Marijuana decriminalization bill gaining support in Congress

[BOBA-GA-NUSH]

Support Barney Frank's Personal Use Act!

Marijuana decriminalization bill gaining support in Congress..

July 30, 2008

Barney FrankMPP's Rob Kampia and Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) held a press conference to support H.R. 5843, the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008...

Click here to ask your member of Congress to support this legislation...

Congressman Frank's legislation would decriminalize the possession of up to 100 grams of marijuana and the not-for-profit transfer of one ounce of marijuana. It would not affect laws prohibiting drug sales or the cultivation of marijuana, and it would not affect state or local laws regulating marijuana possession...

"It's time for the politicians to catch up with the public on this [issue]," Congressman Frank said. "The notion that you lock people up for smoking marijuana is pretty silly."...

The bill incorporates the basic recommendation of the
National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse(also known as the Shafer Commission). The commission, which was administered by the White House and published its findings in 1972, recommended that then-president Richard Nixon decriminalize possession of marijuana in amounts that constituted "simple possession."..

Thirty-six years later, Rep. Frank will try to do just that...



Why support this legislation?

- Currently, 1 out of every 100 Americans is behind bars, and many of these prisoners are non-violent drug offenders...

- Arresting, prosecuting, and incarcerating people simply for possessing marijuana for personal use is an illogical waste of our government's limited resources...

- Each year, more than 700,000 people are arrested for marijuana offenses, costing American taxpayers more than $7 billion annually. Despite this, marijuana is still easily available, both to adults and minors...

- The money saved from ending marijuana prohibition could provide health insurance each year to 4.5 million uninsured children in the U.S. This legislation would be an important first step towards that...


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[BanginJimmy]

- Currently, 1 out of every 100 Americans is behind bars, and many of these prisoners are non-violent drug offenders...

No such thing as a non-violent drug offender. Marijuana isnt enarly as bad as harder drugs, but it does lead to crimes.

- Arresting, prosecuting, and incarcerating people simply for possessing marijuana for personal use is an illogical waste of our government's limited resources...

If you are possessing it in quantities that fall under personal use the govt doesnt spend much on your prosecution. Many times it is simply a fine and maybe a short probation.

- Each year, more than 700,000 people are arrested for marijuana offenses, costing American taxpayers more than $7 billion annually. Despite this, marijuana is still easily available, both to adults and minors...

Crack is readily available too. Should that be legal also?

- The money saved from ending marijuana prohibition could provide health insurance each year to 4.5 million uninsured children in the U.S. This legislation would be an important first step towards that...

Pointless arguement as the money would then be spent to crack down on smugglers and illegal dealers who would sell it tax free.

[The12lber]

No such thing as a non-violent drug offender. Marijuana isnt enarly as bad as harder drugs, but it does lead to crimes.

The reason illegal drugs lead to violence is because they necessarily have to be bought and sold on a black market - you know, because they're illegal. Remember prohibition much? It happened to coincide with the most visible growth in organized crime in U.S. history. All of those gangs were making money selling illegal booze. No parrallels there, right?

Make them legal and there's no problem.

as a side note. roflskateslolzers@ "No such thing as a non-violent drug offender". I don't know how much Rush Limbaugh you've been listening to, but everyime I've ever smoked pot we just sat in the basement and laughed our asses off. VERY VIOLENT INDEED.

[Total_Blender]

No such thing as a non-violent drug offender. Marijuana isnt enarly as bad as harder drugs, but it does lead to crimes.

- Most crimes related to marijuana are related to the sale and posession of marijuana. If its is brought into the open the relatively minor amount of criminal activity behind it will diminish.

If you are possessing it in quantities that fall under personal use the govt doesnt spend much on your prosecution. Many times it is simply a fine and maybe a short probation.

If every marijuana crime didn't have to be prosecuted it would be considerably less expense to the local authorities. Imagine how short court sessions would be in there weren't posession cases on the dockets.

Crack is readily available too. Should that be legal also?

Booze is legal and readily available, and so is tobacco, gambling and guns. All of which do equal or more damage to society than marijuana. People should be allowed to do what they want to an extent. Crack, meth, etc obviously cross that line.

Pointless arguement as the money would then be spent to crack down on smugglers and illegal dealers who would sell it tax free.

Isn't the government blowing tons of unnecessary money chasing smugglers and dealers already? Allowing the legal distribution of small ammounts of marijuana through licensed regulated and taxed providers would generate tax revenue, and isn't that a good thing?

[DieselNuts]

No such thing as a non-violent drug offender. Marijuana isnt enarly as bad as harder drugs, but it does lead to crimes.

wow...Are you serious? I know plenty of people that have been busted for pot when they werent doing a damn thing but minding their own business.

If you are possessing it in quantities that fall under personal use the govt doesnt spend much on your prosecution. Many times it is simply a fine and maybe a short probation.

you are partially right here, but you get a year probation + jail time. Someone needs to find the stats for the amount of people that are in for 100grams or less and then you tell me that the govt. isnt spending much money on them.

Crack is readily available too. Should that be legal also?

This is just ignorant. You can, in no way, compair crack to pot. If you do, then you need to do some more research on the matter.

Pointless arguement as the money would then be spent to crack down on smugglers and illegal dealers who would sell it tax free.

The point is, the money doesnt have to be spent the way you claim it would be.

[tony]

The reason illegal drugs lead to violence is because they necessarily have to be bought and sold on a black market - you know, because they're illegal. Remember prohibition much?

Make them legal and there's no problem.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to The12lber again.

Exactly what came to mind when I read the response.

If you are possessing it in quantities that fall under personal use the govt doesnt spend much on your prosecution. Many times it is simply a fine and maybe a short probation.

You really think the war on Drugs will be just as expensive with Marijuana possession excluded? Seriously, lets use common sense here. Locking up for possession is a waste of police power and resources.. how about pursuing maybe, sex offenders?

Lets just put it this way, I just spent two weeks in a state (yes a state) where marijuana possession is legal in less amounts than proposed here. Drug useage actually DROPS after a year or two of legalization and trust me there is no chaos on the streets.. it was pretty laid back actually

[BanginJimmy]

I guess I found all of the pot heads.

All of those gangs were making money selling illegal booze. No parrallels there, right?

Make them legal and there's no problem.

You forget that people are still smuggling cigs into the US. People are still smuggling and producing illegal alcohol and the ATF spends ALOT of money chasing them down. Like I said, this will simply become another black market industry.

This is just ignorant. You can, in no way, compair crack to pot. If you do, then you need to do some more research on the matter.

Actually I wasnt comparing the 2 at all. If you read the quote I was replying to you would understand that. My point was that just because something is readily available doesnt mean that it should be legal.

You really think the war on Drugs will be just as expensive with Marijuana possession excluded?

Actually I think it would be more expensive. The costs of regulating this industry would far outweigh the small amount brought in by taxes. The fact that there would no longer be any fear of arrest for being caught with it, I think it would increase usage and therefore it would increase demand for the illegal product sold at half the price.

[tony]

I don't smoke it, I can't (military) but I do see it as a waste of time in use and in the war on drugs. It has no different effects than alcohol, any justification for outlawing marijuana is the same argument for making alcohol illegal.

And read studies of countries who have legalized it, contrary to what you think useage drops. Imagine if alcohol was illegal, people would have it everywhere but since it is legal you realize how stupid it is to drink all the damn time. (Some of us at least)

[BanginJimmy]

I don't smoke it, I can't (military) but I do see it as a waste of time in use and in the war on drugs. It has no different effects than alcohol, any justification for outlawing marijuana is the same argument for making alcohol illegal.

Both alcohol and cigs should be illegal, in fact I would rather majijuana was legal and cigs were not. At least marijuana isnt physically addictive. Since pure tobacco isnt nearly as addictive as the niccotine laced cigs sold in the country now, I think that will eventually happen to marijuana.

And read studies of countries who have legalized it, contrary to what you think useage drops. Imagine if alcohol was illegal, people would have it everywhere but since it is legal you realize how stupid it is to drink all the damn time. (Some of us at least)

The US does not work like any other country in the world though. Things that work in MANY eurpoean countries simply have not worked here.

[tony]

Both alcohol and cigs should be illegal, in fact I would rather majijuana was legal and cigs were not. At least marijuana isnt physically addictive. Since pure tobacco isnt nearly as addictive as the niccotine laced cigs sold in the country now, I think that will eventually happen to marijuana.




The US does not work like any other country in the world though. Things that work in MANY eurpoean countries simply have not worked here.

Doubt it will become legal, one thing I cannot argue is that Weed is a gateway drug. I didn't believe this at first but when I was in Alaska my friend told me that all of a sudden cocaine is becoming very common there since Marijuana has been legal. He says he sees it everywhere at parties now and studies do support this, so its a matter of what are you willing to deal with.

[TIGERJC]

It will never pass, you know why? Privately owned Prisons would not let that bill pass, the same way companies like black water and Haliburton won't let a Person like ron paul ever get in the white house do to his view on making the u.s. no longer the world police. It comes down to money with everything, LOCKING people up is big business and companies make more money running prisons than schools. That is why you will never see student vouchers, but you will see the state of the art prisons that can hold 10k people and that don't do a good job at rehabilitating even though they have a lot of money to spend. The state I bet spends more money on 1 prisoner than they do on 4 students

[Maniacc]

Both alcohol and cigs should be illegal, in fact I would rather majijuana was legal and cigs were not. At least marijuana isnt physically addictive. Since pure tobacco isnt nearly as addictive as the niccotine laced cigs sold in the country now, I think that will eventually happen to marijuana.

I've been smoking cigarettes for quite some time now and they haven't been addicting to me. I could stop, if I wanted to. I just don't see a reason why I should. I drink from time to time, and again, it has not been addicting. I also like to get baked, atleast twice a week and no addiction there.

You have to understand that 'addiction' will only occur if you allow it to.

[Revmaynard]

It will never pass, you know why? Privately owned Prisons would not let that bill pass, the same way companies like black water and Haliburton won't let a Person like ron paul ever get in the white house do to his view on making the u.s. no longer the world police. It comes down to money with everything, LOCKING people up is big business and companies make more money running prisons than schools. That is why you will never see student vouchers, but you will see the state of the art prisons that can hold 10k people and that don't do a good job at rehabilitating even though they have a lot of money to spend. The state I bet spends more money on 1 prisoner than they do on 4 students

A few years ago I wrote a paper on capital punishment, if I remember correctly it costs 1-2k a day to house a prisoner. It could be more now.

[DieselNuts]

I've been smoking cigarettes for quite some time now and they haven't been addicting to me. I could stop, if I wanted to.

lol, I cant count how many times I have heard this one...

[Maniacc]

lol, I cant count how many times I have heard this one...

Don't know what's so humorous about my post, but I know exactly what you're talking about. I personally know a few people who would make these kinds of claims and never follow through. Yet, I'm not one of them. I've proven it, several times actually.

[DieselNuts]

Don't know what's so humorous about my post, but I know exactly what you're talking about. I personally know a few people who would make these kinds of claims and never follow through. Yet, I'm not one of them. I've proven it, several times actually.

yet you still smoke....

[Maniacc]

yet you still smoke....

What part of my posts don't you understand? Maybe if you removed your d*ck out of your mothers vagina long enough and actually read what I posted you would know that I choose to continue to smoke. It's a choice. Just because I made this choice doesn't mean I can't stop if I wanted to. At this moment in time, I don't, which again is why I made this choice. Understand now? Or should I continue explaining it to you?

[DieselNuts]

What part of my posts don't you understand? Maybe if you removed your d*ck out of your mothers vagina long enough and actually read what I posted you would know that I choose to continue to smoke. It's a choice. Just because I made this choice doesn't mean I can't stop if I wanted to. At this moment in time, I don't, which again is why I made this choice. Understand now? Or should I continue explaining it to you?

please continue explaining because my d!ck is still in my mother's vagina and that somehow keeps me from understanding...

Why the fuk are you getting so defensive about it. I read your posts and I can comprehend what you wrote. You say that you dont have a reason to quit...how about: It turns your teeth yellow, it gives you bad breath, it makes you smell like shiit, it causes cancer...I could go on, but I really dont give 2 shiits about you...

[Maniacc]

please continue explaining because my d!ck is still in my mother's vagina and that somehow keeps me from understanding...

Why the fuk are you getting so defensive about it. I read your posts and I can comprehend what you wrote. You say that you dont have a reason to quit...how about: It turns your teeth yellow, it gives you bad breath, it makes you smell like shiit, it causes cancer...I could go on, but I really dont give 2 shiits about you...

Then why did you spend 5 mins typing anything? You apparently care enough to continue wasting your time on me. And I'm not getting defensive, far from it actually. I just don't know why you kept coming back with the same, "lol heard that one before." Like saying I was full of sh*t.

My teeth are fine, I always smell good, and I could care less about cancer because I refuse to live a boring and rule following life. You only live once, and after you die you no longer exist. Which is why I continue to smoke. If you don't care about me and my posts, then don't respond to this one.

[GIXXERDK]

Haha

[BanginJimmy]

What tobacco company do you work for? They are the only ones that ahve EVER said that smoking isnt addictive.


Anyone that claims they could quite smoking but they dont want to is a lair. Its like saying a crack head could quick smoking crack, but he likes it too much.

[Nissangeek]

You have to understand that 'addiction' will only occur if you allow it to.

Actually, a real addiction is caused by your brain reacting to certain chemicals. Usually ones that cause the body to release endorphines(sp?) or dopamine, or that mimic the effects of them.

On another note: why should any drugs be illegal? What right does the government have to tell me what I can and cannot put in my body. If you take the position that alcohol and cigs and drugs kill people or are dangerous for your health, then why not outlaw cars, or even bathtubs. More people are killed by falling in their bathtubs than from cigs each year, and we all know how dangerous cars are. You know why pot was made illegal in the first place? Because the hemp industry threatened the paper industry in the 20's. Pot has only been illegal for about 90 yrs, as has cocaine and opiates.

[BanginJimmy]

On another note: why should any drugs be illegal? What right does the government have to tell me what I can and cannot put in my body.

Because people addicted to drugs routinely commit crimes to pay for their habits. It is s simply public safety issue, not an issue of choice.

[DieselNuts]

Then why did you spend 5 mins typing anything? You apparently care enough to continue wasting your time on me. And I'm not getting defensive, far from it actually. I just don't know why you kept coming back with the same, "lol heard that one before." Like saying I was full of sh*t.

My teeth are fine, I always smell good, and I could care less about cancer because I refuse to live a boring and rule following life. You only live once, and after you die you no longer exist. Which is why I continue to smoke. If you don't care about me and my posts, then don't respond to this one.

lol, you make me laugh. You try to make it a lose lose situation for me by writing that last sentence...nice try. You smoke cigs = you lose.

On another note: why should any drugs be illegal? What right does the government have to tell me what I can and cannot put in my body. If you take the position that alcohol and cigs and drugs kill people or are dangerous for your health, then why not outlaw cars, or even bathtubs. More people are killed by falling in their bathtubs than from cigs each year, and we all know how dangerous cars are.

and what right do they have to make me wear my seatbelt? One thing you mention is that "more people are killed by falling in their bathtubs than from cigs each year". Can you provide proof of this claim? I just find it VERY hard to believe.

[Ran]

It's illegal. It will probably stay illegal. That's the way it should be.

lol @ potheads

[Total_Blender]

Because people addicted to drugs routinely commit crimes to pay for their habits. It is s simply public safety issue, not an issue of choice.

There are people who commit crimes to pay their rent and feed themselves. Crime is never going to go away completely.

Also, I think legalizing marijuana and allowing for legal distribution would be safer for buyers and sellers. Many marijuana sellers also deal in and use harder drugs and thats where the crime is. Opening a legal market for marijuana would deal a severe blow to the black market. And since the harder drugs are traded on the same black market it would hurt those who deal in harder drugs. Not to mention having licensed and regulated providers would ensure that users who buy from the legal market aren't given marijuana that is contaminated with other drugs.

[uproot]

lol @ a plant being illegal.



and lol @ people who drink alcohol and who are anti pot. alcohol is so much worse than pot it's ridiculous.

[Big J]

I think the true test would be to put it on a ballot and let the people decide..........

I don't smoke, but I'm also not one that thinks it's ok for government to try and control as many aspects of private life as it does. Responsible adults will continue to be responsible adults for the better part and the world will keep on going if the bill passes, save for the few small hiccups that happen before things stabilize post legalization.

Being in the medical field and seeing all the new drugs that come out with horrible side effects and potential problems associated with them, Marijuana seems to be the safest choice for treatment in many cases.

The medical debate might be a back door for decriminalization/legalization efforts, but it's passed on the ballot in every state it's run in because people are smart enough to decide for themselves. Confronting the issue on a broader scale only makes sense if you truly look into the issue, the facts, the models from other countries, and the changing main stream consensus.

[Bruce Leroy]

lol @ a plant being illegal.



and lol @ people who drink alcohol and who are anti pot. alcohol is so much worse than pot it's ridiculous.

I concour

WHen I get high, I wanna sit around an relax, play video games or somethingt...

When i'm drunk, I get into fights.... and those beer goggles are a muther****er!!!!!!

[lilguy]

I also like to get baked, atleast twice a week and no addiction there.

right on bro

[alpine_aw11]

As a regular smoker I fully support the legalization of marijuana. The whole gateway drug argument only applies to the weak minded people who decide to indulge in drugs that are truly dangerous and harmful, which marijuana is not. Pot being illegal is only putting innocent people behind bars and has created a violent drug market. It astonishes me that while alcoholics are beating their wives and killing people in their cars that smoking pot is looked down upon by society. There has never been a reported death linked to smoking, while hundreds of thousands are killed every year by controlled substances(alcohol/tobacco) that you've never heard the government complain about. The government's illegalization of something that is mainly used for responsible recreational purposes has created all of the bad connotations that people associate with pot. It's not the plant's fault, it shouldn't be illegal and it's wrong to put people in jail for it. The American public and the government need to pull their heads out of their asses and realize that smoking weed needs to be the least of society's worries right now, we have much bigger problems on our hands. Continuing to waste money incarcerating responsible smokers is ridiculous and unfair to those who use it.

[BanginJimmy]

a little info from the CDC for those that think more people are killed by their bathtubs yearly than cigerettes.


http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_stat..._mortality.htm

[alpine_aw11]

a little info from the CDC for those that think more people are killed by their bathtubs yearly than cigerettes.


http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_stat..._mortality.htm

Anyone who thinks that is either retarded or a tobacco executive.

[Black4DrEK]

Mary J. Is a friend of Many... MiNE to the Fullest.... Legalize it.!!!!!!! its not as bad as most Drugs out there.... lIke ^^Bruce Leroy said drinkin probly causes ALOT MORE problems then Mary J... anyways.... Alpine Xj... I agree With you to the fullest.....



WEED IS GREAT

[Revmaynard]

It's illegal. It will probably stay illegal. That's the way it should be.

lol @ potheads

I'd rather the world be full of potheads than child molesters. Just my .

[DieselNuts]

And since the harder drugs are traded on the same black market it would hurt those who deal in harder drugs.

Im gonna have to disagree with this. A coke head isn't gonna quit doing coke and start smoking pot in its place because its legal. It doesn't work that way.

[DieselNuts]

those beer goggles are a muther****er!!!!!!

TROOF!

[j0natell0]

Mary Jane is the only girl i would let the homies hit! lololol

jk but i think the only reason its illegal is because they cant tax it..

[DieselNuts]

a little info from the CDC for those that think more people are killed by their bathtubs yearly than cigerettes.


http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_stat..._mortality.htm

lol, I cant believe that guy said that. I've come in contact with second hand smoke thousands and thousands of times...not once in my 25 years have I ever fallen in the bathtub...

Actually, a real addiction is caused by your brain reacting to certain chemicals. Usually ones that cause the body to release endorphines(sp?) or dopamine, or that mimic the effects of them.

On another note: why should any drugs be illegal? What right does the government have to tell me what I can and cannot put in my body. If you take the position that alcohol and cigs and drugs kill people or are dangerous for your health, then why not outlaw cars, or even bathtubs. More people are killed by falling in their bathtubs than from cigs each year, and we all know how dangerous cars are. You know why pot was made illegal in the first place? Because the hemp industry threatened the paper industry in the 20's. Pot has only been illegal for about 90 yrs, as has cocaine and opiates.

Everyone should neg. rep this guy...

[Maniacc]

lol, you make me laugh. You try to make it a lose lose situation for me by writing that last sentence...nice try. You smoke cigs = you lose.
That is awesome! Maybe next time you're at the Three Legged Cowboy(A place located in midtown if you didn't know) you should tell your buddies about how cool you are because you refuse to smoke a cigarette. Oh and hey, after that tell him how fun it is for you to pound your mother in her ass while she's crying in tears and reading her bible. That'll give you GOD status for sure.

You got me. I'm 'FTL' because I choose to smoke. Sorry I can't make you happy, Sir. I'll try harder from now on. /Sarcasm. You act like you're in a level above me and can criticize me because of something I do. Not you, not your mother, not your friend, a complete stranger. Who you know nothing about. Continue living a wonderful life with clean lungs and I'll continue inhaling tobacco.

You're really showing me how much you don't care. Fantastic isn't it?

Actually, a real addiction is caused by your brain reacting to certain chemicals. Usually ones that cause the body to release endorphines(sp?) or dopamine, or that mimic the effects of them.

Addiction is a state in which the body relies on a substance for normal functioning and develops physical dependence. Endorphins(You almost spelled it right, not bad)are endogenous opioid polypeptide compounds. They are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in verebrates during strenuous exercise, excitement, and orgasm. They resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a sense of well-being. Endorphins work as 'natural fever relievers.'

And dopamine is something completely wrong which shouldn't have even been thrown in there.