Auf dem Fahndungsfoto sieht er aus wie Santa Claus, doch für die US-Polizei ist er alles andere als der nette Opa von nebenan. John Robert Boone gilt als „King of Pot“, als einer der berüchtigtsten Marihuanafarmer der USA. Mehr als ein Jahrzehnt saß er schon hinter Gittern, nach einer Großrazzia auf seiner Farm in Kentucky ist er schon seit zwei Jahren auf der Flucht, um lebenslanger Haft zu entgehen. Die Ermittler stoßen in der Bevölkerung auf eine Mauer des Schweigens – für viele ist Boone ein Volksheld mit Robin-Hood-Image.

orf.at

Jack Herer was never an elected law-maker who could formally shape policy. Nor was he some billionaire who could buy influence. Yet his rare combination of brilliant intellect, endless curiosity, scholarly diligence and passionate people skills made him a force of nature whose impact is perhaps only just beginning to be truly felt.

All but complete Johnny-come-latelies to cannabis culture probably have some awareness of Jack “The Hemperor” Herer as perhaps the most influential figure in the modern legalization movement. Herer, who passed away in April, wrote 1985’s The Emperor Wears No Clothes, the book that ignited the campaign and remains its manifesto and devoted nearly four decades to tireless, charismatic activism. The man almost literally died trying to have hemp and marijuana legalized in America. Were it not for Herer’s work, we might not be enjoying decrim here in California (and elsewhere) or have seen nearly half the state’s voters give the nod to full legalization last month.

jackherer.com
DVD Review: "Jack Herer is the Emperor of Hemp"

An RCMP drug task force in B.C. has seized 54,000 marijuana plants and arrested 24 people so far, Mounties say.

The pilot group, Cariboo Region Integrated Marijuana Enforcement (CRIME), began work in September due to a spike in the number of grow op complaints in the northern part of the province including Prince George, Williams Lake, Quesnel and 100 Mile House.

edmontonsun.com
54,000 Marijuana Plants and Counting
RCMP task force puts bite on Prince George grow-ops

What do the WikiLeaks reveal about the ongoing drug cartel violence south of the border?

According to the diplomatic cables, the Mexican Army is behind the times, it's slow, avoids risks and ignores intelligence offered it by the U.S.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is concerned with how the stress of it all affects Mexican president Calderon's "personality and management style". Pascual says that in meetings, the Mexican president seems "down."

americanthinker.com

'THE wheels have fallen off'' a $20 million federal program to fight the booming amphetamine trade in Australia, amid a massive surge in drug labs run by outlaw bikie clubs and other crime groups.

Secret NSW and Victorian police force briefings obtained by The Age reveal senior police in both states believe Australia's amphetamine drug-busting program has fallen into disarray.

The Age has also obtained confidential police figures from the state forces across the nation that estimate 756 drug labs will be detected this year, almost double the number found three years ago.

theage.com.au

The European Union has banned the use of mephedrone, a popular ecstasy-like party drug also known as "meow meow" and suspected of causing several deaths.

The ecstasy-like drug, already illegal in 15 European countries, has been linked to 37 deaths in Britain and Ireland, and has caused two direct deaths in the EU.

European Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) says mephedrone can cause acute health problems and lead to dependency.

presstv.ir

Veronica Treviño stares straight at the camera as she answers questions from an unseen interrogator. She speaks loudly, without hesitation, and with little expression.

Who does she work for? "The Zetas [a drugs cartel]" What is her group doing in the north-eastern city of Tampico? "Heating up the turf of the Gulf cartel [a rival trafficking gang]." What actions does that include? "Killing taxi drivers, police officers, innocent people and children."

The video of Treviño's confession, presumably under pressure from the Gulf cartel, was posted on the internet at the end of November.

guardian.co.uk