[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 97 (Friday, June 20, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       H. AMDT. 748 TO H.R. 4460

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2014

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
support for the medical marijuana provision that came before the House 
of Representatives for a vote on May 30, 2014--H. AMDT. 748 to H.R. 
4460--an amendment to prohibit the use of funds to prevent certain 
States from implementing their own State laws that authorize the use, 
distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana.
  Had I voted on May 30, 2014, I would have voted in favor of H. AMDT 
748 to H.R. 4460, which was offered by Rep Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) to 
the FY 2015 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CSJ) Appropriations bill. 
The amendment was agreed to by recorded vote: 219-189.
  Specifically, the bill is a bipartisan appropriations measure that 
looks to prohibit the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) from spending funds 
to arrest state-licensed medical marijuana patients and providers. Many 
of my colleagues and their constituencies agree that patients who are 
allowed to purchase and consume medical marijuana in their respective 
states should not be punished by the federal government.
  I believe that we must modernize our federal laws to reflect the 
updated approaches to medical marijuana use, and allow states to 
determine the parameters, practices, and effects of legalization. Mr. 
Speaker, 22 states and the District of Columbia have legalized 
marijuana for medical use. In my home state of Florida, the majority of 
voters support the legalization of marijuana for medical use, and I 
stand behind them.
  Mr. Speaker, I support the legalization of marijuana for medical use, 
and remain committed to protecting citizens nationwide that are the 
subject to detainment for use despite their medical needs.

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