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A Mexican national who pleaded guilty to trying to buy a Stinger missile and other military weapons for a Mexican drug cartel has been sentenced to 25 years in prison, federal prosecutors said.

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Uruguayan government proposes marijuana legalization billupdated: Thu Aug 09 2012 14:57:00

With the intent of undermining the market for illegal drugs, Uruguay's government presented a bill to lawmakers that would legalize marijuana under a government monopoly.

Ohio police: Teen ran drug ring that grossed $20,000 a month updated: Tue Jul 17 2012 09:49:00

A 17-year-old student is allegedly at the center of a marijuana drug ring in Ohio that grossed $20,000 per month.

Official: Hong Kong drug operation hauls $98 million worth of cocaine updated: Sat Jul 07 2012 21:09:00

A joint drug investigation in Hong Kong hauled a record cocaine shipment worth an estimated street value of U.S. $98 million, customs officials said.

Opiates killed 8 Americans in Afghanistan, Army records showupdated: Mon Apr 23 2012 13:28:00

Eight American soldiers died of overdoses involving heroin, morphine or other opiates during deployments in Afghanistan in 2010 and 2011, according to U.S. Army investigative reports.

Fertilizer used to snuff out pot smokingupdated: Fri Apr 20 2012 20:39:00

CNN's Erin Burnett talks to Jim Spellman about efforts at the University of Colorado to extinguish smoking on 4/20.

Colorado public pot-smoking event snuffed outupdated: Fri Apr 20 2012 20:39:00

Steps taken to thwart a public marijuana smoking event Friday at the University of Colorado appear to have worked. Protesters who gathered at a quad on the campus for the customary 4:20 light-up time dispersed without an apparent toke.

White House drug policy focuses on treating addictionupdated: Tue Apr 17 2012 18:49:00

The U.S. government's drug strategy should focus more on treating addiction and less on imposing harsh prison sentences, the White House said Tuesday.

Report: Houston found face down in tubupdated: Thu Apr 05 2012 12:28:00

Dr. Sanjay Gupta goes over the revelations revealed in Whitney Houston's autopsy report, which was released Wednesday.

Whitney Houston drowned in a foot of hot water, autopsy saysupdated: Thu Apr 05 2012 12:28:00

Whitney Houston drowned face down in a tub of "extremely hot water" about 12 inches deep, the final autopsy report on the singer's death said.

Pat Robertson wants pot legalizedupdated: Wed Mar 14 2012 10:09:00

Televangelist Pat Robertson is raising eyebrows for his comments in support of decriminalizing marijuana.

Pat Robertson is wrong about marijuanaupdated: Wed Mar 14 2012 10:09:00

Evangelical patriarch Rev. Pat Robertson has long been a leader in the conservative movement advocating for a better civil and moral society. But his recent support of marijuana legalization couldn't be more wrongheaded.

States say it's time to rethink medical marijuanaupdated: Sun Jan 01 2012 16:13:00

Medical marijuana advocates are hoping state governments can succeed where their efforts have failed by asking federal authorities to reclassify pot as a drug with medical use.

Dispensary giving away free pot at partyupdated: Sun Jan 01 2012 16:13:00

A medical marijuana dispensary is offering cardholders free pot during their going-out-of-business party. KOVR reports.

NFL player faces federal drug chargesupdated: Sat Dec 17 2011 15:01:00

NFL player Sam Hurd faces federal drug charges and has been cut from the Chicago Bears team.

Medical pot group sues Obama administration over California crackdownupdated: Thu Oct 27 2011 20:33:00

A medical marijuana advocacy group sued the Obama administration Thursday, saying its policy "to subvert local and state medical marijuana laws in California" is unconstitutional.

ICE agent arrested on drug charges after chaseupdated: Thu Oct 20 2011 16:45:00

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention officer was arrested this week on suspicion of marijuana possession after a pursuit in which he was seen throwing bundles of marijuana out the window of his truck, according to federal court documents.

Bolivian road project pits indigenous groups against President Moralesupdated: Tue Oct 04 2011 11:35:00

Bolivian indigenous leaders vow to keep fighting a road project through a national park on their ancestral homeland even though President Evo Morales said he would suspend construction pending a national dialogue.

Gary Johnson: Face reality, legalize potupdated: Thu Jul 07 2011 10:48:00

In 2002, I became aware of a woman who had already served more than six years of a 25-year prison sentence. Her crime? She was addicted to codeine, and she had fraudulently written herself more than 100 prescriptions for Tylenol III.

Gary Johnson: Legalize marijuanaupdated: Thu Jul 07 2011 10:48:00

GOP presidential candidate Gary Johnson tells Joe Johns why he's against higher taxes but for legalizing marijuana.

Let states enact their own marijuana policiesupdated: Wed Jul 06 2011 10:15:00

It is hardly surprising that former drug czar William Bennett would, in his CNN.com op-ed, oppose any changes to America's criminalization of marijuana. But it is surprising that he would lump Barney Frank and Ron Paul's proposal to allow states the opportunity to enact their own marijuana policy with the effort to legalize drugs.

'Shut up!' as marijuana debate heats upupdated: Thu Jun 30 2011 09:13:00

Comic Tommy Chong and fmr. drug czar adviser Paul Chabot debate a federal bill that would leave states to regulate pot.

Organized crime won the war on drugsupdated: Tue Jun 07 2011 12:08:00

U.S. taxpayers have spent an estimated $2.5 trillion on the "war on drugs" since former President Richard Nixon first declared it in 1971. With the U.S. federal government so far in debt, it is well overdue that this type of expenditure come under greater scrutiny.

Time to end war on drugs?updated: Thu Jun 02 2011 19:27:00

The Global Commission on Drug Policy says the war on drugs can't be won and governments should change current drug laws.

War on drugs has failed, report findsupdated: Thu Jun 02 2011 19:27:00

The global war on drugs has failed, a high-level commission comprised of former presidents, public intellectuals and other leaders studying drug policies concluded in a report released Thursday.

CNNMoney: Where are all the marijuana millionaires?updated: Tue Mar 29 2011 10:15:00

When Drew Brown first opened Abundant Healing, a medical marijuana dispensary that serves nearly 300 patients, he dreamed of early retirement to Costa Rica, where he would spend his days as a beach bum renting surfboards to tourists.

People.com: Paris Hilton Prosecutor Arrested on Drug Chargesupdated: Mon Mar 21 2011 14:56:00

David Charles Schubert allegedly bought crack cocaine as the law looked on

Montana medical marijuana stores raided; advocates cry foulupdated: Wed Mar 16 2011 13:07:00

In a move that drew fire from medical marijuana advocates, federal authorities raided 26 medical marijuana dispensaries in 13 Montana cities, saying they have probable cause to believe that the businesses are involved in large-scale trafficking.

Medical marijuana farmer marketupdated: Tue Mar 01 2011 09:57:00

Seattle holds its first medical marijuana farmers market, as CNN's Patrick Oppmann reports.

Seattle farmers market features medical marijuanaupdated: Tue Mar 01 2011 09:57:00

The crops for sale carry labels like "dark vader," "uk cheese" and "white russian."

Montana House votes to repeal medical marijuana lawupdated: Fri Feb 11 2011 07:51:00

The Montana House of Representatives voted 63-37 Thursday to repeal the state's six-year-old medical marijuana law.

Medical pot hits small townsupdated: Thu Feb 10 2011 13:48:00

CNN's Jim Spellman reports on a mobile medical marijuana clinic traveling to rural Colorado towns.

Converted trailers help rural residents get medical marijuanaupdated: Thu Feb 10 2011 13:48:00

A rodeo cowboy with a bum shoulder, a middle-aged woman who has trouble sleeping and a handful of snowboarders are all crowded around a shiny aluminum trailer on a sunny winter day. Some clutch X-rays, others look around nervously hoping a neighbor won't spot them as they wait in line for a medical marijuana prescription.

Pot-growing grandmotherupdated: Wed Feb 09 2011 15:21:00

Kristi, 68, has been growing and dispensing marijuana from her home in northern California since the 1970s.

Drinkable marijuana to hit shelvesupdated: Wed Feb 09 2011 10:58:00

One company is offering a soda-like version of medical marijuana.

Coca farmers switch to legal cropsupdated: Fri Jan 21 2011 14:02:00

Rafael Romo reports in some areas of Colombia, farmers have switched from coca plants to less profitable but legal crops.

War on drugs in Colombiaupdated: Tue Jan 18 2011 10:35:00

The U.S. drug Czar visits Colombia to review coordinated counter drug policy. CNN's Rafael Romo reports.

Colorado doctor's license suspended amid medical marijuana allegationupdated: Wed Dec 22 2010 22:37:00

A Colorado physician suspected of recommending medical marijuana to a 28-weeks pregnant woman without conducting a thorough physical examination is fighting to keep his license.

Medical marijuana shops face banning in unincorporated L.A. Countyupdated: Tue Nov 23 2010 20:56:00

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors took a major step Tuesday toward banning medical marijuana dispensaries in the county's unincorporated areas.

Arizona voters approve medical marijuana lawupdated: Mon Nov 15 2010 17:51:00

Almost two weeks after polls closed, Arizona voters have approved a medical marijuana law, state officials said Monday.

Arizona voters approve medical marijuana measureupdated: Sun Nov 14 2010 12:57:00

By a narrow margin of about 4,300 votes, Arizona voters approved a ballot measure that would legalize medical marijuana, state election officials said Sunday.

Medical marijuana 101updated: Sun Nov 14 2010 12:57:00

Dr. Melvyn Sterling talks with CNN's Ali Velshi about the pros and cons of medical marijuana.

Prop 19 fails to puff-puff-passupdated: Wed Nov 03 2010 12:53:00

Californians tell CNN's Ted Rowlands that Proposition 19 may have failed but they are still optimistic for the future.

Why did California vote down legal pot?updated: Wed Nov 03 2010 12:53:00

California voters have just rejected Proposition 19, the ballot initiative that would have legalized marijuana under state law. Where did Prop 19 go wrong?

Legal cannabis for the rest of us?updated: Wed Nov 03 2010 09:57:00

Marijuana makes you slow and raises the risk of addiction, memory problems and cognitive functions, some health agencies warn.

CNNMoney: Legal pot means big savings on law enforcementupdated: Thu Oct 21 2010 13:58:00

Cash-strapped California would get some relief by legalizing pot, but the biggest boost would be thanks to massive law enforcement cuts, not new tax revenue, experts say.

Easy to get medical pot in Californiaupdated: Thu Oct 21 2010 10:21:00

CNN's Ted Rowlands finds out how easy getting a medical marijuana card is in California.

Why conservatives should favor legalizing marijuanaupdated: Thu Oct 21 2010 10:21:00

If there is one clear emotion emerging before November's U.S. congressional elections, it is that citizens across the political spectrum are worried about government spending and a perceived lack of government accountability regarding where tax dollars are spent.

Ex-surgeon general: Legalize marijuanaupdated: Tue Oct 19 2010 09:27:00

Former U.S. Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders says prohibitions against marijuana should be lifted.

Don't buy the hype on pot legalizationupdated: Tue Oct 19 2010 09:27:00

On November 2, California will vote on Proposition 19, a measure to legalize marijuana. Advocates believe Prop 19 will generate a major budgetary windfall and unleash an economic boom in marijuana-related industries while reducing crime, corruption and Mexican drug violence.

Former surgeon general calls for marijuana legalizationupdated: Mon Oct 18 2010 01:11:00

Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders told CNN Sunday she supports legalizing marijuana.

Holder: Feds would enforce drug laws if California legalizes potupdated: Sat Oct 16 2010 10:00:00

The federal government will continue to enforce federal marijuana laws in California even if the state legalizes pot through a ballot initiative next month, Attorney General Eric Holder said in a letter obtained Friday by CNN.

Parker: Legal pot a 'good stimulus bill'updated: Thu Oct 14 2010 08:44:00

"Parker Spitzer" host Kathleen Parker tells CNN's Don Lemon that pot should be decriminalized.

Legal pot in California a big mistakeupdated: Thu Oct 14 2010 08:44:00

California's most valuable export isn't fine wine, agricultural products or motion pictures.

Opium production down in Afghanistan, U.N. saysupdated: Thu Sep 30 2010 11:09:00

Opium production has dropped significantly in Afghanistan, in large part because of a plant infection in the country's war-torn south, a U.N. report said on Thursday.

Legalizing marijuana for votes?updated: Tue Sep 28 2010 10:03:00

In August, CNN looked at progressive activists putting the legalization of marijuana on the ballot.

Sooner or later, marijuana will be legalupdated: Tue Sep 28 2010 10:03:00

It's as predictable as the sun rising and setting. Even though police made more than 850,000 marijuana arrests last year, a recent government report shows youth marijuana use increased by about 9 percent.

We ignore rise in drug abuse among kidsupdated: Fri Sep 24 2010 09:08:00

Last week, the government released its National Survey on Drug Use and Health. It didn't make much of a news splash, but it should have -- and in years past, it would have.

Paris Hilton to avoid jail with Las Vegas plea dealupdated: Sun Sep 19 2010 22:20:00

Paris Hilton will face a Las Vegas, Nevada, judge Monday morning to accept a plea deal in her cocaine possession case, the prosecutor and a source close to the defense said.

Former DEA heads unite against California plan to legalize marijuanaupdated: Mon Sep 13 2010 15:51:00

California's proposal to legalize marijuana has provoked every former director of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to join in urging the White House to block the proposition if it is approved on the November ballot.

'Magic mushrooms' ingredient may ease end-of-life anxietyupdated: Mon Sep 06 2010 20:47:00

Terminally ill cancer patients struggling with anxiety may get some relief from a guided "trip" on the hallucinogenic drug psilocybin, a new study suggests.

People.com: Paris Hilton Charged with Felony Drug Possessionupdated: Mon Aug 30 2010 18:51:00

The heiress had .8 grams of cocaine and a broken Albuterol pill in her purse, police say

Can psychedelic drugs treat depression?updated: Tue Aug 24 2010 08:06:00

Pamela Sakuda, 57, was anxious and depressed. After two years of intensive chemotherapy for late-stage colon cancer, and having outlived her prognosis by several months, she'd finally lost hope. She was living in fear and was worried how her impending death would affect her husband.

Florida patrol: Miami Heat's Haslem arrested on marijuana chargeupdated: Sun Aug 15 2010 20:59:00

Miami Heat basketball player Udonis Haslem was charged with possession of marijuana on Sunday after a traffic stop, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Legalizing marijuana is civil rights issue, California NAACP saysupdated: Wed Jul 07 2010 15:20:00

Legalizing marijuana is a civil rights issue, according to one of California's most prominent African-American advocacy groups.

ACLU sues Wal-Mart for firing employee using medical marijuanaupdated: Tue Jun 29 2010 18:39:00

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart for the termination of a Michigan employee whose doctor verified his illness qualified for medical marijuana use.

CNNMoney: Hemp kingpin ditches Amsterdam for Denverupdated: Wed Jun 23 2010 12:51:00

When American entrepreneur Adam Dunn moved to the Netherlands at age 19, his first business plan wasn't anything to write home about. He'd crammed 300 Rolling Stones concert T-shirts into his luggage, hoping to sell them for some quick cash.

Coca cultivation falls in Colombia, rises in Peruupdated: Tue Jun 22 2010 21:59:00

If current trends continue, Peru is poised to overtake Colombia as the world's top producer of coca, the plant used in the production of cocaine, according to a United Nations report released Tuesday.

'War on drugs' behind endless miseryupdated: Thu Jun 03 2010 11:51:00

The news of intense drug-related violence out of Jamaica is shocking and dreadful but entirely predictable. Wherever the war on drugs touches down, death and destruction result. A recent target is Kingston, Jamaica.

U.S.-Mexico 'war on drugs' a failureupdated: Fri Apr 02 2010 12:15:00

Last week during the day, some kids in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, were playing soccer in a park when a car slowed down, guys got out and executed a 13-year-old boy. And then they drove away, unmolested in a city with 11,000 army and police officers.

Medical marijuana users risk job lossupdated: Thu Mar 25 2010 11:15:00

When a rare form of cancer invaded Joseph Casias' nasal cavity and his brain, his doctor prescribed marijuana to help alleviate the daily pain.

The new face of marijuanaupdated: Thu Mar 25 2010 11:15:00

CNN's Jim Spellman introduces us to a mother and son in the controversial and expanding business of medical marijuana.

Heroin, love in Swanseaupdated: Thu Feb 25 2010 08:07:00

Young addicts paint a picture of a drug use epidemic in South Wales. For more, go to VBS.TV. Viewer discretion advised.

Swansea Love Storyupdated: Thu Feb 25 2010 08:07:00

As well as going to exotic places like Liberia, North Korea and Sudan, VBS also makes films in our London office's beloved United Kingdom.

30 pounds of pot found inside pictures of Jesusupdated: Fri Feb 12 2010 19:58:00

A marijuana bust along the U.S.-Mexico border revealed 30 pounds of the drug stuffed into framed pictures of Jesus Christ, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency said Wednesday.

CNNMoney: Medical marijuana, meet e-commerceupdated: Fri Jan 15 2010 17:41:00

Entrepreneur John Lee thinks the pot business is ready for its own Amazon.com.

NYC heroin pamphlet -- is it a help or a how-to guide?updated: Mon Jan 04 2010 22:11:00

A pamphlet designed to help heroin users with advice has come under fire, with some now questioning whether the public health brochure can actually be used as a how-to guide on drug use.

New York's heroin 'how-to' guideupdated: Mon Jan 04 2010 22:11:00

HLN hears Your Views on a controversial New York City health pamphlet that aims to promote safe heroin use.

Marijuana family businessupdated: Mon Dec 14 2009 09:31:00

CNN's Jim Spellman introduces us to Diane Irwin and her son, who run a medical marijuana farm.

Colorado's Green Rush: Medical marijuanaupdated: Mon Dec 14 2009 09:31:00

Driving down Broadway, it's easy to forget you are in the United States. Amid the antique stores, bars and fast-food joints occupying nearly every block are some of Denver's newest businesses: medical marijuana dispensaries.

Marijuana Mom and the Cannabis Kidupdated: Mon Dec 14 2009 09:18:00

The crop has been harvested, and Diane Irwin's secret technique paid off.

Afghan drugs target Russiaupdated: Wed Dec 09 2009 09:54:00

CNN's Matthew Chance reports on the Afghan drug trade finding a market in Russia.

Russia seeks U.S. help in fight against heroin epidemicupdated: Wed Dec 09 2009 09:54:00

Russia's top drugs adviser has called on the United States to use its troop surge into Afghanistan to help stem the flow of drugs entering its borders, as heroin addiction reaches epidemic levels.

Medical marijuana policy move sparks cautious optimismupdated: Sat Oct 24 2009 16:49:00

Patients in the 13 states where medical marijuana is legal can now light up without fear of federal reprisal, but they may still have to answer to local authorities.

Feds back off medical marijuanaupdated: Tue Oct 20 2009 22:10:00

The U.S. will no longer prosecute medical marijuana facilities, but local officials vow more raids. Casey Wian reports.

Weekly paper seeks medical marijuana dispensary reviewerupdated: Tue Oct 20 2009 22:10:00

It certainly isn't your average help wanted ad.

U.S. attorneys told to go after pot traffickers, not patientsupdated: Tue Oct 20 2009 09:25:00

The Justice Department has provided federal prosecutors "clarification and guidance" urging them to go after drug traffickers, but not patients and caregivers, in the 14 states that have medical marijuana laws.

People.com: Wife of Pitchman Billy Mays Challenges Autopsyupdated: Sat Oct 17 2009 09:47:00

A second post-mortem questions whether drugs played a role in the salesman's death

Fortune: Afghanistan's drug czar - world's toughest jobupdated: Wed Sep 30 2009 15:36:00

With the sun shining brightly, a host of Afghan officials, foreign diplomats, and members of the press take their seats beneath a newly erected red tent. After a prayer and some introductory remarks, a general steps to the podium and gives the customary Islamic invocation in the name of almighty Allah, most gracious and merciful.

Taliban suspected of stockpiling 'missing' Afghan opiumupdated: Wed Sep 23 2009 11:52:00

Enough Afghan opium to supply world demand for two years has effectively gone missing, with the Taliban suspected of stockpiling supplies in a bid to corner the market, the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has revealed.

Afghanistan's addiction burdenupdated: Mon Sep 14 2009 22:36:00

Afghanistan's narcotics problem is becoming so vast it threatens to cripple the country. CNN's Nic Robertson reports.

Afghan junkies risk triggering AIDS explosionupdated: Mon Sep 14 2009 22:36:00

Afghanistan's reputation as the world's leading narcotics supplier is well-known, but in a squalid ruin in Kabul, the country hides a darker secret -- a huge home grown drug addiction problem now on the brink of fueling an HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Argentina court ruling would allow personal use of potupdated: Tue Aug 25 2009 16:41:00

Argentina's Supreme Court ruled Tuesday it is unconstitutional to punish an adult for private use of marijuana as long as it doesn't harm anyone else.

Commentary: War on drugs is over. What's next?updated: Thu Aug 13 2009 21:48:00

As the health care debate captivated America, a white flag was quietly raised along the violence-torn U.S.-Mexico border. In case you missed it, it was our nation's surrender in the war on drugs.

Drunken driving declines in U.S.; drug use 'troubling,' agency saysupdated: Tue Jul 28 2009 10:39:00

Fewer Americans are driving drunk, but roughly one in six drivers on weekend nights is on drugs, according to a data released Monday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey.

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