At a time when recent trends in youth drug use have shown asignificant downturn, I was disturbed by your recent editorial"Legalize medical marijuana" in support of state legislation topermit the growth of marijuana for medical purposes.
As a former schoolteacher and coach and father of two, I believein giving our kids a drug-free future. Illegal drugs are responsiblefor the loss of 17,000 American lives annually, and marijuana is byfar the most used and abused of these drugs. More kids use marijuanathan cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and all other illicit drugs combined.Legislation that allows, supports or recognizes marijuana as amedicine is irresponsible, shortsighted and sends the wrong messageto our youth.
There is absolutely no sound scientific evidence that marijuanahas any medicinal value. The Food and Drug Administration is theonly agency that can designate a substance as a medicine and to datehas not done so. Marijuana continues to be a Schedule I ControlledSubstance, and its use under federal law, for any reason, is acrime.
It is clear that if this bill becomes law, it would undermine themedical integrity and safeguards established by the federal drugapproval process, compromise law enforcement efforts to combat drugtrafficking, and endanger public health and safety. Legalization ofany kind will also have unintended consequences: each person injuredin driving and work-related accidents committed by those under theinfluence, and unborn babies harmed by abusing mothers.
I urge the General Assembly to think twice about supportinglegislation that softens the stance that marijuana is dangerous,addictive and illegal. I would hope that everyone could agree thatthere is no legitimate place in our society for marijuana use.
Rep. J. Dennis Hastert
(R-Ill.)
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