On the recordJune 2, 2015
The supporters of this amendment claim that this is a states' rights issue. However, it is not that simple, not hardly. Drug manufacture and use is inherently an interstate problem. For example, we need look no further than at one of the two States where marijuana has been legalized. The Colorado Department of Revenue has reported that 45 percent of marijuana sales in the State were to out-of-State ID holders. Indeed, earlier this year, Colorado Governor Hickenlooper said, ``If I could've waved a wand the day after the election, I would have reversed the election and said, `This was a bad idea.' '' In fact, Colorado is now being sued by Nebraska and Oklahoma, which claim Colorado has created a ``dangerous gap'' in the control of marijuana and that marijuana is flowing from Colorado to neighboring States. However, Mr. Chairman, of far greater concern to me is the increased availability of marijuana to children, which will inevitably result from a loosening of restrictions on this dangerous drug. Though my colleagues may not like it, marijuana remains a schedule I narcotic because it has a high potential for abuse and no legitimate medical use. In fact, Mr. Chairman, statistics show that 78 percent of the 2.4 million people who began using marijuana last year were aged 12 to 20. There is little doubt that this drug poses a significant danger to our children, and I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment.
