Congress Urges Oversight of DEA Tactics on Medical Cannabis

[Jim Finnel]

Several U.S. Representatives used the waning days of 110th Congress to record their continued opposition to federal enforcement raids on individuals who use or provide medical cannabis in accordance with their state law.

ASA's lobbying efforts helped convince more than a dozen members of the U.S. House of Representatives to sign a bi-partisan letter asking the Judiciary Committee to investigate DEA enforcement activity against medical cannabis dispensing collectives and their landlords. The lawmakers have asked to Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers to convene an oversight hearing on whether the DEA is using federal resources wisely and efficiently, what impact the increased level of enforcement is having on the ability of state and local governments to effectively implement their state law, and what changes to federal law are necessary.

The letter, which was spearheaded by ASA and sponsored by U.S. Representatives Sam Farr (D-CA), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), and Dr. Ron Paul (R-TX), echoes the concerns raised by local officials across California and acknowledges the Chairman's pervious endeavors to provide oversight.

"We had hoped that oversight would have occurred by now," said Caren Woodson, ASA's Director of Government Affairs, "But given the Bush Administration's systematic obstruction of Congressional oversight the past few years, particularly of officials in the Justice Department, we expect oversight hearings to have generous support next year with a new Congress and new Administration open to change."

As a result of ASA efforts on Capitol Hill and in California this year, Chairman Conyers earlier sent a letter to DEA Acting Administrator Michelle Leonhart which questioned the Department of Justice about the enforcement tactics being used against medical cannabis patients and state programs.



News Hawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Americans for Safe Access
Copyright: 2008 Americans for Safe Access
Contact: info@safeaccessnow.org
Website: ASA : October 2008 Activist Newsletter

 

[Keith Lake]

Several U.S. Representatives used the waning days of 110th Congress to record their continued opposition to federal enforcement raids on individuals who use or provide medical cannabis in accordance with their state law.

This is great news, thanks for finding and posting!!!

"We had hoped that oversight would have occurred by now," said Caren Woodson, ASA's Director of Government Affairs, "But given the Bush Administration's systematic obstruction of Congressional oversight the past few years, particularly of officials in the Justice Department, we expect oversight hearings to have generous support next year with a new Congress and new Administration open to change."

*begin rant* While it's completely true (and evil in my opinion) that the Bush administration allowed or directed the ONDCP to raid clinics, both of the other two branches of government had equal powers to stop the raids.

Congress and particularly the House (controlled by Democrats, with Democrats leading and having majorities on all committees) is the branch that controls the purse strings. They can shut this down whenever they grow the stones, via the oversite committe, or simply by failing to authorize the money for the ONDCP's budget. Interesting that the ONDCP isn't a permenant office - but Congress keeps reauthorizing their continued existance every 5 years.

The Supreme Court, if it followed the strict constructionist and original Stare Decisis rulings would uphold States rights in all cases, based on the enumerated powers clause (Article One Section 8) of the Constitution.


What I'm saying is that it's not just Bush and we shouldn't be giving any equally guilty members of our government a free pass. *end rant*

 

[TimJ]

Let me Add this,
Congress has had Democrats in the majority...
But,,,,Not enough of a majority to move anything.. Thanks to us......The public..
The Republicans said publicly,. They would stall everything the Democrats try....
And they have been successful... Then Blaming Dems for the problems....
Remember, Barney Frank and Ron Paul introduced the Pot issue to congress last April.
The Bill has been just sitting in the Justice committee since. It is stalled there with thousand of issues for political reasons....

 

[Good_Sheperd]

The People need to realize they have lost control of the government they created, and that now it controls them.. The gov no longer serve the poeple they no longer are the people but are an evil group of money hungry Tyrants
You will get no satisfaction from them unless you buy it .. Well I do not pay taxes nor will I ever pay taxes to them again, it is foolish to give them 1/2 the money you earn daily ... is it right ... Certainly not why should you pay taxes I don't and I do just fine :8) yea they can audit me I do not work for money any longer nor will I ever again

Keep it natural.. The chemicals the sell thru pharmicies is bad news, they give you a 1/2 page of side effects but you take them anyway this is sin they got the people where they want them, but soon there will come an attack and they will lose power, you will then be able to go plant, but then you'll have to live in the mountains, because of the persecutions that soon fall upon the US

<*(((>< Peace & Blessings ><)))*>

Stephen
t Whiterock t

 

[Jim Finnel]

Remember, Barney Frank and Ron Paul introduced the Pot issue to congress last April.
The Bill has been just sitting in the Justice committee since. It is stalled there with thousand of issues for political reasons....

Barney Frank and MPP Discuss Legislation to Remove Federal Marijuana Penalties

 

[Good_Sheperd]

Thank you for helping to educate the people to the weed and reason's Father gave it to us ..it does all , paper oil food string rope meds cloth canvas stands for canabis and makes people peaceful and happy together and if there was 1000 passing joints in a circle we would get along :8) Peace & Blessings
Stephen
t Whiterock t

 

[Buds]

nice