norml23 - Page 46
Page 46
Previous ,
Next ,
Original Image
Return to Index
dependence, or high psychologicai dependence risk should they be
abused°
Section 841 prescribes that for the unlawful possession or
distribution or any Schedule _ or Schedule I! drug which is not
narcotic, or in the case of any Schedule Ill drug, the maximum penalty
is 5 years or a fine of $15,000. The maximum term for a Schedule IV
drug is 3 years and $10,000 and for Schedule V drugs, the maximum term
is 1 year and $5,000. Section 84i aJso provides more severe penalties
for amounts in excess of 1,000 pounds and Section 960 (importation)
provides varying degrees of penalties for illegal importation.
In NORML v. Ingersoll, 497 F.2d 654. (D.C. Ciro 1974) the Court of
Appeals noted that the classification scheme was a cardinal feature of
Congress' effort to rationalize the Federal Government's control
program. Pursuant to this classification program, the Act and its
administrators would grade drugs subject to control on the basis of
their dangers and benefits. In addition, the Court specifically noted
that "Congress contemplated that the classification set forth in the
Act as originaJJy passed wou}d be subject to continuing review by the
executive officials concerned... Provision is made for further
consideration, when taking into account studies and data not avaiJable
to Congress when the Act was passed in 1970. In short, the provisions
for modification of ScheduJes are based on an approach of ongoing
research." Id., 4.97 FoZd 657-658.
C. THE DEA HAS NEVER COMPLIED WITH THE APPLICABLE
PROVISIONS OF THE CSA; iTS ACTIONS IN REFUSING TO
RECLASSIFY MARIJUANA CONSTITUTE A GROSS ABUSE OF
DISCRETION
As the statement of facts makes dear, the DEA has refused to re-
classify marijuana, has refused to abide by the procedures of the Con-
trolled Substances Act, has refused to seriously consider the lawful
petition of NORML to reclassify marijuana and has three times been
reversed by the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia because
its final orders denying the petition for reclassification were
erroneous.
Although, pursuant to court order, the DEA finally did request HEW
to make findings and recommendations regarding marijuana, the HEW
report and the DEA decision were amazingly remiss in their ability to
follow the specific instructions of the decision in NORML v. DEA,
Previous ,
Next ,
Return to Index