2008 in Drug War, Government, World
The tense relations between the Bush administration and Venezuela’s President Hugo Chávez grew even more strained this week as Washington and Caracas traded charges and counter-charges over Venezuela’s fight against cocaine trafficking. While it seems indisputable that cocaine trafficking through Venezuela has increased in recent years, the two governments are trading barbs over the extent of official Venezuelan complicity in the trade, whether Venezuela is doing enough to combat trafficking, and whether it needs to comply with US demands in order to effectively fight the drug trade.
Venezuela does not grow coca or process cocaine, but like other countries in Latin America, it has been used as a conduit, especially by traffickers from neighboring Colombia, the region’s largest coca and cocaine producer. The rise of the European cocaine market in recent years has undoubtedly made the country an attractive way station for cocaine headed east. Read the rest of this entry »
Poland’s Marijuana Movement
On September 11, 2008 in Activism, Government, In The News, Legalization, World
According to Polish Radio, a campaign to loosen the marijuana laws is underway in Poland. A petition to the Ministry of Justice requesting the legalization of marijuana for personal use has already been signed by hundreds of people, including drug rehab specialists and members of Monar, a nonprofit group that works with addicts, the HIV/AIDS positive, and the homeless. Read the rest of this entry »
Rob Corry Hemp Rally Speech At Denver Democratic National Convention Pt 2
On August 29, 2008 in Activism, Civil Rights, Government, Legalization, Video
From the DNC Rally to support Marijuana legalization on August 22nd, 2008, on the Colorado capital steps in Denver. This part features Corry’s pledge to represent any protestor cited by the Denver Police for less than an ounce of marijuana.
Mexican Political Party Considers Legalization
On August 29, 2008 in Drug War, Government, Legalization, World
According to Mexican press reports this week, Mexico’s Partido de la Revolución Democrática (PRD - Democratic Revolution Party) is preparing to consider legalization of the drug trade as a response to the wave of narco-violence that has swept the country in the last year and a half. Around 5,000 people have been killed in prohibition-related violence since President Felipe Calderón escalated Mexico’s long-running drug war by enlisting the military in the fight in December 2006. Read the rest of this entry »
Hawaii’s Big Island to Vote on Lowest Law Enforcement Priority Initiative
On August 29, 2008 in Government, In The News, Legalization, Medical Marijuana
Petitioners for an initiative making adult marijuana offenses the lowest law enforcement priority on Hawaii’s pot-friendly Big Island failed to gather enough valid signatures to qualify for the November ballot, but it is going there anyway. After reviewing the signature count, the county council voted 5-4 to put the measure on the ballot. Read the rest of this entry »
