Support for Decriminalization Bill Growing in Congress
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.
Rep. Miller is the chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, a position that awards him a lot of sway on Capitol Hill. Miller joins Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Representatives Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.), Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), Ron Paul (R-Texas), Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), and Jared Polis (D-Colo.) in sponsoring this important legislation.
If you live in Chairman Miller’s district, please thank him. If you don’t, you can help out by visiting mpp.org/federal-action and asking your members of Congress to support this legislation.
Tagged with: Barney Frank and decriminalization by the author
40 comments
Yay! News keeps getting better and better! I live in CA – I’ll be sure to thank him and help spread the word.
here’s chairman george miller’s contact info: http://georgemiller.house.gov/contactus/ if anyone wishes to write to him but does not live in his district.
Another nail in the coffin of this “Drug War/Pharmaceutical Inquisition”.
Let’s not give up, Victory is within our reach.
I sent Cogressman Miller a message,thanking him for his support. Have you done your part by thanking him?
If this push toward legalization leads to decriminalization, we’re not going to like the result.
I know, I know, it shows that Congress is becoming friendlier to legalization. But please… PLEASE consider the differences between decriminalization and regulation.
I want Congress and America to see that legalization of marijuana can be done and done well, not just done.
Also,
http://www.leap.cc/cms/index.php?name=Blogs&file=display&id=411
Is what I’m trying to say.
This is what I wrote. Let me know if I need to polish up on something for the next time this needs to be done.
Dear Congressman Miller,
Healthcare was chosen as the topic of this message simply because I’m one of those who CANNOT take pharmaceuticals without severe negative side effects.
Thank you for joining the list of cosponsors for Rep. Barney Frank’s bill to remove penalties for marijuana possession.
Actually it would greatly appreciated if it was legalized, taxed and regulated much like alcohol.
In closing sir, I am one who suffers from digestive problems and it is getting worse, marijuana / cannabis is the only medicine that I’ve found that actually helps and relieves my suffering. Unfortunately I do not smoke it as it’s illegal and I’d probably end up dying if I went to jail.
Respectfully,
@ 4 R.O.E. : as sure as hell i did! each piece of letter we write, each piece of information we share with people… the closer we are to realizing our goals.
not if, when
Great work everyone!!! Keep the pressure up! This has the potential to change everything!
I agree decrim isnt what we want but we gotta get there some how.
Interesting.
The top campaign contribution to Miller in 2007-2008 was $12,300 from employees of Roche Holdings.
Pharmaceutical companies are against marijuana legalization. Maybe they feel that this decriminalization bill will quell legalization efforts.
Update on the HR 2943 Bill
As of 7/08/2009 their is now 7 cosponsors and may be tracked here:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-2943
It how ever is still in the Referred to Committee phase . To help get this out of this phase I urge that you look at the House Judiciary and the House Energy and Commerce or listed bellow is the reps for both in which you would know what congressman is for what state who is on either one and urge them to support HR 2943 . As i said earlier I have listed both of these with the reps involved for others as well as myself can contact and urge them to help support HR 2943 this is for the ones who did not become cosponsors the ones that did lets send them an email thanking them for their support.
Here is the list:
House Judiciary
Rep. John Conyers [D-MI14]
Rep. Lamar Smith [R-TX21]
Rep. Tammy Baldwin [D-WI2]
Rep. Howard Berman [D-CA28]
Rep. Frederick Boucher [D-VA9]
Rep. Jason Chaffetz [R-UT3]
Rep. Howard Coble [R-NC6]
Rep. Steve Cohen [D-TN9]
Rep. William Delahunt [D-MA10]
Rep. James Forbes [R-VA4]
Rep. Trent Franks [R-AZ2]
Rep. Elton Gallegly [R-CA24]
Rep. Louis Gohmert [R-TX1]
Rep. Charles Gonzalez [D-TX20]
Rep. Robert Goodlatte [R-VA6]
Rep. Luis Gutiérrez [D-IL4]
Rep. Gregg Harper [R-MS3]
Rep. Darrell Issa [R-CA49]
Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee [D-TX18]
Rep. Henry Johnson [D-GA4]
Rep. Jim Jordan [R-OH4]
Rep. Steve King [R-IA5]
Rep. Zoe Lofgren [D-CA16]
Rep. Daniel Lungren [R-CA3]
Rep. Daniel Maffei [D-NY25]
Rep. Jerrold Nadler [D-NY8]
Rep. Ted Poe [R-TX2]
Rep. Thomas Rooney [R-FL16]
Rep. Linda Sánchez [D-CA39]
Rep. Adam Schiff [D-CA29]
Rep. Robert Scott [D-VA3]
Rep. James Sensenbrenner [R-WI5]
Rep. Brad Sherman [D-CA27]
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz [D-FL20]
Rep. Maxine Waters [D-CA35]
Rep. Melvin Watt [D-NC12]
Rep. Anthony Weiner [D-NY9]
Rep. Robert Wexler [D-FL19]
Res.Com. Pedro Pierluisi [D-PR]
House Energy and Commerce
Rep. Henry Waxman [D-CA30]
Rep. Joe Barton [R-TX6]
Del. Donna Christensen [D-VI]
Rep. Tammy Baldwin [D-WI2]
Rep. John Barrow [D-GA12]
Rep. Marsha Blackburn [R-TN7]
Rep. Roy Blunt [R-MO7]
Rep. Mary Bono Mack [R-CA45]
Rep. Frederick Boucher [D-VA9]
Rep. Bruce Braley [D-IA1]
Rep. Michael Burgess [R-TX26]
Rep. George Butterfield [D-NC1]
Rep. Stephen Buyer [R-IN4]
Rep. Lois Capps [D-CA23]
Rep. Kathy Castor [D-FL11]
Rep. Nathan Deal [R-GA9]
Rep. Diana DeGette [D-CO1]
Rep. John Dingell [D-MI15]
Rep. Michael Doyle [D-PA14]
Rep. Eliot Engel [D-NY17]
Rep. Anna Eshoo [D-CA14]
Rep. John Gingrey [R-GA11]
Rep. Charles Gonzalez [D-TX20]
Rep. Barton Gordon [D-TN6]
Rep. Raymond Green [D-TX29]
Rep. Ralph Hall [R-TX4]
Rep. Jane Harman [D-CA36]
Rep. Baron Hill [D-IN9]
Rep. Jay Inslee [D-WA1]
Rep. Edward Markey [D-MA7]
Rep. Jim Matheson [D-UT2]
Rep. Doris Matsui [D-CA5]
Rep. Jerry McNerney [D-CA11]
Rep. Charles Melancon [D-LA3]
Rep. Christopher Murphy [D-CT5]
Rep. Tim Murphy [R-PA18]
Rep. Sue Myrick [R-NC9]
Rep. Frank Pallone [D-NJ6]
Rep. Joseph Pitts [R-PA16]
Rep. George Radanovich [R-CA19]
Rep. Michael Rogers [R-MI8]
Rep. Mike Ross [D-AR4]
Rep. Bobby Rush [D-IL1]
Rep. John Sarbanes [D-MD3]
Rep. Steve Scalise [R-LA1]
Rep. Janice Schakowsky [D-IL9]
Rep. John Shadegg [R-AZ3]
Rep. John Shimkus [R-IL19]
Rep. Zachary Space [D-OH18]
Rep. Clifford Stearns [R-FL6]
Rep. Bart Stupak [D-MI1]
Rep. John Sullivan [R-OK1]
Rep. Betty Sutton [D-OH13]
Rep. Lee Terry [R-NE2]
Rep. Frederick Upton [R-MI6]
Rep. Greg Walden [R-OR2]
Rep. Anthony Weiner [D-NY9]
Rep. Peter Welch [D-VT]
Rep. Edward Whitfield [R-KY1]
Keep on fighting fellow patriots …..
Wow I never thought this would be possible. Two gay congressman one from my home state sponsoring a bill to get rid of the federal penaltys for small marijuana offenses. Tear. Keep up the good work everyone. This is one of the most important fights in our nation’s history.
@Bear
Destinations are rarely reached in one giant leap. Generally they are taken in a number of steps. Decriminalization is a vital step towards a sane drug policy. It removes a great deal of the stigma and villain status of cannabis and cannabis consumers, which makes the issue more mainstream. Further, removing federal penalties for cannabis will make it easier for states to implement the policies they chose. It also keeps a lot of harmless people out of prison, another urgently needed improvement.
Jeremy R. is 100% correct. In order to move this out of committee and on to the floor for a vote, we have to get it past the representatives in his post.
thank you all !!!let our cries-be heard .. we all need to take time out of our lives to change things sometimes . as long as we do it will!! happen ..thank-you rep. barney frank for leting all of us help change things for sick and terminaly ill get some releif…from laws that do not help the folks here in the u.s.a . and mpp for all it has and will be doing . to keep things going in the right direction for its readers … this web site has let me connect with ordenary folks like me that just want releif and peace….
I sent an email to congressman Miller thanking him also to show he has the public’s support. I will also send an email to my rep for HR 2943. He’s gonna get tired of seeing my name come up. lol. I also agree with Alan (above).
here is a site I found that I think may be useful towards the cause if we get them involved:
http://www.michiganmedicalmarijuana.org/
Also I have just finished a some what project that I need imput on and may be found :
http://jpruditis.googlepages.com/reform
It is a project I am working on for the cause and need imput from you all on.
Please don’t forget to write your congressmen about HR 2835 – Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act. It has 20 co-sponsers and is also referred to committee (see Jeremy R’s post #12 for the members).
This bill will get more support simply because it is dealing with the sick and injured and compassion for these individuals is stronger. If this bill can pass, you will see a slew of States that will pass medical marijuana bills and compassionate care centers will begin to spring up across the country. This will be an important step in showing the prohibitionists that regulating the product can be done and that it will not lead to an increase in teen drug use or violence. This is how the general population will begin to listen to the benefits of marijuana instead of the lies the government has been spoon-feeding over the past 70+ years.
@Glen Stark
Is it worth increasing cartels’ strength and power in Mexico and America? Because that’s what decriminalization will do.
It’s a step towards removing federal penalties and stopping people from being arrested but a step backwards from sane drug policy that actually works.
I still say no.
BTW,
Prohibition = horrible drug policy.
Decriminalization = even worse.
That’s my position before anyone decides to call me a prohibitionist. I’m a legalizer and regulator.
#21 I believe I speak for every one on that a person does not have to be for decriminalization or even against ending prohibition .
As long as their are others like you who would rather see MJ legalized and regulated does by no means make you or others like you a prohibitionists it simply says that if you or any one else is not for any thing except for prohibition and the keeping of MJ decriminalized as well as keeping mj illegal and not regulated then that is what make a prohibitionists and just from what you said in post #21 “I’m a legalizer and regulator” does not mean you are a prohibitionist but yet how would we legalize and regulate MJ if people do nothing to get MJ legalized and regulated? It is kind of the same thing as saying I am for the cause when you are not. I am not referring to you but others who are like this so do not take ofence . If you how ever are for as you said legalizing and regulating then no one should have a problem with that and those who do should ask their self what am I doing to help the cause? What actions am I taking? It is in a combined effort on every ones part to get MJ legalized and regulated which is what a majority of people in the MPP , NORML , SSDP , LEAP and other org.’s want to see happen if not the end of prohibition or at least the decriminalization of MJ. I believe the vast majority would be quite happy just for MJ TO be legalized and regulated never the less.
hey ben, here’s a new MSNBC poll: http://www.newsvine.com/_question/2009/07/08/3008931-should-california-legalize-and-tax-marijuana-to-help-solve-its-budget-crisis-
The votes and comments speak for themselves.
OXFORD MISSISSIPPI THE U.S.A. HAS A 6 ACRE MARIJUANA FARM WITH 3 OR 4 AMERICANS ALLOWED EIGHT TO ELEVEN OUNCE’S OF MARIJUANA FOR MEDICATION,NOT A SINGLE PERSON HAS DIED FROM MARIJUANA AND WE ARE TIRED OF THE 1937 TREATMENT. LETS SAVE SICK AND DYING AMERICANS PLEASE!
we need to wake all the pot heads of the world .. get them of our couches put down the chips and thank mpp .
Decriminalization is a bad step because it doesn’t solve the underlying issue of an underground market. If our movement is going to disassociate with the criminal element and the perceived violence related to it, the cultivation and sale has to be done out in the open.
MPP, can you answer me a quick question? Why is the laws in West Virginia reguarding MJ not brought to the attention of voters and Congressmen? Do people not realize that West Virginia has the MOST RELAXED laws on MJ? This proposed bill by Barney Frank doesnt even compare to the laws in this state. The law actually says, YOU CAN HAVE ANY AMOUNT OF POT. This means the penalty for 1000 pounds of pot is the same as 1 gram. HMMMMM why is this not being brought to the media’s eyes? they could see how much “trouble” relaxed laws have brought to this state…oh yeah, they dont have problems with pot heads!!!!!!!!! please bring this to the media and public’s eyes!!!!!!!!!!
West Virginia:
Possession of marijuana is punishable by 90 days – 6 months in jail and a fine up to $1,000. Possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance is a felony and can result in imprisonment of not less than one year and not more than five years, or a fine of fifteen thousand dollars, or both.
Conviction of possession of less than 15 grams triggers an automatic conditional discharge. Conditional discharge does not apply to a defendant who has previously been convicted of any offense relating to narcotic drugs or marijuana.
Cultivation, delivery or sale is punishable by 1 – 5 years in prison and a fine up to $15,000. Sale to a minor or sale within 1,000 feet of a school requires a two-year mandatory minimum sentence for the sale.
Transportation of marijuana into the state with the intent to deliver is punishable by 1 – 5 years in prison and a fine up to $15,000.
Subsequent offenses double the possible penalties.
You might be able to possess any amount of MJ, but I’m pretty sure that if your caught with 1000 pounds your going to be charged with intent to sell and then you’re looking at a felony charge. Besides, a $1000 fine and a possible 6 months in prison is much harsher than the Decriminalization Bill Barney Frank has introduced.
Update on HR 2943 as of July 10 2009 their is now a total of 8 cosponsors they are:
Rep. Tammy Baldwin [D-WI2]
Rep. Michael Capuano [D-MA8]
Rep. Maurice Hinchey [D-NY22]
Rep. Dennis Kucinich [D-OH10]
Rep. George Miller [D-CA7]
Rep. Ronald Paul [R-TX14]
Rep. Jared Polis [D-CO2]
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher [R-CA46]
I say lets send them an email thanking them for their continued support . As for where the HR 2943 process is it is still in the Referred to Committee phase which we can email those who have not supported the HR 2943 once again for the list of who we need to get to support HR 2943 is listed in post #12. Keep on fighting fellow American patriots.
I agree with #28
I received a letter from my Congressman – Eric Cantor yesterday. I will post it later, but it basically glosses over the issue altogether saying that he will keep my support in mind IF the bill makes it before him for a vote. I plan on writing him another letter asking for him to clarify his view point on the issue. I already know he will not support either HR 2835 or HR 2943, but I’ve got to keep on pushing the issue.
HEY MPP…. one of my good friends does nails for Eric Cantor’s mother… if I can set up a meeting with him up on Capitol Hill would Aaron Houston be willing to go talk to him? I mean he is the Republican whip so he does have some pull on the other side of the aisle where much needed help can come.
Here is the response to the letter I sent to the Kansas congressman to show my support for this bill.
Dear Sir,
Thank you for contacting me in regard to ending marijuana prohibition. I greatly appreciate knowing your thoughts on this important issue, but I must respectfully disagree with you.
In 2005, Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) offered an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2006 Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State Appropriations Bill that would allow states to legalize medical marijuana use. I voted against this amendment for two reasons: I am strongly opposed to the legalization of drugs on both the Federal and local level and it would have far reaching implications for drug law enforcement beyond its stated intent. This amendment was soundly defeated by a vote of 161-264.
On April 17, 2008, Rep Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced H.R.5843: Act to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults. This resolution was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, where it did not receive any further action in the 110th Congress.
As you may know, marijuana is listed under the Controlled Substances Act as a Schedule I drug. Therefore its manufacture, distribution, and possession is illegal under federal law. However, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the “active” ingredient in marijuana, can be obtained by prescription in pill form. I agree with the FDA who concluded, “Smoked cannabis has no acceptable medical use in treatment in the Untied States.” The FDA’s decision was based on a rational scientific approach conforming to standard drug approval mechanisms.
Thank you again for contacting my office. Please let me, or Elias Voces of my Washington staff know if I can be of assistance in the future. It is an honor to serve Kansas in the United States Congress.
Best regards,
Todd Tiahrt
Member of Congress
“You might be able to possess any amount of MJ, but I’m pretty sure that if your caught with 1000 pounds your going to be charged with intent to sell and then you’re looking at a felony charge. Besides, a $1000 fine and a possible 6 months in prison is much harsher than the Decriminalization Bill Barney Frank has introduced.”
Harsher to the people charged with possession or sale. It’s continued prohibition (everyday life) for cartels plus the added invisibility to the cartels because of Mr. Frank’s bill which so cripples the idea of decriminalization.
Mere decriminalization really does introduce the worst of both worlds: large increase in potential users, but no regulation on the market, no taxes on the product, and no cultivation of a home-grown product for personal use. At a minimum, decriminalization should include a non-punishable amount (e.g., the 100 grams (?) in the Frank bill) AND a non-punishable amount for personal cultivation for personal use, say a dozen plants
I totally agree regarding decriminalization. It in essence makes it legal to have but will keep the cultivation and sale illegal. This approach will leave the black market in place and profits flowing to the criminal underground. The only real soluton is for pure legalization and regulation. As much as I applaud Barney Frank for offering this legislation it really has no chance of going anywhere.
On the other hand, his Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act (HR 2835) has merit and should be taken seriously from all members of Congress. This bill simply forces the DEA to recognize the medical efficacy of marijuana. I don’t like the change to Schedule II but hell at least this gets it into the hands of the sick and injured and allows for better access to research in order to show the prohibitionists that they are scientifically wrong about marijuana and it’s “dangerous” reputation.
@chuckd420:
Write him back regarding his assertions in the second paragraph. He says (referring to a medical marijuana admendment) “I voted against this amendment for two reasons: I am strongly opposed to the legalization of drugs on both the Federal and local level and it would have far reaching implications for drug law enforcement beyond its stated intent.”
Please remind him that the admendment that he voted against in no way shape or form was to legalize drugs. The admendment would only allow the States to make the decision for themselves as to whether marijuana had medical uses for that State’s citizens.
“Far reaching implications for drug law enforcement”…. How difficult would it be for a police officer who catches someone smoking weed to ask to see their medical ID card?… if they have one you let them go if not they go to jail just like now.
“I agree with the FDA who concluded, “Smoked cannabis has no acceptable medical use in treatment in the Untied States.” ” — send him some information about vaporization… the FDA continues to rely on the “smoked” marijuana line… knowing that people understand that smoking (anything) is bad for your health. This is the only reason the FDA, DHHS, and the DEA has for not accepting the medical value of marijuana. They make the determination that the health risks posed are greater than the benefits. All they have to do is allow CHEMISTRY to find the solution. The health risks are caused by the carcinogens created from the combustion of the plant. Eliminate the combustion and you eliminate the health risk (or at least minimize them to a point in which the benefit outweighs the health risk). I would also point out that the FDA had not problem approving Tylenol when one of the health risks was death. You don’t have that risk with marijuana.
8 co-sponsors now. Two weeks ago it was only 5.
Keep it up people!!!
Please help us in Florida, help support sick people. Florida needs to call their representatives NOW and demand support of this ~
This is the letter I just wrote to my Representative in response to his ignorant refusal to support this bill:
Dear Congressman Bright,
While I appreciate the fact that you think you are acting in the best interest of this country, I think by your refusal to help support this bill, you are actually doing the exact opposite. You claim that by not supporting this legislation you are ‘keeping our streets safe and promoting healthy lifestyles through our actions’, but look around if you can sir.
For the past 72 years, this country of ours has made it increasingly more of a crime to even possess a plant that grows wild in all parts of the world, while making it easier and easier for our kids to get fully legal, yet much more dangerous medications. Look at the streets of our country today. There are drug dealers on nearly every corner. There are those that use cannabis as the best medication for their ills, and it is people like you that would throw them in jail, just out of ignorance or pure refusal to learn the facts.
The so called ‘war on drugs’ has been a miserable failure. It is easier for our children to go to school and buy a bag of cannabis than it is for them to get alcohol. Do you know why that is? Because cannabis has been pushed so far underground by this government, that NO regulation is put on it in most states. The purpose of this legislation is to actually turn that tide, and make it extremely difficult for any under 21 to get their hands on cannabis.
The government’s refusal to allow those over 21 to access one of the safest medications in the world is going to be looked at one day as the most ridiculous wastes of time and money in history. There is, in ALL of human history, not one recorded case of death due to overdose on cannabis.
There are however, 56,000 emergency-room visits a year are due to acetaminophen overdoses and that 100 people die annually from unintentionally taking too much. And that’s a drug that children can get from their parents medicine cabinet. Think about the much worse, yet legal drugs that might also be in that cabinet.
So, while I’m sure you think you are doing the best thing ‘for the children’, think about the implications. By refusing to acknowledge that there are accepted medical uses of Cannabis, and by allowing the perfect opportunity to regulate it, you are in fact allowing the children of this country to get their hands on it easily. Sleep well sir, you must be proud.
Sincerely,
Ryan James
I was born in California…..maybe I should have never left. Here’s hoping!!!!
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