Representative Henry A. Waxman 30th District of California

Representative Waxman believes that we must use a common sense approach to federal drug policy. He supports the decriminalization of marijuana usage for medicinal purposes in accordance with state laws, and is a cosponsor of legislation (H.R. 3245, the Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act of 2009) that would eliminate the disparity in federal sentencing of offenses involving powder cocaine and crack cocaine. Currently, mandatory minimum sentences for powder cocaine are triggered upon possession of quantities 100 times higher than in cases in which crack cocaine is involved.