cannabisnews.com: Detroit -- Lawmaker Questions Drug-Policy Meeting 





Detroit -- Lawmaker Questions Drug-Policy Meeting 
Posted by CN Staff on August 26, 2002 at 16:52:31 PT
By Dawson Bell, Michigan News Brief
Source: Detroit Free Press 
A meeting of state and federal law enforcement officials scheduled for today in Detroit to discuss a Michigan ballot proposal may violate federal law, U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Detroit, has charged in a letter to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Conyers asked DEA Director Asa Hutchinson to investigate whether the meeting -- described in a letter from the Detroit DEA office as an opportunity to discuss ways to combat drug legalization proposals -- was political activity by a government agency that is prohibited. 
The proposal, expected to appear on the Nov. 5 ballot, would require the state to relax sentences for drug crimes and provide treatment to drug users. Conyers, a frequent critic of current prison policies, said he had no objection to citizens expressing their views about a proposal, but said it is unclear whether "federally funded agencies and their employees can be used to spread a message or promote a campaign." DEA officials could not be reached Sunday for comment. Source: Detroit Free Press (MI)Author: Dawson Bell Published: August 26, 2002Copyright: 2002 Detroit Free PressContact: letters freepress.comWebsite: http://www.freep.com/Press Release - Aug. 23rd: Conyers Questions DEA On Use of Federal Funds for Political Purposes Detroit, MI - Congressman John Conyers, Jr. has requested an immediate investigation by the head of the Drug Enforcement Agency of the U.S. Department of Justice, Asa Hutchinson, of DEA's possible misuse of federal funds without proper authorization by Congress and in contravention of existing law..Conyers said: "It appears that the DEA has been actively engaged across the country in collaboration with groups who are opposed to ballot proposals involving reform of our drug laws. Michigan is one of the states which will have a proposal of this kind on its November ballot. Citizens opposed to this kind of ballot initiative clearly are permitted to campaign and lobby in support of their point of view in an effort to win public support for their position.This is what our democracy is all about. But it is far from clear whether federally funded agencies and their employees can be used to spread a message or promote a campaign for or against a ballot initiative, on federal property and on government time.""The use of our local DEA office by those opposed to the Drug Reform ballot initiative seems clearly in violation of Section 601 of Public Law 107-77 (November 28, 2001), which clearly states that no part of any appropriation for DEA can be used for 'publicity or propaganda purposes' not authorized by Congress"."I am concerned that DEA has actively been involved in a campaign, both locally and nationally, to oppose drug reform proposals which have been properly and legally put before the citizens of this state for their approval or rejection. There seems little doubt that the appropriations for DEA are specifically prohibited from being used for this purpose.This apparently unlawful involvement of the DEA to promote a political agenda must cease immediately. We cannot allow the integrity of our national government to be compromised for any purpose, regardless of the intent of these over zealous federal activists. I am shocked that judges in violation of their Canon of Ethics would participate as well." --The DEA's page in question is at:  http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/ongoing/legalization.htmlFrom the office of:Congressman John Conyers, Jr. Fourteenth District, Michigan Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus.Contact: Deanna Maher - (313) 961-5670 Cell: (313) 737-7944Ted Kalo, Judiciary Committee - (202) 225-6906Related Articles & Web Sites:Michigan Drug Reform Initiativehttp://www.drugreform.org/michigan/Congressman John Conyers http://www.house.gov/conyers/index.htmDrug Measure Proposes Treatment Over Prison http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13887.shtmlConyers Questions DEA On Use of Federal Funds http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13886.shtmlFall Vote Likely on Drug Crime http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13385.shtml
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Comment #10 posted by kaptinemo on August 27, 2002 at 07:51:20 PT:
I know, I keep harping on this
But this is more important than many here have tumbled to.The antis have very few Achille's Heels; they have nearly all the advantages. Money and power to use that money. They spend (free translation: waste) billions of our tax dollars in this reprise of the medieval Children's Crusade. And, wonder of wonders, they have never been able to prove that the billions they've wasted have provided the stated result - their chimerical Drug Free America.But they can be tripped up by their own laws - and as Congressman Conyers has pointed out, there can be little doubt that the DEA has been participating in partisan politics...when it's supposed to be politically (ha-ha) neutral.This time, they've been caught - despite years of doing this - with their slimy hands in the Fed cookie jar, and using those funds and taxpayer facilities for their own, anti-democratic moves...such as trying to overturn referenda legally voted into law. Conyers has the power to snap that hand off at the wrist. And he's just the person to do it, too.I sincerely hope that Dan Forbes is reading this, and gets in touch with Mr. Conyers; Mr. Forbes has a lot of information concerning these kinds of breaches of public trust vis-a-vis the ONDCP's involvement in the past in these things. Needless to say, the DEA was involved up to it's bureaucratic hair follicles. This may open a major can of worms for the antis...and put paid to their taxpayer-funded anti-democratic schemes.
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Comment #9 posted by goneposthole on August 26, 2002 at 20:31:00 PT
I wish 
E_Johnson would raise her tolerances, let bygones be bygones, see eye to eye with her detractors and come back.To err is human, to forgive, divine.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on August 26, 2002 at 20:03:27 PT
goneposthole 
Thank you and I do try but it is hard. About the question. I don't know but I want to know. Can organizations that will benefit financially use our tax money (government) to fight us? PS: Can't even think of being in politics. It makes me hair get grayer real fast! LOL! 
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Comment #7 posted by goneposthole on August 26, 2002 at 19:47:18 PT
Thanks,
FoM. I wouldn't wish the Presidency on you, but you would be able to do a fine job.People would like and love you. You are a uniter.You are appreciated by all here.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on August 26, 2002 at 19:41:18 PT
goneposthole 
That was a simple and thought provoking question. I'll think about it. Very interesting.
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Comment #5 posted by goneposthole on August 26, 2002 at 19:30:26 PT
Question
Wouldn't all DEA funding be for political purposes?
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Comment #4 posted by mayan on August 26, 2002 at 18:15:17 PT
Oh, Yeah!!!
Sorry to double post, but this is big! Mike Ruppert will be speaking in NYC!!! This from http://www.unansweredquestions.org -9-11 and the Public Safety: Seeking Answers and accountabilityWe're organising another event !This time we will be in New York City, on September 7. Some of the highlights include:- The premiere of a 10-15 documentary short produced by Sundance Film Festival award-winning GNN.- The first U.S. appearance of author, Nafeez M. Ahmed, who wrote The War on Freedom, a 400pp book with 720 references which clearly calls into question many facets of the official story about what happened on September 11. Nafeez will also be presenting new research recently compiled for the second printing of this shocking expose. ( For more information on this book check out http://waronfreedom.mediamonitors.net. ) - Michael Ruppert, retired LAPD Narcotics officer speaks regularly nationwide and in Canada and Australia to packed houses on the subject of 9/11 and related topics, will be speaking. (Visit Michael's ground breaking website http://www.fromthewilderness.com. ) - Copies of The War on Freedom will be available at discount.- More information will be available here as our plans firm up.The event will be $15 for the general public, $10 for students and free to NYFD, NYPD, and other emergency workers
 
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Comment #3 posted by mayan on August 26, 2002 at 18:09:12 PT
Way to go Conyers!
"The use of our local DEA office by those opposed to the Drug Reform ballot initiative seems clearly in violation of Section 601 of Public Law 107-77 (November 28, 2001), which clearly states that no part of any appropriation for DEA can be used for 'publicity or propaganda purposes' not authorized by Congress"."I am concerned that DEA has actively been involved in a campaign, both locally and nationally, to oppose drug reform proposals which have been properly and legally put before the citizens of this state for their approval or rejection. There seems little doubt that the appropriations for DEA are specifically prohibited from being used for this purpose.This apparently unlawful involvement of the DEA to promote a political agenda must cease immediately. We cannot allow the integrity of our national government to be compromised for any purpose, regardless of the intent of these over zealous federal activists. I am shocked that judges in violation of their Canon of Ethics would participate as well." --It is imperative that we hold these fascists accountable while we still have some freedom to fight with!unrelated -Controversial Police Database Lists 'Future Criminals'-
Names, Addresses Of "Potential" Suspects Listed:
http://www.local6.com/sh/technology/stories/national-technology-163299720020826-110826.html
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on August 26, 2002 at 17:10:12 PT
I'm Keeping My Fingers Crossed
Dan, I sure hope this gets more news. Sometimes a little Metro Brief can get writers checking into something that they wouldn't have unless it was brought to their attention. Let's hope!
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Comment #1 posted by Dan B on August 26, 2002 at 17:05:33 PT:
Go Detroit Free Press!
I'm glad to see that the Detroit Free Press has picked up on this story. Perhaps now we will see it covered in other newspapers--maybe even on TV. The DEA deserves this black eye. May they receive many more.Dan B
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