Pubdate: Wed, 04 Jun 2003 Source: Oregonian, The (Portland, OR) Copyright: 2003 The Oregonian Contact: http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/324 Author: Jim Barnett Cited: Marijuana Policy Project - http://www.mpp.org Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Mark+Souder Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/walters.htm (Walters, John) BILL WOULD STRIP STATES OF CASH TO FIGHT DRUGS WASHINGTON -- Law officers in Oregon, Washington and seven other states that allow people to smoke marijuana for medical purposes could lose $11.5 million in federal money to investigate drug traffickers under a bill pending in Congress. The shift is part of a new, five-year plan for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Crafted by House Republicans, the plan would give broad spending discretion to the office's director, also known as the nation's "drug czar." At risk for Oregon and Washington is an annual budget totaling $6.5 million under the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program. The money could be diverted to federal agents, who would enforce national drug laws prohibiting the use of marijuana. Critics, including Democratic members of Congress, said the provision could punish local law enforcement officials unfairly. It also could undermine efforts to control drugs that are more damaging and costly to society than marijuana. "However one feels about that decision by the citizens of our state, to take resources away from our already overtaxed law enforcement is just irresponsible, and the priorities are simply cockeyed," said Rep. Brian Baird, D-Wash. Law officers in the Northwest agreed, saying they needed federal money to help track heroin dealers in urban areas, as well as methamphetamine laboratories in rural areas. They said they were blindsided by news that their budgets might be cut. "This came out of the blue," said Chuck Karl, director for a high-intensity enforcement zone covering seven counties in Oregon. Dave Rodriguez, director for Washington, said his office has continued aggressive pursuit of marijuana smugglers and dealers because they aren't protected by the state's law. Budget cuts would hamper what has proved to be an effective effort, he said. "Why would they want to do something like that?" he said. "I think this is a vast overreaction to what in fact this (medical marijuana law) does." The drug-control bill, sponsored by Reps. Mark Souder, R-Ind., and Tom Davis, R-Va., would give the drug czar authority to shift 5 percent of the $230 million program to federal agents from states that have laws decriminalizing the medical use of marijuana. The $11.5 million would "assist in enforcement of federal law where state law permits the use of marijuana in a manner inconsistent with the Controlled Substances Act," according to the bill, HR2086-. Aides to Souder and Davis couldn't be reached for comment on Monday or Tuesday. John Walters, the drug czar, didn't ask for the provision, said Brian Blake, a spokesman. Walters would prefer to help local authorities understand regional drug markets and crack them. "It's not the direction Director Walters wants to take it," Blake said of the bill. "In fact, it's the opposite." Nevertheless, critics said the language could allow the drug czar to commandeer entire budgets for Oregon and Washington, which get $2.5 million and $4 million, respectively, under the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program. A more likely scenario is that the provision could be used to target California, where state law is broader and allows medical marijuana users to form buyers' clubs, said Steve Fox, director of government affairs for the Marijuana Policy Project. "California has always been the whipping horse," he said. "This could be just an additional threat." Critics said the bill contained additional provisions that would give the drug czar discretion that could invite abuse. The bill would lift restrictions on about $200 million earmarked annually for antidrug advertising, making it possible for the White House to mount media campaigns against state marijuana law initiatives and candidates who support them, Fox said. Blake said the drug czar already has authority to use federal money to fight legalization of drugs. But Baird questioned whether the provision was constitutional. "This is not just providing candidates on both sides of the issue with money so they can express their opinions," Baird said. "This is deliberately skewing the outcome of an election." Of greater concern to enforcement officials in the Northwest is a new funding formula included the bill. It would channel money to drug enforcement at border crossings and in big U.S. cities such as New York. Karl said his $2.5 million base budget for Oregon could be cut by $400,000 or more. The formula appears to be stacked against places where the production of drugs, mostly in rural areas, is as big a threat as distribution by international dealers, he said. "We've got to deal with not just the cartels, we've got to deal with the local and regional organizations as well," he said. Rodriguez said he faces the possibility of similar reductions. The program is operating at a minimal level in Washington state, he said, and any cuts could undermine its goal of coordinating law-enforcement efforts across jurisdictions. "This completely, in my estimation, is going to pull the program apart," he said. The bill passed subcommittee last month and could move to the House floor within weeks, critics said. But as more members learn the details, it could face stiff opposition. Rep. Darlene Hooley, D-Ore., said she plans to rally members from the nine states with medical marijuana laws to try to make changes. "When you put the power of that many states together, you can get things turned around," she said. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk