Lawmakers Call For An End To Federal Marijuana Prosecutions
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June 18, 2009
June 18, 2009
Washington, DC: Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank, along with co-sponsors Ron Paul (R-TX); Maurice Hinchey (D-NY); Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA); and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), will reintroduce legislation today to limit the federal government’s authority to arrest and prosecute minor marijuana offenders.
The measure, entitled an “Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults,” would eliminate federal penalties for the personal possession of up to 100 grams (over three and one-half ounces) of cannabis and for the not-for-profit transfer of up to one ounce of pot – making the prosecutions of these offenses strictly a state matter.
Under federal law, defendants found guilty of possessing small amounts of cannabis for their own personal use face up to one year imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.
Passage of this act would provide state lawmakers the choice to maintain their current penalties for minor marijuana offenses or eliminate them completely. Lawmakers would also have the option to explore legal alternatives to tax and regulate the adult use and distribution of cannabis free from federal interference.
To date, thirteen states have enacted laws ‘decriminalizing’ the possession of marijuana by adults. Minor marijuana offenders face a citation and small fine in lieu of a criminal arrest or time in jail.
“The federal government has much more important business to attend to than targeting, arresting and prosecuting adults who use marijuana responsibly,” NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre said. “This is an issue that ought to be handled by the states, not the Feds.”
According to nationwide polls, three out of four voters believe that adults who possess marijuana should not face arrest or jail, and one out of two now say that cannabis should be regulated like alcohol.
The reintroduction of the Frank/Paul bill comes one week after the duo reintroduced HR 2835, The Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act of 2009 – which seeks to halt federal interference in states that have enacted medical marijuana laws – and just days after Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) called for federal legislation to sentence certain first-time marijuana offenders to 25 years in prison.
“The US Congress has a definite choice,” said St. Pierre. “They can choose the path of compassion, fiscal responsibility, and common sense by supporting Barney Frank’s and Ron Paul’s efforts, or they can continue down America’s failed drug war path by endorsing Rep. Kirk’s draconian legislation. It is abundantly clear which direction the voters wish to go; will their elected officials follow?”
Additional information about the ‘Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults’ is available at NORML’s Take Action Center.
209 Responses to “Lawmakers Call For An End To Federal Marijuana Prosecutions”
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Fed pot laws are completely, totally, and obviously unconstitutional. Those dirtbags on the Supreme Court, sure, they called it “interstate commerce” so they could keep the lie going.
C’mon SC you intellectual whores, is it contraband or is it commerce?
You can’t have it both ways and still claim to use logic.
Sounds like a sold bill for the first step in legal state regulated cannabis, where it should be. Props to by boy Paul and Franks. This is now more in the hands of Franks, since the Dems have the huge majority in the house. Franks really needs to push his fellow Dems on this and its a done deal. We really dont need any more Reps to pass this bill. This is even more important than the medical bill these two introduced because this will effect recreational and medical at the same time. We know what to do. Contact your federal reps people ! This bill is priority.
more people need to come forward that are in the public eye and add support to the swell of legalization, we need to approach ever possible friendly hand and take it, so tired of being a criminal in my own country just for enjoying the blessing of weed
Oh man this is a real breath of relief considering the last two posts. COME ON GUYS LETS GET THESE VOICES OF REASON HEARD!
Also @ Callum
Dude i feel your pain, but we need to save our ammo for when a real revolution breaks out.
This is a start, hopefully other politicians will get with the program and push this bill through. Then afterward we would see which states are run by assholes and who needs to be voted out of office and etc. I think this is possibly the beginning of the change which the government so dearly promised for us if we voted Obama’s administration in. If he vetoes this or for any reason any of his administration defeats this bill, we will know it was all a lie and we can then perform a coup d’etat on their lying asses.
Free the weed! Legalize and end the insanity!
Excuse me while I lit my spliff! Haaaaaaa
p.s. Mark Kirk should die of nepa virus…..
Sounds like a solid bill for the first step in legal state regulated cannabis, where it should be. Props to by boy Paul and Franks. This is now more in the hands of Franks, since the Dems have the huge majority in the house. Franks really needs to push his fellow Dems on this and its a done deal. We really dont need any more Reps to pass this bill. This is even more important than the medical bill introduced because this will effect recreational and medical at the same time. Two birds, one stone. We know what to do. Contact your federal reps people ! This bill is priority.
I’ve written my congresman and senator as should everyone on this post that thinks this bill should pass
(CHICAGO)(June 16, 2009) Internet
Powerhouse and U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin announced today that Congressman Mark Kirk lied to the People of Illinois and the media when he falsely claimed that his divorce files had been “unsealed Martin contacted the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Alexandria, Virginia, where Kirk was divorced, and was advised that the file was “sealed
#45 brewmaster Says:
June 18th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
I can see the era of cannabis prohibition coming to an end.
RE:
WHEN???
You must live on the COAST…..
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.
http://bit.ly/GqqVD Illinois Congressman Mark Kirk caught in divorce lies on top of marijuana lies
Finally, some elected officials are looking for toeholds. Especially dramatic is the allowances for not-for-profit transferances of small amounts of cannabis. Although, “not for profit” still leaves too much lassitude for the potential of organized crime from profiting from dispensaries. We still need to confront where the stuff is coming from. As long as black market cannabis is finding its way to the dispensaries we are going to still have problems.
If Frank and Paul can confront the issue of legalizing growing cannabis in the same step, we will really be having a revolution. Anyone should be able to grow as much of the stuff as they want. The restrictions should be on distribution of the flowers and leaves, which is really what they are offering us here already.
If Ron Paul can bring back old fashioned hemp for agricultural production and free up growing for anyone along with decriminalizing possession, he has a guaranteed vote from me if he runs for president again.
if you ever wanted things to change now is the time to get off your ass and send a E-mail to your congresman…
If you don’t do any thing then don’t bitch when you get sent to the pokey.
NORML, your next blog should be to start a movement, actual ACTION, by having the step-by-step easy way to contact your legislators. Yes, you already have that, but it’s not front and center. I’m talking about organizing an entire social campaign for pot reform. Organize a sort of gathering like Seatle’s hempfest in different cities, with speeches and whatnot, maybe even a tour. Try getting pro-pot artists to play, have a concert, vendors, etc. That’s just one idea. Many people comment about having a million man march/smoke out on the capitol. This might prove to be extreme or too difficult to do logistics-wise. You’d have a better shot doing that in California, where there are a strong concentration of smokers there, and where many people already support legalization.
California is probably the best target right now for legalization to happen. Once we open up Pandora’s box in Cali, it’s all downhill from there.
Alsol, maybe it’s just me or it’s just chance, but I’ve still yet to see any of your commercials on cable TV.
And to Mr Mark Kirk. I hope you or your people troll this site cuz im gona giv ya a non friendly warning. You dont know me but if i come across you in the twenty years im gona kick your smarmy little fuckin face in. Dont ever come down Kansas way cuz i got a fuckin army of people wanna kick your ass. Steal 25 years from a person for a plant? Fuck you and fuck anybody like you. Yuol get yours buddy someday soon.
Kansas maybe a state loaded with rednecks farmers and illegal immigrants but we become mighty unfriendly wen we hear some pissant queerduck mamas boy wants to rob us of 25 years for pot. Sory ppl u can resume your other topic chattin. i just hope he sees. it. There was like 300 comments on his article.
Wow… Now is definitely a great time to make sure your voice gets heard. Remind our politicians that the election season of 2010 is right around the corner. We must prove to them that this issue must be dealt with.
If this measure does not pass, then it’s time we enact our legal right to revolution because cannabis prohibition is the greatest civil rights violation since slavery.It was founded on a lie and racism, is therefore an unjust law and one that needs to be FORCEBY overturned – if this measure does not pass.
Because its now or never friends. 50% won’t cut it this time. It has to pass by at least 70% or we are back to square one. And if that’s the case, I’d rather be homeless in Amsterdam.
I agree the time is now to do this #64 the one huge question after this bill does get passed 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?
I was under the impression that this bill is brought before the House every year or so. If I remember correctly, it failed last time by a 200-some odd vote against and 150-ish in favor.
Though it gains votes every time it is brought up, I don’t think we can count on it passing without some strong activism on our part. As others have said, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE contact your elected officials (repeatedly!) and let them know you support this legislation! Don’t give up and don’t give in!
pt.2 to the post I made on #65 . Do we still have to get it from a street dealer or are we allowed to grow our own? This is a huge step how ever till it is 100% legalized and taxed that is all it shall be is a huge step and not a victory. For a victory we need it to be 100% legalized and taxed then at that time then and only then could we enjoy victory…!
well as fas as kirk the jerk is concerned he can put this in his pipe and smoke it!!!!!!!!!
LEGALIZE IT!!!!!
I think we’d all be better off getting drunk, getting behind the wheel and killing an innocent human being resulting in 30 days in jail like Brown’s reciever Donte Stallworth than getting caught with ganja.
It’s shit like this that makes me sick…what’s our world coming to?
you know why we might see legalization. minus the million good reasons? every time obama held an online QnA the numbers for marijuana support were overwhelming. AND NOW ITS VOTIN TIME BITCHES and for me personally at this point i dont care if the congressman is an ex-con rapist w/e ill make sure he gets my vote if this goes through.
If you go to Wikipedia and look up the War on Drugs, it has the prohibitionist perspective and their reasons for keeping this illegal…
-Substances which can do significant harm to an individual, particularly from only a single use, should not be legal
-Drugs are especially harmful to the physical and mental development of children
-Addiction is a brutal disease which can destroy individuals, families, communities, economies, and potentially an entire society
-The treatment of addiction is expensive and unreliable compared to either the ideal of no drug use or the costs of prevention
-Drugs are heavily associated with crime, including organized crime and gangs
-Drugs are not “productive” in that they do not improve an individual’s well-being or society’s capacity to do so
-Drugs have the potential to undermine social order
All of these “reasons” have been proved incorrect and flawed in design, time and time again by scientists, lawyers, economists (and “joe” pothead just sitting on a couch)… except for the last one.
Which only leads to the conclusion that the reason MJ is STILL illegal is to control the masses. There cannot be another explaination.
If children, addiction treatment, medical risk e.t.c are qualified reasons, then why am I able to walk LESS than a hundred yards to one of numerous gas stations and have the ability to purchase a six pack of Coors and a pack of marlboros earlier today on my own volition? Oh, and dont forget the three Dr. Peppers I consumed today.
And as for non-productivity?
Here’s a fun personal fact- Before weed? I was content with my occupation as a records clerk for the state (for whatever reason…good money, though). Now? Im currently pursuing my degree in particle physics (with a minor in chemistry).
I will gladly blame weed and its provided altered state of consciousness for my educational pursuance. (Getting high and thinking about ANYTHING hard enough will do that to you, I bet.)
Saying that governmental social control is justified is equal to stating that the just and loving God in common religious texts justifies genocidal extermination. (Unfortunately, certain religions HAVE interpreted their texts to this result.)
So how do prohibitionists still have a leg to stand on?
They don’t.
So follow suit with other commenter’s and become active- even if ONLY with an e-mail.
It takes 4 mouse clicks and 18 seconds FROM THIS PAGE (depending on connection, of course) to send a pre-written letter (how easy is that?!) through NORML’s emailing system to you representatives.
Hell, if you weren’t reading this, you could’ve sent an email AND smoked a bowl by now…
…guess Ill shut up then…
Glad to see Barney out pushing for something again. I had thought for a time there he’d backed down a little. Either Kirk splashed his knowing this was up and coming or this is a response to his bill.
Too hard to follow the pulse in DC from afar, but I hope this is not another item for the republican side to think would be good to martyr over. They seem hell bent right now on staying “news worthy” …
I e mailed my congressman Bruce Brailey Frm Iowa Yes We Can
http://news.google.com/news?pz=1&ned=us&hl=en&q=marijuana,+barney+frank
a whole whopping 7 articles, fucking media
Didn’T Ghandi say First they ignore you,Then they laugh at you,Then they attack,Then you win? We have been ignored,laughed at,and according to estimates of 1 million + arrests this year,looks like the attack is on. After 40 years in the closet I enjoy sending options to the Pres and senators etc waiting for the feds to pull up…cough Seriously though The more voices the Better…NOW
[...] of legalizing marijuana; Ron Paul & Barney Frank have introduced new legislation in the House which would legalize the possession of up to three oz of marijuana at the federal [...]
I know you guys are still pushing for this, but I cannot help but think this is the wrong course.
Guys, we’re decriminalizing marijuana and not regulating it. By disallowing the sale and limiting possession, aren’t we actually emboldening cartels, smugglers and dealers?
I still hold to marijuana being legal and regulated by small and large businesses like alcohol… none of this “dancing-around-the-drug” bullshit.
If you can persuade me that decriminalization is better than regulation, I’ll sign.
Wow. If I can, as a patient (extreme pain in back and down both legs), get involved, start a local collective (dispensary), start support groups, write many many letters and emails to officials when I spend 85% of my time in bed Im sure that you can find it in yourselves to do at least SOMETHING to get involved as I and others like me should NEVER have had to do this ourselves.
Maybe if I keep getting my court case continued it will be legal by the time it takes place! Yea right…
I agree with number 65 ed. NORML to me you guys are lik on saintly status. I feel you guys do little to no wrong. But why isn’t our issue not gettin the public attention it deserves. My aunt is always tellin me about marches and peacefull protset. She says ppl were to close minded and unnformed. She says if the hippies of yesteryear marched and stuff today then pot wood be legal. If you lead NORML, WE WILL FOLLOW.
[Editor's note: Your aunt is incorrect as the 'hippies' have been marching and protesting for decades! The status quo regarding cannabis remains not because NORML, ACLU, DPA and the 20 other pro-reform organizations are not necessarily doing enough to reform these antiquated laws, the main reason is because well under 1% of the cannabis community joins reform organizations; visits their webpages; listens to their podcasts; reads their blogs, attends their conferences and protest rallies, or, most importantly, contact and hold accountable their elected officials to end cannabis prohibition.
The self-evident problem re cannabis law reform is that our elected policy makers, the people you (and I) collectively vote into office, are chiefly responsible for the continuing harms and expense of cannabis prohibition--not hardworking, largely volunteer non-profits group who work on grassroots-derived budgets.
If readers of this blog want genuine, lasting cannabis law reforms, don't entertain playing the role of lemming or the-easily-led, by NORML or any organization. Instead, recognize that the law is where you live...change the cannabis laws in your city/state, often working in concert with groups like NORML/ASA/DPA/MPP, etc..., and you'll be making a major contribution towards national cannabis law reforms.]
#12 JJ Says:
June 18th, 2009 at 11:18 am
whoops…wrong website…here is the real one:
http://www.mpp.org/states/missouri/news/poking-around-a-dangerous.html
RE:
LINKS to original articles at Suburban Journal
Suburban Journal Forums
SJ News-Article
[...] up to one ounce of pot – making the prosecutions of these offenses strictly a state matter… Norml Blog ▶ Comment /* 0) { jQuery(‘#comments’).show(”, change_location()); jQuery(‘#showcomments [...]
Did you hear the latest B.S. ad that the DRUG , ALCOHOL and TOBACCO companies came out with ? It starts out with a Mother asking her kid if he ever tried Pot she then asks , Cocaine , heroin , mexican speedballs ? What these Companies are doing is tying Pot in with Heroin , other hard drugs to deceive the public by convincing them that Pot is the same as all hard drugs . This is an ad for a drug testing kit which was also brought to you and even invented by these Companies . That’s why cannabis tests positive and their ( deadly ) drugs do not . They do this because their sales will decrease with the increasing use of Pot .
IDK why people even get excited over the leg. in DC as it pertains to MJ. Obviously if you are a member of Change.org website they have pushed the Mj subject COMPLETELY out of the way to continue our country’s policy of fear mongering and use of the word Nuclear and Terrorism so we won’t be as concerned with our rights being taken away. Everyone just relax, it will be a crime to have Mj today, tomorrow and next year, nobody on a fed level is going to legalize anything in any amount. If a country can collectively elect a president then have the Supreme Court say otherwise then what chance does MJ have? None, sorry.
Also before the attacks come at me, I have written everyone in my state leg. as well as the president and anyone else who has a petition and an action attached to MJ. I am a full supporter of trying to do the right thing but I just realize that it won’t make a difference. Move to MI or a REAL free state to take advantage, thats going to be your only option.
LOL hey every one I missed CNBC last night and saw what was on there that was about the cause and had to share
this with you all .
http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1157659519&play=1
I posted a few post on the AC360 most did not get approved but the ones that did made some good points towards our cause. Being tonight is the last night for the live blog lets flood the AC360 live blog with all our information and what not to help the cause. I am deffinatly going to be on there doing so and hope every one else will be as well.
Because I really hope this guy runs again. god, we need him after the “obama fiasco”.
Dear Rep. Paul,
I have followed your speeches and views on a great many of this country’s issues and I am proud to have a brave and courageous man like you fighting for my freedoms. I believe you are one of the few who represent the true beliefs and fundamentals of what intially made this country great. I believe that over time we as a people have lost sight of what is important. With two wars being fought (war in iraq and “the war on drugs”) as well as economic crisis, a weak healthcare system, ailing schools and inflated taxes we are in dire need of strong legislation that promotes real change, not just pretty words and ideas. I strongly believe that you should run again for office in 2012 because many people are seeing that you had forssen many of the problems we are experiencing now as well as the fact that you have many common sense and positive solutions for them. I may only be 24 years old, but I fear for my children and grandchildren. I fear that the united states won’t be a free country for them. I fear that they will grow up in fear of antiquated laws that only benefit those with money and pay outrages taxes on everything to fund all of it. It pains me to see all the people who are hurt by there own government for being sick and using medicine prescribed by their doctor (cannabis) or using the substance responibly to relax as many politicians use alcohol. It pains me to have money taken from my pay for taxes and then paying tax on my groceries and other goods. It pains me to see troops over in Iraq, separated from their loved ones to fight a war that I believe is over oil, all the while spending money we don’t have. Finally, it pains me to know that somewhere someone is being raped or murdered while a policeman is busy busting some teenager for having a joint. These are painful truths but they are realities that I’m sure you are aware of. Watching this take place has shifted my party affiliation back and forth until I realized that it’s more important to vote according to a man’s principles than allegiance to red or blue. It is this division that is ripping our dear country apart and it is this division that has bred a horrible beast that we have no control over. Once again I applaud all your hard work and fighting in the face of adversity. I do encourage you to run again and I support all your efforts to ease the burden of everyday americans. Good people who are just trying to make a living and pursue happiness. I wish you all the luck in the world with your proposed legislation and wish that someday we can have you or a man like you in office who won’t laugh off important questions and who will speak honestly the evils of the current system so that we may face them and conquer them together as a country. If I had one wish, it would be to see that glorious America that I was taught about in school rise again. once again, thank you for your time and for fighting the good fight. My prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Antonio J. Sierra
same bill as 2008 that went no where, will see if it gets more than sent to committee this time… I know that things are changing, and I have sent the e-mails but don’t realy think it will see the light of day again… Hope I am wrong
I dont diagree about any points in particular NORML. Its just i think to myself why hav we not had like a Hemp-aid or Hemp-march or annual pot awareness festivals. i think these should be organized but who would be more efficeint and educated in these matters? Me? or a nationally accredited polical activist site? And what about the 1 percenters you spoke of? How do we make the cannabis comunity as a whole more active? Can we not learn from the homosexuals? I live in a small minded smll town. And the closeminded rednecks here are always debating the gays. But the opinion on pot regardless of publicity is always hated. I also want you guys to know i aint bitchin at you just questioing, conversating, and after the editors note; learning as well. Thanks Norml VIVA NORML!
We are making huge steps towards legalization but that is all it is till we have a bill that legalizes MJ that is passed till then we must keep up the fight and keep the pressure on and if by election time there is no bill passed those who we elected to office who do not do any thing to help need to be simply not re elected . In time we shall prevail but till then we are still fighting for what we know is right and just…
Bear, #82, you have to understand that this is a process. We cannot say “because this isn’t legalization, we shouldnt support it.” The only way this will work is if the prohibition is taken down one piece at a time. Complete overhaul is feared by those even in support because of the potential changes that could immediately come upon legalization.
But don’t worry about that. Dont support it and see what happens when you get arrested for possession. Wouldnt you want AT LEAST the Federal protection that this bill would somewhat provide?
Walk before you run, baby.
http://www.ireport.com/ir-topic-stories.jspa?topicId=235435
[...] Lawmakers Call For An End To Federal Marijuana Prosecutions June 18th, 2009 By: Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director June 18, 2009 Washington, DC: [...]
When are they going to vote on it? Let’s get this done.
#82 Bear Says:
June 19th, 2009 at 9:56 am
I know you guys are still pushing for this, but I cannot help but think this is the wrong course.
Guys, we’re decriminalizing marijuana and not regulating it. By disallowing the sale and limiting possession, aren’t we actually emboldening cartels, smugglers and dealers?
I still hold to marijuana being legal and regulated by small and large businesses like alcohol… none of this “dancing-around-the-drug” bullshit.
If you can persuade me that decriminalization is better than regulation, I’ll sign.
RE:
You’re right,
Decrim and not regulating it
still emboldens cartels…
DECRIM is the WORST of BOTH WORLDS…
A form of…
Half-ashed legalization.
DECRIM ends up leading back to RE-CRIM.
(Just look at Mississippi and Alaska!)