Matt Gaetz: “93 percent of Americans support the legalization of doctor-prescribed medical marijuana--93 percent. But despite this…”

“93 percent of Americans support the legalization of doctor-prescribed medical marijuana--93 percent. But despite this widespread public support, marijuana remains classified as a schedule I drug, the same as LSD or heroin. This harms low-income communities each year, it turns thousands of citizens into felons, and it punishes people who are sick and looking for medical help. I think of Rayann, a young lady in my district with juvenile refractory epilepsy. She has seizures every day. Other treatments failed, but medical marijuana helped improve her condition. I thought of her when I worked on, and passed, Florida's Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act. Marijuana must be moved to schedule III, which will make it easier to conduct research into its medical uses. It will allow businesses to work with banks instead of looking over their shoulders in fear of a Federal raid, and it will keep States from being at odds with Federal law. Today I am proud to introduce legislation that will reclassify marijuana as a schedule III drug. I look forward to working with my colleagues. America is watching, and now we must act. ____________________”