Orrin Hatch: “yesterday, my colleague Senator Grassley introduced Senate Joint Resolution 56, a bill cosponsored by Senator Kyl and me…”

“yesterday, my colleague Senator Grassley introduced Senate Joint Resolution 56, a bill cosponsored by Senator Kyl and me that expresses the sense of Congress in opposing efforts in various States to legalize marijuana and other Schedule I drugs for so- called medical use. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill, and I want everyone to understand that current drug laws should not be circumvented by allowing illegal harmful drugs to be introduced freely in our society. Last week, an identical measure sponsored by Congressman McCollum passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 310 to 93. Mr. President, proponents of legalization argue that marijuana and other drugs are needed by those living with pain and disease. They stress that these drugs improve the quality of life and should not be denied to those suffering. I understand their argument that we need to be compassionate to those that are suffering. My heart goes out to those people living with disease and to the families that care for them. Nevertheless, those arguments are flawed, and we cannot allow this legalization effort to contravene our Federal drug laws.”