Farr Statement On Rohrabacher-Farr Medical Marijuana Amendment

Statement

Rep. Sam Farr, D-Calif., released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted 219-189 to pass the bipartisan Rohrabacher-Farr amendment to the FY 2015 CJS Appropriations bill to prevent the federal government from prosecuting medical marijuana patients or distributors who are in compliance with the laws of their state:

"States with medical marijuana laws are no longer the outliers; they are the majority. This vote showed that Congress is ready to rethink how we treat medical marijuana patients in this country. This amendment gives states the right to determine their own laws for medical marijuana use; free of federal intervention. It also gives patients comfort knowing they will have safe access to the medical care legal in their state without the fear of federal prosecution.

"But while momentum is on our side, there is still work to be done to get this bill out of the Senate. In the meantime, the federal government can continue to prosecute medical marijuana patients. This is more than just a waste of taxpayer dollars; it needlessly destroys lives and tears families apart. The majority of states and now the House of Representatives have clearly stated this absurd policy needs to stop. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to pass this amendment and remove the burden weighing down on so many patients in our country."

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