J. Dennis Hastert                                                                               http://www.speaker.gov

       Fourteenth District

                 Illinois

Speaker's Press Office

                                                                   United States House of Representatives

                                                                                Washington, DC 20515

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                           CONTACT: 202-225-2800

July 23, 2003                                                                                       John Feehery or Pete Jeffries

Speaker Dennis Hastert Speaks Out About the Dangers of Marijuana

Washington, DC - Speaker J. Dennis Hastert released the following statement today:

"I would like to congratulate the leadership of Educating Voices, especially Judy Kreamer, and all the citizen advocates who work on behalf of children, who are waging a grassroots battle to end drug abuse and prevent the legalization and distribution of dangerous narcotics.  I am also extremely grateful for the enormous effort that is being rolled out today to educate Americans, young and old, about the dangers of marijuana.

"Illegal narcotics should not be prescribed by doctors because marijuana, like cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and other dangerous drugs, are extremely addictive.  These are the drugs that plague our neighborhoods, tear apart families and in many cases take the lives of those who use.

"Furthermore, Americans should not be required to pick up the tab for medical malpractice claims against doctors who choose to prescribe and distribute marijuana - this will only lead to more unfair, burdensome costs to the average person paying for health insurance.

"I want to thank the parents, grandparents, law enforcement officers, and policy makers for protecting America's children through this new and important citizen initiative." 

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