September 6, 1996

Mr. Carl E. Olsen
Iowans For Medical Marijuana
P.O. Box 4091
Des Moines, Iowa 50333

Dear Carl:

Thank you for writing to support the Medical Marijuana Rescheduling Bill (H.R. 2618) as well as for the information you sent me.  I welcome this opportunity to respond.

You may be interested to learn that Representative Frank of Massachusetts introduced H.R. 2618 on November 10, 1995.  Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug which means that it has a high potential for abuse and is not permitted for medical use.  H.R. 2618 would reschedule marijuana as a Schedule II drug and allow doctors to prescribe marijuana for medical purposes such as treating glaucoma.  The bill would also establish the Office for the Supply of Internationally Controlled Drugs which would regulate and supervise the production of marijuana for medicinal purposes.  H.R. 2618 was referred to the Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health and Environment and the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime.  No further action has been taken on the bill at this time.

I understand that marijuana does have some medical uses.  However, as you may know, the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse has reported the number of adolescents aged 12-17 using marijuana and other drugs has increased from 5.3% in 1992 to 19.9% in 1995.  I am concerned that legalizing drugs for medical purposes could increase the supply of marijuana available to drug abusers and cause a further lapse in the progress that has been made so far in fighting the war on drugs. 

While we may not completely agree on this issue, please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if you have questions or concerns you would like to express.  Again, thanks for writing.

                                        Sincerely,