Congressional actions

Discussion in 'Marijuana News' started by oltex, Nov 16, 2010.

  1. Congressional actions
    DrugWarrant / Pete Guither / 11,16,2010


    [​IMG] Senate Judiciary Committee to Confirm DEA Head Nominee Tomorrow
    Barring unforeseen massive scandal in the next 24 hours, Michele Leonhart's nomination to be Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) administrator will be confirmed Wednesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The nomination is opposed by the drug reform, medical marijuana, and hemp movements, but insiders say it is all but a done deal.
    [​IMG] Obama's pick to head DEA needs to answer some tough questions by Paul Armentano
    In short, Ms. Leonhart's actions and ambitions are incompatible with state law, public opinion, and with the policies of this administration. At a minimum, Senators should ask Ms. Leonhart specific questions regarding her past record and her intentions moving forward.
    [​IMG] Drug Policy Alliance:
    Today's the day.
    This is our best chance to get Congress and President Obama to establish an important commission that could provide recommendations on how to reform our marijuana laws, as well as other criminal justice issues.


    The Senate is considering a bill that would establish a national commission to make recommendations on improving the criminal justice system - but Congress is dragging its feet. They need to hear from reformers around the country in support of this bill. Send a message to Senate leadership now!
    Take Action

    [​IMG] Via Stop the Drug War
    In 2009, Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) and 15 Republican and Democratic cosponsors introduced the National Criminal Justice Commission Act, legislation that would create a bipartisan Commission to review and identify effective criminal justice policies and make recommendations for reform. The House of Representatives and the Senate Judiciary Committee have passed the bill, which now has 39 Senate cosponsors, but the bill still awaits final passage during these last few weeks of the Congressional session. If NCJC doesn't pass this year, it will all have to be done over again in 2011.

    Today is the National Call-In Day for Passage of the National Criminal Justice Commission Act. Please call the following Senators to ask them to prioritize and support Senate passage of the NCJC Act, H.R. 5143 and S. 714, this year:


    • Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), 202-224-5556
    • Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), 202-224-3135
    • the two US Senators from your state - call (202) 224-3121 or click here to look them up.
    The following is a message for your call to the Senators' offices:
    I am calling to ask the Senator to prioritize and support immediate Senate passage of the House-passed National Criminal Justice Commission Act, H.R. 5143/S. 714, because:

    • Having a transparent and bipartisan Commission review and identify effective criminal justice policies would increase public safety.
    • The increase in incarceration over the past twenty years has stretched the system beyond its limits. These high costs to taxpayers are unsustainable, especially during these tough economic times.
    • The proposed commission would conduct a comprehensive national review - not audits of individual state systems - and would issue recommendations - not mandates - for consideration.
     
  2. #2 oltex, Nov 16, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 16, 2010
    Obama’s pick to head DEA needs to answer some tough questions
    TheHill / Paul Armentano /11/15/10


    This Wednesday, members of the Senate Judiciary Committee will be considering Michele Leonhart for the position of director of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Several organizations that lobby on drug policy issues have voiced serious concerns regarding Ms. Leonhart’s nomination.

    As Interim DEA director, Ms. Leonhart has overseen dozens of federal raids on medical marijuana providers, producers, and laboratory facilities that engage in the testing of cannabis potency and quality. These actions took place in states that have enacted laws allowing for the production and distribution of marijuana for medical purposes, and they are inconsistent with an October 19, 2009 Department of Justice memo recommending federal officials no longer “focus ... resources ... on individuals whose actions are in clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana.”


    It is now 14 years since California voters recognized the medical value of marijuana by amending state law; fifteen other states and the District of Columbia have since acted likewise. Yet under Ms. Leonhart’s leadership the DEA has failed to take a single step toward revising its practices in accordance with these changes to state law and administrative policy.

    Furthermore, Ms. Leonhart has actively blocked scientific research that seeks to better identify and quantify marijuana’s medicinal properties and efficacy. These actions contradict this administration's pledge to let science rather than ideology guide public policy.

    In particular, Ms. Leonhart has neglected to reply to an eight-year-old petition that calls for administrative hearings regarding the rescheduling marijuana for medical use. Such hearings were called for in 2009 by the American Medical Association, which resolved “that marijuana’s status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the conduct of clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines.” Moreover, in January 2009, Ms. Leonhart refused to issue a license to the University of Massachusetts for the purpose of cultivating marijuana for FDA-approved research, despite a DEA administrative law judge’s ruling that it would be “in the public interest” to grant this request. This single act has prohibited any privately funded medical marijuana research from taking place in the United States.

    Finally, Ms. Leonhart has exhibited questionable judgment when speaking to the subject of escalating drug war violence in Mexico. In 2009, she described this border violence — which is responsible for over 31,000 deaths since December 2006 — as a sign of the “success” of her agency’s anti-drug strategies.

    “Our view is that the violence we have been seeing is a signpost of the success our very courageous Mexican counterparts are having,” Leonhart said. The cartels are acting out like caged animals, because they are caged animals.” This view is out of step with the reality and the gravity of the growing problem on our southern border.

    In short, Ms. Leonhart’s actions and ambitions are incompatible with state law, public opinion, and with the policies of this administration. At a minimum, Senators should ask Ms. Leonhart specific questions regarding her past record and her intentions moving forward. These questions ought to include:

    * What are your plans for bridging the growing divide between state and federal law concerning the use of marijuana for medical purposes?

    * How has the DEA changed its policies and practices to ensure compliance with the 2009 Department of Justice memo calling on federal law enforcement to no longer target individuals who are in compliance with the medical marijuana laws of their states?

    * When will the DEA respond to a 2002 petition to hold hearings on the rescheduling of marijuana, as were called for by the American Medical Association?

    Failure of the Senate to engage in a probing dialogue with Ms. Leonhart regarding these matters will continue to give the appearance that Congress and this administration are willing to place politics above science. This administration has specifically pledged to end this practice. It can begin doing so by demanding careful consideration be given to Michele Leonhart’s nomination.

    Paul Armentano is the Deputy Director of NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).

    You can go to the Hill in the title link and leave a respectful concise comment here.
     
  3. NORML also has e mail letters to elected representatives on these items. I sent mine in about 2 months ago.
     
  4. "Ms. Leonhart has exhibited questionable judgment when speaking to the subject of escalating drug war violence in Mexico. In 2009, she described this border violence — which is responsible for over 31,000 deaths since December 2006 — as a sign of the “success” of her agency’s anti-drug strategies."

    The Head of the DEA says the death of 31k+ Mexican Civilian is a GOOD THING? and its a victory in her eyes as "anti-drug" policy works WTF REALLY!!!!!!!!!!
     

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