[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 109 (Friday, June 30, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION OPPOSES THE USE OF MARIJUANA AS 
                                MEDICINE

                                 ______


                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 30, 1995
  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, in a June 21, information release the Drug 
Enforcement Administration [DEA] denounced a recent article in the 
Journal of the American Medical Association [JAMA] which advocated the 
use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Thomas Constantine, 
administrator of the DEA, stated:

       I am very concerned about the JAMA commentary that 
     advocates the medical use of marijuana. Marijuana is listed 
     as Schedule I under the Controlled Substance Act because it 
     has a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted 
     medical use.

  There is very little evidence of positive medicinal uses of 
marijuana. According to Constantine, organizations such as the American 
Glaucoma Society have expressed ``concern over the harmful effects of 
marijuana and the lack of solid research demonstrating that its use 
would do more good than harm.'' And this is not due to lack of 
research. Since 1971, the DEA has registered 1,605 applicants as 
qualified to do research with marijuana.
  With the drug problem growing at tremendous rates, we must not 
legitimize marijuana by using it in our hospitals. As Constantine 
states:

       At a time when drug use represents a major threat to our 
     society, in particular our youth, it is extremely important 
     to rely upon sound medical studies rather than anecdotal 
     information to determine the proper place of marijuana under 
     the Controlled Substances Act.
     

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