Pubdate: Fri, 11 Jul 2003
Source: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram (TX)
Copyright: 2003 Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas
Contact:  http://www.star-telegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/162
Author: Maria Recio
Cited: Drug Enforcement Administration ( www.dea.gov )
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Karen+Tandy

DEA NOMINEE FACES CRITICISM ON MARIJUANA POSITION

WASHINGTON - Texan Karen Tandy was approved by the Senate Judiciary 
Committee on Thursday to head the Drug Enforcement Administration but ran 
into some last-minute opposition from two Democratic senators who 
complained about her hard line on medicinal marijuana.

Tandy, 49, a Justice Department lawyer, is still expected to be easily 
confirmed by the Senate but may encounter some vocal criticism of her 
position supporting enforcement of marijuana laws.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who had submitted written questions to Tandy 
after her confirmation hearing June 25, complained about her answers and 
questioned whether the DEA should "continue to focus its limited resources 
on the question of medical marijuana."

Tandy "didn't back off an inch" in supporting the continued DEA raids that 
have caused controversy in nine states that do not press charges against 
medical-marijuana patients and providers, Durbin said.

Tandy, a native of Hurst, said in her written answers that THC 
(tetrahydrocannabinol), the active ingredient in marijuana, has medicinal 
value when processed into Marinol. "Marijuana itself, however, has not been 
shown to have medical benefits," she wrote.

Durbin, who submitted medical publications supporting medical benefits of 
marijuana, pointedly registered a "no" vote when the voice vote on Tandy's 
nomination was taken.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., also complained about Tandy's answers on 
medical marijuana, which many people with glaucoma and other diseases say 
eases their discomfort.

Asked if she would support a moratorium on the raids, Tandy wrote, "If I am 
confirmed as administrator of the DEA, it will be my duty to see to the 
uniform enforcement of federal law. I do not believe it would be consistent 
with that duty for me to support a moratorium on enforcement of this law, 
or any law, in selected areas of the country."

Currently nine states either do not arrest patients for use of medicinal 
marijuana or impose a small fine. The states are Alaska, California, 
Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens