Letter from my U.S. representative on medical marijuana
I just thought I would share a letter I received from my U.S. Representative, Keith Ellison, on the topic of medical marijuana.
Dear Mr. S,
Thank you for contacting me about the medical usage of marijuana and the decriminalization of marijuana. I am honored to hear from you and proud to represent you. Since coming to Congress, I have been working very hard to advance my policy agenda based on four key priorities - peace, prosperity for working families, environmental sustainability, and support for human and civil rights.
Federal law prohibits the cultivation, distribution, and possession of marijuana through the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) passed in 1970. However, sixteen states and the District of Columbia have implemented specific state laws that exempt the use of medical marijuana from the CSA. These laws allow individuals to grow, possess, and use marijuana for medicinal purposes.
I firmly believe in an individual's right to access effective medical care and treatment, and medicinal marijuana qualifies as an important component of some treatment plans. During the 111th Congress, I co-sponsored the Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act (H.R. 2835), which would have upheld a state's ability to regulate the possession, distribution, or usage of medicinal marijuana. While this bill was not voted on, I will continue to support efforts to legalize medicinal marijuana.
There is also debate over the complete decriminalization of marijuana. The legalization of marijuana has received support from a broad range of policy analysts, who argue that law enforcement resources are wasted on attempts to enforce the prohibition of marijuana and that federal funds could be allocated more efficiently. They also argue that if legalized, the sale of marijuana could be heavily taxed, resulting in large amounts of tax revenues for federal programs.
The debate over marijuana medical use and its decriminalization is an important one, and I appreciate hearing the perspectives of my constituents on this matter. I will be sure to keep your views in mind if related legislation comes before me in the House of Representatives.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding this or any other matter of concern.
Dear Mr. S,
Thank you for contacting me about the medical usage of marijuana and the decriminalization of marijuana. I am honored to hear from you and proud to represent you. Since coming to Congress, I have been working very hard to advance my policy agenda based on four key priorities - peace, prosperity for working families, environmental sustainability, and support for human and civil rights.
Federal law prohibits the cultivation, distribution, and possession of marijuana through the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) passed in 1970. However, sixteen states and the District of Columbia have implemented specific state laws that exempt the use of medical marijuana from the CSA. These laws allow individuals to grow, possess, and use marijuana for medicinal purposes.
I firmly believe in an individual's right to access effective medical care and treatment, and medicinal marijuana qualifies as an important component of some treatment plans. During the 111th Congress, I co-sponsored the Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act (H.R. 2835), which would have upheld a state's ability to regulate the possession, distribution, or usage of medicinal marijuana. While this bill was not voted on, I will continue to support efforts to legalize medicinal marijuana.
There is also debate over the complete decriminalization of marijuana. The legalization of marijuana has received support from a broad range of policy analysts, who argue that law enforcement resources are wasted on attempts to enforce the prohibition of marijuana and that federal funds could be allocated more efficiently. They also argue that if legalized, the sale of marijuana could be heavily taxed, resulting in large amounts of tax revenues for federal programs.
The debate over marijuana medical use and its decriminalization is an important one, and I appreciate hearing the perspectives of my constituents on this matter. I will be sure to keep your views in mind if related legislation comes before me in the House of Representatives.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding this or any other matter of concern.