Congress to consider allowing marijuana possession
Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) introduced legislation today to remove criminal penalties for marijuana possession at the federal level. The Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2009 would remove penalties for possession of up to 3.5 ounces of marijuana and the not-for-profit transfer of 1 ounce.
Please take action today to support this important legislation.
Congressman Frank’s legislation seeks to bring federal law in line with reality. 99% of all marijuana arrests occur at the state and local level. In practice, federal laws prohibiting marijuana possession act as a deterrent to states that may want a more sensible policy. Congressman Frank’s bill would remove that deterrent and push U.S. marijuana policy in the right direction.
The bill’s introduction comes amidst unprecedented momentum for reform, but it will still face significant opposition in Congress — so please visit mpp.org/federal-action and take action today!
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Tagged with: Congressman Barney Frank and decriminalization and Prohibition by the author
73 comments
All I gotta say is,congress and the fed better start doing what we the people want. We are anger,we are tired of all the bs we see on capitol hill. So if cannabis is legalized,what are all of you gonna do besides light on up? Sit back on your asses and watch washington continue to do as they please on all other issues? OR will you keep the ball rolling and make some more change in washington?
This is good news, we just need to keep up the support for legalization so that people realize this is a REAL issue. I think the push for decriminalization has taken a BIG positive turn recently as momentum has increased dramatically, when just a couple of months ago I thought this was not coming for a LONG time and now it appears to be gaining more and more support!
Yo… this is spectacular news. It’s not over till it’s over but we are definitely moving in the right direction.
[...] Marijuana Policy Project has the scoop…. Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) introduced legislation today to remove [...]
I just got a reply to my letter to Congressman Mike Michaurd D Maine. My letter asked him to support the Medicinal Marijuana bill. His responce was full of ignorance and tired cliches. The man knows nothing about medical marijuana, nothing. This means he can’t even make an educated vote. I quite sure he will spend no time or effort to learn the facts as it is so much easier to make “drug war” statements. We need some way to educate the people that have votes. What would be the best way to accomplish this ? Is there a book or pamphlet with medical marijuana facts we could send them ?
You win game over? what happens if marijuana is legal in all of U.S. just shut this site down?
I’m still not sure. Doesn’t decriminalization keep the sale of marijuana illegal but possession of only a certain amount ok?
I still support marijuana regulation over decriminalization.
Gary #5: Look on our Library page for lots of materials. Here’s one:http://www.mpp.org/library/medical-marijuana-overview.html . A more detailed review of the science of medical marijuana is athttp://www.mpp.org/assets/pdfs/library/MedConditionsHandout.pdf
Bruce, I posted this on Facebook and I’m posting it here in the hopes that you read it.
Wait a second. WAIT.
“…to reduce the number of non-violent prisoners and free up law enforcement resources by eliminating federal criminal penalties for possession of up to 3.5 ounces of marijuana, AND THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT TRANSFER of an ounce of marijuana.”
So we’re giving cartels a free ride? I’m sorry to say this, but this proposal stinks. Police are going to have a much harder time with whether a transfer is not-for-profit or for-profit. If anything, crime should increase.
As I’ve been saying, decriminalization is NOT THE ANSWER. We combat crime with organizations that are state-(or maybe even federally-)inspected selling marijuana to people 21 and over. We put laws down that restrict use of marijuana in certain areas (just like alcohol). We don’t cap people’s limit of marijuana because that’s utterly ridiculous.
I cannot in good conscience support a bill that not only confuses police as to what is legal marijuana but also makes it much harder to know if the marijuana has any additional chemicals in it.
This has “DANGEROUS” written all over it.
[...] is a little bolder than Barney has introduced in the past. The Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act [...]
I believe that ALL medicinal herbs ought to return to their natural state, in which legality is not even an issue. Tax and regulate is a political compromise (dealing with the devil). God created these plants and NO one asked Him for authority to place them upon the earth. As a Christian, I feel that the government corrupts everything they can get their hands on. Tenuous regulations, expensive programs, taxation of a naturally occurring plant, lists of users, privacy issues… I see removing marijuana from the hands of the government, as the safest way of protecting users and keeping expenses to a bare minimum. The government has far too much involvement in our lives, already. Not everything has to have a legalistic angle… In a few years, I’ll need a permit, just to go wee-wee.
Deregualtion is the mantra, here. No government involvement would be the least complex, least expensive and most efficasious manner by which to insure a consistant and ample supply of marijuana to all users, medical and adults. We must start teaching our kids to wait until they’re old enough (21) and stop depending on the government to regulate our every movement.
I know that must sound like heresy to those who make their living, wrangling with the legislaters, but it seems like common sense, to me. I don’t need the government dictating the type of screen I use in my pipe, or what country papers can be imported from, or developing federal guidlines for bong specifications. Most of this was all worked out, back in the seventies. There wasn’t much problem, until the busy-bodies got involved. Remember that word we used to have? Private? Where did it go? I don’t want to see marijuana production nationalized. Private entrepanours have always found more ingeneous methods, than government-run facilities… One need only remember the federal weed from Mississippi, to realize that the private sector was miles ahead, even then.
Let’s get over this love-affair with government, already. They have enough to do already and our deficit is a testimony to that.
Michael
Bruce #8
Thank you. I just printed that info and it will be in mail tomorrow. As you know we have an important bill to vote on here in Maine in November.
Now I’m going to go watch you kick ass on CNN/AC360.
Why isn’t this in the National News Media today? I know sensorship plays a big part in this process but if we didn’t visit MPP’s blog site we’d be just as dumb to this process as Tennessee Country Hicks living so far back in the woods that they drop sunshine in by parachute. I just hope we have enough people taking action accross America to show real support for this legislation.
Take action and spread the word folks!
Great idea, although it won’t even make it to a floor vote. I think we are still at least a decade away from seeing something like this gain wider acceptance with elected officials across the board (as more states make the move themselves.)
I called my congressman today and requested he co-sponsor this bill. He, I am quite sure, will not. In fact, I’m quite sure he will vote against this.
The political system of this county is a sad sad sad thing. So I don’t want my government to get bigger by the day and spend out of control, so I must be a Republican because I believe in fiscal responsibility and limited government.
On the other hand, I think people should be left alone. The gay people should be allowed all the rights of our consitution as they are people to. The potheads should be allowed to smoke to their hearts content as long as they don’t hurt anyone else and so I must be a Democrat.
But, people should be allowed to live their lives without government interference…..
So what am I? I’m apparently confused and very ineffective, nobody cares about the libertarian party, including myself….
What happened to us living in a free country? I’m beginning to feel more like a slave every time I turn on the news.
[...] to consider allowing marijuana possession Congress to consider allowing marijuana possession by Ben Morris Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) introduced legislation today to remove criminal [...]
So what’s the next step on this?
What needs to happen before our elected officials actually get to vote on this?
Who should we be emailing on a daily basis?
I am ready to do my part to help get this into law…but don’t know where to start other then sending form letters from webpages to my elected representatives.
If we keep the pressure on and keep fighting till it is legalized and taxed then eventually we will win . We all must not drop the ball and do all we can from commenting on the AC360 live blog all the way to if need be a full fledge old fashion so called march to DC to protest the illegalization of marijuana . What ever we do we must keep up our fight till it is finally legalized and taxed until there is a bill that is passed for legalization and taxation the fight is way from over . So lets all show them we shall not go quietly in to the night with out a fight for our rights as Americans. Lets finally get it legalized and taxed and enjoy the fruits of our labor when we see a bill passed that legalizes and regulates marijuana for personal use. We are all week a lone but together we are stronger than any thing and together as a whole we shall prevail … The time for motivation and action is NOW!!!
NO VICTIM NO CRIME I WILL SMOKE IT ILLEGAL,DECRIMINALISED OR LEGAL SO ONLY WAY TO GO ABOUT THINGS REALLY IS ALLOW PEOPLE TO GROW THEIR OWN GET CANNABIS OUT THE SAME CATAGORIES AS CRACK/HEROIN AND PUT IT WIV ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO JOB DONE THEN SORTED !!!!
I’ve wonder what it will be like if pot was legal?
On more step forward, for all those that say this is not enough remember just last year it was one step backwards.
Another great day and well job towards the cause. I only had a few approved on AC360 but the ones I did post made realistic and firm facts that would help the cause.
Didn’t they introduce this last year too? It’s just a bill sitting up on Capital Hill…..
Hey ATX MAN, I hear ya and asked myself the very same things. KNOW WHAT! I came up with an answer. I AM AN AMERICAN! I dont play these party games anymore. I say it as I see it and feel it. If any one party or person dont like it… TO FREAKIN BAD… Until there are more like me I will do what I can alone.
Im sick of government micro managing me. I’m a human being not a thing to be managed! I can manage myself just find if they will leave me be. Legalize and get the hell outta my life FFS!
The ideal of legalizing marijuana is creat. It could help are economy if it was taxd gust like cigarettes, and or alcohol.It could even help with over populate jails and prisons.Providing it was uesd responsibly this means no driving and smoking. You could farm it like tobacco.
If pot was legal, I would think that people would bec0me more sociable, because that is how I remebered it back in the 1970’s.
I could be wrong, but at least there would be no threats of being busted. People would just ease up and have a good time. They may even enjoy music much better.
Off duty cops can also get high and share with the fun.
Sounds like a Walgreens comercial. lol…it is just a thought
If this measure fails to pass then it is time we exercise our legal right to revolution and use force to overturn this unjust law, the greatest civil rights violation since slavery. As it stands now, we have less than a 50% chance of this passing. One thing for sure, I’m jumping off the Obama ship and voting Ron Paul next go around.
The one huge question after this bill does get passed if it does then a question to be asking is if you are allowed 3.5 oz for personal use and can not sell then how are we to get the 3.5 oz for personal use?
This bill is NOT decriminalization.
It removes all FEDERAL penalties for having up to 100 grams. If federal laws were the only laws, this would mean that having up to 100 grams would be legal. However, that’s not the case. This means that the states are the ones now responsible for all cannabis penalties. Since most states, I believe 37, still have cannabis criminalized, it will remain that way.
This bill isn’t to legalize cannabis, it’s just to open the door to states who may be holding back on legalization or decriminalization because of the federal government’s extremist stance on the issue.
put this in your pipe and smoke it mark kirk!!! legalize it!!!!
put that in your pipe and smoke it mark kirk!!! Legalize it!!!
We need to try to push for full legalization to be successful 100 % other wise it is a pipe dream. To do this we must keep doing what we are till it is legalized and taxed . Yes I support this bill how ever as I did say even if this bill passes then as I mentioned in post #28 The one huge question after this bill does get passed if it does then a question to be asking is if you are allowed 3.5 oz for personal use and can not sell then how are we to get the 3.5 oz for personal use?Do we continue to by from a street dealer or are we allowed to grow our own? We need to cover all basses to be able to win the cause as well as do what we can to ensure we win…
I very much like the idea of upto 3.5 ounces, but I was also very much supporting the idea of proper regulation (not person-person gift).
This would not effect growing laws, would it?
Wow! Congressman Barney Frank is very courageous and should be nominated for the Noble Peace Prize for his outstanding efforts! The United States of America needs more people like him in Washington D.C.!
I would prefer to see marijuana decriminilized, rather than legalized and regulated, although some disagree. While it should be treated much like tobacco and alcohol, if the government is regulating it they’ll probably put potency restrictions on it. And I keep hearing CA could raise $14 billion in tax revenue, but that’s figuring steep $50 an oz tax. Are we even allowed to make our own alcohol or grow our own tobacco?
ROE, I couldn’t possibly agree with your first comment more. These politicians need to start doing what we want; we pay their salaries. If not we should unceremoniously fire them every 4 yrs.
the Gov’t job is to protect the people. They obiously are not , since the allow tobacco and alcohol. But somethign safe liek Marijuana, dont hurt society, but they dont want it.
Best bet is to keep the hypocrite tpbacco exec out of this one.
Remember, tobacco is the biggest lobbiest in DC. They are there to protect their investment. Also with this bill, if we can not sell, who do we buy from?
Is this going to be another product produced by tobacco companies, loaded with toxic chemical even worse that tobacco now, so they can say see i told you it was bad.
Also, in my state, ohio, it is a slap on the wrist, for anythign under 100 grams, i dont think this bill would remove the civil fines for non medical, so really it dont seem like anythign changes too much. Now if it makes it so i can have 3.5 oz and under and nothing can happen, no civil or my stash not stolen by cops, then sounds good kinda.
Too bad big corporation will stomp this down and obama will let it happen
ya just though bout it and actually, it woudl make big news and a whole lot of people are going to be getting busted by state and local level since 37 states still says it is illegal.
Just liek salvia divinorum, still legal by federal standards, but in ohio, i get caught with salvia, i might as well have been caught with heroin or cocaine. (Thanks Ohio State Reps and gov, i wont be voting for you now).
It would be a good start, but only if the states followed suit, and really the ones who have not yet will be the biggest targets by the cortporations that dont want this. Keep em in lockdown, while they start buying the politicians that will undo the state level progress the decriminalized states already have made.
if it does pass and makes it into law, the people of each state better mail and email and phone telling their leaders that they will not support them or vote for them unless the make it match the federal standards.
As i stated above , in the case with salvia, the Fed prolly not going to make it illegal, but the states sure are jumping on the misinfomation train, unaware of the anti-depressent properties of salvia. Heck, for all we know the cure for cancer is hidden away in some illegal substance somewhere, and for all we know if this is the case , this is why the pharmecutical companies are going to fight against this.
Bear, you took that the wrong way. Its saying that you can grow your shit, then give it away, but you cant sell it. Grow and Give. Should be a shirt slogan.!
This is a comment from a woman in Michigan. The comment was posted on AC360 about Drew ASSHOLES’ blog. PLease read this and you will realize why some people will always oppose legalization or Medical or decriminalization.
Hi Drew,
I totally agree with you. It seems we’re in the minority however. Pot smokers are losers in my eyes. But I’m telling you, WAY too many people are using it. You’d be surprised. It saddens me deeply. No matter what they say – no matter the excuse – they’re losers for assaulting their own bodies and brains. Legalize being a loser – that’s exactly right.
I just would like to call this woman to find out if she has even tried it or known anyone that tried Mj. I dont like being called a loser and to back up that I am not a loser, I work 42 hrs a week, make 30,000 a year, pay my taxes so other people can have disability, social security, medicare, medicaid, etc. I just wish I knew what this person did for a living. Its saddens me guys, it saddens me that there is probably no possible way to make this person see any light. She is blind. She refuses to open her eyes. Sad.
JJ…ya can’t fix stupid. some people are just narrow minded, ignorant douchebags. it wouldn’t surprise me if this windbag has no problem popping her prescription xanax, prosac, or other…and washes it down with a glass of pinot.
it always amazes me when the cigarette smoking boozebags spew their ignorance on pot…not quite grasping the reality of their own pathetic mind altering addictions…because its “legal”. things are completely assbackwards.
It won’t be legalized folks. Quit getting your hopes up for something that the sheeple won’t let happen. Not until the generation of close minded, completely ignorant, obtuse people of this country are not in control. Marijuana is still seen as a drug. You can show sheeple as many facts about marijuana as you want, but the fact is they won’t listen to you. You’re still a stupid kid in these peoples eyes. Maybe not all of these older generation folks. I know a lot of people my parents age(40-50) that still smoke. But the people who saw it as this horrible thing back in the 70’s and whatnot still see it as such. I hope, in my lifetime, i’ll see it legalized, But its just hope.
Prohibitionist are the original loosers. Why be like them?
steve, if we all had attitudes like that it would never happen. Legalization will happen because the majority of the US citizens want it to.
WE WANT FREEDOM!!
Prohibition is what happens when freedom is lost. You will be controlled by those who cannot control themselves.
It’s House Bill 2943. You can read more at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-2943
The text of the bill isn’t yet posted (MPP is way out on the cutting edge with this announcment; way to go!)
It’s amazing how Republicans don’t want health care to be paid for by tax dollars yet they waste tax dollars on petty bigoted counter-productive laws such as marijuana prohibition?
Keep the faith people. Democracy is about participation. Those who show up rule.
hear, hear, william.
I’ve talked to NORML about this too (and Laura) but the fact of the matter is, this law will make it extremely difficult to regulate marijuana rather than making it easier. Think about it: the law keeps sale federally illegal and possession only up to 3.5 ounces. While it’s great that we’re seeing Congress finally start paying attention, this could end up biting us in the ass.
Especially if a state tries decriminalization and it fails (for all the reasons I listed in my iReport that my name probably links to). Prohibitionists will jump all over it and marijuana will stay illegal for a long time.
I like the attention this bill is getting but I highly dislike the bill itself.
Peace Love Freedom
End the War on Drugs
Bear – You have got to do something about your cynicism over this. Ever heard of baby steps? First this bill, then down the line another more refined law, etc. Its a simple bill, small easy amounts, whats not to like?
God gives us free will and most people don’t exercise this. We need to exercise our rights as Americans we must GET INVOLVED !!!!
As an older person I KNOW what MJ. doe’s to a person. There are PROVEN MEDICAL BENEFITS to help people with certain medical conditions, and should be given (by prescription only) to these patients! But we cant do this because BIG medical can’t make MONEY by selling this drug, why you ask. because it is a natural substance. You cannot patent a natural substance. But anyone can grow it, so with the “medical society” who is in their pocket, they are controlling us!!!!!!! Big pharmacy IS BIG BROTHER. and so many people are being put in jail because the F.D.A. is so corrupt, and won’t allow even a terminally ill person to be offered some of the benefits of pharmacy grade T.H.C. and there are many many other natural substances that will never be allowed on the market because Big Pharm. wont allow it. We should make it a capital offence to cover up any research that would be of benefit to any patient with any kind of medical condition!!!!!! and the F.D.A. who actually works for BIG PHARM. AND ANYONE ELSE WHO IS INVOLVED IN THIS…..sorry I’m on my soap box again. But we have allowed ourself’s to be bullied by others into thinking (well my doctor said….) Now you need to ask yourself who told your doctor? Big Pharm did! Yes, and they pay Him, or Her to give you their drugs!!!! But according to OUR government, not illegal? Unethical YES but they can do what ever they want to do. but sadly we can stop all the illegal lobbying in Washington, and we probably never will. So any bill that is in the right direction is a good one.
The text of the bill is now up on govtrack and it does not appear to Include a provision for legally growing a personal supply. It’s a good step but there still needs to be a personal cultivation component or we’re going to continue to have the criminal cartels. How about a $100 per year permit for a dozen plants, split 50-50 between the Fed and the permit holder’s state, with the proceeds dedicated to education and health care?
This bill has some flaws but it’s a step in the right direction. maybe we can convince some of our congressmen to add some amendments to clean it up. I still believe that legalizing is the best approach. There should be an age where anyone under that should be required to get a prescription.
Timing…
Look at how the pharmecutical companies now stepped up claiming they will spedn 80+ billion in health care now.
Seems to me that they are starting to get pushed into a corner, but at the same time, they have more money than god, to help keeps the safe drugs illegal.
I hope this really gets somewhere, than i will feel as if i had a part in punching a big blow to them and the tobacco execs.
2 industies, that sell more toxic assests than the bankers ever could dream of. If and when they go down, at least big tobacco, the freedoms of choice on marijuana shoudl start being realized.
It really bothers me that so many people advocate for this “permit” to grow or be “allowed” to have marijuana.
Seriously, people are just flat out offering to give this government machine money to enforce more bad laws with!!!! Stop offering to pay for a permit. If I want to do something in my house, I should not have to pay money to some government entity for that. It’s none of their business what goes on in my home from the start!
Follow the money…. $100 for a 1 year permit multiplied by 15 million pot smokers = $1.5 billion a year given to our government for them to say “okay, you can have a plant in your house.” A billion dollars only recently stopped becoming a MASSIVE amount of money when our government started spending Trillions.
People advocate that our government could use the money for positive things like education, improving roads, building bridges and levees and various other beneficial things. That’s what the thousands of dollars we ALREADY pay are supposed to go towards.
They don’t do that. They give our money away to their friends (campaign contributors) and find ways to get more power and more control. They use your money to kill people all around the world with their bombs and guns.
Don’t offer to give them money. Fight (peacefully of course) and stand up to change the law.
Stop advocating for a permit. If I have to pay somebody to do something, then it isn’t a right – it’s a privilege.
Hey R.O.E. – check out freetalklive.com and watch the show. I found a talk show that at least somewhat shares my views. All those people are all moving to New Hampshire though.
Thanks for the response.
I agree with ATX, and it has always felt like we’re casting our pearls before swine when we offer permit fees, ridiculous taxes and the like just to accomplish sanity and compassion. It comes down to the need for a Personal Freedoms Amendment of some kind that exempts our bodies, our homes, our bedrooms and gardens, and our (for god’s sake) private piss, from public scrutiny. No victim, no crime.
ATX, thanks for the address. Yes I also agree.Stop giving them money. The more they have the more they spend the more they want ,all the while telling US what we can or can’t do with our lives. We are paying them to LAW us out of freedom.
Think about it people how many thousands of laws are on the books that we can’t / couldn’t remember if we tried? I been telling people for many years we are lawing our selves out of freedom. STOP!
Life has become TOO complex.
This bill is definitely a step in the right direction. Although it does have its flaws. For something that grows naturally on this earth to be so controversial is completely ridiculous. The government sickens me that the sale and possession of alcohol and tobacco (at the appropriate age of course,)is allowed in this country, but marijuana is not. Every day government authority dictates how WE, the people THEY depend on, should live our lives and spend our money. And we the people are consumers, and a shocking number of people in the United States consume (buy, smoke, ext.) marijuana. Now considering that we are undeniably in an economic crisis, wouldn’t you think that the legalization and taxation of marijuana would to some extent help the United States overcome this crisis? Of course it would. The revenue would be approximately 14 billion dollars. But the government shouldn’t even be taxing us for something that we can grow in our very own yards and houses. But there has always got to be something in it for them. And, 14 billion dollars for a more content and constitutional America, while also improving our economic situation is a very serious issue. Because our votes and what we say should be accounted for just as much as anyone serving in public office, and should not be criticized or looked down upon by a so called “people’s government”.
I think it’s about time we legalize marijuana. You always hear talk about the jails being overcrowded, well this would eliminate a lot of that. There is nothing wrong with people sitting in their own homes smoking a little, it doesn’t hurt anyone.
I hear more on the news every day and I am starting to think that we might have a chance to change the laws…
The medical side of this issue is irrelevant here. we know marijuana is helpful for many ailments and once decriminalized research will be possible that im sure will provide us with many more benefits of this wonderful plant. But we are talking decriminilaziton or out right legalization no Doctors recomendation required. the Medical initiative her in Calif. has really in many ways been used as a research tool our yearly renewals allow the Dr to keep records on what our progress is its proven that allowing Adults to smoke has not caused runaway crime issues. I have been with two drs since I got my recomendation in 2003 They both have done an in depth interview at renewal time and always ask if Ive had any issues with the police or my family and if my use has increased. This is all impirical data which is being compiled for a reason. that reason is to provide input to what issues may arise once decriminalization or legalization is accomplished.
We all know decriminalization is not the final answer to our problems, but we should still support this bill. It’s not like they can’t introduce another bill later on to legalize it altogether.
One step at a time!
If this passes, at least we won’t be considered criminals anymore for simple possession. Let’s keep that in mind at all times.
First, decriminalization.
Second, legalization.
I would like to think that our representatives are finally going along with popular opinion but it appears to be more of a financial decision, as the costs of detaining non violent criminals is becoming unbearable for most communities.
tobacco and alcohol cool… but a little weed and your the devil? why does nobody in america care to look behind all the propaganda? doesn’t something have to be proven wrong before it is defended as right? where was pots fair trial? do the research and see that it was made illegal for some very ridiculous reasons. (like immigration control). please people, just think for yourselves and do a little research before you just parrot some agendas platitudes.
I e-mailed, following that e-mail – typed in my state, etc. It e-mailed the letter to my state rep.
Did I miss something?
She replied with the following:
“Dear Ms. Jackson:
Thank you for contacting my office and informing me of your support for the legalization of marijuana.
In the 110th Congress, the Act to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults (H.R. 5843) was introduced by Congressman Barney Frank. While no similar legislation has been introduced in the 111th Congress, I will keep your thoughts in mind should Congress consider this issue.
To learn more about current legislation or about my voting record, I invite you to visit the Library of Congress’ legislative information website (www.thomas.gov). There, you can read the summary or the full text of a bill, and can find out who introduced it and when, who is cosponsoring it, and what its current status is in the legislative process. I also invite you to visit my website (http://shea-porter.house.gov) for more information about bills that I have introduced or cosponsored, and for issue updates, position statements, or to sign up for my email newsletter.
Thank you for contacting my office. It is a privilege to serve you in Washington.”
I think most has been said already. If i’m not mistaken doesn’t Marijuana keep the DEA the most busy? Of course they are busy with the hard drugs and attempting to keep them off the streets but you always here of the “HUGE Marijuana farm just busted by the DEA” etc etc. If this were legalized, how many DEA jobs would be lost due to the substantial decrease in ‘crime”? You think the Government is going to let that happen? The DEA is going to make case after case of propaganda to support themselves and why their crack down on Marijuana is for the “better of the Nation,” or “keeping our children safe.”
We are getting closer. Soon our brothers and sisters which are imprisoned for possessing a natural occuring herb will be free. This has been a long, hard one sided battle at the expense of the American public. Lets all please remember that once we clear this hurdle the world will be a different place. Get the news out to all of your friends that we are changing the way the US thinks and that they need to join in and help by networking with each other and recruting. The scales are tipping in several realms, not just this particular issue and we must keep the ball rolling. We elect ‘em and if they aren’t listening we’ll reject ‘em.
Peace-Out
Yes, I absolutely will continue to make my voice heard regarding issues I’m passionate about. Smoking marijuana is only one. I feel we should be allowed to do with our bodies what we choose to do within the confines of our own homes! Absolutely! Another issue….homosexuality! It’s a personal choice! Just like drinking alcohol or choosing to settle with someone of the opposite sex. Fight for FREEDOM!
First, the Government’s job is to protect itself, not the people. When founded, the government was given the power to raise and provide for an army, coin money, deliver the mail and is prohibited from passing any law that interferes on the free will of the people. Somehow the Government has been given carte blanc to enact laws for the general safety and welfare of the public, and therein lies the root of the problem. Government passes laws that it believes are necessary to protect its own self interest. Marijuana prohibition is based solely upon racial discrimination and deregulation is now opposed by pharmaceutical companies that want to maintain control of the drug market.
While there should be no law against marijuana, except perhaps possession or use by a minor, this bill is a small step in the right direction. Outright reform is beyond reality under the current government regime.
As for the pharmaceutical companies promising to spend billions when forced with universal health care, please note this is in the form of not charging the current pharmaceutical rates to seniors under the medicare program, not the general public who is in need of health care. It is not an outright writing of a check, but merely a reduction in future profits in exchange for a Congressional bill permitted the pharmaceutical companies to further control the distribution of drugs.
This bill is important as it is not only a step in reforming marijuana laws, but it is a step in the direction of the people taking back their God given rights to liberty and freedom from an oppressive tyrannical government.
thank god some one has listened for once … yes legalize it and tax it like beer ect.. this will balance the budget .. and thank you barny frank and mpp for staying on the case!!!
[...] Chairman George Miller (D-Calif.), one of the most powerful Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives, yesterday joined the list of cosponsors for Rep. Barney Frank’s bill to remove penalties for marijuana possession. [...]
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