[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 26, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H2659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRESS MUST ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA

  (Ms. TITUS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, in the year 2000, the people of Nevada 
overwhelmingly voted to legalize medical marijuana 65 to 35 percent. 
Thirteen years later, the State legislature passed an enacting statute, 
and last week, the Las Vegas City Council and the Clark County 
Commission both approved the establishment of dispensaries.
  Similar action has taken place in 18 States, creating a patchwork of 
conflicting State, local, and Federal laws and regulations. As a 
result, there is a great deal of uncertainty and confusion for Nevadans 
and doctors, patients, and businesses in other States where marijuana 
is legal.
  As more States move towards legalizing marijuana use, it is important 
that Congress address the issue to ensure consumers and businesses are 
protected and are able to operate without fear of Federal prosecution.
  That is why I am cosponsoring the Respect State Marijuana Laws Act, 
the Truth in Trials Act, and the Marijuana Business Access to Banking 
Act.
  I have also joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues to call on the 
Appropriations Committee to ensure the Department of Justice is not 
wasting taxpayer dollars.
  These are commonsense proposals that preserve states' rights and 
ensure patients and businesses are protected.

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