FOR THE RECORD

From remarks by Attorney General Janet Reno at a press conference in
Washington yesterday:

Q: In light of the government-ordered study that was released yesterday on
the medical uses of marijuana, should federal law, which criminalizes
medical use of marijuana, be amended?

Janet Reno: I think what that study -- and I have not had a chance to read
it completely, but what it indicates is that there should be tests, that we
cannot tell from anecdotal information about the true circumstances
regarding the medical use of marijuana, and that it's important that tests
be done in an appropriate manner.

Q: But in the meantime, thousands of terminally ill people are
technically felons, because they use what they believe is a substance
that helps relieve their pain or alleviate some of their symptoms,
simply because of the federal law.

A: We have a number of situations involving medical crises where
decisions have to be made. And in those situations, the testing can
give the information that provides the medically sound approach.

Q: .. . Pending any change in the law . . . has there been any thought to
how the administration enforces the law, especially in those states
that have already enacted medical marijuana laws?

A: As I indicated, I have not had a chance to read it. I'm looking
forward to a discussion concerning what the next step should be. And I
think this is an important report for us to focus on and to figure
what is the next step, what's the appropriate step.