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September 4, 2009

Mr. Mike XXXXXX
1234 Liberty Drive
Arlington Heights, Il, Illinois

Dear Mr. XXXXXX:

Thank you for your recent communication regarding marijuana sentencing. I appreciate hearing from you.

As a former schoolteacher, I am strongly in favor of fighting illegal drugs in order to protect our children. In the past, I have supported legislation that empowers school officials to search students on public grounds if there is suspicion of drugs or weapons. I have also hosted several roundtable discussions with local and federal law enforcement agencies in the 10th District on ways to best eliminate drugs and gangs in our suburbs.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 25 million individuals ages 12 and older used marijuana in 2007. This figure is significantly more than any other drug on the market. In 2005, the United States Department of Justice approximated that 74 percent of eighth graders, 65 percent of tenth graders and 58 percent of 12th graders were at "great risk" of smoking marijuana. Also, between January and September of 2005, there were approximately 4,400 federal offenders sentenced for marijuana-related charges in United States Courts - approximately 96 percent of which involved trafficking the drug.

Marijuana trafficking has become a clear and dangerous problem in our country and threatens the safety and security of our communities. Three major Mexican cartels operate in conjuction with street gangs in the Chicago area, their drugs eventually end up in the suburbs.  To counter this growing problem, I introduced H.R. 2848, the High Potency Marijuana Sentencing Enhancement Act of 2009.

This legislation increases federal fines to $1 million for an individual, $5 million for a group and sentences up to 25 years for the trafficking of high-potency marijuana, marijuana containing 15 percent or more of tretrahydrocannabinol (THC). This legislation does not address possession of this type of marijuana, only the trafficking of it.  Even though higher fines and longer sentences are not the total solution to our nation's drug problem, it is my belief that our laws should keep pace with advances in the strength and cash-value of high-THC marijuana.  This marijuana, known as "Kush," sells on the street for amounts similar to cocaine.  In my view, the penalties for the two drugs should also be brought to the same level.

It is very important to protect our nation's youth from high potency marijuana.  Local law enforcement reports that Kush users are "zombie-like" because of the extreme THC levels.  To protect our children from abuse and addiction, I strongly believe that H.R. 2848 will lead us on the right path.

Thank you for taking the time to contact me on this issue.  To receive breaking news on the issues that matter to you and your family the most, sign up for the Congressman's E-Newsletter and become part of the community at kirk.house.gov/newsletter. Please feel free to visit my website, www.kirk.house.gov, or contact me again should other issues of concern to you come before the Congress.

                                                                                      Sincerely,
                                                                                     
                                                                                      Mark Steven Kirk
                                                                                      Member of Congress

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It is very important to protect our nation's youth from high potency marijuana.  Local law enforcement reports that Kush users are "zombie-like" because of the extreme THC levels.  To protect our children from abuse and addiction, I strongly believe that H.R. 2848 will lead us on the right path.

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Marijuana trafficking has become a clear and dangerous problem in our country and threatens the safety and security of our communities. Three major Mexican cartels operate in conjuction with street gangs in the Chicago area, their drugs eventually end up in the suburbs.  To counter this growing problem, I introduced H.R. 2848, the High Potency Marijuana Sentencing Enhancement Act of 2009.

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also funny, considering the mexican cartels dont move "high potency marijuana". especially over 15% THC by weight.

wowitch17 said:

also funny, considering the mexican cartels dont move "high potency marijuana". especially over 15% THC by weight.

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