BEWARE DRUG REFORM ACT

JUDGE A. HOWARD MATZ demonstrated justice and compassion in refusing to
send Los Angeles medical marijuana defendant Scott Imler to jail for
helping the sick. But most such acts of mercy could soon be illegal.

U.S. Rep. Mark Souder, D-Indiana, chairman of the House subcommittee that
oversees drug policy, is now seeking cosponsors for the "Drug Sentencing
Reform Act." This bill would sharply limit the ability of judges like Matz
to show mercy to defendants in drug cases, including medical marijuana
cases. Indeed, the measure would treat medical marijuana providers like
Imler as worse than child molesters under federal law.

Amazingly, Souder's bill would increase the punishment for those who
provide high-quality medical marijuana to patients -- who might be harmed
by having to use low-potency marijuana that requires inhalation of much
larger amounts of smoke to get the relief they need.

Recently, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy said, "In too many
cases, mandatory minimum sentences are unwise and unjust." This proposal
from Souder -- an influential member with much clout in Congress -- will
make the problem worse.

Bruce Mirken

Marijuana Policy Project

Washington, D.C.