{"page":"\u003clink rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https://lessonplanet.com/assets/packs/css/resources-572d6a42.css\" /\u003e\n\u003clink rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https://lessonplanet.com/assets/packs/css/lp_boclips_stylesheets-f4d0de30.css\" media=\"all\" /\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-title='A senior U.S. drug enforcement official urged Congress not to abandon scientific concerns and follow public opinion favoring the legalization of marijuana, even as the Obama administration takes a hands-off approach in some states. (March 4)' data-url='/boclips/videos/5c54c3bcd8eafeecae163809' data-video-url='/boclips/videos/5c54c3bcd8eafeecae163809' id='bo_player_modal'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='boclips-resource-page modal-dialog panel-container'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='react-notifications-root'\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-header'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-type'\u003e\n\u003ci aria-hidden='true' class='fai fa-regular fa-circle-play'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\nVideo\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch1 class='rp-title' id='video-title'\u003e\nA senior U.S. drug enforcement official urged Congress not to abandon scientific concerns and follow public opinion favoring the legalization of marijuana, even as the Obama administration takes a hands-off approach in some states. (March 4)\n\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-actions'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='mr-1'\u003e\n\u003ca class=\"btn btn-success\" data-posthog-event=\"Signup: LP Signup Activity\" data-posthog-location=\"body_link_boclips\" data-remote=\"true\" href=\"/subscription/new\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGet Free Access\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e for 10 Days\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e!\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-body'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-info'\u003e\n\u003cdiv aria-label='Hide resource details' class='rp-hide-info' role='button' tabindex='0'\u003e\u0026times;\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ci aria-label='Expand resource details' class='rp-expand-info fai fa-solid fa-up-right-and-down-left-from-center' role='button' tabindex='0'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\n\u003ci aria-label='Compress resource details' class='rp-compress-info fai fa-solid fa-down-left-and-up-right-to-center' role='button' tabindex='0'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-rating'\u003e\n\u003cspan class='resource-pool'\u003e\n\u003cspan class='pool-label'\u003ePublisher:\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class='pool-name'\u003e\n\u003cspan class='text'\u003e\u003ca data-publisher-id=\"30356011\" href=\"/search?publisher_ids%5B%5D=30356011\"\u003eCurated Video\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-description'\u003e\n\u003cspan class='short-description'\u003eA senior U.S. drug enforcement official urged Congress and others Tuesday not to abandon scientific concerns over marijuana in favor of public opinion to legalize it, even as the Obama administration takes a hands-off approach in states...\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class='full-description hide'\u003eA senior U.S. drug enforcement official urged Congress and others Tuesday not to abandon scientific concerns over marijuana in favor of public opinion to legalize it, even as the Obama administration takes a hands-off approach in states where voters have made legal its sale and use.\u003cbr/\u003eThe deputy administrator for the Drug Enforcement Administration, Thomas Harrigan, testified Tuesday before a House oversight panel that easing laws governing marijuana threatens U.S. institutions.\u003cbr/\u003e\"We should not abandon science and fact in favor of public opinion,\" Harrigan said. \u003cbr/\u003eIn an election year that could tip the balance of power in Congress, some Republicans have accused the White House of cherry-picking which federal laws to enforce. \u003cbr/\u003eThe administration has said it continues to pursue dangerous criminals, but Obama himself last month in an interview declared marijuana no more dangerous than alcohol and contrasted it with \"harder drugs\" including cocaine and methamphetamine.\u003cbr/\u003eFederal law is unambiguous: Marijuana is among the most dangerous drugs, it has no medicinal value and it's illegal in the United States. It's a stance supported generally by the president's Office of National Drug Control Policy.\u003cbr/\u003eBut the Justice Department has made clear it won't interfere with businesses in states where marijuana's sale or use has been made legal so long as everyone adheres to state law and the industry is taxed and regulated. \u003cbr/\u003eThe Treasury and Justice departments last month announced formal guidance for banks, though the financial industry has suggested that banks will remain wary of opening accounts for marijuana businesses.\u003cbr/\u003e Harrigan, the deputy DEA administrator, stopped short Tuesday of criticizing the administration's enforcement policies. \u003cbr/\u003eHe said the Justice Department memo issued last year by Deputy Attorney General James Coles has had little impact on his agency's operations targeting large-scale drug trafficking organizations. \u003cbr/\u003eHe said law enforcement remains concerned about international drug organizations exploiting state drug laws that are more lax than the federal government.\u003cbr/\u003eThe U.S. Attorney in Colorado, John Walsh, said his office has never targeted casual drug users for federal prosecutions and the Cole memo has had no impact on that.\u003cbr/\u003eWashington - March 4, 2014\u003cbr/\u003e1. Mid of House oversight panel chair Rep. John Mica, R-Fla. walking to seat\u003cbr/\u003e2. Wide of witnesses being sworn-in\u003cbr/\u003e3. Wide of hearing audience\u003cbr/\u003e4. SOUNDBITE (English) Thomas Harrigan, DEA Deputy Administrator \u003cbr/\u003eAs a former educator, as law enforcement official for all these years, I have seen devastation that marijuana has caused not only on individuals, on families and communities.\"\u003cbr/\u003e5. Mid cutaway of Rep. Mica at his seat\u003cbr/\u003e6. Mid cutaway of photographer\u003cbr/\u003e7. SOUNDBITE (English) Thomas Harrigan, DEA Deputy Administrator \u003cbr/\u003e\"We also know that marijuana destroys lives and families, undermines our economy, and insults our common values.  There are no sound scientific, economic or social reasons to change our nations marijuana policy.\"\u003cbr/\u003e8.Mid cutaway of spectator at doorway\u003cbr/\u003e9. SOUNDBITE: John Walsh, U.S. Attorney (Colorado)\u003cbr/\u003e\"A state that legalizes marijuana for medical or recreational purposes needs to establish an effective and robust regulatory system on the ground.\"\u003cbr/\u003e10. Tight of Thomas Harrigan writing at table\u003cbr/\u003e11. SOUNDBITE (English) Thomas Harrigan, DEA Deputy Administrator \u003cbr/\u003e\"I cannot overstate the importance of strong partnerships and coordination between federal, state and local law enforcement today in this changing environment.  For that reason, we in federal law enforcement in Colorado, and I know in Washington state are working hard with our state and local partners to ensure that our efforts are mutually supportive.\"\u003cbr/\u003e12. Wide pan left of hearing room\u003cbr/\u003e13. SOUNDBITE: Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee\u003cbr/\u003e\"And young people think the law is a joke, and a lot of people that aren't so young think the law on marijuana is a joke, that you are taking people's liberties away.\"\u003cbr/\u003e14. Mid of witnesses working at table\u003cbr/\u003e15. SOUNDBITE: Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Virginia\u003cbr/\u003e\"It seems to me, it's time for our nation to approach the debate over marijuana policy with more honesty and less hyperbole.\"\u003cbr/\u003e16. 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