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Thank you for your message with regard to E2SSB 5073 the Medical Use of Cannabis bill.  This bill has been worked very hard this session with no clear consensus among the people who are currently utilizing medical marijuana.  The issue is how the current folks would fall under the new regulations if this law passes.

I am concerned about how many new, additional people will be utilizing medical marijuana as described in this proposed legislation.  For that reason, I did not support this bill in committee on March 23rd; but the bill did pass out with a striking amendment.  It is continuing through the legislative process.

Sincerely,

 

Joe Schmick

State Representative

Dear Robert,

Thank you for contacting me about Michele Leonhart’s nomination to be Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is always good to hear from a fellow West Virginian, and I appreciate this opportunity to be in touch.

On February 2, 2010, President Obama nominated Michele Leonhart to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration. She has served as Acting Administrator since November 2007 and, before that, served as Deputy Administrator. Her nomination was reported by the Senate Judiciary Committee on a voice vote on December 1, 2010, and she was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on December 22, 2010.

The role of the Senate to confirm or not confirm nominees put forward by the President is an extremely important Constitutional duty that no Senator undertakes lightly. I assure you that prior to voting on any nominee, I carefully review their qualifications and listen closely to what you and other West Virginians have to say.  In this case, I believe that Administrator Leonhart has the right qualifications for this job and that there is a need to have stable leadership at federal agencies, especially at an agency with the important mission of combating drug trafficking.

I have heard from several West Virginians who are concerned about Ms. Leonhart’s stance on medical marijuana. The legalization of marijuana for medical purposes has fueled heated debate for years. Proponents of legalization argue that marijuana can provide therapeutic relief to individuals suffering from diseases such as cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, and neurological and movement disorders Opponents maintain that marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance, which means it has a high potential for abuse, has no accepted medical use in the United States, and lacks accepted safety, even for use under medical supervision.

Over the years, Congress has acted to uphold federal statute by passing various measures that reaffirm marijuana’s status as a Schedule I controlled substance. Although bills have been introduced to allow doctors to prescribe marijuana for medical use in states that permit it, Congress has consistently rejected this idea on the grounds that valid clinical evidence does not exist to verify the therapeutic benefits of marijuana.

You should know that I am opposed to the recreational use of all illegal drugs. I am very proud of my long record of fighting drug abuse and crime related to it. I have voted to support harsh penalties for drug offenders and have worked hard to make funding available so our police can properly train and equip themselves for the war on drugs. I believe it is very important to punish drug offenders, help the addicted when we can, and keep drugs away from our children, and my votes in the Senate reflect those values.

At the same time, I believe that our government must enact policies that are effective, and not merely punitive, as we work to prevent drug abuse. That is why I am committed to providing treatment where it is appropriate, enforcement where it is necessary, and education in healthful choices for everyone. Rehabilitation services must be a priority in order to help those with drug addiction, which could save many lives and many families, and over time will be a bargain compared to the ravages of crime, increased health care costs, and the overwhelming costs of incarcerating so many of our state’s youth.

Thank you again for being in touch. I wish you the very best.
With Warm Regards,

Jay Rockefeller

February 14, 2011

Dear Ray:

Thank you for contacting me to express your views on S. 714, the National Criminal Justice Commission Act. This legislation would establish a commission to undertake a comprehensive review of our nation’s criminal justice system. It would bring together experts to identify current problems and recommend remedies that will bring real reform to the system. I am pleased to say I have co-sponsored this important measure.

With over 2 million inmates, many who are in prison for non-violent drug offenses, the United States has the highest rate of incarceration in the world. While prisons play an essential role in keeping our communities safe from violent criminals, I have concerns that our prison system is falling short on common sense initiatives, like drug treatment, education, and job training programs, which are all essential components to reducing rates of recidivism and lowering the number of Americans in our prisons.

Our failure to seriously address this problem has left us with prisons that are bursting at the seams but communities that continue to be plagued by crime and violence. To get to the bottom of the problem, we need a full-scale re-evaluation of who goes to jail and for how long, as well as how best to address the long-term problems of incarceration and recidivism. This legislation will accomplish those goals by examining and recommending reforms for our criminal justice system on the federal, state, and local levels. Rest assured that I will do what I can to see that this important initiative is favorably considered by the Senate.

Again, thanks for writing me. Please don’t hesitate to contact me in the future with any questions or concerns you may have.

Sincerely,

Tom Harkin
United States Senator

December 21, 2010

Dear Randall,

Thank you for contacting me about the nomination of Michele Leonhart for Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). I appreciate hearing from you on this important nomination.

The Senate is tasked with reviewing the President’s nominees for various federal offices, including the DEA. It is crucial to the functioning of our federal agencies that we confirm well-qualified nominees.

The DEA is responsible for enforcing controlled substances laws and supporting programs designed to decrease the availability of illegal drugs in the United States and around the world. Michele Leonhart has served as Acting Administrator of the DEA since 2007.

Ms. Leonhart was born and raised in Minnesota. After graduating from Bemidji State University, she became a police officer in Baltimore. She served as a career DEA Special Agent, at one point running all Los Angeles field operations, before becoming Deputy Administrator in 2004.

As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which oversees the DEA, I was able to meet Ms. Leonhart and become familiar with her policies. I also had the opportunity to question Ms. Leonhart during her recent confirmation hearing. I believe she has proven her ability to head the DEA, and I plan to support her confirmation.

I will be sure to keep your thoughts on the DEA in mind during routine oversight hearings of the administration. I also look forward to working with my colleagues in continuing to review and confirm qualified Presidential nominees.

Thank you again for contacting me, and please do not hesitate to do so again in the future on this or any other matter of concern to you.

Sincerely,

Al Franken
United States Senator