[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2374]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1915
                      PRESIDENT WRONG ON MARIJUANA

  (Mr. SMITH of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, recently, President Obama said that 
marijuana is no more dangerous than alcohol; however, the White House's 
own Web site gives numerous examples to the contrary:
  First, marijuana use, particularly chronic use that begins at a young 
age, can lead to negative health consequences, such as dependence, 
addiction, respiratory illnesses, and cognitive impairment;
  Second, marijuana is not a benign drug, and it is the second-leading 
substance for which people receive drug treatment;
  Third, in the past 20 years, marijuana potency has tripled, leading 
to serious public health concerns;
  Fourth, long-term use, particularly in adolescents, may be linked 
with lower IQ later in life.
  Mr. Speaker, comparing marijuana to alcohol, as the President did, 
will only encourage its use and endanger the health of many Americans.

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