Dana Rohrabacher: “The question we are discussing is simply whether Veterans Affairs physicians can recommend the use of marijuana or not…”

“The question we are discussing is simply whether Veterans Affairs physicians can recommend the use of marijuana or not recommend the use of marijuana to their patients. As Republicans, we supposedly believe in the doctor-patient relationship, but apparently, some of my colleagues believe that that relationship is not relevant when it comes to VA doctors and their patients, the patients who happen to be our Nation's great heroes who went off to defend us in war. It is criminal that we send our men and women off to war, where their minds and bodies are broken, and then deny them the ability to obtain a medical recommendation from a legitimate VA doctor upon their return home. Why is it we have faith in the medical qualifications of Congress to determine the best medical practices rather than those people who are doctors in the Department of Veterans Affairs? I would submit that perhaps marijuana is a better option for some patients--and maybe not--but we should stop this heavy-handed, top-down approach and allow the Department of Veterans Affairs physicians and their patients to determine for themselves the best use and the best treatment that they would be able to have. Let's respect these people and their rights. I thought we Republicans believed in the doctor-patient relationship. Either you do or you don't. If you vote this down, you don't believe in the doctor-patient relationship for our veterans, of all people.”