Congressman Pete Sessions, of the 17th Congressional District, co-led a letter to President Trump urging against the rescheduling of marijuana under federal law.
Rep. Sessions co-led the letter alongside Rep. Andy Harris and 24 other Republican lawmakers. The letter argues against the reclassification of marijuana, listing the members' concern for the nation’s public health and worsening addiction crisis.
The letter states that the reclassification of marijuana under the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will consequently “send the wrong message to America’s children, enable drug cartels, and make our roads more dangerous.”
In the United States, marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule 1 drug, referencing laws that have continued to categorize marijuana as such. This classification means that the drug has extremely high potential to be abused and has no accepted medical use.
The letter references a 15-year medical review that found marijuana has no real medical value, furthering the authors’ arguments. “We don’t need rescheduling to do medical research on marijuana- all we are doing is exposing more of our youth to an addictive drug,” said Congressman Harris, according to an official statement.
The members argue that rescheduling will “deepen” the national drug crisis. According to the letter, public opinion surrounding marijuana and its effects has shifted with an increase in negative attitudes towards the drug.
In addition, lawmakers suggest that the rescheduling will worsen the nation’s road safety. If reclassified as a Schedule 3 drug, drivers will not have to be tested for marijuana. The letter states that “over 40% of fatal car crashes today involve THC.”
Lawmakers note President Trump’s previous remarks and overall stance on drugs, urging that he continue his sentiments with actions for America’s youth and future.
The congressmembers who co-authored the letter include Congressman Pete Sessions, Congressman Andy Harris, M.D., Congressman Doug LaMalfa, Congresswoman Mary E. Miller, Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S., Congressman Michael V. Lawler, Congressman Robert B. Aderholt, Congressman Ralph Norman, Congressman John H. Rutherford, Congressman Russ Fulcher, Congressman Chuck Edwards, Congresswoman Sheri Biggs, Congressman David Rouzer, Congressman Michael K. Simpson, Congressman Christopher H. Smith, Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger, Pharm.D., Congressman Mark Harris, Congressman Aaron Bean, Congressman Blake D. Moore, Congressman Michael Cloud, Congressman Ron Estes, Congressman Joe Wilson, Congressman Barry Loudermilk, Congressman John Rose, Congressman Mike Flood and Congressman Nathaniel Moran.
