Charley

this is a reply i received from my state rep. when i emailed him in support of medical marijuana.



Dear Mr. xxxxx,
Thank you for contacting me about your concerns on legalizing marijuana. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this very important issue.

Under the Controlled Substances Act, illegal drugs are assigned to one of five groups known as "schedules." These assignments are based on whether drugs have an accepted medical use, their relative potential for abuse, and the degree of dependence that may be caused by abuse of the drug. Marijuana is currently considered a schedule I drug, which is defined as a drug with the highest potential for abuse and no generally accepted medical use.

I am aware that some people argue that marijuana has valid medical uses, such as pain relief for the terminally ill. I respect that argument, but I am concerned that some proponents of the medical use of marijuana actually seek to make this drug more widely available for recreational use. This concern is one of the primary reasons why this issue has been so controversial. Many of my colleagues and I are reluctant to do anything that might result in the increased illicit use of marijuana.

I believe the best policy is to require proponents of the medical use of marijuana to prove it is safe and effective based on valid scientific evidence, documented through the same FDA procedures required for any other prescription drug. Until this time, though, I remain unwilling to enact or support legislation that would alter the legal status of this controlled substance. Therefore, I opposed the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment to the Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations bill that would have prevented the Department of Justice from implementing State laws that would prevent individuals from using marijuana for medical purposes. This amendment failed by a vote of 165-262.

Thank you again for contacting me about this critical issue. Please do not hesitate to write or call me at ###.###.#### if I can ever help you in any way. If you would like periodic email updates on my Congressional activities, please visit Congressman Baron Hill, Representing the 9th District of Indiana - Home.

DoobieBrother

I find at least some comfort in knowing which of my reps do or do not support legalization, either for medical or recreational use. That way, come election time, I vote for someone else. I also encourage others to do the same.

__________________
We must do everything we can to keep Republicans out of office. If they ever regain majority, Republicans will erase everything we've worked for and put us right back where we started.

Charley

its just the way he stated his reply it realy burns me up I sent him a letter on supporting the decriminalization of medical mj on a federal level (under the bill states still decide if its right for that state or not and all the bill dose is keep the feds out of the states hair.)

he completely misinterpreted the whole email.

Legalizer

He probably didn't even read your email. Some staff member probably just glanced at it and then sent out their standard form letter they send to everyone who brings up medical marijuana. These guys get tons of letters and emails. They do not personally respond to each one. Their staff goes through the mail and uses a big library of form letters to respond. At least hundreds if not thousands of people have probably gotten the very same letter in response to their emails or letters.

telefunken

At least he was honest about it. Honest politicians are few and far between. He could have just told you what you wanted to hear so you would vote for him in the next election. Gotta give him credit for that.

Who wants to bet he uses and/or condones alcohol for recreational purposes?

Charley

I know the man (all be it not very well. I have met him a few times and also know him through friends and acquaintances that he is related to.) and he prides himself on personally replying to all letters,emails,and voice mails.

hes just one of those old politicians that will never change hell hes still scared the Russians will invade.

Legalizer

Maybe he did personally reply, but it sure looks like a boilerplate form letter his office has sent out many times before. Imagine how much email guys like this get. Before email they probably got tons of letters, but with email being so easy to send and often even anonymous I don't see how they could pay all that much attention to all of it and write carefully worded individual responses to each and every letter and email. In most cases someone else is screening all their mail and only bringing what appears to be important to their attention. They might personally sign letters that go out, but they're siging a giant stack of them one after the other and not paying mcuh attention to them unless they are going to "Dr. So and So" or "So and So, Attorney at Law," or to someone else they feel is important or who could potentially give them lots of money. They do try to make everyone feel special though, like they are really paying attention to their concerns, but that's mostly an act. You're just one of something like 750 thousand constituents to your congressman.

DoobieBrother

haha, Legalizer, I like your user name.

Yeah, I agree, it definitely appears to be a canned response saved for any mention of the word marijuana. I get those all the time from my reps. Admittedly, I wasn't familiar with this practice when I first started writing them, so I found it equally frustrating. But again, it's nice to know where they stand come voting time.

TokenNutritionist

post his name. no need to keep douchbag politicians a secret

TokeTillYouDrop

He said that he would only sway his decision if they did an FDA study. If he wants to represent you then why doesn't he lobby for testing. He's a douche really. He completely dodged the bullet like a pussy. All politicians say that they want to test and debate but nobody ever does. The people we put in power and trust with our ideas never give a shit.

Hello Arnold!
I voted your ass in twice. So did a majority of the state. You want to know a funny majority statistic? Here it is; 51% of your state wants legal pot. Wake up!... Oh? your going to have a debate? When? Where? Thanks for caring!

__________________