Resolution on the Availability of Marijuana for Medicinal Applications

On the Availability of Marijuana
For Medicinal Applications

Whereas, marijuana is the most frequently used illegal drug and has a high potential for abuse which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence; and it is the number one reason Kansas children and adolescents are admitted for substance-dependence treatment in Kansas and the United States.

Whereas, some states have recently passed either ballot initiatives or laws allowing the use of marijuana when individuals receive a physician’s recommendation; and many unintended consequences have occurred as a result, including diversion of marijuana for sale, environmental concerns, law enforcement issues, increased access to marijuana by youth, issues for schools with increased suspensions due to youth marijuana use; and many more;

Whereas, the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared that marijuana has a high potential for abuse, has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and has a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision and that there is sound evidence that smoked marijuana is harmful and there are no valid scientific studies supporting the safety or efficacy of marijuana for medical use.

Whereas, there is no scientific proof that marijuana can satisfy the requirement that it is currently accepted for safe and effective medical use; and

Whereas, the Federal Controlled Substances Act and most state controlled substances acts have scheduled marijuana as an illegal drug and do not make medical necessity or acceptance an exception to its illegal use and distribution; and

Whereas, no medication approved by the FDA is smoked. Marijuana that is dispensed under a
quality control of FDA-approved medicines.

Whereas, statutes that create a defense to possess marijuana for medical applications bypass the United States Food and Drug Administration drug approval process that has protected us for 100 years from unsafe drugs, thus jeopardizing consumer protection;

Whereas, medical treatment should be evidence-based and determined by professional standards
of care; policy and practice surrounding cannabis-derived substances should not be
altered until sufficient clinical evidence supports such changes; and marijuana should
not be authorized by ballot initiatives.

Whereas, allowing a medical excuse to possess marijuana has been demonstrated to create a difficult and confusing legal situation for law enforcement, state regulators, cities and counties and neighborhoods;

Whereas, there is no current scientific evidence that marijuana is in any way beneficial for the
treatment of any psychiatric disorder. In fact, current evidence supports, at
cannabis on neurological development.

Therefore, be it hereby

Resolved, that the Kansas Family Partnership opposes the smoking of marijuana for medicinal applications unless approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration; and be it further

Resolved, that the Kansas legislature shall not enact any legislation relative to marijuana which bypasses the United States Food and Drug Administration or creates a medical excuse defense to possession on medical grounds.

Name (Print):_______________________________Signature:___________________________