Schumer Calls for Public Support of Bill that Would Ban Fake Marijuana

[Galileo Galilei]

Schumer Calls for Public Support of Bill that Would Ban Fake Marijuana

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky is blocking a bill that is designed to ban synthetic marijuana, and some of his Senate colleagues want to change his mind. This new wave of drugs is made to mimic pot -- but they don't show up in drug tests and are sold over-the-counter across the country.

WATCH VIDEO HERE:

http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/rand-paul-chuck-schumer-fake-weed-pot-marijuana/WjCyPF2GX0G-HsxjdF07wA.cspx

[Galileo Galilei]

Paul’s stance draws critics

As U.S. Sen. Rand Paul objects to legislation that seeks to ban synthetic drugs on the grounds that drug laws should be state and local issues and federal sentencing guidelines are too harsh, he also cites in a letter to two other senators the proliferation of Islam in the prison system among his arguments against federal measures to ban the substances.

In a four-page Dec. 14 letter to U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, obtained recently by the Daily News, Paul explains that one of the reasons he objects to three Senate bills dealing with synthetic drugs is that sending people to prison could lead to more people turning to the Islamic faith.

http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/local/paul-s-stance-draws-critics/article_190d64a8-5ac1-11e1-9d19-001871e3ce6c.html

[Galileo Galilei]

Rand Paul Blocks Synthetic Drug Bans by Jacob Sullum

The Drug War Chronicle reports that Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has placed a "hold" on bills aimed at banning fake pot, pseudo-speed, and the synthetc psychedelic 2C-E. In a recent interview with the Bowling Green, Kentucky, Daily News, Paul said the hold, which requires 60 votes to override, was motivated partly by "disproportionate" federal penalties that leave too little sentencing discretion for judges. "The main reason we are opposing this is someone could be kept in prison for 20 years," he said. Another reason, Rand spokeswoman Moira Bagley told The Lexington Herald-Leader, is that the senator believes "enforcement of most drug laws can and should be local and state issues." Bagley "said another of Paul's concerns—which others have echoed—is that the proposed legislation could hinder efforts to do beneficial research on the chemicals." The Herald-Leader says "Paul does not anticipate lifting his hold," which "has been in place for at least three months."

http://reason.com/blog/2012/02/23/rand-paul-blocks-synthetic-drug-bans