Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) Executive Director Rob Kampia testified before the the U.S. House Government Reform Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources on Friday, at a hearing about "Marijuana and Medicine: The Need for a Science-Based Approach." The Drug War Rant outlines Rob's powerful testimony. You can access his testimony here (pdf). The theme of his testimony was:

Current federal policies are not based on science; rather, they are based on
myths and lies. Worse yet, the federal government is currently blocking scientific inquiry into the therapeutic benefits of marijuana. This collusion in support of delusion is an outrage and must be stopped. State medical marijuana laws must be respected, and research into the therapeutic benefits of marijuana must be allowed to proceed expeditiously.

...In sum, the Marijuana Policy Project strongly supports a science-based approach to medical marijuana. We hope that Chairman Souder eventually abandons his reliance on myths and lies, stops the federal witch hunt for medical marijuana patients and doctors, and embraces an approach that is based on science.

Rob Kampia is one of the most committed marijuana activists around. We first met him in 1996 when we testified before the House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Crime on marijuana cultivation sentencing guidelines. We've stayed in touch with him and continually are impressed by his dedication to marijuana policy reform.

It is ridiculous that in this day and age, government officials are still claiming with a straight face that marijuana lacks any therapeutic benefit. The scientific and anecdotal evidence to the contrary is right in front of their faces.