Political Quotes

“This proposal that is being referred to here would prevent Federal law enforcement from enforcing current law, protecting public health, and ensuring community safety. Under the Controlled Substances Act, the Drug Enforcement Administration defines Schedule I drugs as ``having no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.'' And according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there is scientifically ``no recognized medical benefit from smoking or eating marijuana plants.'' Claims of benefits from smoked or ingested marijuana are very unreliable and generally outright fabrication. However, it is an established fact that marijuana use has real health and social harms. This is true especially in children; young people with developing brains and those with impaired physical or psychological conditions. And new data shows crime and health problems from marijuana use and trafficking, in particular, in States that have criminalized its use. Mr. Speaker, this amendment sends the wrong message about the most widely abused drug in the United States. It should be noted--and this is very important--according to the DEA, more young people receive treatment for marijuana dependency than for alcohol or all other illegal drugs combined. This amendment ignores the problems of abuse and sends the false message to youth that smoking marijuana is healthy. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge the rejection of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.”