Thank you for contacting me concerning the legalization of marijuana.
I am honored to have the opportunity to respond to you on such an important issue. I understand your concerns regarding the legalization of marijuana. In your letter you expressed support for Congress amending federal law to allow the use and distribution of marijuana.
Proponents of marijuana legalization claim the war on drugs has driven incarceration rates up draining tax dollars. Further, they claim prohibition has increased drug related violence due to its increased value and black market status. Please be aware, the current laws for the use and distribution of marijuana have not changed, and it remains an illegal drug, which is why I do not condone its usage.
While there have been studies showing marijuana could prove to have some pain relieving effects for those patients with glaucoma, in early June 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court in a 6-3 vote ruled that medical marijuana should be viewed as an illegal, controlled substance inappropriate for therapeutic use such as a glaucoma treatment. Recently though, Rep. Barney Frank introduced H.R. 2943, the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act with the intend to eliminate most Federal penalties for possession of marijuana for personal use.
Currently this legislation is under review by the House Judiciary and House Energy and Commerce Committees. Though I am not a member of either of these committees, should this bill be considered on the House floor during the 111th Congress, I will keep your views in mind. Again, I thank you for sharing your views with me. I hope you will continue to give me the benefit of your opinion in the future. Thank you again for contacting me, and I look forward to continuing to serve you.
Sincerely, David Scott
Member of Congress
this is a lame response and shows little knowledge of the issue. next round of voting let’s consider someone who stands up for an idea, any idea – rather than the groundbreaking “it’s illegal so i don’t condone it”.
David Scott’s playing the antiquated, worn-out,
“It’s illegal because it’s illegal,
so it shouldn’t be (RE)-legalized…”
card…
“…Further, they claim prohibition has increased drug related violence due to its increased value and black market status. Please be aware, the current laws for the use and distribution of marijuana have not changed, and it remains an illegal drug, which is why I do not condone its usage…”
Is it not up to you to help change the current law, and if it WAS legal, would you support it then?
“While there have been studies showing marijuana could prove to have some pain relieving effects for those patients with glaucoma, in early June 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court in a 6-3 vote ruled that medical marijuana should be viewed as an illegal, controlled substance inappropriate for therapeutic use such as a glaucoma treatment”
Ok I still need to do my own research before I can open my mouth, so forgive me, but isn’t ‘use of marijuana for glaucoma’ like the very first thing they thought it could be used for?’ .. anyhow read this on CNN law from June 2005:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/06/06/scotus.medical.marijuana/index.html
Peaceful Green buds to all!
Free Eddy Lepp! (Call President Obama and tell him) PLEASE!