[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 87 (Thursday, June 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1333-E1334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SCIENCE, STATE, JUSTICE, COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS 
                               ACT, 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 28, 2006

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under

[[Page E1334]]

     consideration the bill (H.R. 5672) making appropriations for 
     Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and 
     related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
     2007, and for other purposes:

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Hinchey 
amendment.
  I acknowledge that this is a controversial issue, and it has been a 
difficult decision for me. While scientific evidence is inconclusive 
and the medical community has yet to speak with one voice as to whether 
there is a unique, therapeutic benefit to inhaled marijuana, some 
studies suggest that marijuana can relieve pain, nausea, and appetite 
loss. I have heard from many patients, suffering from some of life's 
most challenging conditions, who have informed me that the therapeutic 
value of inhaled marijuana is unmatched. I have always supported 
further study of medical marijuana because of the potential to ease the 
suffering of the many Americans dealing with chronic illness and 
disease
  While I have not supported amendments similar to this one in the 
past, the issue is different for me this year, as the Representative 
from the Second Congressional District of Rhode Island. Since we last 
debated this issue in June 2005, the state legislature of Rhode Island 
has passed--and the state Department of Health has implemented--a law 
allowing for legal access to medical marijuana. Under this law, the 
state established a registry that issues identification cards to 
qualifying patients or caregivers who register with the state. These 
patients, who suffer from an approved list of conditions including 
cancer, multiple sclerosis and AIDS, must provide certification from a 
Rhode Island physician. Once approved in the registry, the patient or a 
designated caregiver is permitted to possess up to a certain amount of 
cultivated marijuana and to grow up to 12 marijuana plants. The 
statewide discussion over the issue made clear that my constituents 
overwhelmingly support regulated access to marijuana for medical 
purposes; and the state legislature responded with overwhelming support 
by overriding a governor's veto with significantly more than the 
necessary 2/3 support in each chamber. I am aware that I now represent 
some constituents who are using medical marijuana, in compliance with 
state laws. I am also aware that under federal law, these Rhode Island 
patients run the risk of being arrested and prosecuted for federal drug 
offenses--and this troubles me greatly.
  My vote for the Hinchey amendment should not be interpreted as an 
unconditional endorsement of medical marijuana. I do believe the 
therapy deserves further clinical trials and scientific scrutiny. As we 
move forward with these policy discussions, we must bear in mind that 
marijuana is a narcotic and therapeutic usage must be carefully 
controlled. However, I rise today in support of the Hinchey amendment 
because I do not want my constituents, or those of the ten other states 
that have passed similar laws, to live in fear of arrest when they are 
complying with state law.
  I urge my colleagues to support the Hinchey amendment, as well as the 
further study of the therapeutic value of medical marijuana.

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