Dr. Kevin Sabet is the President and CEO of both the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions and Smart Approaches to Marijuana. He has studied, researched, written about, and implemented drug policy for more than 25 years.

Sabet has published several books including bestseller, “Smokescreen: What the Marijuana Industry Doesn’t Want You To Know,” which has been optioned for a documentary film that will be released this year or in 2024.

His work as a government advisor began in the Clinton Administration as a researcher, and he was the senior speechwriter on drug policy in the Bush Administration. He returned to government in 2009, where he was asked to assist in drafting President Obama’s National Drug Control Strategy as a senior advisor

Dr. Sabet will deliver his presentation from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron and again from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at SUNY Fredonia’s Williams Center.

Both presentations are free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Sheriff Jim Quattrone at 716-753-4900 or by email at QUATTRONE@sheriff.us.

President Donald Trump (left) and former FBI Director James Comey.

WASHINGTON – In a surprising and stunning move Tuesday, President Donald Trump fired James Comey as head of the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

The abrupt firing of Comey throws into question the future of a counterintelligence investigation into the Trump campaign’s possible connections to Russia, and immediately raises suspicions of an underhanded effort to stymie a probe that has shadowed the administration from the outset.

In his letter to Comey, Trump said the firing was necessary to restore “public trust and confidence” in the FBI. The administration paired the letter with a scathing review by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein of how Comey handled the investigation into Democrat Hillary Clinton’s email practices.

Democrats likened Tuesday’s ouster to President Richard Nixon’s “Saturday Night Massacre” and renewed calls for the appointment of a special prosecutor, and some Republicans also questioned the move.

Sen. Charles Schumer

Senator and minority leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) made a statement Tuesday afternoon, asking if the investigation from the FBI was getting too close to home for the president, resulting in the firing. He also called it troubling that Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who had recused himself from the Russia investigation, played a role in firing the man leading it. And he said the firing shatters the American people’s faith in our criminal justice system, and urged Rosenstein to appoint a special prosecutor immediately to restore that faith.

“This is part of a deeply troubling pattern from the Trump administration. They fired Sally Yates. They fired Preet Bharara. And now they’ve fired Director Comey, the very man leading the investigation. This does not seem to be a coincidence,” Schumer said. “This investigation must be run as far away as possible from this White House and as far away as possible from anyone that President Trump has appointed… The American people need to have faith that an investigation as serious as this one is being conducted impartially, without a shred of bias. The only way the American people can have faith in this investigation is for it to be led by a fearless, independent special prosecutor. If Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein does not appoint an independent special prosecutor, every American will rightly suspect that the decision to fire Director Comey was part of a cover-up.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) also sent a tweet out following the firing, calling for an independent special prosecutor to investigate the Trump Administration’s ties to Russia.

Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)

Meanwhile, Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23) – who represents Chautauqua County in Washington, released a brief statement on the firing Wednesday morning.

“The FBI Director serves at the pleasure of the President and I am confident that this action will ensure the FBI will be the righteous and just organization it needs to be for all Americans. As Americans, we all care about a fair and non-politicized examination of the facts and that our principles are protected,” Reed said.

If the deputy attorney attorney general decides not to appoint a special prosecutor, Congress could initiate to appoint a special prosecutor by passing a law, as it did in 1978, when the Ethics in Government Act was passed. The law dictated that a three-judge panel based at the US Court of Appeals in DC would appoint the counsel. The law, which was reauthorized several times until its sunset in 1999, was used more than a dozen times to initiate investigations, including most famously in the 1990s when it led to the appointment of attorney Kenneth Starr to oversee investigations in to President Bill Clinton. Such a law would have to be either signed by Trump or, in the event of a presidential veto, overridden by a two-thirds majority of both houses of Congress.

Congress could also launch its own investigation into the executive branch without legislation because such authority is implicit in the Constitution.

However, with both the Senate and House controlled by Republicans, it appears it would be very unlikely they would move forward with a full-throttle push to investigate a President from their own party, even when the investigation would involve alleged collusion with a foreign government to help sway the outcome of a United States Presidential Election.

Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23)

WASHINGTON – Chautauqua County’s representative in Washington said he’s not concerned that President-Elect Donald Trump’s call to rework trade deals might backfire on U.S. manufacturers.

During his final conference call of the year with regional reporters, Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23) provided a recap of 2016 while also offering thoughts on what to expect in 2017.

He said he’s looking forward to the country reworking certain trade deals that are outdated or which were not well-negotiated from the start. He said by reworking those deals, it will provide better opportunities for U.S. Businesses in overseas markets.

The Corning Republican – who is also a member of Trump’s transition team – also downplayed concerns that Trump’s interest in renegotiating foreign trade deals might ultimately make it tougher for American products to reach a global consumer base.

“I think the president-elect has really touched on something that needs to be done, and that is to update our trade agreements to make sure that they are negotiated in the future to put the American workers first and foremost as the negotiating principals,” Reed said. “And as we go forward I think you’re going to see trade opportunities where the president-elect as well as myself recognize with 95 percent of the world’s consumers outside of American borders, we need access those markets, but we need to make sure when we access those markets we do it on an even and level playing field.”

In November, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development issued a report that warned that anti-free trade policies “would likely raise prices, harm living standards and leave countries in a worsened fiscal position. Trade protectionism may shelter some jobs, but it will worsen prospects and lower well-being for many others.”

Trump has been critical of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), signed by former President Bill Clinton. He was also critical of the Trans Pacific Partnership, supported by President Barack Obama but not yet enacted. Trump has vowed to abandon the latter deal once he takes office.

Tom Reed (left) and Donald Trump

WASHINGTON – Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23) issued the following statement Saturday morning, Oct. 8 via his reelection campaign, regarding crude comments made in a leaked hot mic of Donald Trump from 2005.

“Women are never to be talked about in this way. As someone with eight older sisters, a wife and daughter I care deeply about, it is disappointing and offensive to hear these words,” Reed said. “It is not right and these comments must be called out for what they are, just wrong.”

There was no indication from Reed’s statement that he plans to withdraw support form the Republican presidential candidate.

Reed was one of the first members of Congress to endorse Trump for president. He also serves as the Trump campaign committee’s co-chair for New York State.

On Friday the Washington Post released a video in 2005 with audio of Trump making lewd comments about women. Trump apologized for the comments during a recorded video statement released Friday night.

“I’ve never said I’m a perfect person, nor pretended to be someone I am not,” Trump said. “I’ve said and done things I regret, and the words released today on this more than a decade old video are one of them. Anyone who knows me, knows these words don’t reflect who I am. I said it, I was wrong, and I apologize.”

Trump then went on the attack, raising issue with opponent Hillary Clinton and husband, former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

“I’ve said some foolish things, but there’s a big difference between the words and actions of other people. Bill Clinton has actually abused women and Hillary has bullied, attacked, shamed, and intimidated his victims. We will discuss this more in the coming days,” Trump said.

RESPONSE FROM REED’S OPPONENT

John Plumb

Reed’s opponent in the 2016 Election, U.S. Navy Commander John Plumb (D-Lakewood), responded to Reed statement Saturday afternoon, via a statement from his campaign.

“Congressman Tom Reed has support for Donald Trump that knows no bounds,” Plumb said. “In light of the events of the past 24 hours, leaders from his own political party across the country are calling for a change. In contrast, Congressman Reed is refusing to give up his position as Campaign Co-Chair of Trump’s campaign in New York State. This shouldn’t surprise us. Congressman Reed will do and say anything to advance his own self-interests at the expense of all of us here in the Southern Tier. And it is clear that he made a self-serving political calculation that this is the best way to advance his Washington career and the special interests that he protects.
“This dangerous doublespeak of pretending to stand with victims while advancing a candidate that demeans women and promotes sexual violence is damaging to our entire country.”

Plumb’s accusation that Reed made a self-serving political calculation is based on a video recorded in August 2016, when Tom Reed flew to Miami to introduce  Trump during a campaign appearance. Trump responded by telling him that he would not forget.

Reed and Plumb will be the only two candidates for New York’s 23rd Congressional District appearing on the 2016 General Election Ballot.  Election Day is Nov. 8, 2016.

Hillary Clinton (image from CBS News)

PHILADELPHIA – Former first lady, U.S. Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has formally captured the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.

“What an incredible honor that you have given me,” Clinton said in a video following the official delegate count. “I can’t believe we just put the biggest crack in that glass ceiling yet. Thanks to you and to everyone who has fought so hard to make this possible. This is really your victory, this is really your night.”

Meanwhile Clinton’s husband, ex-President Bill Clinton, closed day 2 of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia with an expansive and passionate testimonial, offering a personal – though sanitized – account of their relationship.

Clinton spent 45 minutes interweaving personal anecdotes about his relationship with Hillary while also balancing the speech by giving examples of how she worked to push new initiatives and policies throughout her career. He repeatedly told the audience that his wife is the “best darn change-maker he’s ever met.”

On Wednesday night, President Barrack Obama will address the audience and continue to help make the case to the nation for electing the former first lady, senator and secretary of state as the first woman to occupy the Oval Office.

Clinton will square off against Republican nominee Donald Trump, along with other third party candidates including Jill Stein (Green Party), Darrell Castle (Constitution Party), and Gary Johnson (Libertarian Party).

Hillary Clinton (left) and Donald Trump will both appear in Buffalo prior to the New York Presidential Primary Vote on April 19. Democratic Candidate Bernie Sanders is said to also be planning a rally prior to the vote.

BUFFALO – The race to the presidential primary election day for New York State is underway.

The primary won’t be taking place until Tuesday, April 19, but the major candidates have already started stumping in areas of the Empire State, with several of them planning stops here in Western New York.

On Friday, former first lady, U.S. Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be in Buffalo, making a pair of campaign stops.

Clinton’s husband and former president Bill Clinton had also made a stop in the Buffalo on Monday to meet with a supporters, including Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi and Chautauqua County Democratic Committee Chairman Norman Green.

Hillary Clinton will continue to court support from the region’s Democrats on Friday as she continues to battle Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders for the party’s nomination. Not including Super Delegates, Clinton holds a 1280 to 1030 delegate lead over Sanders. A total of 2,383 are needed to secure a nomination.

Clinton’s stops Friday include a public rally at the Buffalo Transportation Pierce Arrow Museum and the Jacobs Institute in the Gates Vascular Institute, for a private round-table discussion on growing jobs and raising income.

Meanwhile, reports say that Sanders may hold a possible rally as well at the University of Buffalo, although that has not been confirmed by the Sanders camp.

On the Republican Side, Donald Trump has announced a planned rally at Buffalo’s First Niagara Center, slated for Sunday, April 17. Trump is the front-runner for the GOP. It’s not known if either of the two other candidates – Sen. Ted Cruz or Ohio Gov. John Kasich, plan to appear in Western New York before the April 19 vote.

Tom Reed

WASHINGTON – The Violence Against Women Act is back in the news, and Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) is one of the lawmakers in Washington pushing for a quick re-authorization of the law. However, whether or not he agrees with a revised Senate version that failed to get support last year remains to be seen.

As it previously existed, the law provides funding to investigate and prosecute violent crimes against women, as well as allowing for civil suits in cases where alleged perpetrators aren’t prosecuted.

Congressman Reed is one of 17 House Republicans who have sent a letter to Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Virginia), calling for action on the legislation. In the letter, Reed said that should a woman be the victim of any violent crime, she should have the protection from her assailant she deserves but also the care she and her family need to recover physically and emotionally.

Last year both the House and Senate passed their own versions of a bill to reauthorize the law. Neither version went on to get a full vote in both houses.

The Senate version, which passed in 2012 and again on Tuesday, would add protections for partners in same-sex relationships, for domestic abuse victims living on Native American tribal lands and for immigrants.

In his media release, Congressman Reed didn’t specify whether he would support any of the new provisions in the Senate bill, but he stressed that the House should look into passing a bipartisan compromise bill that protects America’s women.

The original Violence Against Women Act was championed by then-Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware. It was signed into law in 1994 by President Bill Clinton, and reauthorized in 2000 and 2005. The current authorization expired in 2011.

• AUDIO: JASON SAMPLE INTERVIEWS GREG RABB AT DNC

Tonight, President Barack Obama will give a speech, accepting his party’s nomination to run for a second term as Commander in Chief. Rabb says he is obviously looking forward to being in attendance for the historic speech, although there hasn’t been too many details released on what the president will say.

In addition to hearing the president speak, Rabb has also had the opportunity to hear several other noted individuals speak, including former President Bill Clinton and First Lady Michelle Obama. In fact, Rabb says he was able to hear from the first lady on two separate occasions – the first being Tuesday evening, and again Wednesday afternoon when a caucus of gay and lesbian democrats from throughout the country held a luncheon.

In addition to hearing speeches and meeting with other party members at the convention, Rabb says another key part of the event is the announcing of the party platform. He says the platform is actually 40 pages long, with the first 15 pages focusing on the economy. But he says several other issues are also addressed in the platform, including a plank that has historic implications. That involves the Democratic party supporting marriage equality for all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation. Rabb says it is the first time in history either major party has come out in support of marriage equality.

Rabb is currently the only openly gay elected official in Western New York. He was selected to serve as a delegate at the convention by Congressman Brian Higgins of Buffalo.