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Congressman Cohen Reacts to Reports of DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart’s Impending Resignation

April 21, 2015

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a strong voice in Congress for criminal drug policy reform, issued the following statement regarding reports that Michele Leonhart, Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, is likely to resign from her post:

“It is appropriate that Michele Leonhart resign; she has not prioritized or concentrated on drugs that actually lead people to commit crimes like heroin and methamphetamine and she was insubordinate to the President when she criticized his acknowledgement of the fact that marijuana is no more harmful than alcohol. Hopefully her successor will help lead the effort to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I, where it is currently restricted at the same level as heroin and at a higher level than more harmful drugs like cocaine.”

Congressman Cohen is also the lead House sponsor of the bipartisan, bicameral CARERS Act that was introduced in the Senate by Senators Rand Paul, Cory Booker, and Kirsten Gillibrand to let states set their own medical marijuana policies, recognize a legitimate medical use for marijuana at the federal level, and allow Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors to recommend safe and effective marijuana-related treatments. The CARERS Act would also increase access to a non-psychoactive treatment that might have helped save the life of 3-year-old Memphian Chloe Grauer, who suffered from hundreds of seizures each day before tragically passing away late last year.

Issues:Judiciary