Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2009
June 24, 2009Dear Colleague,
Last Thursday, we reintroduced HR 2943, the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2009, which would remove federal penalties for the personal use of 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of marijuana by responsible adults. This bill was introduced as H.R. 5843 during the 110th Congress. The Act would not affect existing state or local laws, or any federal laws prohibiting the cultivation, sale for profit, or the import and export of marijuana.
Polls show that a majority of Americans favor the reduction of penalties for individuals who possess and use marijuana within certain limits. It is clear that as misinformation regarding the drug continues to be corrected, more people are moving to support its decriminalization. At this critical juncture in our economic history, we can no longer afford to spend money on a drug enforcement program that the public no longer supports, and which consumes law enforcement’s valuable resources and time. The federal government should remove the current conflict with state law and allow states to decide on these matters for themselves. Twelve states already have laws that significantly reduce penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana, in many cases providing for a mere civil fine. The states are: California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Oregon.
WHAT THE BILL WILL NOT DO
- It would not affect federal laws prohibiting the sale of marijuana for profit, import and export of marijuana, or manufacturing (cultivating) marijuana.
- It would not legalize major drug dealing or create obstacles for agents of the federal government seeking to prevent major drug dealing.
- It would not affect any state or local laws and regulations.
- It would not alter the legal status of marijuana as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et. seq.).
Please join us in supporting common-sense legislation that will bring federal law up to date. If you would like to become a cosponsor of Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2009, please contact Pilar Falo in Congressman Barney Frank’s office; Adam Dick in Ron Paul’s office; Jeff Vanderslice in Congressman Dana Rohrabacher’s office or Namrata Mujumdar in Congressman Maurice Hinchey’s office.
Rep. Barney Frank
Rep. Ron Paul
Rep. Maurice Hinchey
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher
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[...] Dana Rohrabacher, a Republican Congressman in the 46th Congressional District, has signed letters favoring pot decriminalization and has co-sponsored federal legislation to legalize medical [...]
“and show America is will not be silent? ” See what prohibition does to the brain… Actually see what alcohol does to the brain when substituted for cannabis.
Now is the time for a national Marijuana March on Washington. I would make the trip, and I don’t smoke pot due to my corporate prohibition, that is why I am motivated, we have to change this law! Can we plan a national march next 4/20 and show America is will not be silent? Now is the time to make a stand, now is the time for YOU to make a stand. If we could take over Washington for a day, we could show Obama that we are serious about changing this moronic prohibition. Who will join me?
Why does any plant have to
be on a SCHEDULE to begin with?
Baby-steps may be better than nothing,
However…
a LEAP
is what’s needed!
I love Barney, Maurice, Ron and Dana too….they are good people….the kind we want for our leaders….Jehovah, please bless their efforts concerning this dry flower of yours….praise you
This is the year…..decriminalize!!!!
Do you have a link to this, Russ?
Its so great that I can see some national movment on this issue. Its so hard living in a state with no medical or no civil fine system for marijuana and see so many other states with laws, its not fair.
Its nice for change to have national good news, but I would have rather seen a move to schedule-II instead but any legislation helps. Its about time too, “BabyStepping” our way to decrimination is better than nothing!