Thank you for contacting me regarding the decriminalization of marijuana. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.
On June 23, 2011, Rep. Barney Frank, introduced the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011, which would end federal prohibition of marijuana production, distribution, and possession. HR 2306 has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and House Judiciary Committee where it is under review.
I would not want to mislead you; I do not support the decriminalization of marijuana. Drug abuse impacts a person's physical and mental health and also has serious legal, social, and financial consequences. In order to effectively combat drug use, our national drug control policy must include prevention, treatment, and law enforcement components.
However, I do believe that doctors should be able to prescribe drugs to their patients that are a medical necessity. For instance, categorizing marijuana as a Schedule III drug would allow doctors to prescribe marijuana under the same strict regulations that are used for the prescription of other drugs such as codeine or hydrocodone. In 1979, Virginia passed similar measures to permit the use of marijuana for the purposes of treating cancer and glaucoma. I will continue to pay very close attention on the ongoing debate of federally decriminalizing marijuana.
Sincerely yours,
H. Morgan Griffith
U.S. Member of Congress
.
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