Don Nickles: “the letter says they have reviewed it, and assisted suicide is never a legitimate medical purpose. These drugs can only…”

“the letter says they have reviewed it, and assisted suicide is never a legitimate medical purpose. These drugs can only be used for a legitimate medical purpose. The State of Oregon, by referendum, passed a law that says assisted suicide is OK. They had a couple of them. The State of Oregon can do what it wants, but that doesn't overturn Federal law. What if the State of Massachusetts said they were going to legalize heroin? That is a controlled substance. Does that make it legal? No. There is a reason why we have a Federal law dealing with these very strong drugs, and it is called the Controlled Substance Act. And just because one State has a referendum or petition or the legislature passes a bill, it doesn't overturn Federal drug law, period. For some unknown reason, the Attorney General--and I still don't know why--gave one of the most absurd rulings in June, where she said, well, we still believe we have control of the Federal Controlled Substance Act, so assisted suicide is illegal for some States, except for those which have legalized it. Now, that is an absurd conclusion. I guess if you take that to its conclusion, any State can do whatever they want on these substances. That is absurd. Why have a Federal law? Why have a Federal law in any way, shape, or form. Now we have several States--and Oregon is the pioneer in this--like Michigan and other States that are saying they want assisted suicide. I just beg to differ.…”