Reps Lieu And Amash Reintroduce Bill To Curb Civil Asset Forfeiture For Marijuana Suppression

Press Release

Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-CA) and Congressman Justin Amash (R-MI) reintroduced the Stop Civil Asset Forfeiture Funding for Marijuana Suppression Act. The bill would restrict civil asset forfeiture funds from being used for the Drug Enforcement Agency's Domestic Cannabis Eradication / Suppression Program. The bill would prohibit the transfer of property that would be used for cannabis eradication from a federal or state/local agency and ensures precious federal resources are not wasted on marijuana eradication. Reps. Lieu and Amash introduced a version of this bill during the 114th Congress.

Upon introduction, Rep. Lieu said:

"The Federal Government has a responsibility to spend taxpayer money wisely. Instead, AG Jeff Sessions would rather waste federal dollars by attacking marijuana, which has been legalized either for medical or recreational use in the majority of states in the U.S. The DEA's Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program is a waste of time and money and runs contrary to the will of the people."

Upon introduction, Rep. Amash said:

Civil asset forfeiture is an unconstitutional practice whereby the government takes people's property without due process. The DEA's use of proceeds acquired through civil asset forfeiture to expand marijuana enforcement--a state-level issue--makes the already unacceptable practice even worse. I'm pleased to introduce the Stop Civil Asset Forfeiture Funding for Marijuana Suppression Act along with Rep. Lieu to end this program.

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