Thank you for contacting me with your concerns regarding medical marijuana use. I appreciate hearing from you and value your input on this and other issues.
As your letter suggests, the issue before Congress is whether to continue the federal prosecution of persons who use medical marijuana, and their providers, in accordance with the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), or whether to relax federal marijuana prohibition. The latter would permit the medicinal use of botanical cannabis products when recommended by a physician, especially where permitted under state law. As you may know, fourteen states, mostly in the western part of the U.S., have enacted laws allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and many thousands of patients are seeking relief from a variety of illnesses by smoking marijuana or using other cannabis remedies.
Several bills relating to the therapeutic use of cannabis were introduced in the 111th Congress, but none were acted upon before the Congress adjourned in December 2010. The Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act (H.R. 2835), which would allow the medical use of marijuana in states that permit its use with a doctor’s recommendation, was introduced on June 11, 2009, by Representative Barney Frank (D-MA). The bill would move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II of the CSA and exempt from federal prosecution authorized patients and medical marijuana providers who are acting in accordance with state laws. Also, the Truth in Trials Act (H.R. 3939), a bill that would make it possible for defendants in federal court to reveal to juries that their marijuana activity was medically related and legal under state law, was introduced on October 27, 2009, by Representative Sam Farr (R-CA).
Again, thank you for getting in touch with me. I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind should related legislation come before the Senate in the 112th Congress. If you have any additional questions or comments, please feel free to contact me or visit my website at http://www.scottbrown.senate.gov
Sincerely,
Scott P. Brown
United States Senator
.
Comments+