Missouri Democrat Cori Bush offers bill aimed at ending the federal War on Drugs

[Nevilledog]

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Tweet text:
Kyle Griffin
@kylegriffin1
Rep. Cori Bush has introduced legislation to end all criminal penalties for drug possession at the federal level.

Missouri Democrat Cori Bush offers bill aimed at ending the federal War on Drugs
“As a nurse, I’ve watched Black families criminalized for heroin use while white families are treated for opioid use,” Bush said.
kansascity.com
1:00 PM · Jun 16, 2021

https://www.kansascity.com/article252108193.html

Missouri Democratic Rep. Cori Bush on Tuesday introduced legislation to end all criminal penalties for drug possession at the federal level.

The Drug Policy Reform Act, which is co-sponsored by New Jersey Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, would expunge existing records and provide opportunities for re-sentencing for people already convicted of federal drug crimes.

The legislation essentially aims to end the federal War on Drugs — declared 50 years ago this week by President Richard Nixon — by shifting federal authority over controlled substances away from the Department of Justice to the Department of Health and Human Services.

“Fifty years. That’s how long our government has waged a war— not on drugs— but on people,” Bush said a Zoom call with reporters.

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[LiberatedUSA]

1. I've considered whether I am for legalizing all drugs.

Drugs like meth cause the users to harm society to get the money they need for their next fix, plus the drug makes the person insane and hallucinate.

A very stark, real difference between that and marijuana.

On the other hand...personal choice and you deal with the consequences.

So I don’t know where I fall on this issue for legalizing all drugs. I guess just taking the criminal penalties away, or at least the stiff penalties, is a bit different than full blown legalization.

[RegularJam]

3. This would not change it to a hands off personal choice policy.

The idea is to drastically change how we deal with the larger problem.

For the most part, meth and other drugs would remain illegal.

[MichMan]

4. Illegal, but with no penalties

"Hey, you shouldn't be in possession of heroin; it's illegal"

"What happens if I have some? Am I being arrested?"

"Oh, there is no penalty, enjoy your day"

Might as well be legal then.

[RegularJam]

5. Only at the federal level.

States aren’t legalizing meth. The difference is huge.

[MichMan]

6. Well if that is the case, this legislation will be meaningless

Doubt that many convicted of simple possession face Federal instead of State charges anyway.

That would likely mean that the only records expunged would also be Federal only.

[RegularJam]

7. Correct about the records being expunged.

Just at the federal level.

This would put more of the onus on states.

It could be a huge positive if the feds structure and heavily fund more programs to help people instead of punishing them. A lot of states would get in on that if it didn’t cost them much.

[aocommunalpunch]

2. The market will be controlled by one of two parties.

One uses the court system to settle issues related to the market. The other uses whatever means they find suitable. The WOsD CHOOSES to let criminals run everything. They could take an active hand, but they have deliberately taken this path. Stop being children and trying wish the problem away and behave like fucking adults and regulate this shit.