By "Radical" Russ Belville on February 10, 2009
Thank you for writing to me concerning the legalization of marijuana.
The debate over legalizing marijuana dates back several decades. Marijuana is a Schedule I drug under the provisions of the Controlled Substance Act, Title II of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970. Federal law prohibits the prescription, distribution, or possession of marijuana and other Schedule I drugs. Federal law also prohibits the cultivation of cannabis sativa, the marijuana plant. Marijuana is similarly controlled internationally through inclusion on Schedule I of the U.N. Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
At the present time, there are no bills pending in the Senate that propose to legalize the non-medical cultivation, use, possession, or distribution, of marijuana. I will certainly keep your views in mind. Thank you again for contacting me with your concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact me again in the future regarding any issues of importance to you.
Posted in GOVERNMENT, LEGISLATION | Tagged Democrat, Maryland, Politicians on Pot, Sen. Ben Cardin
I am the host of the NORML SHOW LIVE and The NORML Stash Blog. I'm married, live in Portland, Oregon, and I am a registered medical marijuana caregiver in this state. I've worked days as an IT geek and nights as a professional musician. Previously, I have been the host of my own political talk radio show on satellite radio. I've been the High Times "Freedom Fighter of the Month" for my work producing Oregon NORML's TV show, "A Cannabis Community Forum", and for helping to institute Portland's wildly successful medical marijuana cardholders meetings, where we help sick and disabled Oregonians acquire cannabis plant starts, learn gardening, and understand the medical marijuana law. I've dedicated my life to bringing an end to adult marijuana prohibition and re-legalizing cannabis hemp, and I'm honored to be chosen by NORML to be our daily voice.
wow…a carbon copy of the email i got from the senator when i wrote him in march. bottom line is; the federal government has too much money tied into policing drug users.
for years, misconceptions have been spread about the actual effects of not only marijuana but all ‘illegal’ drugs.
the government allows such poison as Oxycontin, adderall, alcohol, and tobacco because each of these has LOBBYISTS. medicine is a big business and its ok for honest people to get hooked on and od from Oxycontin….but has a major problem with people using marijuana in their own homes.
its all a big business and as long as police unions and pharmaceutical companies run D.C., there is no chance that laws surrounding marijuana will change on the federal level. even with God Jesus Obama as president.
sorry i didnt include the response from MD Governor Martin O’Malley…that one was more personal and actually came from the Superintendant of the Maryland State Police. It went something like;
“We have received your letter to the Governor surrounding decriminalizing marijuana….etc”
Gotta Love the good ol’e U S of A
from ben cardin:
‘Thank you for writing to me concerning the legalization of marijuana.
The debate over legalizing marijuana dates back several decades. Marijuana is a Schedule I drug under the provisions of the Controlled Substance Act, Title II of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970. Federal law prohibits the prescription, distribution, or possession of marijuana and other Schedule I drugs. Federal law also prohibits the cultivation of cannabis sativa, the marijuana plant. Marijuana is similarly controlled internationally through inclusion on Schedule I of the U.N. Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
At the present time, there are no bills pending in the Senate that propose to legalize the non-medical cultivation, use, possession, or distribution, of marijuana. I will certainly keep your views in mind. Thank you again for contacting me with your concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact me again in the future regarding any issues of importance to you. ‘
from cong. john sarbanes;
‘Thank you for contacting me about our Nation’s law enforcement policies with regard to marijuana.
I feel very fortunate to be able to communicate regularly with the people of the 3rd Congressional District. I travel home every evening – an opportunity many Members of Congress do not have – and find that I am able to do my job much better because I am in daily contact with the people I serve in the Congress. I also appreciate hearing many different points of view as I consider issues in the House of Representatives.
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. If I can be of assistance to you in the future, please do not hesitate to get in touch. ‘