Ron Paul co-sponsors bill to decriminalize Marijuana
Posted July 30th, 2008 by adam1mc
output
(CNN) -- The U.S. should stop arresting responsible marijuana users, Rep. Barney Frank said Wednesday, announcing a proposal to end federal penalties for Americans carrying fewer than 100 grams, almost a quarter-pound, of the substance.
Rep. Barney Frank's bill would radically curb federal penalties for personal marijuana use.
Rep. Barney Frank's bill would radically curb federal penalties for personal marijuana use.
Current laws targeting marijuana users place undue burdens on law enforcement resources, punish ill Americans whose doctors have prescribed the substance and unfairly affect African-Americans, Frank said, flanked by legislators and representatives from advocacy groups.
"The vast amount of human activity ought to be none of the government's business," Frank said during a Capitol Hill news conference. "I don't think it is the government's business to tell you how to spend your leisure time."
The Massachusetts Democrat and his supporters emphasized that only the use -- and not the abuse -- of marijuana would be decriminalized if the resolution passes. Video Watch Frank lay out the proposal »
Allen St. Pierre, spokesman for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, likened the proposal to current laws dealing with alcohol consumption. Alcohol use is permitted and the government focuses its law enforcement efforts on those who abuse booze or drive under its influence, he said.
"We do not arrest and jail responsible alcohol drinkers," he said.
St. Pierre said there were tens of million of marijuana smokers in the United States, including himself, and hundreds of thousands are arrested each year for medical or personal use. iReport.com: Is it time to legalize pot?
There have been 20 million marijuana-related arrests since 1965, he said, and 11 million since 1990, and "every 38 seconds a marijuana smoker is arrested."
Rob Kampia, director of the Marijuana Policy Project, said marijuana arrests outnumber arrests for "all violent crimes combined," meaning that police are spending inordinate amounts of time chasing nonviolent criminals.
"Ending arrests is the key to marijuana policy reform," he said.
Reps. William Lacy Clay, D-Missouri, and Barbara Lee, D-California, said that in addition to targeting nonviolent offenders, U.S. marijuana laws also unfairly target African-Americans.
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Clay said he did not condone drug use, but he opposes using tax dollars to pursue what he feels is an arcane holdover from "a phony war on drugs that is filling up our prisons, especially with people of color."
Too many drug enforcement resources are being dedicated to incarcerating nonviolent drugs users and not enough being done to stop the trafficking of narcotics into the United States, he said.
Being arrested is not the American marijuana smoker's only concern, said Bill Piper of the Drug Policy Alliance Network. Those found guilty of marijuana use can lose their jobs, financial aid for college, their food stamp and welfare benefits or their low-cost housing.
The U.S. stance on marijuana, Piper said, "is one of the most destructive criminal justice policies in America today."
Calling the U.S. policy "inhumane" and "immoral," Lee said she has many constituents who are harassed or arrested for using or cultivating marijuana for medical purposes. California allows medical marijuana use, but the federal government does not, she explained.
House Resolution 5843, titled the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008, would allow "a very small number of individuals" suffering from chronic pain or illness to smoke marijuana with impunity. The legislation is cosponsored by Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas.
According to NORML, marijuana can be used to treat a range of illnesses, including glaucoma, asthma, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS and seizures.
Frank said there were about a dozen states that already had OK'd some degree of medical marijuana use and the federal government should stop devoting resources to arresting people who are complying with their state's laws.
In a shot at Republicans, Frank said it was strange that those who support limited government want to criminalize marijuana.
Asked if the resolution's passage would change his personal behavior, Frank quipped, "I do obey every law I vote for," but quickly said he did not use marijuana, nor does he encourage it.
"I smoke cigars. I don't think other people should do that. If young people ask me, I would advise them not to do it," he said.
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If HR 5843 were passed by the House, marijuana smokers could possess up to 100 grams -- about 3½ ounces -- of cannabis without being arrested. It would also permit the "nonprofit transfer" of up to an ounce of marijuana.
The resolution would not affect laws forbidding growing, importing or exporting marijuana, or selling it for profit. The resolution also would not affect any state laws regarding marijuana use.
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Barney Frank
smokes more than just cigars.
Rep. Barney Frank is part of
Rep. Barney Frank is part of the problem and needs to go!!!
He has done more bad then good.
He might give the people freedom on this but what is he going to want for it?
THE FEDERAL RESERVE - Americas OVERLORD
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value --- zero."
Voltaire (1694-1778)
Important study on this matter.
http://www.washingtonpost...
Peace
Make sure you send Congressman Frank
A thank you. And make sure you include something to the effect see how nice it is to work with Ron Paul and putting America first instead of party.
Man was born to be free and independent
Marijuana use
is a states' rights issue. Nowhere in the Constitution is the federal government authorized to legislate marijuana use.
One step towards personal
One step towards personal independence and liberty!!
Everyone write your senators and congressman!
The Bill itself
Hey all, this is the link to the text of the bill itself.
http://www.govtrack.us/co...
COPS are the BIGGEST HIPOCRITES, they just get it for Free
when they bust someone and don't turn it over to the police dept., or only a small percentage of it and keep the rest!
How many judges, lawyers, cops, prison guards, etc. use pot themselves? Do they ever get drug tested? NOPE!
Live and let live!
PASS THE BILL DAMNIT
If I had it..HELL YEAH I would smoke it.
I have constant chronic pain..and the times I am lucky enough..which isn't often..to have someone give me a little toke..I gladly take it.
I do not sit around and get stoned just to get stoned.
It helps me sleep...It helps the pain ease up..And I am able to get something so simple but so wonderful without screaming in pain..And that is..a hug.
I do not get out and drive..it does not make me want harder drugs..I just want to be left alone..just me..a doobie...a cold drink...and maybe a twinkie
Freedom is another way to God...A corrupt government is a straight way to hell.
Living in the Dark Ages Fo Sure! Legalize it & than Tax the Fuk
outta of it. You smoke that sh*t You pay! But arresting someone cause they lit a joint or had a small amount of grass in their possession is utter horsesh*t. A little smoke if legal would probably do us all some good.
Those in power think they know truly what is best for the citizenry - when in reality they are so over medicated & pickled with their alcohol that they do far far more harm than good
They need to go all the way and just
legalize it, period. Not just for medical use. If we would stop making alcohol and pot such a "taboo", then maybe people wouldn't go so hog-wild on the stuff. I mean, there are always going to be morons that can't handle their stuff, but don't punish the whole country because of a few idiots. Look at other countries where wine and alcohol are introduced at early ages and not made a big deal of. Why can't we have that same attitude? Honestly, I think most Americans could use a joint to slow us down a bit, and make us stop and think. We're go, go, go, and so wound up. I'd be way more in favor of them legalizing it, manufacturing it, and taxing it......as long as they got rid of the IRS. Think of all the closet pot smokers in the U.S. (not to mention all the ones that got arrested) that would being giving forth tax $......That surely would close the gap of money our government thinks we need to spend if we were to get rid of the IRS.......Tax pot--------not my income!!!!
A great step.
___________
Lisa C.
www.dvds4delegates.com=Ron Paul, the 44th U.S. President
“Elections are short term efforts; revolutions are long term projects.”
--Ron Paul
Join the rEVOLution here: www.campaignforliberty.com
This will never pass at this time..
There are to many people living of the prohibition of marijuana. Just think about it:
- Prison Guards
- Cops
- Judges
- Court Officials
- Politicians
- Boarder Control Officers
- Pharmaceutical Chemists
- Doctors
- Nurses
- ........................................
Thousands of these poor people would loos their jobs if it became legal, and just think about the "poor criminals" who sell these evil herbs, who would have to start working for a living because people would not need to buy over priced plants. People would simply grow them at home, or buy them legally and imagine this, they would PAY TAXES!
Nah.. the idea is too crazy.
Peace
P.S. Yo Johnny! Pass me the bong man, have you got glue on your fingers or something?!
That's a very good point
The battle of ideas is tough enough, never mind that there all all these leeches getting salaries of this tyranny.
Pot is a dangerous gateway drug!
It's a bane to our communities and a threat to our children... now where did I put my whiskey? =)
whiskey river
the whiskey is over there on the table with the prescription/government approved drugs... remember to drink a full glass with each pill. =)
"If people let government decide which foods they eat and medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny."
Thomas Jefferson
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Ron Paul Supporter Since 1997
“We have allowed our nation to be over taxed and over regulated and overrun by bureaucrats, the founders would be ashamed of us for what we're putting up with” Ron Paul
Prison is for those who hurt
Prison is for those who hurt other people, not for those who hurt themselves. It's time our nation wakes up and gets out of the way of those who wish to have true FREEDOM.
This coming from someone who has never touched the stuff.
nice
...
This is fantastic logic.
"Prison is for those who hurt other people, not for those who hurt themselves."
Peace
I love,
your comment.
When Does it come up
For a vote ??
Quote
"We do not arrest and jail responsible alcohol drinkers," he(St Pierre) said.
Actually, we do.
There are thousands of responsible alcohol drinkers arrested every day for having a beer or glass of wine with dinner, and exhibiting no signs of impairment.
It is the result of the mindless zombie MADD, who have decided to take it upon themselves to rid society of ALL alcohol use, by plying legislators with donation money to make normal everyday activities illegal if your blood sample shows virtually any alcohol level in it.
And the police stop people along the road and test them and arrest them, in long caravans of illegal road blocks in order to try to ferret any of them out. Even on first offenses in some cases, your car is forfeited, you license to drive is suspended, you may do jail time, and you will pay massive fines and court costs, and huge insurance premiums for at least 5 years after the fact.
It started as a sane idea to make abusive drunks pay a penalty. Now, like all gov't things, it has devolved into anybody, anywhere, who's had a drink and drives their car, even hours after having their one or two drinks.
Yup, legalize "drunk"-driving
Lew Rockwell wrote an article on this: http://www.lewrockwell.co...
Right on!
MADD is just one of the many 'heart-string' organizations that have been allowed to run rampant in this country. Pictures of loved ones tragically lost and shrill rantings from distraught mothers and fathers make our legislators cower in their loafers and pass unconstitutional legislation. It's time we stand up to them and to our local law enforcement when it comes to victim-less crimes and illegal check-points! (Just don't do it if you've been drinking...)
bout friggin time! I hate
bout friggin time! I hate barney frank, and I don't use marijauna, but why is alcohol ok and weed isn't? is it because they can arrest you and put you in jail where money is made on having prisoners? I have not yet seen 1 violent person on weed, I have not yet seen a person on weed who killed another individual driving like alcohol! interesting! then my next question.. what difference does it make if you have 1/4 pound or 100 pounds?? geezzzzo splittin hairs!
as for me and my home, we shall worship the LORD
Link?
Please don't "borrow" the whole thing. Just quote from it and provide the link. It is much better to see it in context.
In this case, none of the internal links came through.
IMissLiberty
the link is above the
the link is above the article missliberty
It's about time
JM
that the Federal Government gets out of states rights. If a state passes a law to legalize pot, then the Gov. has no right overuling states laws. Now, who will be able to furnish marijuana, or grow it? There again, the states should provide legislation for these purposes. If they allow big FARMA, or the FDA to control the supply by federal laws, then I think this could be a problem. I think decriminalizing marijuana possession and use would take a huge load off our justice system and return some of our civil liberties.
State's jurisdiction my ass
The Federal gov't people have no right to criminalize substances.
And neither do the individual states!
CNN Poll bottom right hand corner
http://www.cnn.com/
I don't like this bill
All it does is decriminalize the possessor, it would still be illegal to grow or sell pot. Which basically means that a person would be getting pot by illegal means. Users would no longer need to fear being caught possessing marijuana, so use would rise. However, with selling and growing still criminalize, the practice would stay in the black market and crime would rise as the profits started to roll in.
Gangs sell drugs as their main money maker, to curb crime pot would need to be completely decriminalized, taking the sale out of the hands of criminals.
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Penndel Borough needs to step up and eliminate the crime they've created by not paving and maintaining Robbins Avenue
http://will86aber.wordpre...
It's a start. Baby steps.
It's a start. Baby steps.
SUPPORT OUR FOUNDERS' AMERICA
Support the Constitution of the United States
Politics
That's the only way the gubment could relax the penalties and still retain the ability to eventually tax growers/sellers as is done for alcohol and tobacco. To come right out and say it's legal and will be taxed, well, that would set off a firestorm of controversy.
This country is still so absurdly Puritanical it's nauseating.
Yep - puritanical
The entire puritan ethos could be summed up as a person that lives in mortal dread that someone some where is having fun.