DEA Chief Thinks Heroin is Probably More Dangerous than Marijuana, Not an Expert on Drugs

   
| August 1, 2015 5:00 pm | 0 comments

The new DEA Chief thinks heroin is “probably” more dangerous than marijuana and admits that he is not an expert on drugs (obviously). Clearly, anyone with half a brain, or has watched Trainspotting, knows that heroin is a much more dangerous drug than marijuana. More than 8,000 people died in the United States from heroin overdoses in 2013, the latest numbers from the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA). Most alarming is the fact that heroin overdose deaths have increased 5 times in the U.S. from 2001 to 2013. In addition to the chance of death that heroin may cause, it is also a very addictive drug, clearly more addictive than marijuana. Throw in the fact that heroin users may share needles, increasing the chance of contracting HIV or other blood-transmitted diseases, it boggles the mind that anyone could state that heroin is probably more dangerous than marijuana.

From U.S. News and World Report:

Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg, a former prosecutor whose stance on drug reform is somewhat of a mystery, also said his agents are not prioritizing marijuana enforcement — though he’s not ordered them off it.

The statements, made on a morning conference call, were far from an endorsement of marijuana, which four states allow for recreational use and many others do for medical purposes.

“If you want me to say that marijuana’s not dangerous, I’m not going to say that because I think it is,” Rosenberg said. “Do I think it’s as dangerous as heroin? Probably not. I’m not an expert.”

Not an expert!?! Now, the former DEA Chief, Michele Leonhart, resigned amid the scandal that she had lost control over an agency that had its agents attending sex parties with prostitutes that were funded by drug cartels, so the bar for a better DEA head wasn’t too high, but surely we have some drug experts in this country up to the task. Can you imagine the head of NASA stating that he or she wasn’t an expert on space? “I think that Mars is probably bigger than our moon. I’m not an expert” Or the U.S. Surgeon General stating that they weren’t an expert on health issues? “Heart disease is probably a bigger health problem in America than hayfever. I’m not an expert.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration seems to do more harm than good. The DEA stifles medical cannabis research that could greatly improve people’s lives and its enforcement policies haven’t curtailed drug use. When heroin overdoses have increased fivefold since 2001 and the acting DEA chief isn’t certain whether heroin is more dangerous than marijuana, we have a serious problem in government. Clearly, our tax dollars are being wasted, but most importantly, lives are being ruined and ended unecessarily. It is time that we finally say #NoMoreDrugWar and put an end to the DEA’s current mandate; putting the billions of dollars spent arresting and prosecuting people for drugs would be better spent educating people about the true consequences of drugs and providing treatment options for addicts.

Anthony, a longtime cannabis law reform advocate, was Chief Petitioner and co-author of Measure 91, Oregon's cannabis legalization effort. He served as director of both the New Approach Oregon and Vote Yes on 91 PACs, the political action committees responsible for the state's legalization campaign. As director of New Approach Oregon, Anthony continues to work towards effectively implementing the cannabis legalization system while protecting small business owners and the rights of patients. He sits on the Oregon Marijuana Rules Advisory Committee and fights for sensible rules at the legislature as well as city councils and county commissions across the state. Anthony helps cannabis business comply with Oregon's laws and advises advocates across the country. He also serves as content director of both the International Cannabis Business Conference and the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference, helping share the vision of moving the cannabis industry forward in a way that maintains the focus on keeping people out of prison and protecting patients. He was a member of the Oregon Health Authority Rules Advisory Committee, assisting the drafting of the administrative rules governing Oregon’s state-licensed medical marijuana facilities. He first co-authored and helped pass successful marijuana law reform measures while a law student at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. He passed the Oregon Bar in 2005 and practiced criminal defense for two years before transitioning to working full-time in the political advocacy realm. His blogs on Marijuana Politics are personal in nature and don't speak for or reflect the opinions of any group or organization.