March 3, 1993

Dear Debby:

Thank you for speaking at my town meeting in February and expressing your views on the legalization of Cannabis. I am sorry if I have not responded to your previous communications to my office. I have had my staff scour our records, and were unable to locate any record of any of your seventeen previous letters. But let me assure you that I try to respond to every letter and phone call that comes to my office, and I would not purposely ignore any letter, no matter the content.

Although you present a wide array of arguments for the legalization of marijuana, I still believe that heavy use of this drug causes severe psysiological as well as psychological problems, and for this reason cannot support legislation for it legalization. However, I agree with you that it is costly to keep nonviolent offenders in prison, especially when there are other effective alternatives. This is particularly relevant for first time nonviolent drug offenders. In my work on the House Judiciary Committee, I have supported alternative sentencing, such as “boot camp” programs and house arrest, as well as rehabilitation programs. Although I am opposed to legalizing marijuana use, I am not opposed to saving taxpayer dollars by rehabilitating instead of incarcerating.

I am sorry we do not agree on this issue, but I hope you will continue to contact me on the issues of concern.

With best regards,

Dan Glickman Member of Congress

DG:ksn