Here is the second email for H.R. 5842 after I sent the links to the facts about marijuana.

Dear Shawn:



Thank you for contacting me to express your support for medical marijuana. As former chairman of the congressional subcommittee with jurisdiction over anti-narcotics programs, I appreciate hearing from you.



As you may know, under the Controlled Substances Act, marijuana is considered a Schedule I drug, or a drug with a high potential for abuse, and no generally accepted medical use. Schedule II drugs may also have a high potential for abuse but do have generally accepted medical uses (e.g., morphine). Approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would be required for marijuana to become a Schedule II drug. Most clinical investigations generally require testing protocols that are randomized, blinded and placebo-controlled. However, it is difficult to research accurately the medical effectiveness of natural marijuana with placebos because of the discernible taste and smell of the marijuana smoke. Adding to the difficulty is that researchers require a supply with an accuracy to-the-milligram of the psychoactive ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is difficult to obtain in natural form.



The FDA alleviated these complications by approving the marketing of a synthetically derived form of THC, under the name Marinol. Substantial evidence was shown that THC was safe and effective to treat chemotherapy patients who suffer from nausea and vomiting and do not respond to conventional treatments. This allowed Marinol to be transferred to a Schedule II drug. Additional evidence, which suggested the drug's effectiveness in combating weight loss and concomitant malnutrition in AIDS patients from HIV-wasting syndrome without evidence of misuse, led to another reclassification of Marinol as a Schedule III drug in 1999.



While some claim that natural marijuana is more effective than Marinol because of its rapid symptomatic relief, efficient absorption through the lungs, and patients' control over dosage, health experts and government officials see smoking as a harmful drug delivery system without substantial benefits. Smoke from the marijuana cigarettes contains a variety of toxic chemicals that could be harmful, especially for those in need of strict medical attention. Moreover, health officials do not see a medical advantage in the natural form and would advise patients to seek a doctor's prescription for the synthetic version of the drug.



Despite this evidence, there has been an effort to legalize natural marijuana for medicinal use. On April 17, 2008, Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts introduced H.R. 5842, the States' Rights to Medical Marijuana Act. This bill would change the classification of marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule II drug. H.R. 5842 was referred for further consideration to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.



I am strongly opposed to all efforts to legalize narcotics such as marijuana. Marijuana is harmful to more than just the user. It impairs judgment and has proven links to fatal accidents and harmful injuries. For the user, marijuana is addictive, it adversely affects the immune system, and it leads to the use of other drugs, such as cocaine. In addition, today's marijuana is more potent and its effects can be more intense. Marijuana causes cancer, including cancer of the lungs, mouth, throat, lips, and tongue; respiratory diseases; and mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and other psychoses, depression, panic attacks, hallucinations, paranoia, hostility, depersonalization, flashbacks, decreased cognitive performance, disconnected thought, delusions and impaired memory. Since marijuana impairs coordination and judgment, it is a major cause of accidents. Babies born to women who smoke marijuana during pregnancy have an increased incidence of leukemia, low birth weight and other abnormalities. Moreover, I believe that the legalization of so-called medical marijuana is a back door to the general legalization of this drug.



Thank you for keeping in touch with me on this issue. If I may be of any assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me again. I also encourage you to visit my Web site, which may be found on-line at United States Congressman Mark Souder :: Welcome.




Sincerely,

Mark Souder
Member of Congress

Please be advised, I cannot guarantee the integrity of the text of this letter if it was not sent to you directly from my Congressional Email Account. If you have any questions about the validity of this message, please contact me via my website at United States Congressman Mark Souder :: Welcome or you can call my Washington, DC office at: (202) 225-4436.