Shaggy

Plagerized from my e-mail from NORML

From the office of Congressman John Conyers, Jr.
Fourteenth District, Michigan
Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committe Dean of the Congressional Black Cactus

Detroit, MI - Congressman John Conyers, Jr. has requested an immediate investigation by the head of 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 benn actively engaged across the country in collaboration with groups who are opposed to the ballot proposals involving reform of our drug laws. Michigan is one of the states which will have a proposalof 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 veiw in an effort to win public support for their position."

"This is what out democracy is all about. But it is far from clear whether federally funded agancies 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 campiagn, both lacally and nationally, to oppose drug reform proposals which have been properly and legally put before the citizens of this state for thier approval or rejection. There seems little doubt that the appropiations for DEA are specifically prohibited from being used for this purpose."

"This apparently unlawful involvement of the DEA to promote to a political agenda must cease immediately. We can not 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 the judges in violation of their Canon of Ethics would participate as well."

Any comment on this message would be much appreciated.

The DEA's page in question,
click here

The only reason I believe that the DEA is against legalization is that would all be put out a job and fear not having another to fall back onto. I mean it somewhat makes sense. It is an agency that deals with drugs. Maybe to justify that they should make the DEA responsible for distributing the drugs. They could control and probably make more money the their dreams could ever desire.