Fire DEA Head Chuck Rosenberg for Calling Medical Marijuana a "Joke"

The Issue

Chuck Rosenberg, acting head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), made highly offensive comments calling medical marijuana a "joke."

While it's nothing new for drug war bureaucrats to oppose sensible marijuana policies, Rosenberg's comments go way too far.

Medical marijuana is not a "joke" to the millions of seriously ill patients in a growing number of states who use it legally in accordance with doctors' recommendations.

It is not a "joke" to the growing number of prominent medical organizations -- American Nurses Association, American College of Physicians, American Academy of Family Physicians, for example -- who know that cannabis has real and proven medical benefits.

And it's not a "joke" to the clear majority of U.S voters who support passing laws to protect medical marijuana patients from harassment by police and the DEA.

President Trump should fire Chuck Rosenberg and appoint a new DEA administrator who will respect science, medicine, patients and voters.

Marijuana MajorityPetition Starter

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This petition had 158,985 supporters

The Issue

Chuck Rosenberg, acting head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), made highly offensive comments calling medical marijuana a "joke."

While it's nothing new for drug war bureaucrats to oppose sensible marijuana policies, Rosenberg's comments go way too far.

Medical marijuana is not a "joke" to the millions of seriously ill patients in a growing number of states who use it legally in accordance with doctors' recommendations.

And it's not a "joke" to the clear majority of U.S voters who support passing laws to protect medical marijuana patients from harassment by police and the DEA.

President Trump should fire Chuck Rosenberg and appoint a new DEA administrator who will respect science, medicine, patients and voters.

Marijuana MajorityPetition Starter

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This petition had 158,985 supporters

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The Decision Makers

Earl Blumenauer,

Former U.S. House of Representatives - Oregon 3rd Congressional District

Responded

“There’s a revolution taking place across America to reform and modernize our marijuana laws, and no change is more profound than the treatment of medical marijuana. The reforms taking place are the result of the grassroots nature of this movement – including efforts by hundreds of thousands of people like you who signed this petition. Over the last 20 years – despite the misguided federal prohibition of marijuana – we‘ve seen overwhelming evidence of the benefits of medical marijuana. The success of marijuana in offering relief for patients dealing with symptoms associated with chemotherapy, glaucoma, PTSD, chronic pain, and more has led 23 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam to change their laws and fully legalize medical marijuana. An additional 17 states have approved more limited programs. Well over one million people now use medical marijuana in accordance with their state’s law. It’s outrageous that the Acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) would trivialize these important programs and experiences. Chuck Rosenberg’s comments, calling medical marijuana “a joke,” are out of step with growing scientific evidence and the experience and opinion of the American people. He also ignores reforms happening across the nation – and the President, who long ago directed his Administration to stay out of the way of states’ legalization efforts. These statements are also deeply hypocritical. While there are important questions that still need to be answered about medical marijuana, the research that would provide those answers is often blocked by federal policy barriers – supported by the DEA. It’s time to reject the outdated War on Drugs that Mr. Rosenberg represents through his comments. This is why I, along with six of my colleagues, recently sent a letter to President Obama echoing your concerns and calling for new DEA leadership that reflects the realities surrounding the status and perspectives about medical marijuana in the states, public opinion, research, and even the Administration. As the momentum continues to grow on medical marijuana, and broader marijuana reform, the federal government must catch up. I’m working hard in Congress to treat state-legal marijuana businesses fairly, to ensure better access to medical marijuana for veterans, to expand medical marijuana research, and ultimately, to tax and regulate marijuana at the federal level. Thank you to everyone who signed this petition. It is because of your efforts and the incredible shifts in public opinion that we have made so much progress in reforming the treatment of marijuana in the states. I will continue pressing federal agencies and Congress to follow that leadership. Earl Blumenauer Member of Congress”

Earl Blumenauer

Former U.S. House of Representatives - Oregon 3rd Congressional District

Responded