Pubdate: Sat, 25 Jan 2014
Source: Boston Herald (MA)
Copyright: 2014 The Boston Herald, Inc
Contact:  http://news.bostonherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/53
Note: Prints only very short LTEs.
Author: O'ryan Johnson

SHERIFFS CHEER POT SHOT

Say DEA Chief Ripped Obama Remarks

DEA chief Michele M. Leonhart slammed President Obama's recent
comments comparing smoking marijuana to drinking alcohol at an annual
meeting of the nation's sheriffs this week, according to two sheriffs
who said her remarks drew a standing ovation.

Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson said he was thrilled to hear
the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration take her boss to task.

"She's frustrated for the same reasons we are," Hodgson said. "She
said she felt the administration didn't understand the science enough
to make those statements. She was particularly frustrated with the
fact that, according to her, the White House participated in a
softball game with a pro-legalization group. ... But she said her
lowest point in 33 years in the DEA was when she learned they'd flown
a hemp flag over the Capitol on July 4. The sheriffs were all shocked.
This is the first time in 28 years I've ever heard anyone in her
position be this candid."

The American flag made of hemp was reportedly flown over the Capitol
on Independence Day with the backing of a Colorado
congressman.

DEA spokeswoman Dawn Deardon said she was not in the room and couldn't
discuss Leonhart's comments to the sheriffs.

"It is not a surprise that the DEA is against the legalization of
marijuana," Deardon said. "As Jay Carney pointed out, the
administration is not for legalization of marijuana. ... I would just
tell you that legalization is not a good idea."

Kern County, Calif., Sheriff Donny Youngblood, president of the Major
Counties Sheriffs' Association, the group that sponsored Leonhart's
talk Tuesday at its annual meeting in Washington, D.C., said Leonhart
called out Obama for what Youngblood described as "irresponsible"
comments that were a "big slap in the face" to cops who have lost
their lives keeping drugs off the street.

"This is a woman who has spent 33 years of her life fighting drug
abuse in the DEA, her entire life. To have the president of the United
States publicly say marijuana was a bad habit like alcohol was
appalling to everyone in that room," Youngblood said. "I think the way
that she felt was that it was a betrayal of what she does for the
American people in enforcing our drug laws. ... She got a standing
ovation."

Hodgson said sheriffs see marijuana as a gateway drug that leads to
harder narcotics. He said cops need leaders to help stop drug use
before it starts, not brush off its dangers and give kids excuses.

"The last person we need saying this to kids is the president of the
United States," Hodgson said.

The president of the National Sheriffs' Association said he didn't
hear the speech, but he heard about it from other sheriffs.

"She was honest," said Sheriff Mike H. Leidholt of Hughes County, S.D.
"She may get fired. But she was honest."  
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