-Regarding opioid abuse , he said "Those who suffer from addiction often start at a young age, with alcohol and marijuana, and then move to other drugs like opioids. In examining opioid abuse, we must also consider the factors that lead people to abuse - and what we are doing to address them."
Encouraged NIH to continue research on MJ effects "Right now, this nation is in a significant experiment to legalize marijuana," http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/204690-nih-expert-warns-against-legalizing-pot