(Note: During the several days between publication of this newsletter in print and its distribution on the net, Congress passed H.R. 2259 and sent it on to the White House for an expected signature. The disturbances that took place in several federal prisons were in response to this.)

Earlier this year, the US Sentencing Commission voted to reduce penalties for crack cocaine offenses to the same level as powder cocaine. Currently, one gram of crack is equivalent to 100 grams of powder, for sentencing purposes. The commission also voted to restrict the definition of money laundering so that small time sellers are not lumped in with large-scale traffickers. The commission's vote becomes law, unless Congress acts to block it by November 1. The Senate has already passed S. 1254, disapproving of the amendments, and the House Judiciary Committee has sent H.R. 2259 on to the full house. The House will probably act before November 1, so it's urgent that DRCNet members and other reformers write, fax or call their Representatives and urge them to vote against H.R. 2259. You can find out your rep's phone # (or name) from the Congressional Switchboard, (202) 224-3121.

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Rep. _____: 

        I am writing to urge you to vote against H.R. 2259, a bill which would undo the 

Sentencing Commission's sensible reduction of crack cocaine sentences to the same level as powder

cocaine. A report just released by The Sentencing Project revealed the shocking fact that 1 out

of 3 black men between the ages of 20 and 29 are incarcerated, on probationor parole,ON ANY 

GIVEN DAY. The War on Drugs is the driving force behind this travesty, and discriminatory 

sentencing practices like the crack/powder disparity) are a large part of the problem. 

        With such a national emergency on our hands, now is the time to thoughtfully refocus our

criminal justice priorities. The Sentencing Commission, after years of study, has taken this 

sensible step. Please allow it to become law; please vote no on H.R. 2259. 

        Sincerely, 

        {Your Name}

BARNEY FRANK TO INTRODUCE MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGISLATION.

Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) is planning to file federal legislation to allow medical patients to receive marijuana on prescription, and is currently looking for other members of Congress to co-sponsor his bill. Please write your Representatives to request that they co-sponsor Rep. Frank's medical marijuana bill.

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Rep. _____: 

        I have heard that your colleague, Representative Barney Frank, is planning to introduce 

legislation to permit doctors to prescribe marijuana to patients with a legitimate medical need

for it. I am writing to ask you to cosponsor this legislation. The federal government has no 

business interfering with the doctor-patient relationship in this way. 36 states have passed 

legislation recognizing marijuana's legitimacy as a medicine. In 1988, DEA Administrative Law 

Judge Francis Young, after reviewing the issue in detail ruled that marijuana should be 

rescheduled, stating that "the evidence ...clearly shows that marijuana has been accepted as 

capable of relieving the distress of great numbers of very ill people, and doing so with safety 

under medical supervision." Unfortunately, then DEA Chief Administrator Robert Bonner overruled 

Young's decision, with somewhat less thought. 

        Even arch-conservative Pat Buchanan has stated publicly that only the doctor and patient 

should be involved in the decision whether or not to prescribe marijuana for a medical condition

(in Charlotte, NC, 7/29, and Des Moines, IA, 10/2). And even House Speaker Newt Gingrich has 

sponsored medical marijuana legislation, in 1982. Please support this compassionate, common-

sense, medical reform. 

        Sincerely, 

        {your name}