Medical Marijuana Research Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Medical Marijuana Research Act.

Cannabis has been known by humans for thousands of years, yet we still don't truly know if the plant is medically beneficial. Some preliminary findings have given cause to believe that there may be some medicinal benefits. In fact, the FDA has authorized use of medical- grade CBD products for rare forms of epilepsy, but large-scale research has not occurred.

Despite this, more than half of the States have legalized cannabis for medical purposes. Even Georgia, my home State, has acted to expand cannabis laws.

As the legal status of cannabis evolves, we must prioritize making the plant available for medicinal research.

In 2017, the National Academy of Medicine found that there are several challenges and barriers in conducting cannabis and cannabinoid research, including the classification of cannabis as a schedule I substance and the difficulty for researchers to gain access to the quality and quantity of product necessary for research.

I do not believe that the Federal Government should be standing in the way of medical research for cannabis products. Cannabis could be a lifesaving product. It may also not be, but we owe it to the patients to do the due diligence, research, and testing so that they may make the best medical decisions for themselves.

While we may all have differing opinions on the decriminalization of recreational marijuana--and my stance on that is well-known and well- documented that I am adamantly opposed to the recreational use of marijuana--I think we can all agree that we should facilitate better research on the plant's medicinal benefits.

Mr. Speaker, I am glad to see this legislation come to the floor for a vote. I thank my colleague, Mr. Blumenauer, for working on this legislation with me. I urge passage of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, before I leave, I want to pay homage, if you will, to Mr. Walden, who will be leaving us, you have heard other speakers indicate before.

I came on this committee 4 years ago. Being the only pharmacist in Congress, I wanted to be on the Health Subcommittee, and I wanted to work in that arena. That is where Energy and Commerce was.

I will have to be quite honest with you. I really didn't understand just what a great committee--the best committee in Congress--Energy and Commerce is, and I truly believe that. I understand that now.

But I want to thank Greg Walden, because when I came in 4 years ago, he was the chairman of this committee, and he was very encouraging to me. In fact, he was my mentor on this committee. He led me and gave me opportunities, and I appreciate that very, very much.

His diversity, his intelligence, his fairness has been outstanding. His leadership has been outstanding, and it is only surpassed by his impeccable character.

Mr. Speaker, as he leaves, I want him to know how much I personally am appreciative of all of his help and all of his leadership.

Our committee, our Congress, our country is better off because of your work. Thank you and Godspeed.

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