Federal Marijuana Legislation
Last week, the House considered the MORE Act. I voted against this bill because it would result in greater widespread marijuana use and sale in America allowing bad actors and criminal organizations to further exploit the nation’s drug addiction crisis.
Although many believe that marijuana is a non-addictive substance with minimal negative health effects, studies show that marijuana use leads to increased abuse and more often than not, it is a gateway to heroin, cocaine and many other hard drugs. Witnesses have testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee that marijuana could be a gateway to other hardcore drugs - particularly in adolescents.
This legislation also fails to ban certain marijuana products that appeal to kids and teenagers and does not prohibit the establishment of marijuana businesses within 1,000 feet of schools, daycares, public parks, or recreational facilities.
As more states legalize marijuana, drugged driving has become an increasing concern. In Washington State, 44% of drivers involved in fatal crashes between 2008-2016 tested positive for two or more substances — alcohol and THC being the most common combination. Legalizing marijuana at the federal level would increase the availability and acceptability of its use and endanger our communities even more. It’s also made it that much more difficult for business owners to find reliable workers so desperately needed to grow a business, which harms the economy.