Political Quotes

“What does this amendment say if a young person, 15, at a high school in whatever State is watching the House at 7:30, and they say the United States Congress is ready to make it easy to get marijuana, and their mom or dad--what is going on? This amendment hurts law enforcement. Our law enforcement people are jeopardizing their lives. Marijuana is one of the most widely abused drugs in the United States. According to the DEA, more young people are now in treatment for marijuana dependency than for alcohol or all other illegal drugs combined. This amendment does not address the problem of marijuana abuse and possibly makes it worse by sending a message to young people that there can be health benefits. The Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA, describes marijuana as ``the top revenue generator for Mexican drug trafficking organizations, a cash crop that finances corruption and the carnage of violence year after year.'' All you have to do is look at the news. That's why we put money back in here for the National Gang Intelligence unit to keep the Mexican gangs from coming into the United States. The Mexican gangs are being funded and they have a marijuana operation. I don't understand. I mean, I respect that maybe for medical use at a time. And I will tell you, the first time this issue came up, I voted for it, but it was on a narrow basis. But this is wide open. And then you're going to tell your 15-year-old or 16-year-old don't use drugs.…”