House Votes to Block Targeting of Medical Pot
12-31-1969
The House has voted in favor of blocking the Drug Enforcement Administration from interfering with states that allow the use of medical marijuana.
Friday's 219-189 vote came as lawmakers debated a bill funding the Justice Department's budget.
The bill's author, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., cited an "overwhelming" change in public opinion about medical marijuana uses, such as improving the appetites of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
"Some people are suffering, and if a doctor feels that he needs to prescribe something to alleviate that suffering, it is immoral for this government to get in the way," Rohrabacher said.
But Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., suggested legalizing medical marijuana laws was a slippery slope.
"It's the camel's nose under the tent," Harris said, citing a DEA study that said medical marijuana was "a means to an end."
Friday's 219-189 vote came as lawmakers debated a bill funding the Justice Department's budget.
The bill's author, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., cited an "overwhelming" change in public opinion about medical marijuana uses, such as improving the appetites of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
"Some people are suffering, and if a doctor feels that he needs to prescribe something to alleviate that suffering, it is immoral for this government to get in the way," Rohrabacher said.
But Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., suggested legalizing medical marijuana laws was a slippery slope.
"It's the camel's nose under the tent," Harris said, citing a DEA study that said medical marijuana was "a means to an end."