In a press release issued Thursday, a spokesperson for Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said Collins recognizes the value of medical marijuana in certain cases, and in the past has supported amendments to prevent the Department of Justice from interfering with states' medical marijuana laws.

"There is, however, considerable scientific and medical evidence of the detrimental impact that marijuana can have on the brain development of otherwise healthy teenagers," the statement said. "Congress and the Department of Justice should review the Controlled Substances Act, which generally prohibits growing, distributing or using marijuana, in light of current medical evidence as well as actions taken by states."
1/4/18
http://mainepublic.org/post/how-attorney-general-s-decision-tighten-federal-marijuana-policy-affects-maine

"From a federal perspective, if there were a bill in the Senate to legalize marijuana, I would vote against it," Collins said.

That decision, she said, is based on extensive conversations she has had with medical professionals, law enforcement and others about what they are seeing in Maine in terms of substance abuse and a growing body of science that suggests marijuana use by teens can have a damaging impact on brain development.

"When we legalize a controlled substance, we send a message that there is no harm and that, based on all the conversations I've had with medical personnel and others, is just not the case," Collins said.

Web: http://collins.senate.gov/

Phone: 202-224-2523