Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for the medical marijuana provision that came before the House of Representatives for a vote on May 30, 2014--H. AMDT. 748 to H.R. 4460--an amendment…
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for the medical marijuana provision that came before the House of Representatives for a vote on May 30, 2014--H. AMDT. 748 to H.R. 4460--an amendment to prohibit the use of funds to prevent certain States from implementing their own State laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana.
Had I voted on May 30, 2014, I would have voted in favor of H. AMDT 748 to H.R. 4460, which was offered by Rep Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) to the FY 2015 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CSJ) Appropriations bill. The amendment was agreed to by recorded vote: 219-189.
Specifically, the bill is a bipartisan appropriations measure that looks to prohibit the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) from spending funds to arrest state-licensed medical marijuana patients and providers. Many of my colleagues and their constituencies agree that patients who are allowed to purchase and consume medical marijuana in their respective states should not be punished by the federal government.
I believe that we must modernize our federal laws to reflect the updated approaches to medical marijuana use, and allow states to determine the parameters, practices, and effects of legalization. Mr. Speaker, 22 states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for medical use. In my home state of Florida, the majority of voters support the legalization of marijuana for medical use, and I stand behind them.
Mr. Speaker, I support the legalization of marijuana for medical use, and remain committed to protecting citizens nationwide that are the subject to detainment for use despite their medical needs.
