Sheriff Raymond M. Martin has been the law for nearly 20 years in a struggling southern Illinois county. But federal prosecutors say he's been breaking it lately by peddling pounds of pot, some seized by his own department, often in uniform and from his patrol vehicle.
CANNABIS CULTURE - Today's business license hearing for Marc Emery's Cannabis Culture Headquarters ended unresolved after three hours of testimony from Vancouver's chief license inspector, and will be resumed on July 21, 2009.
Mexican organized crime relies on gangs inside the United States for distribution and support, US gangs that pose real threats as foot soldiers, informants, tax collectors and assassins for the drug cartels.
A medical-marijuana advocate who grew 32,000 plants on his land in Lake County was sentenced to 10 years in prison Monday by a federal judge who criticized the law she was applying.
The U.S. Supreme Court handed medical marijuana patients and advocates a resounding victory on Monday, refusing to hear a case brought by San Diego County, which has long chafed at implementing statewide medical marijuana laws.
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a supplemental defense-spending bill that includes $470 million in aid to Mexico to fight drug trafficking.
Last weekend was the second act in this year's two-part Global Marijuana Marches, aimed at celebrating global cannabis culture and pushing marijuana law reform.