[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 137 (Wednesday, September 6, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1709-E1710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA

                                 ______


                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 6, 1995
  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert my Washington 
Report for Wednesday, September 6, 1995, into the Congressional Record.
                   Why I Oppose Legalizing Marijuana

       I am almost always asked during high school convocations in 
     southern Indiana whether I think marijuana should be 
     legalized. The question reflects a widespread perception, 
     particularly among young people, that marijuana is a ``safe'' 
     drug and, like tobacco, should be made legal. I do not agree 
     with this view. Recent scientific studies continue to 
     demonstrate that marijuana is dangerous and can cause 
     significant health problems for those who consume it.
     
[[Page E 1710]]



                               what is it

       Marijuana is a product of the hemp plant, a crop which has 
     been harvested for thousands of years and whose fibers have 
     been used to make rope, canvas and paper. Marijuana derives 
     from the sticky resin of the flowering tops of the plant.


                           where is it grown

       Most marijuana consumed in this country is grown in Mexico, 
     Colombia and Jamaica. The amount grown in this country, 
     however, has increased in recent years, and now accounts for 
     about 20% of the entire U.S. market. Marijuana is the largest 
     cash crop in the U.S. Earnings from marijuana are estimated 
     at $32 billion per year, far outstripping corn ($14 billion) 
     and soybeans ($11 billion). The highest quality marijuana is 
     cultivated indoors on the West Coast, but the largest volume 
     is grown in the Midwest, including Indiana. The Indiana 
     National Guard, for example, eradicated almost 80 million 
     marijuana plants in Indiana last year.
                            What is the law

       Under federal law, it is illegal to buy, sell, grow or 
     possess any amount of marijuana anywhere in the United 
     States. Penalties for a first offense range from probation to 
     life imprisonment, with fines of up to $4 million, depending 
     on the quantity of marijuana involved. Under civil forfeiture 
     laws, real estate, cars, cash and any other property 
     connected with a marijuana offense are subject to immediate 
     seizure. The federal government need not prove that the 
     property was bought with the proceeds of illegal drug sales, 
     only that it was involved in the commission of a crime--that 
     marijuana was grown on certain land or transported in a 
     particular vehicle. There are state marijuana laws as well. 
     In 1993 more than 380,000 people were arrested nationwide for 
     violating marijuana laws; marijuana convictions in that year 
     outnumbered those for heroin, cocaine and LSD combined.


                              Who uses it

       Close to 70 million Americans have tried marijuana at least 
     once, according to a recent government survey. The number of 
     regular users, however, is far smaller, perhaps around four 
     million people, and overall marijuana use has declined from 
     peak levels in the 1970s. Even so, marijuana consumption 
     among American teenagers has been on the increase over the 
     last three years. Thirteen percent of eighth-graders reported 
     having tried marijuana at least once in 1994, up from 6.2% in 
     1991.


                            Why the increase

       During the 1980s, increasing concerns about the dangers of 
     marijuana and other drugs contributed to a sharp decline in 
     use. That attitude is changing. More and more young people 
     today believe that marijuana is not a dangerous drug--that, 
     unlike cocaine for example, the drug is not addictive, does 
     not kill people and does not produce violent behavior. 
     Furthermore, marijuana is said to have certain medicinal 
     properties, whether it is used by cancer patients to ease the 
     pain and nausea associated with chemotherapy or by a 
     recreational user to relieve stress. In this view, marijuana 
     should be treated like tobacco and made legal.
                      what are the health dangers

       Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that 
     marijuana does in fact pose serious health dangers. It 
     damages short-term memory, distorts perception, impairs 
     judgment and complex motor skills, alters the heart rate, can 
     lead to severe anxiety, and can cause paranoia and lethargy. 
     It may not kill people by an overdose, but young marijuana 
     users are more likely than nonusers to consume other illicit 
     drugs, to have car accidents, and to be arrested. In 1993, 
     twice as many teenagers ended up in emergency rooms for 
     marijuana use as for heroin and cocaine combined.
       Contrary to popular belief, marijuana is also an addictive 
     drug. More efficient agriculture--new methods of harvesting 
     and processing marijuana plants--has made the drug about 20 
     times more potent than the marijuana on the street in the 
     60's and 70's. Marijuana is frequently mentioned by drug-
     control specialists as being a stepping stone or gateway to 
     drugs such as crack cocaine and heroin. About 43% of young 
     people who use marijuana before age 18 go on to use cocaine. 
     Legalizing marijuana would almost certainly cause more young 
     people to use--and become addicted to--marijuana and other 
     drugs.
                       What are the social costs

       There are numerous social and economic costs associated 
     with increased marijuana use. First, its use can impair 
     academic performance among young people. Marijuana is 
     associated with increased truancy, poor attention span and 
     under-achievement in school. Second, and more broadly, its 
     use causes damage in our workplace. Few Americans realize 
     that three-fourths of regular drug users are employed. 
     According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, employed drug 
     users are 33% less productive than their colleagues. They are 
     likely to incur 300% higher medical costs and benefits. 
     Third, marijuana use has been linked to other crimes.


                   What can be done about the problem

       A key step to reducing marijuana use, particularly among 
     young people, is to educate them to its dangers. It is 
     critical to reach kids early, before they have begun to use 
     drugs, with clear information about marijuana and with 
     positive alternatives for their time. Children typically have 
     very strong anti-drug attitudes, and most young people today 
     don't use drugs. It's essential to reinforce these views.
       Our message must be clear and consistent. The message in 
     the 1980's was, ``Just say no to drugs,'' and the message for 
     the 1990's must be the same. Marijuana use is illegal, 
     dangerous and unhealthy. It is not cool. It is not respectful 
     of your body. If you use drugs, stop, and if you can't stop, 
     get help.
       We know that young people need to hear antidrug messages 
     where they live, study, work and play. This education effort 
     must be a group effort, involving the public and private 
     sector, but particularly parents, teachers and neighbors.
     

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