Thank you for contacting me with your views on marijuana. I appreciate your comments, and I welcome this opportunity to update you on the status of this legislation.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), marijuana remains the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. While marijuana use is generally unhealthy and has negative social repercussions, it also serves as a gateway drug to more dangerous substance abuse. For these reasons, I remain concerned by the prevalence of drug abuse in our culture and the harmful consequences that are the result of this behavior.
As a career law enforcement officer, I saw firsthand the devastating effects that illicit drug use can have on both individuals and communities. While a member of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, I initiated the Drug Abuse Resistance Effort (DARE) program to make children aware of the dangers posed by drug use. I made fighting drugs a top priority within the department and I will continue to do so in the United States Congress.
As you know, Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts introduced legislation regarding marijuana use, H.R. 2835, on June 6, 2009. This legislation would limit the penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana. Specifically, it would prohibit federal penalties for the possession of marijuana for personal use or for any not-for-profit transfer of marijuana. Possession of more than 100 grams of marijuana, or the transfer of more than 1 gram, would remain illegal. Shortly after its introduction, H.R. 2835 was referred to the House Judiciary Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee. While I am not a member of either committee, be assured I will keep your views in mind should this legislation come before the House for consideration.
Thanks again for taking the time to share your views with me. If you would like to learn more about my positions on issues important to you or receive regular updates on developments in Congress, please visit my Online Office at www.ellsworthhouse.gov and sign up for my e-Newsletter.
Sincerely,
Brad Ellsworth
Your out look on pot,is exactly what i thought it would be. You will find yourself out of a job soon,and so will your fellow representatives. You are not working for change. You all are working to fill your own pockets.You refuse to listen to the people,Im a vet , and pot cant be used here,my brothers in arms in 15 states can use it to medicate,while i cant. I stopped 7 years ago and take V.A. meds.I would give anything to go back to pot,which i smoked for 34 years,with no arrests and felt better then than i do now !
I came to the ‘Politicians on Pot’ map to find the positions of the candidates in northern Indiana, not specifically for Brad Ellsworth. Not to my surprise there are no Indiana politicians, other than Ellsworth, who will say anything one way or another.
I specifically asked both Joe Donnelly and Jackie Walorski to give me their position on Medical Marijuana in a non-leading manner so as not to bias their response. I think I know their position but would like to hear it in their words. Neither candidate responded. In the last election I asked both Donnelly and Chacola a similar question. No response.
Nowhere on their web sites or on the Internet, nor in any debates could I find the issue of MMJ, legalization or the drug war discussed. We have a bunch of spineless politicians in this state and I demand to know where they stand on major issues before I will vote for them. That leaves me with little choice in this election.
In the future I am making my position known to the candidates, stating that if they don’t make their positions known on major issues that I cannot, in good conscience, cast a vote for them. I am not a one issue voter, but I do believe that the people who are asking us to elect them, represent us and make laws that govern us should not keep their beliefs secret.
If I didn’t know better I’d think he was bragging about wasting the county’s resources and increasing drug use amongst kids. It’s pretty well established that’s all DARE does, isn’t it?