Friday, May 23, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

GOP measure would strengthen powers of drug czar

Nevada worried about losing federal funds

WASHINGTON -- A bill being pushed by House Republicans expands the powers of the White House drug czar, giving him more authority to press anti-drug messages to voters weighing changes in state narcotics laws.

The legislation also would allow the government to strip federal anti-drug funds from Nevada and other states that have approved marijuana for medical use.

Lawmakers and state leaders snapped to attention when a bill reauthorizing the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and the work of its director, John Walters, began circulating this week.

Republican leaders of the House Government Reform Committee were prepared Thursday to debate and pass the bill out of committee. But they withdrew as negotiations continued with Democrats seeking to blunt the measure, according to lobbyists.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., authorizes about $1 billion for White House anti-drug advertising over the next five years.

As worded, the bill removes a legal prohibition on "partisan political" ads if the office director, known as the "drug czar," is acting to oppose the legalization of an illegal narcotic.

Critics said the government would be permitted to place ads to influence state ballot measures on drug legalization, decriminalization, and medical marijuana.

"You are talking about taxpayer money being used to interfere in state and local elections," said Bill Piper, associate director of national affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., said the bill allows "government interference in a public debate." She wondered if it could lead to the government someday financing ads for or against other issues such as abortion.

Steve Fox, legislative director for the Marijuana Policy Project, said the bill seeks to remove any questions surrounding Walters' election-year travels, including three trips to Nevada last year to speak against Question 9.

The referendum would have allowed adults to legally possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana in their homes. It failed 61 percent to 39 percent.

"It seems when they wrote the provision their intent was to immunize the drug czar from any claim he does anything illegal when he campaigns," Fox said.

Appearing before the House panel on Thursday, Walters said his 2002 campaigning against marijuana measures in Nevada, Arizona and other states was legal.

He said the White House traditionally had been hands-off, but he stepped up his activity after drug treatment managers and law officers pleaded they were being "drowned out" by pro-legalization campaigns.

In Clark County on Thursday, officials were deciphering another provision that would allow the drug czar to withdraw 5 percent of federal aid to states that legalize marijuana for medical use.

The county is one of 28 federally designated High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas. It received $1.4 million this year to coordinate local, state and federal law enforcers in drug-fighting efforts.

A 5 percent cutback would amount to $70,000, which House aides said would be redirected to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration in the same area.

Attorney General Brian Sandoval said: "To rescind drug enforcement funds would handicap severely our efforts to investigate and prosecute illegal drug activity."

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., said he does not approve of Nevada's medical marijuana law but opposes taking away federal money.

"This is an obvious attempt to punish the states," said Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev.