Saturday, April 4th, 2009 at 7:45 am | By: Chris Goldstein
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:
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 20th. 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.
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Today is Government at Work day… and most of them are in recess. So I’m bringing back the interview with Rep. Barney Frank on his HR5843 bill to end federal penalties for personal marijuana possession.
Then I’ve got the executive producer of a new film chronicling the work of hemp activists, Rod Pitman. It’s called “Hempsters Plant the Seed” and a screening will be held this Thursday at 7pm and 10pm at Portland’s Bagdad Theater (yes, it is spelled that way).
Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 at 9:42 am | By: Radical Russ
Allen St. Pierre’s post in the influentual Capitol Hill blog, The Hill (reported earlier here) has been a smashing success on that website. To date, it has generated 98 comments, almost all positive, which the editor tells us is a record response for a post in that blog.
It has brought the drug warriors out, too. Reluctantly, I suppose, since they are generally told not to engage in drug war debates (because it’s hard to win an argument against facts, logic, and reason with only scaremongering and lies). Here it is, with the comment I have posted in response interspersed within the text:
The Hill Blog» Blog Archive » Congress Must Reject Marijuana Decriminalization Bill
Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) recently introduced H.R. 5843, “The Act to Remove Most Federal Penalties for Possession of Marijuana For Personal Use” in Congress. Should this bill come to the floor for a vote, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) urges Congress to vote no. Legislation such as this is not the solution to reducing drug abuse or its concomitant crime and ignores the fact that responsible drug policy should be driven by research based prevention, treatment, and recovery. Not only would H.R. 5843 remove all criminal penalties for anyone, regardless of age, who possesses up to 100 grams of marijuana, but it also removes any criminal penalties associated with the “not-for-profit transfer” of up to one ounce of marijuana and only allows a civil penalty of no more than $100 to be imposed for the public use of marijuana. This legislation severely undermines the prevention efforts of the many community anti-drug coalitions throughout the country and their message that marijuana is not a benign drug.
Yes, decriminalization would severely undermine the efforts to paint marijuana as a dangerous drug… by removing the prohibition-related dangers from marijuana.
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Today we get to visit with Darrel Rogers from Schools Not Prisons PAC, an organization dedicated to electorally slaying the biggest Drug War dragon in the House, Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN).
Then comedian Rob Cantrell (Last Comic Standing) visits with a preview of his show this Thursday in Washington DC with reggae artistrs Lionize.
Plus a couple of snippets from Paul Armentano’s interview on the Dr. Drew Pinsky radio show and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) on FOX News in support of HR5843.
Tuesday, August 5th, 2008 at 1:18 pm | By: Radical Russ
FOXNews.com – Lawmakers Propose to Legalize Marijuana – America’s Election HQ
CONGRESSMAN RON PAUL (R-TX), SUPPORTER OF THE PROPOSAL TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA: Well, my aim is always to promote freedom and the constitution, and an issue like this is just – has no value to have the federal police going out and trying to find people who might be smoking. Before 1938, the Federal Government wasn’t even involved so I would think that the states can handle things like this.
And the whole notion that we regulate and prosecute people for things that some other people think is a vice – I just don’t see any purpose on this. I thought we learned our lesson about what prohibition did in the early part of the last century. There’s no value to it. It wastes a lot of money and causes a lot of trouble. And what do we do? We end up with laws like this that prohibit sick people from using marijuana where they can get benefit. We literally – the Federal Government overrides state laws and arrests people who are sick and getting some benefit from marijuana and they’re dying with cancer or AIDS. It makes no sense at all.
The Missouri Democrat was flying with Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) on a congressional trip to Africa earlier this year when Frank asked Clay to co-sponsor his “marijuana bill.”
It seemed like a simple request to Clay, who for years has signed on to bills to legalize marijuana for medical purposes. So his answer was “No problem.” He called his staff and told them to put his name on the bill.
Only later did he find out that the bill went far beyond medical marijuana. Frank’s bill would end all prosecution of the personal use of marijuana, and Clay was one of only seven sponsors.
Clay was worried about the reaction. Supporting the liberalization of marijuana laws is not often seen as a political winner, especially in Midwestern cities like St. Louis.
But instead of stoner jokes, derision and righteous indignation, Clay was surprised to start getting praise from complete strangers.
“People are coming up to me saying this is a common-sense, sensible way to deal with the issue of personal use,” Clay said.
So far, he said, his calls, mail and contacts are running 80-20 in favor of the bill. He was impressed enough that he decided to go ahead and step before the cameras last week with Frank and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) at a news conference touting the bill.
This is exactly what Rep. Frank was talking about in our Friday interview: the people are way ahead of the politicians on this one. Please call your congressperson at 202-224-3121 and ask him or her to co-sponsor (or at least support) Barney Frank’s HR5843. The calls really do matter – many of these legislators are smart enough to know that marijuana prohibition has failed, but like Rep. Clay, are afraid of what the backlash may be back home.
Some of you may have a Republican or Conservative Democrat as a representative who will turn off immediately to anything involving marijuana. Call anyway. When I was living back in Idaho, represented by Republicans at the city, county, state, and federal level, I used to try to find an angle that would slip past their prejudice, something like:
I just wanted to call you about this bill by Barney Frank to legalize marijuana. Y’know, I think that dope is stupid and people that do dope are stupid, but, heck, if we outlaw stupidity, we’d have to lock up most everybody at some point. Maybe we oughtta try this thing so that we’re not spending a bunch of my tax dollars busting baggy-pants skateboarders for a joint when we could spend that time and money busting those meth freaks rippin’ metal off the bridges!
You know I don’t think “dope” is stupid and that I have nothing but compassion for meth addicts, right? But they don’t have to know that. If I act as if I’m coming from their point-of-view, maybe I can open them up a little bit to at least talk about it and force them to defend the status quo.
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Steve Bloom brings us the CelebStoner.com report on the Cheech & Chong Reunion Tour, Snoop Dogg’s bus bust, and the Princeton Review’s list of the top stoniest colleges.
Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 8:22 pm | By: Radical Russ
CNN has a feture called “iReport” where you can send in your comments and video replies to their stories. The Barney Frank press conference is the subject, and I am thrilled to note that almost all of the comments were positive for our side, or as CNN puts it, “The overwhelming majority of iReporters who responded favor legalization”. As of 8:15pm PT they had 221 iReports submitted. Here is CNN’s select sampling of 15:
Marijuana bill sparks debate among iReporters – CNN.com qotsa7777: I absolutely agree with the legalization of recreational marijuana use as a means to end the damaging and unproductive war on responsible, non violent users, but if we deny individuals the right to cultivate and sell marijuana for profit (with regulation similar that of alcohol), than we continue to perpetuate the most damaging aspect of marijuana prohibition: the funneling of money to gangs.
TJ1: I have been in hiding too long on this subject. I have a medical disorder that marijuana helps…. why should I have to hide responsible use of this what I consider to be very helpful to me?
Aoman: These issues should be left up to the states to decide. Let the DEA worry about drugs that are actually harmful to society.
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 at 11:30 am | By: Radical Russ
Legislators aim to snuff out penalties for pot use – CNN.com
“The vast amount of human activity ought to be none of the government’s business,” Frank said during a Capitol Hill news conference. “I don’t think it is the government’s business to tell you how to spend your leisure time.”
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 at 11:14 am | By: Radical Russ
The Raw Story | Bush drug warrior crashes pot press conference
On Wednesday, Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) held a press conference to tout his pot-decriminalization bill, that even defenders admit has an almost non-existent chance of becoming law in the near future.
Frank, however, found himself alongside The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s “chief scientist” and two aides who were dispatched to provide instant rebuttal. Given the bill’s chances of passage, Bush Administration surrogate Dr. David Murray’s impassioned arguments that seemed more appropriate in Reefer Madness were greeted with plenty of puzzled glances.
Why did the White House feel it necessary to send at least three staffers to Capitol Hill to place in every reporter’s hand a copy of its 20-page, color-copied “2008 Marijuana Sourcebook?” RAW STORY posed this question to Murray.
“It is our responsibility to be aware of policy developments,” he said, explaining that Frank’s attempt to modify the controlled substances act was very much of interest to the Bush administration’s pot prohibitionists.
How pathetic are the government’s pot prohibitionists? First of all, the chances that this bill will pass are slim-to-none right now. Second, even if the bill moves forward, it won’t be heard until the next Congress, and this Dr. David Murray, appointed by George W. Bush, won’t even be around anymore. Third, these minions of the Drug Czar are required by LAW to lie to the public about marijuana – even if Jesus himself appeared at that press conference to say that cannabis is the sacred healing herb given by God to Man and no man has the authority to deny it to another, the ONDCP would be required by LAW to say, “no, it isn’t”.
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 at 9:51 am | By: Radical Russ
Legislators aim to snuff out penalties for pot use – CNN.com (CNN) — The U.S. should stop arresting responsible marijuana users, Rep. Barney Frank said Wednesday, announcing a proposal to end federal penalties for Americans carrying fewer than 100 grams, almost a quarter-pound, of the substance.
Current laws targeting marijuana users place undue burdens on law enforcement resources, punish ill Americans whose doctors have prescribed the substance and unfairly affect African-Americans, Frank said, flanked by legislators and representatives from advocacy groups.
“The vast amount of human activity ought to be none of the government’s business,” Frank said during a Capitol Hill news conference. “I don’t think it is the government’s business to tell you how to spend your leisure time.”
Reps. William Lacy Clay, D-Missouri, and Barbara Lee, D-California, said that in addition to targeting nonviolent offenders, U.S. marijuana laws also unfairly target African-Americans.
Clay said he did not condone drug use, but he opposes using tax dollars to pursue what he feels is an arcane holdover from “a phony war on drugs that is filling up our prisons, especially with people of color.”
Too many drug enforcement resources are being dedicated to incarcerating nonviolent drugs users and not enough being done to stop the trafficking of narcotics into the United States, he said.
Frank said there were about a dozen states that already had OK’d some degree of medical marijuana use and the federal government should stop devoting resources to arresting people who are complying with their state’s laws.
In a shot at Republicans, Frank said it was strange that those who support limited government want to criminalize marijuana.
If HR 5843 were passed by the House, marijuana smokers could possess up to 100 grams — about 3½ ounces — of cannabis without being arrested. It would also permit the “nonprofit transfer” of up to an ounce of marijuana.
The resolution would not affect laws forbidding growing, importing or exporting marijuana, or selling it for profit. The resolution also would not affect any state laws regarding marijuana use.
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 at 8:54 am | By: Radical Russ
Wednesday, July 30, 2008: At a press conference held this morning, members of Congress called on their fellow lawmakers to remove all federal penalties that criminalize the possession and use of marijuana by adults.
“To those who say that the government should not be encouraging the smoking of marijuana, my response is that I completely agree,” said Representative Barney Frank (D-MA). “But it is a great mistake to divide all human activity into two categories: those that are criminally prohibited, and those that are encouraged. In a free society, there must be a very considerable zone of activity between those two poles in which people are allowed to make their own choices as long as they are not impinging on the rights, freedom, or property of others. I believe … criminalizing choices that adults make because we think they are unwise ones, when the choices involved have no negative effect on the rights of others, is not appropriate in a free society.”
Rep. Frank, along with co-sponsors Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Lacy Clay (D-MO), urged lawmakers to support HR 5843, An Act To Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults, which would eliminate federal penalties for possession of up to 100 grams of marijuana, and for the not-for-profit transfer of up to one ounce of marijuana. Other co-sponsors of the measure include Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI); Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR); Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA); Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) and Rep. Ron Paul R-TX).
This proposal reflects the basic recommendations of the National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse (aka the Shafer Commission) in its groundbreaking report to Congress in 1972 titled Marihuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding.
“There is absolutely nothing wrong with the responsible use of marijuana by adults and this should be of no interest or concern to the government,” said NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre. “It makes no sense to continue to treat nearly half of all Americans as criminals. “
“I am a 42-year-old man, a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, I pay my taxes and, like millions of other Americans, I occasionally smoke marijuana. I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would wish to treat me like a criminal, based on my responsible use of marijuana. It is time we stopped arresting responsible marijuana smokers, and HR 5843 would do that under federal law.”
This is the first federal marijuana decriminalization bill to be introduced in Congress since 1978, and reflects the changing public attitudes that no longer support treating responsible marijuana smokers like criminals. According to a nationwide Time/CNN poll, three out of four Americans now favor a fine only, and no jail, for adults who possess or use small amounts of marijuana.
Each year in this country we arrest more and more of our citizens on marijuana charges. In 2006, the last year for which the data are available, we arrested 830,000 Americans on marijuana charges, and 88 percent of those arrests were for personal possession and use, not trafficking. They were otherwise law-abiding citizens who smoke marijuana.
Since 1965, a total of nearly 20 million Americans – predominantly young people under the age of 30 — have been arrested on marijuana charges; more than 11 million marijuana arrests just since 1990.
Currently 47 percent of all drug arrests in this country are for marijuana, and another marijuana smoker is arrested every 38 seconds. Police arrest more people on marijuana charges each year than the total number of arrestees for all violent crimes combined, including murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.
As President Jimmy Carter said in a message to Congress in 1977, “Penalties against drug use should not be more damaging to the individual than the use of the drug itself. Nowhere is this more clear than in the laws against the possession of marijuana in private for personal use.”
For More Information, Contact:
NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre; allen@norml.org; 202-483-5500
or Legal Counsel Keith Stroup: keith@norml.org; 202-483-5500
Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 at 11:40 am | By: Radical Russ
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and representatives of organizations supporting reform of marijuana laws will hold a press conference on Wednesday to discuss Frank’s “Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008.” The bill, H.R. 5843, would remove federal criminal penalties for personal possession of up to 100 grams of marijuana or the nonprofit transfer of up to an ounce of marijuana. It would not change federal statutes forbidding cultivation, import, export or for-profit sale of marijuana.
We will have audio from the press conference and Allen St. Pierre’s prepared remarks for you tomorrow morning. Then on Friday, tune in for a very special interview with Congressman Barney Frank himself.
This is the first positive marijuana policy reform legislation to be introduced on the Hill for thirty years. Congressman Frank will be fighting an uphill battle, so make sure you call your Congressperson today and urge them to cosponsor or at least support Barney Frank’s HR5843 (full text here).
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 1:15 pm | By: Radical Russ
You want to get marijuana legalized? Then you have to do something about it. The first and easiest thing you can do is get politically active. Don’t give me that “I don’t want to be on a list” garbage, either; if you’ve clicked this far, you’re on a list (I’m kidding… kinda. Under the PATRIOT ACT and new FISA Amendments, who knows?)
And don’t get fooled into believing your voice doesn’t matter “blah blah they’re all the same, they’re all bought out, we have no hope yada yada.” First of all, you’re harshing my mellow, dude. Second, that’s what prohibitionists are counting on – an uninformed and unmotivated public.
Your calls matter. When a congressional office gets a direct, well-spoken call on an issue, they notice. A hand-written letter is even better. They know that few people take the time to actually call, so those that do must represent dozens of people who don’t have the time but agree with the caller.
It’s also really easy. You call 202-224-3121 (save it in your cell phone). They ask you for your zip code. They ask whether you want your Representative (we all have one) or one of your Senators (we all have two). If you’re calling about a House Bill (or an “HB”), ask for the Representative. If you’re calling about a Senate Bill (or an “SB”), ask for one senator then call back and ask for the other.
Have a pen and paper handy. Write down the names of your representative and senators, and be ready to write down the names of the staff members who answer. When you start referring to their staff by name, they really know you’re serious about the issue. (Sounds silly, but it’s a tiny little touch that pays huge dividends.)
Then just read up on the issues below and next thing you know, you’re a political activist! Don’t forget to Smoke the Vote – get yourself and five friends registered to vote and make a difference! Here’s how I start my calls:
“Hi, my name is Russ Belville, and I am a registered voter and constituent of Representative Blumenauer’s from Portland, Oregon. I’m calling to urge my representative to support/oppose some legislation that is very important to me.”
I pause so the person on the end of line recognizes what kind of call it is and mentally figures out who needs to take it… they might ask for my name and address… eventually asks me “which legislation?”
America yearns for tomorrow while neo-conservatives, frightened evangelicals, and the old-guard cling to yesterday’s well-formed lies. Iraq is a lie, fossil fuel is a lie, political boundaries are a lie, right-wing religion is a lie, and so are America’s money wasting, prison-crowding, twentieth-century marijuana laws.
In response to public pressure, scientific evidence, and a lack of fear, twelve states have passed marijuana legislation in conflict with federal law. In California, medical marijuana has been dispensed since 1996. Despite federal views to the contrary, the sky has not fallen down over the golden state’s liberal herbal policy.
In 1992, Bill Clinton admitted to having “experimented with marijuana a time or two.” But, he famously claimed, “I didn’t like it, and didn’t inhale and I never tried it again.” Challenges to twenty-first century America have warranted a new look at unwarranted fears: Barack Obama supports marijuana for glaucoma, cancer patients, and medical use. He has said, “the war on drugs has been an utter failure, we need to rethink it – decriminalize our marijuana laws.”
John McCain’s moth-eaten, opposition to marijuana for medical use, is another signal his presidency would be a roadblock to a new America. McCain states: “I still would not support medical marijuana because I don’t think the preponderance of medical opinion in America agrees with the assertion that [marijuana] is the most effective way of treating pain.”
In part 2 of my interview with Congressman Barney Frank, he talks bluntly and plainly about an issue that clouds the path towards a new America. His reasonable, live and let live position makes sense, moving us into the twenty-first century, at last.
Monday, May 5th, 2008 at 1:02 pm | By: Radical Russ
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.
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008 at 7:18 am | By: Radical Russ
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.
Monday, April 21st, 2008 at 12:58 pm | By: Radical Russ
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.
“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.
Mr.420: gettin dark enough on da east coast 2 start the fireworks WHEEW HEEEWW!!
slash5city: i'm having a lonely day..i seethis..sometimes i wish i had kids and i cry..i seethat,i miss my HS buddies..i cry. after evry thing i'v ben thru I LIVED ...so i [...]
Track Snack: @Slash; I am gonna have to try that Salvation... sounds like a good turret spin.
slash5city: everything I see today makes me cry...Guess I'll smoke my favorite strain ..'salvation' a few good hits and I swear I can see God
Track Snack: Maybe some of this Mean Green Martian will bring my sight back.
Jillian: Mexico government may lose elections due to cartel crackdown. http://tr.im/qU 3v
Jillian: Straight talk from Sheriff Mack on hemp, MMJ and legalization. http://tr.im/qU 0U
FreeCann: Barney Frank is the antichrist! He want's to end the human race through homosexuality, that is, if we all don't kill ourselves first from this deadly plant!
Jillian: Marijuana expo draws 20,000 people. http://tr.im/qT Yw Largest MJ merchandising exhibit in US History indicates fundamental change in public acceptance.
Jillian: haha.. sorry Slash. I thought that's where TS was going, and when he didn't I ad-libbed. lol
slash5city: eu.... jil, I was eating when I read that last post.....
Jillian: You're dead right TS, Rush Limbaugh in a leather corset and nipple rings.
Track Snack: @Jillian: Look at the name of the news source... Right side news. I bet the author of the article has dreams of Rush Limbaugh in his beady little head. [...]
Track Snack: @Jillian, jump or push, it looks weird... And to me it just looks bad. Abandoning your post early with no excuse. It would be almost better to get booted [...]
Track Snack: Mornin Stashers! Keep your fingers attached today... Time to make some green smoke
Buffalo Bill: Happy 4th Stashers
Jillian: Still working on my t-shirt design. How about "At least marijuana's still illegal" and a pic of something bad that's happened in our country recently?
Convicted dispensary owner Charles Lynch; Loretta Nall with story of Rep. Davis ignoring legalization questions; OR passes hemp; music by Jimmy Aldridge. […]
Lawmakers Call For An End To Federal Marijuana Prosecutions; Feds' Top Pot Researcher Says Marijuana Should Be Legal; Rhode Island: State To License Medical Marijuana Dispensaries. […]
Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act Reintroduced In Congress; Department Of Justice Urged To Clarify Administration's Medical Marijuana Policy; California: Senate Resolution Calls For No More Federal Marijuana Raids. […]
More Americans Misusing Illicit Painkillers For The First Time Than Trying Pot, Study Says; Minnesota: Governor Vetoes Medical Marijuana Measure; Last Chance To Register For NORML's Fourth Annual Aspen Legal Seminar. […]
Despite the growing social acceptance of marijuana - and the medicinal use of cannabis in particular - cannabis consumers continue to face discriminatory practices in the workplace and within America’s mainstream healthcare system. A panel of experts will review the ways patients are discriminated against and will discuss tactics to reform these arbitrary an […]
Inspired by Steve Bloom and Shirely Halperin’s new book Pot Culture: The A-Z Guide to Stoner Language & Life this panel will review cannabis-themed movies to music to history to the words we use to communicate with each other -- the panel will entertain, inform and hopefully inspire others to make their mark in pot culture. Pot Culture is yet another ind […]
Is cannabis legal anywhere in America? Yes. At the vanguard of both medical cannabis dispensaries and adult-oriented, Dutch-styled ‘coffee shops,’ Oaksterdam serves as a manifestation of cannabis freedom and tolerance not yet enjoyed anywhere else in America. Meet the unofficial ‘Mayor’ of Oaksterdam Richard Lee as he chairs a panel of experts as they examin […]
Congressmen Ron Paul and Barney Frank talk Marijuana
Congressmen Ron Paul and Barney Frank talk Marijuana
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 20th. You can’t make this stuff up. www.phillynorml.org
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