Cohen Named “Champion of Reform” for Commitment to Fixing Nation’s Draconian Marijuana Laws
[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, has been named a 2014 Champion of Reform by the Drug Policy Alliance for his “major contributions” to bringing our federal drug policies into the 21st century and reducing the racial disparities they cause in our criminal justice system. Congressman Cohen is one of only 10 Members of Congress to receive this distinction from the Drug Policy Alliance.
“I have spent my career trying to bring sanity to our nation’s outdated and draconian criminal drug laws that unfairly hurt minority communities, said Congressman Cohen. “It is an honor to be recognized as a Champion of Reform in Congress, and I will continue to support policies that are based on sound science and reduce racial disparities.”
Among Congressman Cohen’s contributions to drug policy reform are two bills that he has introduced in Congress. The first, his Unmuzzle the Drug Czar Act, would remove restrictions that require the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, commonly known as the “Drug Czar,” to oppose changing the legal status of marijuana and prevent it from even studying whether there could be any medical benefits. More information about Congressman Cohen’s Unmuzzle the Drug Czar Act is available here.
Congressman Cohen’s second bill would create a National Commission on Federal Marijuana Policy. The Commission would undertake a comprehensive review of the federal government’s current policies toward marijuana, particularly in light of the growing number of states where marijuana is already legal for medicinal or personal use. More information about this legislation can be found here.
Drug Policy Action is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit, 501(c)(4) organization that aims to promote drug laws and policies grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights.