Thank you for contacting me regarding the decriminalization or legalization of marijuana.
While I understand the arguments in favor of legalization, I believe there are broader issues which must be considered. In particular, the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has shown that “marijuana use by youth is highly correlated with future use of addictive drugs like cocaine and heroin.” At the very least, I believe legalizing marijuana would send the wrong signal to young people.
That said, in our effort to combat illegal drug use in the United States, we have not have always pursued the best course and have in fact created additional problems. Fighting the war on drugs has led to political and economic tradeoffs with our allies, and contributed to the enactment of mandatory minimum sentencing laws which have not necessarily addressed the broader problem of drug abuse.
It may interest you to know, however, that I have supported the right of states to determine whether to legalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Rep. Maurice Hinchey offered a related amendment during consideration of the Fiscal Year 2008 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act on July 25, 2007. The Hinchey amendment, which I supported, would have effectively prevented the Justice Department from prosecuting individuals for the medical use of marijuana in states where the practice is permissible under state law. Unfortunately, the amendment did not prevail by a vote of 165 to 262.
You may be aware that two bills have been introduced in the House by Rep. Barney Frank that would decriminalize marijuana. The first, H.R. 2835, the Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act would move marijuana from schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act to schedule II and recognize marijuana’s medical effectiveness. In addition, the legislation would strengthen protections for state-authorized medical marijuana programs. The bill has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee for review. Another measure, H.R.2943, the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2009 would eliminate federal penalties for possession of marijuana for personal use. This bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee and the Energy and Commerce Committee. Should the House consider legislation related to marijuana and our federal drug control strategy, I will consider it carefully, keeping your concerns in mind.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please continue to keep in touch on issues of concern.
Sincerely,
DAVID PRICE
Member of Congress
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We Need to Educate this man just look at the first of what he says
This issue has been held under power of government officials far too long. This nation is by the people and for the people, not by a few government strongholders intoxicated by power. The way it is currently set up, it is such that the young people that you are supposedly trying to protect and the ones currently in control of marijuana. BOTTOM LINE, I have not heard of anyone in the past 30 years that has wrecked a car and died being under influence of marijuana, unlike alcohol. Alcohol is as much something that makes a young person want to try cocaine or any other drug, stating that marijuana makes a person desire cocaine is a huge pile of hogwash and we dont buy that anymore. Marijuana is not as harmful as alcohol, does not put people in the grave like alcohol so lets get things straight and now. Alcohol is responsible for domestic violence unlike marijuana, when is the last time that a husband smoked a marijuana cigarette and beat the crap out of his wife as a result of it…….. it doesnt happen, if anything it is more true that it keeps him from such violent behavior. When did someone smoke weed and go rob a bank or a convenience store, pull a gun, domestic violence, etc. Lets get off this big lie that says this should remain illegal. WHO DO YOU THINK IS BUYING ALL THESE LIES? I am sick and tired of legislators going against the American majority. Legalizing wont send the wrong message to young people it is encouraging them to try it. I agree that a person should be a certain age to purchase and use marijuana and laws pertaining to buying it for/sharing with under age people. People have the right to make their own decisions, this isnt something that you can smoke so much it will kill you or put you in the hospital. Lets get off this control thing. Legalization will reduce a host of problems here in the US. First of all it will put an end to the killing/smuggling in Texas borders/ actually it will take a bite out of the drug cartell pocketbook and terror organizations around the world that make billions annually keeping it illegal……. I think you folks actually know this. It has even been proven that a number of folks in government are partial to smoking a joing themselves. The tax revenue will supply a large amount of money into the legal the government budget. The product wont have to be smuggled across borders anymore, it can be produced here and create numerous new industries which will produce jobs, more taxable income and reduce the unemployment numbers. This issue needs to be voted on by the American public and no more should our rights be held in the pockets of state and government officials. Sure there are health issues just like tobacco and alcohol. Its the choice of the American people, not your place to use this as a means of entrapment citizens anymore. Good peaceful American Citizens jobs are being held in ransom by these rediculous laws, a person can use marijuana and be stripped of their job weeks after any affect is gone. We are past the point of where alcohol prohibition was in the past. Lets stop this sensless atrocity now. I repeat, who do you think believes the rediculous statements maintaining prohibition. I am so appauled by your statements thinking that the American public believes…. you are insulting the intelligence of the very people that pay your outlandish salaries and vote you folks in. Its time that we take your jobs away and employ legislators that are by the people and for the people. It is time. It is time. I am tired of this even being an issue, its been a game far too long and we arent buying or playing it anymore. It is time.
This is a FREE Country. Alcohol prohibition didn’t work. Cannibis should be legalized to be consumed by adults in adult settings. Cannibis is better for your body & your mood! We don’t need more pharmacy’s & doctors pushing drugs with chemically produced ingredients. Pharmacy’s use opium & cocaine in their drugs & sell it. Natural is best!
The government is meant to represent the people, not big business. The only members of the partnership for a drug free america are tobacco, alchohol, and prescription drug companies. Mr. Price should know that big business influenced our government to make marijuana illegal for financial gains. The government tried to equate marijuana with other hard drugs which could lead one to believe that they are similar in comparison to hard drugs. Other societies with freedom from government involvement as to what they ingest, inhale, eat, drink, have far less drug addicts per capita. How about our economy that could use jobs from hemp production to make goods from an obstainable source. Plants help to produce significant amounts of oxygen and at the rate we burn fossil fuels we should plant them up and down the highways. Anyone who is anti marijuana is not doing what is right. Marijuana was here before you came into existence and will be here after you are gone. Why does it have to be about money?
The truth is, it may give teens the wrong message, but thats why we as parents are responsible for conveying the right one. There are a whole lot of bad messages out there. We need to step up and teach them, we need to prepare them for those tough decisions they’re gonna one day make without us.
To keep it illegal is just wrong though.
We live in the great state of North Carolina, a God fearing people and a loving people combined and my bible tells me trust not in man but trust in him, yet a plant he created is wrong? Oh and it’s abuse if you’re partaking of cannabis but pharma drugs are ok? most man made meds were synthesized recreations of what god put here.
why, so we could say we made it? Heck no. so somebody could make a buck.
Enough is enough.
It has been proven that cannabis helps more ailments than most any one man made pill. For real, I’d like to see the comparison of the warning lists for asprin Vs. cannabis.
It can be regulated, same as alcohol and tobacco, and the great greedy people could still make a buck.
So this is the type we do not want in office. we need to be sure of whom we are electing and what they are doin for us. stand up for your rights by not voting for him and those like him.
If you are not pro cannabis you will not get my vote!
i have to say “congressman david price , YOU ARE WRONG!” CANNABIS DID NOT LEAD ME TO HARDER DRUGS , ALCOHOL GAVE ME THE COURAGE TO TRY LSD FIRST BECAUSE THE ADS ABOUT CANNABIS SCARED ME SO BAD , I TRYED LSD FIRST, SO WHAT DRUG IS THE CULPRIT NOW DAVID?” WHAT PUT ME BEHIND BARS “ALCOHOL AND DRUGS PRESCRIBED FOR DELIERIUM TREMORS?” WHICH ONE DAVID? I WAS IN PRISON A LITTLE OVER 2YRS AND IT WAS ADDICTION TO ALCOHOL DAVID! WHERE DO YOU GET THIS INFO AT DAVID? YOU MUST BE A ALCOHOLIC YOURSELF TO SAY CANNABIS CAUSES ALL OF THESE DRUGS TO BE USED ??? I AM 56YRS OLD WITH DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE SO I AM ON 160 MGS OF METHADONE PRESCRIBED BY A PAIN MANAGEMENT CENTER AND NOW I AM ADDICTED TO THOSE! I DO NOT NEED HALF THE MEDS I AM TAKING WHEN I DO SMOKE , WHICH SOUNDS MORE HEALTHIER FOR ME , YOUR CHILDREN IF YOU HAVE ANY ALSO , WOULD YOU WANT THEM ADDICTED TO A DRUG THATS NOTHING BUT SYNTHETIC HEROIN ? I DONT WANT MINE TO GET ADDICTED TO ANYTHING BUT I DO BELIEVE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PUT WHAT WE WANT IN “OUR BODYS, DONT YOU DAVID? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME ……………….SAM
Why can a 12th century nun (hildegard de benin)who had migraines write a scientific journal stating canabis is a tonic for her condition and have the church agree publish and praise her for her healings and a 21st century politician call that same plant a harmful drug? Who is it harming? Give me case study! I can give case study from my own personal health. I was on 3 different drugs and a doctor oded me on 1 of them and refused to see me again because he was afraid of what he had done and its consequences. I have NEVER had an adverse reaction to cannabis.ASK ME for my opinion since I am a free American who has worked and paid taxes my whole life. Who has a right to deny me because someone elses child might find out that I gasp self medicate. Does anyone know that tv, sodas,chocolate and fast food are the real killers? Please please please if you are going to be a leader learn your history. Presidents have used cannabis from the begining of the founding of our great nation. The founding fathers left England because of people who wanted to play parent to those who were grown up enough to make decisions on their own. sounds like a few politicians need to either get some continuing ed or they need to quit taking money from special interest groups who are getting fat off of limiting taxing and incarcerating people for their preferences. SHAME SHAME SHAME. Now fix this mess by being honest decent men and women of integrity .its never to late.
I just find it funny how ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, DRIVING, OBESITY, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, and countless other things are MORE DANGEROUS to the youth he is so concerned with, yet aren’t even combated in comparison to the efforts made to suppress marijuana use.
Also, how would we be sending the wrong message to our youth by just changing it from class one to class II, and allowing those who ACTUALLY NEED IT for MEDICINE, to be able to get it, instead of denying them the right to health. by allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana, all we will be doing is helping those who need help and raise money to get out of this economic crap-hole.
As far as his gateway idea of it leading to other drugs- this is only because the government doesn’t regulate it, hence forcing those who wish to use it to go through the black market, which is where our youth get introduced to these harder, actually dangerous drugs. It is the governments own failing and attempted suppression of the natural plant that is putting people, and especially our youth at greater risks.
Although I understand the arguments in favor of continued prohibition on behalf of the children, I think there are broader issues we must face in order to combat drug use. For instance, when folks state a fear about the “message legalization sends to children,” all one has to do is consider the message we’re sending now. That message is loud and clear, and it isn’t “don’t do drugs,” and it isn’t “drugs aren’t healthy.” The message we’re sending now is “if you’re going to use drugs, don’t get caught.”
Having said that, it appears as though the Congressman “gets it” to some extent. Let’s hope more representatives can find their way to a similar position.
Happy New Year, stashers!
How come I know more about the issue than US CONGRESSMEN?
I really hate the argument against legalisation with the comment, “what will the children think!!”. Well, maybe they will think that this is a free country where adults can consume an intoxicant that not only does not harm them or anyone else, does not induce violent behavior, or cause thousands of car accidents and fatalities each year. Yet, I do not hear this same argument to criminalize alcohol consumption since it definitly causes all the negative aspects stated.
I think people in Gov need to recognize what came out of the White House blog on fatherhood
“In the evening, we hosted a public forum featuring the Attorney General Eric Holder, basketball all-star Allan Houston and other key leaders. The Attorney General addressed many challenges facing communities across the country, pointing out that over 1.5 million American children have fathers in prison. The Department of Justice has led the way in supporting families with incarcerated parents and encouraging responsible ex-offender reentry. ”
HOW many of these people are incarcerated for marijuana? What are the long term effects on their children? How is locking the dad’s up for non-violent crimes helping these children in any way shape or form? They are harming families far more than helping them, with these outdated laws.
Congressmen cannot get accurate information about the positive aspects of cannabis until they go beyond ONDCP because ONDCP is kept by law from supporting in any way the notion of cannabis as a medicine.
This guy is stupid.