LA Times hoaxed into reporting UN declaring end of war on drugs

Press release hoax had claimed UN office on drugs and crime
recommended decriminalizing marijuana and other liberal policies
before Ungass summit

Jessica Glenza in New York
Friday 22 April 2016 22.07 BST

As the United Nations held its first General Assembly in 18 years to discuss narcotics policy, many activists for reform – and no doubt many recreational users – hoped that the international body would liberalize current treaties that outlaw drugs.

They may have found hope in a Los Angeles Times story that reported the UN’s office on drugs and crime recommended decriminalizing drug use, the end of drug crime executions and the mandatory minimum drug sentences.

The story, published at the start of the United Nations general assembly special session, Ungass, included comments from several UN officials, press releases and links to what appeared to be the UNODC website.

All appear to have been part of an elaborate hoax, first unearthed by Marijuana.com.

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