[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 170 (Wednesday, November 18, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H8284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE CULTURE OF OPPOSITION NEEDS TO CHANGE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, Chuck Rosenberg, the acting 
administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, recently called 
the notion of smoking medical marijuana a joke.
  What is a joke is the job Rosenberg is doing as acting DEA 
administrator. He is an example of an inept, misinformed zealot who has 
mismanaged America's failed policy of marijuana prohibition.
  Americans recognize it is time for a change in direction to legalize, 
regulate, and tax marijuana. Fifty-eight percent now support 
legalization, continuing an upward trend in public opinion polls and at 
the ballot box.
  Over 75 percent of the American public supports medical marijuana, as 
do a majority of American physicians. Rosenberg claims medical 
marijuana is a joke, but the proven therapeutic value of cannabis has 
prompted 23 States, Guam, and the District of Columbia to approve its 
medical application and an additional 17 States have authorized its 
more limited use.
  Rosenberg's claim that more research is necessary is true, but it 
reeks of hypocrisy because the DEA, under his leadership, has made 
badly needed cannabis research difficult, and often impossible. If 
Rosenberg was doing his job, he would have visited with some of the 
hundreds of thousands who have found medical marijuana has had a 
profound effect on their lives and that of their families.
  President Obama is the first sitting President to tell the truth 
about cannabis. His administration has not acted to shut down the adult 
or medical marijuana reforms sweeping the country. Sadly, it isn't just 
his DEA administrator who is undercutting his policy.
  Earlier this year the Department of Justice took an outrageously 
flawed position on the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment that passed with 
strong bipartisan support, which clearly specified that the Federal 
Government should not interfere with State legal medical marijuana 
operations.
  The Department of Justice and the DEA contend that it only prevents 
action against States, not individuals. This is a ridiculous 
interpretation of the law and caused a Federal court in California to 
rule this interpretation ``defies language and logic'' in deciding 
against them.
  More recently, the Senate passed the MILCON-VA appropriations bill, 
which included an amendment offered by my colleague in Oregon, Senator 
Merkley, mirroring my legislation to allow VA doctors to recommend 
medical marijuana to their patients in accordance with State law.
  Yet, on November 13, the Department of Veterans Affairs indicated 
they won't allow doctors and patients to participate in State legal 
marijuana laws, even if this bill becomes law.
  Sadly, these actions by administration officials are indicative of a 
throwback ideology rooted in the failed war on drugs, which needs to 
stop.
  They do not reflect the overwhelming body of evidence about the 
effects of medical marijuana, the reforms happening at the State level 
and in Congress, or the opinion of the American people.
  They don't reflect the statements by the President himself and the 
official policy promulgated by former Deputy Attorney General Cole 
outlining the administration's commitment to stay out of the way of 
State marijuana laws.
  There is overwhelming evidence that marijuana offers relief when 
nothing else has helped, including as a more effective pain management 
tool than highly addictive narcotics. Opioid overdoses are 
skyrocketing, and we have an epidemic of heroin abuse and overdose.
  Sadly, the culture of opposition in the Federal Government continues. 
On one level, we have this amazing progress at the State and local 
level. We have made significant progress here in Congress with the 
introduction of over 20 bills in both Chambers dealing with the Federal 
treatment of cannabis and hemp, and the successful votes on three 
amendments in the House and three in Senate committees in this 
Congress.
  This culture needs to change. Leadership needs to change. Rosenberg 
is clearly not the right fit for the DEA in this administration.
  I would hope that the President directs the heads of all relevant 
agencies to adjust their policies, clarify regulations that deal with 
marijuana laws, establish policies that reflect changing State laws, 
and, most importantly, reflect the President's own position.
  He has said that he has bigger fish to fry than interfere with State 
legalization efforts. It is time that the rest of his administration 
gets on board, and it should start with a new head of the Drug 
Enforcement Administration.

                          ____________________