Prehaps the fact that they didn't use the term Drug Czar is something to be optimistic about over this.
Washington, DC: The U.S. Senate has confirmed Michelle Leonhart by unanimous consent to head the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Ms. Leonhart had served as interim director of the agency since November 2007. President Barack Obama had nominated Leonhart in February to serve as the agency's permanent director.
Numerous drug policy reform organizations, including NORML, had opposed Leonhart's confirmation – arguing that her actions as interim DEA administrator were contrary to the Obama administration's pledge to allow science, rather than rhetoric and ideology, guide public policy.
For example, Ms. Leonhart oversaw dozens of federal raids on medical marijuana providers and producers. These actions took place in states that have enacted laws allowing for the use and distribution of marijuana for medical purposes, and are inconsistent with an October 19, 2009 Department of Justice memo recommending federal officials no longer "focus ... resources ... on individuals whose actions are in clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana."
Ms. Leonhart also blocked scientific research that sought to better identify and quantify marijuana's medicinal properties and efficacy. In particular, Ms. Leonhart neglected to reply to an eight-year-old petition calling for administrative hearings regarding the rescheduling marijuana for medical use. Such hearings were called for in 2009 by the American Medical Association, which resolved "that marijuana's status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the conduct of clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines." Moreover, in January 2009, Ms. Leonhart refused to issue a license to the University of Massachusetts for the purpose of cultivating marijuana for FDA-approved research, despite a DEA administrative law judge's ruling that it would be "in the public interest" to grant this request.
Finally, Ms. Leonhart has exhibited questionable judgment when speaking about the subject of escalating drug war violence in Mexico. In 2009, she described this border violence  which is responsible for over 31,000 deaths since December 2006  as a sign of the "success" of her agency's anti-drug strategies.
Commenting on Ms. Leonhart's confirmation, NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said, "Ms. Leonhart's actions and ambitions are incompatible with state law, public opinion, and with the policies of this administration. It is unlikely that we will see any serious change in the DEA's direction under Ms. Leonhart's leadership."
In December, Wisconsin Democrat Herb Kohl had placed a hold on Ms. Leonhart's nomination. Senator Kohl dropped his hold on December 22, and the Senate confirmed Leonhart's nomination the following day.
For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director, at (202) 483-5500 or Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director, at: paul@norml.org.
