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Alongside nearly two-thirds of Americans, I support ending the prohibition of marijuana. Marijuana criminalization has sent hundreds of thousands of nonviolent offenders to prison, ruining lives and shattering families.
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It’s denied patients access to crucial medication.
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It’s allowed the Trump administration to threaten a pointless federal crackdown in the states that have already legalized marijuana.
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It’s wasted billions of dollars in an ill-conceived war on drugs, while forgoing billions more in potential revenue.
Legalizing medical marijuana is a good place to start. Voters across America have agreed: making medical marijuana available is a compassionate choice for people suffering terrible illnesses and painful disabilities. While Americans in 34 states have access to this treatment option, millions of other Americans do not. Would-be patients are suffering and cannot make medical decisions for themselves. It puts the federal government between patients and their doctors.
Do you support the legalization of medical marijuana nationwide? Add your name.
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I believe that our federal laws should not obstruct state reforms. The previous chair of the House Rules Committee, Pete Sessions of Texas, stifled dozens of cannabis-related bills from reaching the House floor.
Legislation that would have:
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bolstered legal protections for medical marijuana patients and industry members;
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prevented the Department of Veterans Affairs from discriminating against veterans using medical marijuana;
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and allowed state-approved cannabis companies to access baking services.
That standard will not continue in 2019. As I said last November, I will allow the House to debate legislation on marijuana reform.
Right now, there is a conflict between federal law and the majority of states. Marijuana is illegal under U.S. law, but most states have legalized the plant for either medicinal or recreational purposes.
While citizens have taken the initiative to reverse this ban on the state level, this patchwork approach has made it difficult for those participating in the cannabis industry to access financial institutions, many forced to deal in cash.
This is dangerous on so many levels.
More soon,
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