Text of Mark Green letter to Gary Storck

Below is the text of the letter from Mark Green that prompted Jacki's letter to Mark Green. Several other people, Green constituents, reported receiving identical letters in response to inquiries regarding medical marijuana.

August 24, 2005

Gary Storck
POB 3410
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

Dear Gary,

Thank you for contacting me with your support for the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment to the Science, State, Justice and Commerce Appropriations Bill. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know your thoughts, and I apologize for the delay in my response to you.

As you know, the United States Supreme Court ruled decisively by a vote of 6-3 that there is no medical necessity defense prosecution for the federal crimes of cultivating or distributing marijuana, even if a state legally permits use of the drug. While Congress has the power to amend the Controlled Substances Act to make the use of marijuana legal, I have to tell you that's something I can't support.

I have listened to much of the debate on whether marijuana, an illegal substance, can provide therapeutic relief for individuals with certain ailments who feel that their systems are unresponsive to conventional medical treatments. However, the therapeutic benefits claimed from smoking marijuana are, for the most part, anecdotal, and not supported by scientific testing. Smoking marijuana, even in small amounts, carries health risks that exceed any perceived therapeutic benefits.

I believe current medical options are superior to legalizing an addictive and dangerous illegal drug. While I sympathize with suffering patients, until the medical community shows consensus support for legalization of marijuana, I will have to maintain my opposition.

While we may not agree on this issue I hope you can understand my point of view. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions on this or any other matter before Congress.

Best Regards,

Mark Green
Member of Congress

Updated Thursday, October 12, 2006