10/13/95
1. URGENT: Congress moving to undo Sentencing Commission's crack cocaine and money laundering sentencing reductions.
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
The Honorable {Your Rep.}
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
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 probation or parole, ON ANY GIVEN DAY. The War on Drugs is the driving force behind this disaster, and discriminatory sentencing practices (such as 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}
2. 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
The Honorable {Your Rep.}
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Rep. _____:
I have heard that 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, earlier this month). And even House Speaker Newt Gingrich has sponsored medical marijuana legislation, in 1982. Please support this inexpensive healthcare reform.
Sincerely,
{your name}
3. Upcoming Events
* The Ninth International Conference on Drug Policy Reform, sponsored by the Drug Policy Foundation, October 18-21, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, Santa Monica, California, on-site registration $275 (luncheon and banquet extra). Featured speakers include former US Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders and American Bar Assocation immediate past president George Bushnell.
* The Second Hawai'i Harm Reduction Conference, "Pragmatic Approaches to Tough Social Problems," October 24-25, Outrigger Prince Kuhio Hotel, Honolulu. Call (808) 956-8204 for registration or (808) 956-8930 for program information.
* Harvard Medical School faculty member Dr. Lester Grinspoon, internationally known author and researcher on psychoactive drugs, will speak at Northern Illinois University on Wednesday, Nov. 1st. He will speak on medical marijuana, drug policy and psychedelic psychotherapy. The speech will be held from 2:00 PM to approximately 4:15 in Carl Sandberg Auditorium in Holmes Student Center on the NIU campus in DeKalb. The lecture is free and open to the public.
DRCNet is always interested in hearing about upcoming events and important legislation -- good or bad -- at the state level. We would also appreciate information on activist groups for our Organizations Directory. Please send to [email protected] (auto-reply sent back) or [email protected] (no auto-reply).
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