Sources: CNN
A United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report says the worldwide recreational use and production of cocaine hit an all-time high in 2023, saying the current surge in cocaine use is primarily due to increased illicit coca bush cultivation in Colombia and updated yield data. 2025-06-26
Slovenian voters approve the use of cannabis for medicinal and recreational use in adults. 2024-06-9
The Supreme Court of Mexico decriminalizes the recreational use of cannabis for adults. 2021-06-28
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) becomes the first jurisdiction in Australia to legalize the recreational use of cannabis. From January 31, 2020, adults within ACT will be allowed to have 50 grams of the drug and can grow up to four cannabis plants at home. 2019-09-25
Following a campaign led by Georgian politician Zurab Japaridze, the Constitutional Court of Georgia legalizes cannabis for recreational use. Georgia is the first former Soviet Republic to fully legalize the drug, with it also being decriminalized in Russia, Ukraine and Estonia. 2018-07-30
Israel changes its law regarding marijuana use. Instead of facing criminal charges, first-time offenders who smoke marijuana in public places will only receive a fine. 2017-03-5
In Kentucky, Republican Matt Bevin defeats Democrat Jack Conway and independent Drew Curtis with 52 percent of the vote to succeed term-limited Democrat Steve Beshear. [http:--www.foxnews.com-politics-2015-11-03-republican-matt-bevin-elected-governor-kentucky-2nd-republican-governor-in-4- (Fox News)] [http:--bigstory.ap.org-article-41cc5dfd7f7d4e7ea0cb7f3a3dc9cd18-republican-matt-bevin-elected-governor-kentucky-0 (AP)] In Mississippi, incumbent Republican Phil Bryant easily wins re-election over Democratic, truck driver Robert Gray. according to the "Associated Press". [http:--www.huffingtonpost.com-entry-phil-bryant-wins-reelection-mississippi_5637e18be4b027f9b969c3bf (AP via Huffington Post)]State, cityFormer five-term Bridgeport mayor Joe Ganim wins election to a sixth term as mayor of Connecticut's largest city, topping the six other candidates in the poll. Ganim is, in American parlance, an "ex-con;" i.e., a convicted felon. In 2003, he was convicted by a federal jury on 16 felony counts for racketeering, bribery, conspiracy, mail fraud, and tax evasion in an operation that also led to convictions of 10 of his associates. Ganim served seven years in federal prison; he was released from a Hartford halfway house in 2010. [http:--www.courant.com-community-bridgeport-hc-bridgeport-ct-joe-ganim-mary-jane-foster-1104-20151103-story.html (Hartford Courant)] [http:--newyork.cbslocal.com-2015-11-03-bridgeport-mayor-race-election-day- (AP via CBSLocal.com)]Newcomer, businesswoman, and clinical psychologist Karen Weaver tops incumbent Dayne Walling in the non-partisan, Flint, Michigan, Mayor's election. Flint, which is dealing with lead in drinking water, has been under State financial management for close to four full years, and is in the final stage where control will be returned to city officials. [http:--bigstory.ap.org-article-9e4d7ad8d8884799a69fb07c815672a9-voters-oust-flint-mayor-amid-citys-water-problems (AP)] [http:--www.detroitnews.com-story-news-local-michigan-2015-11-03-flint-mayor-water-problems-75126158- (Detroit News)] [http:--www.mlive.com-news-flint-index.ssf-2015-09-flint_mayoral_challenger_calls.html (MLive Media)]Ballot initiatives, referendums In Ohio, a ballot initiative that would have established a legal oligopoly for the sale of recreational and medicinal marijuana is resoundingly defeated by voters, according to AP. [http:--www.latimes.com-nation-la-na-ohio-marijuana-results-20151103-story.html ("Los Angeles Times")]In Texas, the Equal Rights Ordinance that would have established nondiscrimination protections for gay and transgender people in Houston fails to win approval from voters. [https:--www.washingtonpost.com-national-religion-latest-voters-reject-houston-lgbt-nondiscrimination-measure-2015-11-03-b62bcdfe-82a1-11e5-8bd2-680fff868306_story.html (AP via Washington Post)] [https:--www.texastribune.org-2015-11-03-houston-anti-discrimination-ordinance-early-voting- (Texas Tribune)]Voters in Denver's suburban Jefferson County recall, by 64 to 36 percent, three conservative school board members who worked to weaken the local teachers union while boosting funding for charter schools and pushing through other market-driven policy changes. In Fall 2014, the conservative-led majority drew national attention when they wanted the AP U.S. history course to focus on citizenship and patriotism, while condemning civil disobedience and strike actions. [https:--www.washingtonpost.com-local-education-conservative-school-board-members-ousted-in-bitter-colorado-battle-2015-11-04-a0b640ca-82a2-11e5-8ba6-cec48b74b2a7_story.html (Washington Post)] [http:--www.huffingtonpost.com-entry-jefferson-county-recall_5637869be4b063179912fb82 (AP via Huffington Post)] Ballot initiatives, referendums2015-11-3
With governor Peter Shumlin signing the law, Vermont becomes the 17th state to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis. 2013-06-8
Hungarian-born multibillionaire George Soros donates $1 million to the Drug Policy Alliance to fund California's Proposition 19 in the upcoming November 2, 2010 elections that would legalize marijuana in the state if passed. 2010-10-26
Australian police bust a $A18 million cannabis crop. The cannabis crop has been found growing on leased land in a national park in northern New South Wales. 2010-01-16