Looks like we may need a change in the DEA:
Michele Marie Leonhart is the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
During Leonhart's testimony before the Judiciary Committee, she was questioned by a member of the Committee on Aging, Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), about her policy for nurses prescribing painkillers for patients in nursing homes. The problem of DEA interference during Leonhart's acting administratorship with the prescription of painkillers by nurses in nursing homes had come before the Committee on Aging. Unsatisfied with her responses to his questions, Senator Kohl threatened to put a hold on Leonhart's nomination that could have postponed the vote on her confirmation indefinitely. In correspondence between the Committee on Aging and the DEA, Senator Kohl received assurances that patients suffering intractable pain could receive painkillers prescribed by nurses.[8] On December 22, 2010, the Senate confirmed Leonhart's nomination unanimously by voice vote.[9]
Controversy
Leonhart has consistently turned down research into the therapeutic and medicinal benefits of cannabis, and has a track record of undermining state law with regard to legal medical uses. On July 21, 2010, several pro-legalization groups called on President Obama to withdraw his support of Leonhart, including SSDP, MPP, NORML, LEAP, and DPA. [10]
In 2011, the Washington Post reported that "994 people younger than 18 were killed in drug-related violence between late 2006 and late 2010" and that "n 2009, the last year for which there is data, 1,180 children were killed, half in shootings."[11] In response to these statistics, Leonhart declared that while it "may seem contradictory, the unfortunate level of violence is a sign of success in the fight against drugs.”[11]
In 2012, Leonhart testified before Congress and refused to say that cannabis is less addictive or harmful than methamphetamine, heroin, or crack-cocaine.[12] However, at one point she agreed with Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) that the right to use medical cannabis should be “between [a patient] and his doctor.” Representative Cohen quickly criticized her statement as inconsistent with the actions of her agency.[13]
In 2014, Leonhart openly criticized President Barack Obama's stance on cannabis at a meeting of the National Sheriffs' Association.[14] Marijuana activists and two congressmen have called for her resignation due to her stance on cannabis while some law enforcement leaders have defended her position.[15] She also proposed that dog owners should oppose marijuana legalization since edible products could kill animals, notwithstanding that the marijuana itself is not particularly toxic to dogs.[16]
