Gonzales v. Raich in regards to Medical Marijuana

Dear Mr. Shaw:

Thank you for contacting me regarding medical marijuana.

On June 6, 2005, the Supreme Court ruled in Gonzales v. Raich that Federal laws supersede state medical marijuana laws since Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce. In the majority opinion, Justice Stevens wrote, “limiting the activity to marijuana possession and cultivation ‘in accordance with state law’ cannot serve to place respondents’ activities beyond congressional reach.”

As you may know, marijuana is defined as a schedule I narcotic, meaning medical professionals cannot prescribe cannabis. However, tetraydracannabinol (THC), the ingredient that has been found to help medical patients, is available in Marinol. Marinol is a schedule II narcotic that can be prescribed by doctors.

Please know that I will keep your views in mind should this issue come before the Senate. Your communication helps me better serve you in the Senate.

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and the Florida Pre-Paid College Program

Dear Mr. Shaw:

Thank you for contacting me regarding higher education funding in Florida. I understand and share your concerns about recent proposals regarding the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and the Florida Pre-Paid College Program.

As you may know, these programs are handled solely by the Florida Legislature and Florida Board of Education. I encourage you to express your opinions to your state representatives and education officials, and I will continue to work on the Federal level to ensure that all children have equal access to post-secondary education. I believe a college education is the passport to a bright and industrious future for our children.

I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me. Your communication enables me to serve you better in the Senate. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.

http://billnelson.senate.gov/news/ebriefs.cfm

Wanting to legalize marijuana?

Dear Mr. Shaw:

Thank you for contacting me regarding proposals to legalize marijuana.

I oppose legalizing this dangerous drug. At this time, no legislation is pending in the Senate to decriminalize the possession or use of marijuana. If such a proposal is introduced I will keep your thoughts in mind.

Your communication is important and enables me to better serve you in the Senate. Please contact me again with any input or concerns you have.

Office of National Drug Control Policy response in regard to medical marijuana

Thank you for contacting ONDCP.

On April 20th, 2006, the FDA issued an advisory concluding that no
sound scientific studies have supported medical use of smoked
marijuana for treatment in the United States, and no animal or human
data support the safety or efficacy of smoked marijuana for general
medical use.

There are alternative FDA-approved medications in existence for
treatment of many of the proposed uses of smoked marijuana. For
example, a prescription drug, Marinol, is currently available to
anyone with a doctor’s prescription. Marinol contains THC, the active
ingredient in marijuana, and has been approved for some of the same
uses as medicinal marijuana.

To learn more about “medical marijuana,” please visit the following
Web sites:

Medical Marijuana Reality Check

Click to access marijuana_fs.pdf

Inter-Agency Advisory Regarding Claims That Smoked Marijuana Is a
Medicine
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01362.html

Medical Marijuana – Marinol
http://www.dea.gov/ongoing/marinol.html

Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base
http://books.nap.edu/html/marimed/

Marijuana Studies/Articles from the National Institute on Drug Abuse
http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugpages/marijuana.html

Marijuana Research Report
http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Marijuana/default.html

The DEA Position on Marijuana
http://www.dea.gov/marijuana_position.html

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

ONDCP Clearinghouse
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov

Educational Funding cuts in Central Florida’s schools 2009

Dear Mr. Shaw:

Thank you for sharing your concerns about education funding cuts in Central Florida’s schools. Hearing from you helps me better represent Florida’s Eighth District.

As the father of five, I will be the first to tell you that nothing is more important than a child’s education. I share your frustrations regarding education funding cuts in the state of Florida. These cuts impact everything from the jobs of quality teachers and administrators, to after school activities and athletic programs. That is why I voted for H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which included an important provision that would increase education funding nationwide, by approximately $47 billion. Initially, Florida was not eligible for Recovery education funding because the state legislature was not meeting funding obligations. However, myself and other members of the Florida Congressional delegation personally asked the U.S. Secretary of Education to grant Florida an emergency waiver, making our state eligible for increased education funds.

On May 12, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced that Recovery funding of up to $1.8 billion was available to the state of Florida, with the opportunity to apply for another $891 million this fall. This money will benefit the children of Florida because it will help save the hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs that were at the risk of state and local budget cuts. Although this is just a first step, please know that as the 111th Congress debates issues related to education and federal funding, I will have the best interests of my constituents, like you, in mind.