From afar it seems like Baghdad: car bombs, beheadings and corrupt politicians.

Up close, Mexico remains magical and picturesque in parts, feeling oddly safe even in the hardest-fought territories of the drug war.

The 8th annual International Film Festival opened Saturday in the drug-plagued state of Michoacan to its largest turnout ever, drawing the contrast that defines Mexico today.

Only blocks from the site where a 2008 grenade attack killed eight people, hundreds lined the red carpet to squeal at one of Hollywood's leading men, Oscar-winning Spanish actor Javier Bardem. Unlike the Jonas Brothers in the drug-war-ravaged city of Monterrey, no one canceled - organizers say - for a festival that also features Hollywood blockbuster director Robert Rodriguez and Monty Python funnyman-turned-director Terry Gilliam.

wsoctv.com

Amongst the hash-head community in Britain, Howard Marks is a bone fide legend. Belonging to the same generation as the Rolling Stones, with similar looks, hairstyle and attitude, he has become a paterfamilias of the pro-cannabis movement, a figure whose former criminal activities have given him a Robin Hood or Butch Cassidy status—a freedom fighter with a smile on his face, as his famous moniker suggests.

musingsofthemadartist.wordpress.com

A highly sought after marijuana strain, Skywalker is known for its sweet yet pungent odor, sleep-inducing effects, high crystal content and stickiness. Considered an indica, Skywalker is a hybrid strain, the result of crossing a Mazar female with a Blueberry male.

420tribune.com

Expanding to three stages, this year's SmokeOut on Oct. 16 promises to be the best yet. Headliners include Incubus, Slightly Stoopid, Manu Chao, Nas & Damian Marley, MGMT, DeadmauS, Erykah Badu, Living Colour and, of course, Cypress Hill. The SmokeOut takes place at the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, California, starting at 12 pm.

smokeoutfestival.com

In November 2010, Californians will be voting on whether or not to legalize marijuana for recreational use. If passed, California will become the first US state to end marijuana prohibition.

This is an exploration of California's cannabis culture. It's the story of the people fighting for it, the people fighting against it, the people selling it, the people making it less taboo, and the people who were around when the whole scene started.

vimeo.com

Last thursday, agents out in Rio Grande City seized more than three tons of pot. Kingsville Border Patrol agents seized close to two tons of marijuana on Sunday. Other busts happened across the Rio Grande Valley from Brownsville over to Rio Grande City.

krgv.com

CVS Pharmacy Inc. has agreed to pay $77.6 million in fines and returned profits in a case alleging improper control in the sale of an ingredient used to make methamphetamine, federal prosecutors said Thursday.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles said CVS, the largest operator of retail pharmacies, repeatedly failed to properly monitor sales of pseudophedrine, which is contained in some cold medicines and is also used to make meth.

cnn.com

The latest national report into so-called party drugs in Australia indicates that ecstasy is getting less pure and drug users are finding it harder to get.

But experts believe drug users may just be using a new synthetic drug instead.

The Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (ERDRS) annually surveys 700 regular ecstasy users from across Australia about their drug habits.

abc.net.au