Rep. William Lacy Clay is supporting a bill that would decriminalize small amounts of marijuana.

The Missouri Democrat has signed on as a co-sponsor of the measure to eliminate federal penalties for possessing up to 100 grams - or about 3.5 ounces - of marijuana for personal use.

The bill also would remove penalties for the not-for-profit transfer of up to one ounce of marijuana between adults.

Clay is only the third lawmaker to sign onto the bill introduced last month by Rep. Barney Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat.

Frank says prosecuting people for smoking marijuana is an unwise use of law enforcement resources.

Clay joins Ron Paul (R-TX) as a cosponsor.  I am thrilled to hear of a lawmaker in the Midwest who’s unafraid to stand up for marijuana decriminalization.

Call your Congress today and tell your representative to support our two pro-marijuana bills in the House:

Washington, DC: US Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced legislation in Congress Friday to strip the federal government of its authority to arrest responsible adult cannabis consumers. The measure, H.R. 5843, known as an “Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults,” is the first federal decriminalization legislation introduced in 24 years. Frank’s pending bill, co-sponsored by presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), seeks to eliminate all federal penalties prohibiting the personal use and possession of up to 100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) of marijuana. Under this measure, adults who consume cannabis would no longer face arrest, prison, or even the threat of a civil fine. The bill also eliminates all penalties for the not-for-profit transfers of up to one ounce of pot. All are encouraged to write their representatives in support of this important legislation via NORML’s online advocacy system.

Washington, DC: Representative Ron Paul (R-TX) introduced H.R. 5842, the “Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act,” earlier today. This bill would make federal authorities respect states’ current laws on medicinal cannabis and end DEA raids on facilities distributing medical marijuana legally under state law. Representative Paul, whose presidential campaign prominently featured the ending of the drug war as a platform plank, was joined by Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) in sponsoring this bill. All NORML supporters are strongly encouraged to write their Representatives in favor of this important bill via NORML’s online advocacy system.

For the first time in 24 years, we have a bill in Congress to end penalties for personal possession of pot. Celebrating 4/20 was nice, but now it’s time to work for marijuana law reform, so nobody need ever be arrested, fined, or harassed for their private responsible use of the herb.

Call your federal representative now (and/or click here for an email form)! As NORML Board Member Madeline Martinez says, “Put down the joint, step away from the bong, for just the minute it takes to call your government!” Don’t be intimidated; they work for you, and calling a member of Congress is really easy:

Call 202-224-3121
Support HR5843

Just be brief and polite. The operator will ask for your zip code; this will allow them to find your particular representative*. When you get to the office of your representative, ask if you can speak directly to him/her. That probably won’t happen, as they are very busy, but they do work for you, right? Who knows, maybe you’ll get lucky and speak directly to them; in which case, email us at stash ‘at’ norml.org and tell us all about it.

More likely you’ll get a staff member. If so, just say to the staffer:

Hi, my name is ____ and I live in ____. I’m calling to tell Representative ____ that he/she should support HR5843.

You don’t have to tell them where you live, but they take calls from their constituents more seriously. So if you want to be more anonymous, you could say “____ county” or “the ____ district” or even just your state.

This will give them a moment to get a pen. They may not know what “HR5843″ is. So for your next sentence, restate the bill number and then describe it, like this:

HR5843 is the bill Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts introduced that would end federal penalties for small amounts of marijuana for personal use.

Now from here, depending on how busy/interested the staffer is, you can continue the conversation. Give them reasons to say “yes” to your proposal, let them know they are politically safe in doing so. The more you can put it in your words, the better, but say away from “man, we all have the God-given right to smoke the herb, dude” lines of reasoning, no matter how true that may be. They need concrete reasons to justify their vote; sadly, our “rights” aren’t often a good enough reason.

Here are some “talking points” that if you can work into the conversation in your own words, all the better:

• 830,000 people were arrested for marijuana in 2006
• 89% of those arrests were for possession only
• Adults who use marijuana responsibly are not part of the crime problem
• A marijuana arrest can needlessly cause the loss of a career, housing, student aid, and more.
• Twelve states already have decriminalized personal possession of marijuana
• Federal resources would be better spent on meaningful crime
• Current federal penalties call for up to a $1,000 fine and one year in prison for as little as a joint.
• One third of the US population live in states that have decriminalized marijuana

Most of all, be sure to let them know this issue is important to you and it will help determine how you vote in future elections.

*You only have one. You also have two Senators. You can call them and ask them to sponsor companion legislation to Barney Frank’s HR5843 to end federal penalties for personal marijuana possession.

Federal Decriminalization Bill Introduced — Bill Would End Federal Authority to Arrest Adults for Pot Possession - NORML
US Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced legislation in Congress today to strip the federal government of its authority to arrest responsible adult cannabis consumers. The measure, H.R. 5843, known as an “Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults,” is the first federal decriminalization legislation introduced in 24 years.

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

Frank’s pending bill, co-sponsored by presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), seeks to eliminate all federal penalties prohibiting the personal use and possession of up to 100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) of marijuana. Under this measure, adults who consume cannabis would no longer face arrest, prison, or even the threat of a civil fine. The bill also eliminates all penalties for the not-for-profit transfers of up to one ounce of pot.

NORML Legal Counsel Keith Stroup, who worked closely with Frank’s staff to draft this legislation, said, “If passed by Congress, this legislation would legalize the possession, use, and non-profit transfer of marijuana by adults for the first time since 1937.” The bill incorporates the basic recommendations of the National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse (also known as the Shafer Commission).

Currently, twelve states have enacted various versions of marijuana decriminalization, eliminating criminal penalties for minor pot violations. According to federal data, passage of these laws has not subsequently led to increased marijuana use.

“This newly introduced legislation seeks to bring the federal government into line with the over 100 million Americans who currently live in a state or municipality that has already decriminalized cannabis possession,” NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre said today. “This year, the masses in the U.S. celebrating 4/20 really have something to rejoice, and to now lobby for.”

Similar statewide legislation is pending in New Hampshire and Vermont. Additionally, Massachusetts voters will decide on a statewide decriminalization measure this November.