Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry), who is absolutely right. We do need more research. But the current restriction that is struck, section 509, says that this limitation shall not apply where there is significant medical evidence of therapeutic advantage or that federally sponsored clinical trials are being conducted. Well, that is what we need. We need federally sponsored clinical trials. The current section 509 does not stop this. Now, look, I get it. There are people who want the legalization of marijuana. I get it. But as a physician, I will tell you I urge the people who suggest that there are broad applicabilities that are proven medical uses of marijuana to go back to the Journal of the American Medical Association, which did a review last year that indicated that, of the over 50 suggested uses for medical marijuana, only 4 are proven through rigorous scientific trials--4, Madam Chair. PTSD is not one of them. It is not. Treatment for opioid abuse is not one of them. In fact, Dr. Nora Volkow, the head of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, who I think knows probably more than anyone in this room about the subject, says that marijuana is an addictive drug that is dangerous, and recent research says that induces psychosis in young people, serious major psychotic conditions. And we want to remove all the restrictions in the health part of the law? Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.”