Cohen Earns “A” on Drug Policy Action Scorecard

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Congressman Steve Cohen has earned an “A” on the Drug Policy Action Scorecard, being singled out as a leader:”The lead sponsor of the CARERS Act in the House, an advocate for clemency, and always quick to hold the DEA accountable, Rep. Cohen is a strong champion of drug policy reform. His exchanges with the drug czar and the head of the DEA are the stuff of legends.”

All Members of Congress are scored based upon how they performed in key votes, such as:

  • Blumenauer Veterans Amendment 2015 — YEA
    An amendment to prohibit the Veterans Administration from using federal funds to restrict VA health practitioners from recommending or discussing medical marijuana with veteran patients as treatment for pain, PTSD, or other conditions. Under current regulations, veterans have had to seek medical marijuana recommendations outside of the VA system. The amendment failed 210 to 213.
  • Massie Hemp Amendment 2015 — YEA
    An amendment barring the U.S. Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Administration from spending federal funds to block implementation of a federal law passed in Congress in 2013 that allows hemp cultivation for academic and agricultural research purposes in states that allow it. The amendment passed 289 to 132.
  • McClintock Marijuana Amendment 2015 — YEA
    An amendment barring the U.S. Justice Department from spending any federal funds to undermine the implementation of state medical and non-medical marijuana laws. The amendment failed 206 to 222.
  • Rohrabacher Medical Marijuana Amendment 2015 — YEA
    An amendment barring the U.S. Department of Justice from spending any federal funds to undermine state medical marijuana laws. The amendment passed 242 to 186.
  • Bonamici Hemp Amendment 2015 — YEA
    An amendment barring the U.S. Justice Department from spending any federal funds to undermine state laws that allow hemp cultivation. The amendment passed 282 to 146.
  • Blumenauer Veterans Amendment 2016 — YEA
    An amendment to prohibit the Veterans Administration from using federal funds to restrict VA health practitioners from recommending or discussing medical marijuana with veteran patients as treatment for pain, PTSD, or other conditions. Under current regulations, veterans have had to seek medical marijuana recommendations outside of the VA system. The amendment passed 233 to 189.
  • The Dangerous Synthetic Drug Control Act 2016 – NAY
    A bill that adds 22 novel psychoactive drug compounds to Schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act. The bill was authored and passed in response to media hysteria surrounding novel psychoactive compounds commonly known as “K2” and “Spice” as well as synthetic versions of opioids and other substances. The bill passed 258 to 101.

A nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization, Drug Policy Action undertakes a wide range of activities including political advocacy permitted by 501(c)(4) organizations. With your support, we work to pass new drug laws and policies grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights — and to elect candidates at every level who support these principles.