David Price on Medical Marijuana
I was surprised to see a reply from my congressman, David Price, of North Carolina’s 4th district. He is, as far as I can tell, the only sane, rational representation I have. Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr, my senators, have an uncanny knack for opposing me on every single vote. In fact, Burr once said that Usurper in Chief Bush is “right 96% of the time.” Yeah, that sounds pretty likely. Anyway, here is a letter I received from Congressman Price this week:
October 19, 2007
Mr. Jim Tuttle
Cascadilla Street
Durham, NC 27704
Dear Mr. Tuttle:
Thank you for contacting me regarding a letter circulated in the House to Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Administrator Karen Tandy related to research on the potential medical uses of marijuana. I am pleased to report that I am one of the 45 members of Congress who signed this letter.
I share your support for biomedical research and agree that the DEA should approve the University of Massachusetts-Amherst’s application to produce marijuana for research on the potential medical uses of marijuana. Currently, the
University ofMississippi , under contract with the National Institute on Drug Abuse, has the sole authority to produce marijuana for research purposes in theUnited States .
I am hopeful that the licensing application will be approved quickly so that privately-funded sponsors of FDA-approved research will have the opportunity to conduct studies with a strain of marijuana of their own choosing. As noted in the letter to DEA, I believe licensing
University ofMassachusetts Amherst Professor Lyle Craker ’s research facility would be in the public interest. I have attached a copy of the letter for your reference.
Thank you again for contacting me, and please continue to keep in touch on issues of concern.
Sincerely,
DAVID PRICE
Member of Congress
Tags: politics
Comments (RSS)
December 8th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
I find it hard to believe that Rep. David Price wrote this letter, for one thing, he would never sign it just “member of Congress. I know him and my family new his father, sooooo, hmm…me thinks you are faking this letter.
December 10th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Hi Ellen,
I’m sorry that belief is difficult for you. I guess I’m not exactly clear on what your evidence is. Are you trying to say that because you know him and your family knew his father you are certain that he wouldn’t support medical marijuana? Or, perhaps you’re saying that because of this quasi familial relationship you’re certain he wouldn’t sign “Member of Congress”? Either way, why don’t you write him yourself and let us know what you find out? And for the record, while it’s a little insulting that you’d call me a liar, it’s understandable given the untrustworthiness of people randomly posting things on the web. Your comment included, of course.
Let me help your faltering belief system and lead you to the letter that Rep. Price signed supporting research on medical marijuana. He referred to the letter above. See http://braggtown.com/blog/images/pricecongressletter.pdf Or, see that the MARIJUANA POLICY PROJECT MEDICAL MARIJUANA PAC contributes money to Price at http://www.congress.org/fconl/bio/fec/?id=443&cycle=2007-2008
In fact, David Price voted for appropriations bill HR 2587 approving medical marijuana study funding in 2000. See http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d106:H.R.02587: He voted aye on the Hinchey-Rohrabacher Amendment (HR 5672) in 2006 to support research funding for medical marijuana. See http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll333.xml He’s voted for other medical marijuana bills, but I don’t have time to dig them up for you. The House website is a nifty resource and Thomas from Library of Congress should help you, too.
So, you can see why I might think that you have no idea what you’re talking about. Like I said, I’m not sure if your problem was with how he signed the letter or with his position on medical marijuana, but his position is exceedingly clear. Maybe next time you could do a little homework before questioning someones honesty. You’re more than welcome to make your apology here, if you like.