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Conservatives seek punishment for drug-using politicians in Chile
The Santiago Times (Chile)
Monday, July 30, 2012
In the face of a renewed discussion on the possible decriminalization of marijuana in Chile, conservative politicians called for the revival of a constitutional reform bill Sunday that would punish politicians for illegal drug use. The bill, first approved in the Senate in September 2004, would remove politicians from holding a public office if they use illegal drugs. -
How Latin America is reinventing the war on drugs
Frustrated with US dictates, countries across the region are floating new ideas to curb drug trafficking, from 'soft' enforcement to legalization
By Sara Miller Llana, Staff writer, and Sara Shahriari, CorrespondentThe Christian Science Monitor (US)
Monday, July 30, 2012
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Like thousands of other Bolivians, Marcela Lopez Vasquez's parents migrated to the Chapare region, in the Andean tropics, desperate to make a living after waves of economic and environmental upheaval hit farming and mining communities in the 1970s and '80s. -
South America Sees Drug Path to Legalization
The New York Times (US)
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Uruguay’s famously rebellious president first called for "regulated and controlled legalization of marijuana" in a security plan unveiled last month. And now all anyone here can talk about are the potential impacts of a formal market for what Ronald Reagan once described as "probably the most dangerous drug in America." "We want to separate the market: users from traffickers, marijuana from other drugs like heroin.” -
'Revolutionary' legal high law means state regulated drug market
The New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Kronic-style drugs are expected back on the shelves under the new legal high law being crafted by Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne. Experts say the law will create one of the world's first open and regulated recreational drug markets with synthetic cannabis making a return. The first legal highs will be offered for sale in 2014, based on estimates in papers released by health officials. -
Chilean senator's confession heats debate on legalising marijuana
BBC News (UK)
Friday, July 27, 2012
Marijuana remains an illegal substance in Chile, but there are a growing number of shops in the country which sell cannabis products. A recent admission by Senator Fulvio Rossi that he occasionally smokes the drug has heated the debate over whether the drug should be legalised. -
Is the war on drugs in the Caribbean going up in smoke?
Despite the war on drugs being lost long ago, the debate on a progressive drug policy in the Caribbean is showing positive signs of revival
NACLA (US)
Thursday, July 26, 2012
With the decimation of St Lucia’s banana industry due to the collapse of preferential trade agreements with Europe, land which was once used to cultivate bananas is now being used to grow marijuana, as it has now become one of the only realistic ways for rural people to make a living. The situation is no different in St. Vincent, where the collapse of the banana industry has led to marijuana becoming the largest source of agricultural income on the island. Despite the threat of a criminal conviction, cultivators have established the St. Vincent Marijuana Growers Association in order to lobby their interests and regulate the industry. -
L.A.'s medical marijuana mess
Despite much hand-wringing, the city's latest pot ban will do little to settle the issue
EditorialLos Angeles Times (US)
Thursday, July 26, 2012
The Los Angeles City Council is plainly out of its depth when it comes to regulating medical marijuana. This was already clear after years of fumbling and court-delayed attempts to limit the number or locations of cannabis dispensaries, but it became painfully obvious when the council approved a ban on all dispensaries — along with a separate motion to draft an ordinance that would allow well-established pot shops to stay open, partially defeating the council's own purpose. -
Pot Legalization Is Coming
Rolling Stone (US)
Thursday, July 26, 2012
At least some able-bodied Americans may soon be able to score a bag of weed legally without having to fake a knee injury. In November, voters in three states could approve ballot measures to legalize marijuana, and not just for medical purposes – for getting-high purposes. Then again, they might chicken out, like California voters did in 2010. But sooner or later, and probably sooner, a state will go green. -
L.A. City Council bans medical marijuana dispensaries
L.A. will order all 762 medical pot dispensaries to close immediately, but City Council also asks staff to draw up a measure allowing original shops to stay open
Los Angeles Times (US)
Wednesday, July 25, 2012In what could be a turning point in the city's seemingly unending battle to regulate the distribution of medical marijuana, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to ban all pot dispensaries, while also opening the door to possibly let some remain. Under the ban, all of the 762 dispensaries registered in the city will be sent letters ordering them to shut down immediately. Those that don't comply may face legal action from the city.
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Cannabis fields in Bekaa destroyed for second day
Campaigns to encourage farmers switch to other crops such as sunflowers, saffron and tobacco have been unsuccessful
The Daily Star (Lebanon)
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Authorities continued efforts to eradicate cannabis fields in the Bekaa, east Lebanon, as normal activity in the region remained subdued due to reports of prowling gunmen. Two bulldozers were used in the operation in addition to 17 tractors after 15 tractors were sabotaged by gunmen a day earlier. The operation is proceeding with caution, especially following reports of armed men in the vicinity. (See also: Farmers, government battle over hashish in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley | Lebanon: Hashish growers and the Government face off)
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