Ethics

Conyers on DEA and Medical Marijuana

By Ed Brayton

I'm glad to see Rep. John Conyers of Michigan get involved in challenging the DEA on their continued raids on patients using medical marijuana legally in their home states, and even using civil forfeiture laws to seize their property in such cases. As chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, he is considering holding hearings on the issue and sent a long letter to the acting administrator of the DEA asking serious questions. Like these:

Is the use of civil asset forfeiture, which has typically been reserved for the worst drug traffickers and kingpins, an appropriate tactic to employ against individuals who suffer from severe or chronic illness and are authorized to use medical marijuana under California law?

Has the DEA conducted any analysis of the potential economic consequences of using civil asset forfeiture in an area that is experiencing some of the nation's sharpest declines in property values?

Full post as published by Dispatches from the Culture Wars on May 12, 2008 (boomark / email).