Freedom_User

Lawmakers Call For An End To Federal Marijuana Prosecutions
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:56:47 By: Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director

Washington, DC: Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank, along with co-sponsor Texas Republican Ron Paul, reintroduced 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.



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shears

is it possible to pass off 100 grams as personal use? you and i might think so, but it doesnt seem very realistic given what its up against.

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TheQuestionMark

nvm

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dirtbomb

This is hopefully not going to die in committee.

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allentxpool

I wonder if this year will mark a turning point?

I know previous attempts have resulted in this being dead in committee, or as we saw with Obama, such notions being laughed-off.

I truly wonder if this year will bring the first real congressional debate on this issue. I'm not hopeful (yet) but I think there is a chance. It seems as the tide is turning though. The media and public is finally starting to take a hard look at the issue and I think in time, the turning tide will become a tsunami.

Buzzby

You wouldn't have to "pass it off" as a personal use amount. The law defines anything less than 100 grams to be a personal use amount.

OTOH, if you had 100 1-gram bags and big wad of cash...

BTW, 100 grams has been considered a personal use amount in Ohio for 34 years - $100 fine, no jail time, no criminal record.

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CRIMSONxSOLDIER

haha, NORML just posted this in their status update for Myspace, I was about to post it in here but you, you s.o.b., beat me to it.

but...

Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) called for federal legislation to sentence certain first-time marijuana offenders to 25 years in prison.

..check out that bullshit.
25 years behind bars for being a first-time marijuana offender.
Goddamn Republicans

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LowRider

that's for Kush Grade. I thank 25yrs for crap would be a better deal.

claygooding

Found same article but laid out differently,from MPP,already copied and sent my rep to support. When we find articles like this,be sure your legislators get a copy.

tdlex420

Here is a link to a similar article
Congress to consider allowing marijuana possession — MPP Blog

and also a link to where you can send a pre written letter to your congressman. Everyone should take the few seconds that it takes and fill out the form.
https://secure2.convio.net/mpp/site/...rAction&id=346

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