DiFi's “Saving Kids from Dangerous Drugs Act of 2010”

URGENT! Please call or write to your US Representative to vote NO on the current version of “Saving Kids from Dangerous Drugs Act of 2010” (S.258).

Read the bill for yourself here: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s258/show

****If you don’t know your US Representative’s name and contact info, you can search by ZIP code here: http://www.opencongress.org/people/representatives****

Basic info: Introduced by prohibitionist Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) in January 2009. Passed by Senate via “unanimous consent” (no roll call vote). Received by House on July 30, 2010. If signed into law, S.258 will double penalties for anyone who manufactures, creates, distributes, dispenses or sells medical marijuana (MMJ)-infused edibles. Penalties are tripled or more for additional offenses.

Why this matters: Feinstein claims that this bill is aimed at “drug dealers who target children by flavoring drugs to taste like candy.” Her website states that “the legislation [will] increase criminal penalties for anyone who markets candy-flavored drugs in an effort to hook young people.” However, the broad language of S.258 will not just affect “drug dealers.” It will also negatively affect the entire MMJ industry – patients, caregivers, edibles manufacturers, and dispensaries.

If S.258 passes, patients will no longer have the choice to medicate with edibles. For some patients, smoking is simply not an option due to their condition. Others just prefer not to smoke. MMJ patients are already breaking federal law. If passed, S.258 will at least double the penalties they could face.

Possible alternatives to consider:

• Amend the bill to allow state-licensed MMJ-edibles manufacturers, caregivers, and providers to continue to operate without facing additional penalties.
• Require product packaging to display prominent warnings that (a) the product must be kept away from minors and (b) the distribution of the product to anyone who is not a licensed MMJ patient is prohibited.
• Any other reasons why you think this bill should not be made into law.

And, finally, remind your Representative that federal recognition of MMJ as an effective alternative to traditional medicine would eliminate the need for legislation like this altogether.

****If you don’t know your US Representative’s name and contact info, you can search by ZIP code here: http://www.opencongress.org/people/representatives****