[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 42 (Thursday, April 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 1997

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, the American Medical Association and all 
health care providers should be alerted that legislation I am 
introducing today will require the Attorney General to revoke the 
Federal license to prescribe medication to any health care practitioner 
who recommends to a patient the use of smoked marijuana. This bill is a 
response to the fraudulent efforts of the pro-drug crowd in the States 
of California and Arizona where they now allow for the medical use of 
marijuana. This bill will be offered as an amendment to the first 
available authorization or appropriations bill.
  The organizations which promoted the California and Arizona medical 
marijuana initiatives--Drug Policy Foundation/NORML--intentionally 
exploited the pain and suffering of others as part of their back door 
attempt to legalize marijuana.
  As we know, Mr. Speaker, it is a Federal offense to sell, use, or 
possess a controlled substance, such as marijuana. The Federal 
Government, or more specifically, the Food and Drug Administration has 
repeatedly rejected marijuana for medical use because it adversely 
impacts concentration and memory, the lungs, motor coordination, and 
the immune system.
  There is increasing scientific evidence that smoked marijuana would 
be the last medication you would want to prescribe to persons with AIDS 
since this drug further compromises their immune system, thereby 
increasing the risk of infections and respiratory problems.
  Specifically, my bill, the Medical Marijuana Prevention Act, requires 
the DEA to revoke the Federal license of a physician to dispense 
approved medication, under the Controlled Substance Act, if they 
recommend the use of smoked marijuana for a medical treatment.
  Federal law (21 U.S.C. S. 824) provides the President authority to 
deny a doctor's registration to dispense controlled substances--
medication--if the doctor is found to commit acts inconsistent with the 
public interest. In other words, the President already has the 
authority under existing law to end the medical marijuana fraud.
  As I have said on countless occasions, the only legacy of the Clinton 
Presidency will be a dramatic increase in the use of illegal drugs in 
America. There is still time for the President to reverse this trend 
but it would require decisive action on his part. Unfortunately given 
his record on this most important of issues it may again be left to 
Congress to take the initiative.

                          ____________________