Email your House of Representative (HOR) about Federal drug policies and their effect on individuals and communities in California (or whatever state you're in). MAKE SURE TO ADD YOUR CONGRESS PERSON'S NAME AT THE TOP AND THE BOTTOM.

If you do not know who you're HOR is, go to www.house.gov put your zip+4 in the upper left hand counter and follow the links. You should be able to email your HOR through their website.

I sent this to my senators' staff people last night and I'm send it to my rep today.

This was just brought to my attention and I want to share it with Congress[woman or man] ___________[congressperson's name] and staff.

Most people know that the "drug czar", -- the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) -- is an advocate for the government's position regarding the drug war. But not everyone knows that he and his office are mandated to tell lies as part of their Congressional authorization.
According to Title VII Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998: H11225:

Responsibilities. --The Director-- [...]
(12) shall ensure that no Federal funds appropriated to the Office of National Drug Control Policy shall be expended for any study or contract relating to the legalization (for a medical use or any other use) of a substance listed in schedule I of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812) and take such actions as necessary to oppose any attempt to legalize the use of a substance (in any form) that--is listed in schedule I of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812); and
has not been approved for use for medical purposes by the Food and Drug Administration;

For example, the issue of medical marijuana. If the government finds that marijuana has "currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States" or "accepted safety for use of the drug under medical supervision," then by law, marijuana cannot remain in Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act, which would immediately legalize it for medical purposes.

But by law, the drug czar must oppose any attempt to legalize the use of cannabis (in any form). Therefore, despite the fact that there is extensive evidence of medical marijuana's safety and effectiveness (including the fact that even the federal government supplies it to patients), and clearly the drug czar would know about all this information, he is required by law to lie about it. The job description also means that since he must oppose any attempt to legalize, he has no choice but declare that the drug war is working, that legalization would fail, etc., regardless of any scientific facts.

This is particularly disturbing because on Tuesday, July 15, the Bush Administration's second-in-command of national drug policy, Scott Burns, visited Humboldt County as part of a California tour to condemn the state of the illegal cannabis industry. Burns, deputy director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) met with county officials, participated in a sweep of grow houses in Eureka and points south, then came to Arcata. He spread so much misinformation during his visit, including in this interview. This "misleading information" creates undue fear in Congress, the media, and the American populus. It's extremely difficult to make progress on scientific and medical grounds regarding cannabis when the White House pays official to supply "misleading information".

On April 2, 2003, Congressman Ron Paul wrote a letter to the United States General Accounting Office (GAO) asking for an investigation into ONDCP lobbying activities and their dissemination of "misleading information" (a polite euphemism for "lying")

The GAO responded (pdf):

Finally, apart from considerations of whether any particular law has been violated, you have asked whether the Deputy Director's letter disseminated misleading information in connection with statements relating to the debate over legalization of marijuana. [...] ONDCP is specifically charged with the responsibility for "taking such actions as necessary to oppose any attempt to legalize the use" of certain controlled substances such as marijuana --- a responsibility which logically could include the making of advocacy statements in opposition to legalization efforts. The Deputy Director's statements about marijuana are thus within the statutory role assigned to ONDCP. Given this role, we do not see a need to examine the accuracy of the Deputy Director's individual statements in detail.

Translation: Since "lying" is in the job description of the ONDCP, there's no point in bothering to see whether they're telling the truth. Keep in mind that this requirement to avoid the truth if it interferes with the mission of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy is not limited to the current drug czar, John Walters and Scott Burns. The next drug czar, even if appointed by a President who tepidly supports certain reform measures, will be constrained by the same job description defined by Congress.

Is there anything Representative _________________ [Congressperson's name] can do to assist in this matter?

Thank you for your assistance,

[happyjack]

That's a great example letter, and I wish I had seen it before I sent my 2 (oops) emails to Laura Richardson.

Maybe I'll have to send a third!

Originally Posted by happyjack

That's a great example letter, and I wish I had seen it before I sent my 2 (oops) emails to Laura Richardson.

Maybe I'll have to send a third!

3 times is a charm

[BrattonBasher]

Man, Herbalicious can get those keyboards to emit smoke with those hot words, analogies, and conclusions! Impressive to me because it goes down to the core of honesty in government. Another example of Institutional dishonesty was Sarah the Liar Pullen of the L.A. DEA office asking the L.A. Times to pull the picture of the agent in the Blackwater t-shirt because he works "undercover". Under GWB the U.S. government feels it is within it's rights to outright lie whenever they feel it's necessary to continue their own policy agenda (politically charged!).

Originally Posted by BrattonBasher

Man, Herbalicious can get those keyboards to emit smoke with those hot words, analogies, and conclusions! Impressive to me because it goes down to the core of honesty in government. Another example of Institutional dishonesty was Sarah the Liar Pullen of the L.A. DEA office asking the L.A. Times to pull the picture of the agent in the Blackwater t-shirt because he works "undercover". Under GWB the U.S. government feels it is within it's rights to outright lie whenever they feel it's necessary to continue their own policy agenda (politically charged!).

I can't take credit for writing that info...I copied and pasted it and reworked it a little tiny bit.

[666]

Mike Thompson (D - CA).
http://mikethompson.house.gov/

Humbolt ASA presented Mike with a award (plaque) for his work on and for MMJ and MJ legilzation. When you have people who are doing a good job, let them know!

"Meanwhile, in Arcata, Humboldt County ASA honored several medical cannabis supporters, including Rep. Mike Thompson, for their leadership around medical cannabis issues."
http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/?p=64 (about 1/2 way down the page)

Originally Posted by 666

Mike Thompson (D - CA).
http://mikethompson.house.gov/

Humbolt ASA presented Mike with a award (plaque) for his work on and for MMJ and MJ legilzation. When you have people who are doing a good job, let them know!

"Meanwhile, in Arcata, Humboldt County ASA honored several medical cannabis supporters, including Rep. Mike Thompson, for their leadership around medical cannabis issues."
http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/?p=64 (about 1/2 way down the page)

I'm a true believer in the power of graititude. I'm trying to incorporate it into everything I do. Thank you for sharing this with us.