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Ogla



Registered: 02/16/04
Posts: 11,314
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congress cuts DEA's budget and data program 2
#21764192 - 06/05/15 12:49 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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June 3, 2015
Legislators voted by a simple voice vote last night to end the DEA’s controversial bulk data collection programs, as part of the U.S. House of Representatives’ consideration of the Fiscal Year 2016 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill. The House also passed three amendments that cut $23 million from the DEA’s budget, and shifted it to fighting child abuse, processing rape test kits, reducing the deficit, and paying for body cameras on police officers to reduce law enforcement abuses.
Representatives debated four amendments to prohibit the DEA and Justice Department from undermining state marijuana laws — and those votes will happen later today.
“Congress dealt a major blow to the DEA by ending their invasive and offensive bulk data collection programs and by cutting their budget, said Bill Piper, director of national affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance. “The more the DEA ignores commonsense drug policy, the more they will see their agency’s power and budget come under deeper scrutiny.”
Three amendments cutting the DEA’s budget passed by voice vote. Rep. Ted Liew’s (D-CA) amendment shifted $9 million from the DEA’s failed Cannabis Reduction and Eradication program to the VAWA Consolidated Youth Oriented Program ($4 million), Victims of Child Abuse Act ($3 million), and deficit reduction ($2 million). Rep. Steve Cohen’s (D-TN) amendment shifted $4 million from the DEA to a program to reduce the nation’s backlog in processing of rape test kits. Rep. Joaquin Castro’s (D-TX) amendment shifted $9 million from the DEA to body cameras for police officers to reduce police abuse.
Last night the House also adopted an amendment preventing DEA and DOJ from using federal funds to engage in bulk collection of Americans’ communications records. It was offered by Representatives Jared Polis (D-CO), Morgan Griffith (R-VA), David Schweikert (R-AZ), and Jerrold Nadler (D-NY).
In 2013 a major Reuters expose reported that the DEA has been collaborating with the NSA, CIA, and other agencies to spy on American citizens in the name of the War on Drugs. The journalists also revealed that DEA agents are actively creating — and encouraging other agencies to create — fake investigative trails to disguise where the information originated, known as “parallel construction”, a scheme that prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges and others are arguing has robbed defendants of their right to a fair trial. Hundreds or thousands of cases could be affected. In April of this year USA Today reported that the DEA and Justice Department have been keeping secret records of billions of international phone calls made by Americans for decades. The program was the first known U.S. effort to gather bulk data on U.S. citizens, regardless of whether or not they were suspected of committing a crime. It formed the basis of post-9/11 spying programs.
“The DEA built the modern surveillance state,” said Piper. “From spying on Americans to busting into people’s homes the DEA doesn’t fit in well in a free societyand the time is now to reverse these harms.”
Yesterday, the House also debated a bipartisan amendment that prohibits the DEA from undermining state marijuana laws. It was offered by Representatives Tom McClintock (R-CA), Jared Polis (D-CO), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Don Young (R-AK), Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA). The vote will occur later today.
“There’s unprecedented support on both sides of the aisle for ending the federal war on marijuana and letting states set their own drug policies based on science, compassion, health, and human rights,” said Piper.
Currently, 23 states, the District of Columbia and Guam have legalized marijuana for a variety of medicinal purposes – and an additional 16 states have passed laws to allow access to CBD oils, a non-psychotropic component of marijuana that has proven uniquely effective in managing epileptic seizures that afflict children. Four states – Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington – have legalized marijuana like alcohol. In 2016, voters in Arizona, California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada are expected to decide ballot initiatives on the question of legalizing marijuana for adult use. A slew of recent polls show that significant majorities of both Democrats and Republicans strongly believe that the decision of whether and how to regulate marijuana should be left up to the states.
A similar bipartisan amendment offered by other members of Congress, except it only applies to medical marijuana, was also debated and will be voted on later today. It was offered by Representatives Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Sam Farr (D-CA), Reid Ribble (R-WI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Thomas Massie (R-KY), Joe Heck (R-NV), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Don Young (R-CA), Jared Polis (D-CO), Tom McClintock (R-CA), and Dina Titus (D-NV). The Rohrabacher-Farr amendment passed the U.S. House last year with strong bipartisan support. It made it into the final CJS spending bill signed into law by the President. Because it was attached to an annual spending bill it will expire later this year unless Congress renews it.
A third marijuana amendment by Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) was also debated and will be voted on later today. It would protect state laws that allow the use of CBD oils, but leave most medical marijuana patients and their providers vulnerable to federal arrest and prosecution.
A fourth amendment by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) was also debated and will be voted on today. It would prohibit the DEA from undermining state laws allowing the industrial use of hemp. A similar amendment passed the House last year.
The amendments are part of a growing bipartisan effort to hold the DEA more accountable and reform U.S. drug policy. The DEA has existed for more than 40 years, but little attention has been given to the role the agency has played in fueling mass incarceration, racial disparities and other problems exacerbated by the drug war. Congress has rarely scrutinized the agency, its actions or its budget, instead deferring to DEA administrators on how best to deal with drug-related issues. That all has changed recently after a series of scandals that sparked several hearings in the House and Senate and forced the resignation of the DEA’s beleaguered head, Administrator Michele Leonhart.
The Drug Policy Alliance recently released a new report, The Scandal-Ridden DEA: Everything You Need to Know. The report and a comprehensive set of background resources about the campaign to rein in the DEA are available at: www.drugpolicy.org/DEA. DPA placed a mock “we’re hiring” ad in Roll Call last month criticizing the DEA and their leadership.
“The DEA is a large, expensive, scandal-prone bureaucracy that has failed to reduce drug-related problems,” said Piper. “There’s a bipartisan consensus that drug use should be treated as a health issue instead of a criminal justice issue; with states legalizing marijuana and adopting other drug policy reforms it is time to ask if the agency is even needed anymore.”
http://www.theweedblog.com/congress-end-dea-invasive-bulk-data-collection-slashes-agencys-budget/
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musiclover420
psychonaut



Registered: 11/06/12
Posts: 19,563
Loc: PNW
Last seen: 2 years, 5 months
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Re: congress cuts DEA's budget and data program [Re: Ogla]
#21764312 - 06/05/15 01:36 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
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wildernessjunkie
Reshitivest


Registered: 06/13/10
Posts: 8,118
Loc: HTTP 404 Not Found
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Re: congress cuts DEA's budget and data program [Re: musiclover420]
#21764484 - 06/05/15 03:19 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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Holy fuck.....
Government doing something right.
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Nature Boy
Stranger than most



Registered: 07/09/07
Posts: 8,241
Loc: Samsara
Last seen: 2 months, 6 days
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Re: congress cuts DEA's budget and data program [Re: wildernessjunkie] 1
#21764603 - 06/05/15 05:10 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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Hate to be a cynic, but I wonder if the DEA will seek and/or find alternate, covertly obtained funding to maintain their now de-funded but apparently still legal surveillance activities. My concern is that the DEA will massively INCREASE their raids and fund their own continued private war on drugs with the proceeds from civil forfeiture.
If I read the article correctly, they just diverted funds from these programs. That's different from outlawing them.
N.B.
-------------------- All submitted posts under this user name are works of pure fiction or outright lies. Any information, statement, or assertion contained therein should be considered pure unadulterated bullshit. Note well: Sorry, but I do not answer PM's unless you are a long-time trusted friend. If you have a question, ask it in the appropriate thread.
Edited by Nature Boy (06/05/15 05:15 AM)
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misterogerz


Registered: 06/07/02
Posts: 1,433
Loc: Gulf Coast
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Re: congress cuts DEA's budget and data program [Re: Nature Boy]
#21764767 - 06/05/15 06:54 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
Nature Boy said: Hate to be a cynic, but I wonder if the DEA will seek and/or find alternate, covertly obtained funding to maintain their now de-funded but apparently still legal surveillance activities. My concern is that the DEA will massively INCREASE their raids and fund their own continued private war on drugs with the proceeds from civil forfeiture.
If I read the article correctly, they just diverted funds from these programs. That's different from outlawing them.
N.B.
It's more stupid fucking theatrics that still means nothing as it's still a federal crime but the federal government doesn't apply to Texas if it has to do with guns More shit they said and somewhat did before, and until they finish this shit off already it all means nothing as far as making a real difference https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1013
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AEL1911
Stranger



Registered: 09/27/13
Posts: 342
Loc: Japan
Last seen: 6 years, 8 months
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Re: congress cuts DEA's budget and data program [Re: misterogerz]
#21764934 - 06/05/15 08:04 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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YOU CAUSED THE CUT IN OUR BUDGET!!!
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EastBayRay

Registered: 06/06/13
Posts: 746
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Re: congress cuts DEA's budget and data program *DELETED* [Re: Nature Boy]
#21764951 - 06/05/15 08:11 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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Post deleted by EastBayRay
Reason for deletion: c
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Cognitive_Shift
CS actual




Registered: 12/11/07
Posts: 29,591
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Re: congress cuts DEA's budget and data program [Re: EastBayRay]
#21765983 - 06/05/15 01:38 PM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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Michele Leonhart 
Will always provide me with lols for years to come.
-------------------- L'enfer est plein de bonnes volontés et désirs
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AGUARES



Registered: 02/16/15
Posts: 107
Last seen: 1 month, 13 days
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Re: congress cuts DEA's budget and data program [Re: Cognitive_Shift]
#21771385 - 06/06/15 06:08 PM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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I didn't think anyone in congress or the house had the balls to undermine the DEA like that. This is definitely a step in the right direction and hopefully more people will realize that we should be giving people medical help, rather than incarcerating them for drug charges.
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Cognitive_Shift
CS actual




Registered: 12/11/07
Posts: 29,591
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Re: congress cuts DEA's budget and data program [Re: AGUARES]
#21771664 - 06/06/15 07:43 PM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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When you're administrator was as bad as Michele Leonhart, they needed to save face and adapt to the new era of public perception of weed. Pretty much everything else is still the devils work.
-------------------- L'enfer est plein de bonnes volontés et désirs
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AGUARES



Registered: 02/16/15
Posts: 107
Last seen: 1 month, 13 days
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Re: congress cuts DEA's budget and data program [Re: Cognitive_Shift]
#21773421 - 06/07/15 10:07 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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Thats true, they really didnt change views on anything other than weed. As for the other so called schedule 1 psychedelics I'm sure these relatively minor budget cuts wont end the war on drugs.
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Cognitive_Shift
CS actual




Registered: 12/11/07
Posts: 29,591
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Re: congress cuts DEA's budget and data program [Re: AGUARES]
#21774013 - 06/07/15 01:10 PM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
AGUARES said: Thats true, they really didnt change views on anything other than weed. As for the other so called schedule 1 psychedelics I'm sure these relatively minor budget cuts wont end the war on drugs.
The war on drugs will always be around. The problem is the money, money is so valuable in making political decisions. Even the most bottom liners around on drugs hold money in the highest regard over anything else, money will start to be pulled away from dea as it's propaganda of bullshit can no longer hold up to the test of science.
-------------------- L'enfer est plein de bonnes volontés et désirs
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OrgasmicBanana
aka "PICO"



Registered: 08/02/08
Posts: 450
Last seen: 7 years, 10 months
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Re: congress cuts DEA's budget and data program [Re: Cognitive_Shift]
#21777531 - 06/08/15 06:47 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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They can cut the budget this year, raise it next year. A budget cut it a non-permanent probably political move, because everyone is hating on them plus they had a scandal. Public opinion will have to overpower whatever other motivations politicians have these days if changes like this will last. Maybe it's the beginning of the end for the DEA. Maybe it's like spanking a two year old who who misbehaved. I think this country is in general moving toward decriminalization, but bureaucracy takes foreverrr
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AEL1911
Stranger



Registered: 09/27/13
Posts: 342
Loc: Japan
Last seen: 6 years, 8 months
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Re: congress cuts DEA's budget and data program [Re: AGUARES]
#21777674 - 06/08/15 07:56 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
AGUARES said: I didn't think anyone in congress or the house had the balls to undermine the DEA like that. This is definitely a step in the right direction and hopefully more people will realize that we should be giving people medical help, rather than incarcerating them for drug charges.
Ron Paul did or would have but he's retired.
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Le_Canard
The Duk Abides


Registered: 05/16/03
Posts: 94,392
Loc: Earthfarm 1
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Quote:
wildernessjunkie said: Holy fuck.....
Government doing something right.
I know. I'm as astounded as you are.
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dwnlw2slw
METANOIA


Registered: 12/20/13
Posts: 432
Last seen: 9 months, 8 days
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Re: congress cuts DEA's budget and data program [Re: OrgasmicBanana]
#21785205 - 06/09/15 07:47 PM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
Nature Boy said: Hate to be a cynic, but I wonder if the DEA will seek and/or find alternate, covertly obtained funding to maintain their now de-funded but apparently still legal surveillance activities. My concern is that the DEA will massively INCREASE their raids and fund their own continued private war on drugs with the proceeds from civil forfeiture.
If I read the article correctly, they just diverted funds from these programs. That's different from outlawing them.
N.B.
Even if they sought and/or found alternate, covertly obtained funding, there's no way they could get it as easily or as much as they have. I think the DEA's actions are too highly scrutinized now for them to get away with simply increasing their raids; if the raids did increase, it couldn't last long.
As far as spying goes, the DEA's budget may be cut, but the NSA and CIA are still in full swing.Quote:
Cognitive_Shift said:
Quote:
AGUARES said: Thats true, they really didnt change views on anything other than weed. As for the other so called schedule 1 psychedelics I'm sure these relatively minor budget cuts wont end the war on drugs.
The war on drugs will always be around. The problem is the money, money is so valuable in making political decisions. Even the most bottom liners around on drugs hold money in the highest regard over anything else, money will start to be pulled away from dea as it's propaganda of bullshit can no longer hold up to the test of science.
If the DEA's money is continually taken away from them because of propaganda no longer holding up, then how is it that the war on drugs will always be around?Quote:
OrgasmicBanana said: They can cut the budget this year, raise it next year. A budget cut it a non-permanent probably political move, because everyone is hating on them plus they had a scandal. Public opinion will have to overpower whatever other motivations politicians have these days if changes like this will last. Maybe it's the beginning of the end for the DEA. Maybe it's like spanking a two year old who who misbehaved. I think this country is in general moving toward decriminalization, but bureaucracy takes foreverrr
I would vote that it's the beginning of the end for them...or at least the end of how they've always done things and time for them to rethink their strategies.
-------------------- "Music is liquid architecture; architecture is frozen music." -Johann Wolfgang Goethe "Slow is the experience of all deep fountains: long have they to wait until they know what has fallen into their depths." -Nietzsche My avatar is called "Inner Sanctum" by Luke Brown.
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