Congressmen Ron Paul and Barney Frank talk Marijuana

Congressmen Ron Paul and Barney Frank talk Marijuana

Congressmen Barney Frank and Ron Paul

Recently I again had the chance to speak with two individuals who have been on the forefront of cannabis reform for some time. These gentlemen have voiced support for medical marijuana, decriminalization and industrial hemp farming from the House of Representatives in the United States Congress.

Congressmen Barney Frank (D-MA) and Ron Paul (R-TX) co-sponsored legislation in 2008 that would protect medical marijuana patients, remove federal penalties for small amounts of cannabis and allow for realistic hemp farming. These are quite literally, two of the hardest working Congressmen…ever. They are senior members of some of the most important committees such as House Foreign Relations and, in the case of Barney Frank, the chairman of the House Finance Committee.

They took some time this week to have serious discussions about marijuana reform for my public radio program, Active Voice Radio.

I asked them both about their federal legislation HR 5842 and HR5843, Attorney General Eric Holder’s statements on medical marijuana raids, President Obama’s online town-hall comments and Hemp farming.

Ron Paul noted that he does not see marijuana legalization as a tax issue, since he is anti-tax anyway, but sees the topic as a state’s rights and personal privacy issue. Congressman Paul also noted his own rather conservative district voters in Texas have never penalized him for his pro-reform positions. He spoke about the Industrial Hemp Farming Act as well, mentioning that he owns a few hemp t-shirts already.

Barney Frank congratulated the people in his home state of Massachusetts for decriminalizing marijuana possession in a ballot referendum this fall. Congressman Frank also discussed the economic crisis and offered a welcome bit of levity. This is one elected official with the street cred to joke. He also brought up the aspect of civil liberties and marijuana prohibition, illustrating the point with a recent, disturbing incident in New York City.

Here are some MP3 sample clips

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Congressman Barney Frank Clip 1

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Congressman Barney Frank Clip 2

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Congressman Ron Paul Clip 1

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Congressman Ron Paul Clip 2

These conversations were definitely a highlight of my week. The full interviews with Congressmen Ron Paul and Barney Frank are online at the Public Radio Exchange:

Rep. Paul – http://www.prx.org/pieces/34992

Rep. Frank – http://www.prx.org/pieces/34982

Locally, things are moving forward.

New Jersey has reached a critical stage for the medical marijuana bill. Having passed the Senate, The New Jersey Compassionate Use Marijuana Act is halfway through the legislative process. A804 is solid legislation that would immediately relieve the suffering of patients with medicine and protection. But only through continued support from NJ voters and active contact from those who are enduring debilitating medical conditions will the bill pass. www.cmmnj.org

In Pennsylvania, Rep. Mark B Cohen continues to enthusiastically work on the first draft of the medical marijuana bill for the Keystone State. Proving again that life is always stranger than fiction, the first opportunity that the medical access bill could be introduced is when the PA legislature reconvenes: Monday, April 20^th. You can’t make this stuff up. www.phillynorml.org

Marijuana reform is definitely a ‘mainstream’ issue now, so there has been no better time to send emails, call legislators, donate dollars and spend some time each day to help end cannabis prohibition. Important social justice issues only move ahead with consistent, positive actions and support.

The only thing that Change is waiting for is YOU!