Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 12:04 pm | By: Radical Russ
(Halogen Life) A proposal drafted by Frank specified that it would give states the right to adopt their own medical marijuana laws.
“I’ve felt for a long time that policy regarding the prohibition of marijuana was wrong,” Congressman Frank told me. He cited the organization NORML as a viable source for education on marijuana and its health benefits and risks. According to the group’s Web site, nicotine “promotes the development of cancer cells and their blood supply,” while “cannabis smoke — unlike tobacco smoke — has not been definitively linked to cancer in humans, including those cancers associated with tobacco use.”
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 at 11:08 am | By: Radical Russ
ESQUIRE: Could you tell me why you’re doing it at this time? Everybody says you guys have got so much to handle right now.
BARNEY FRANK: Announcing that the government should mind its own business on marijuana is really not that hard. There’s not a lot of complexity here. We should stop treating people as criminals because they smoke marijuana. The problem is the political will.
ESQ: That’s my second question. There’s already been a lot of change in the country. Thirteen states have decriminalized pot. What’s holding up Congress?
BF: This is a case where there’s cultural lag on the part of my colleagues. If you ask them privately, they don’t think it’s a terrible thing. But they’re afraid of being portrayed as soft on drugs. And by the way, the argument is, nobody ever gets arrested for it. But we have this outrageous case in New York where a cop jammed a baton up a guy’s ass when he caught him smoking marijuana.
ESQ: You’re kidding.
BF: Actually, I’ve just been corrected by my partner – it was a radio he jammed up the guy’s ass, not his baton.
ESQ: Small radio, I hope.
…
BF: Here’s one thing I would say – there’s a great intellectual flaw at work here. People say, “Oh, you want the government to approve of smoking marijuana.” And the answer is, no, there should be a small number of things that the government makes illegal, but the great bulk of human activity ought to be none of the government’s business. People can make their own choices.
ESQ: What about the “public-square” argument that we need to keep prostitutes off the streets and pot-smokers on the run in order to promote a higher level of morality and civic order?
BF: One, I don’t think it’s immoral to smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol, even though they may make you sick. Morality to me is the way you treat other people, not the way you treat yourself. John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty makes a great deal of sense in that regard. I wish more people read him.
Rep. Frank is absolutely right, so here is a little bit of On Liberty for today’s assigned reading. Then go to NORML’s Take Action center and send your email to your congressperson to support HR 2943.
Though society is not founded on a contract, and though no good purpose is answered by inventing a contract in order to deduce social obligations from it, every one who receives the protection of society owes a return for the benefit, and the fact of living in society renders it indispensable that each should be bound to observe a certain line of conduct towards the rest. This conduct consists first, in not injuring the interests of one another; or rather certain interests, which, either by express legal provision or by tacit understanding, ought to be considered as rights; and secondly, in each person’s bearing his share (to be fixed on some equitable principle) of the labours and sacrifices incurred for defending the society or its members from injury and molestation.
… But neither one person, nor any number of persons, is warranted in saying to another human creature of ripe years, that he shall not do with his life for his own benefit what he chooses to do with it. He is the person most interested in his own well-being: the interest which any other person, except in cases of strong personal attachment, can have in it, is trifling, compared with that which he himself has; the interest which society has in him individually (except as to his conduct to others) is fractional, and altogether indirect…
Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 12:20 pm | By: Radical Russ
If the conservatives in America wish to resurrect their Republican party, at its lowest approval ratings ever, they would be wise to return to conservative roots of small government, individual responsibility, and personal liberty by supporting marijuana legalization. They may make inroads with a huge swath of mighty disaffected liberals (like me) who have for decades now been hung out to dry on the drug war issues by Democrats posturing as “tough on crime” (Mr. Vice President, I’m looking your way…)
A Stasher forwarded me an article from “Right Side News” that was essentially a lengthy, nasty hit piece on Rep. Barney Frank, with typical homophobic references and combining Franks’ support for decriminalization with his sexual orientation and a litany of conservative complaints about his politics as one big satanically-influenced hodge-podge of evil determined to turn America into “Woodstock Nation”. I needn’t reproduce it here.
However, it warmed my heart to see the following in the comments from a die-hard conservative:
Wow. I wasn’t expecting this type of article from my side (right). Although I vote the same as you I do not agree with you on this one issue. The style of your writing is poor – this is just a hit piece with very little substance. I view this on the level of most from the far left.
Republican Ron Paul is a co-sponsor, yet you somehow left that part out???
…I speak the truth when I say that this issue is the Only one I agree Frank. The only one.
There have been hundreds of medical studies over the past 30 years. Nearly every one refutes your cherry-picked reports. And the fact that the DEA does not support ending prohibition of cannabis is absolutely worthless. The DEA receives billions of dollars to fight the War on Some Drugs. They have a pony in the race. Of course they want to continue receiving the vast sums of money. If cannabis is re-legalized then they stand to lose billions. Additionally, I recently learned that DEA employees are mandated By Law to oppose any re-legalization effort. If the head of the DEA said publicly that he agrees with the Frank-Paul bill then he would lose his job.
I’m a solid conservative and up until around the beginning of this year I echoed your words for two decades. I have voted 100% Republican since Reagan. I don’t use any illegal substances and neither do any of my close friends. My position changed 180 degrees after I began hearing the reports of the 1000’s of murders happening just south of our border. People are being murdered every single day down there… and it’s all because of prohibition in the US.
…As a conservative I choose to use logic and reason instead of emotions and feelings when deciding where I stand on issues. One method I employ to help me gain perspective is ‘What do the bad guys want?’
…Ending prohibition to stop the Mexican cartels:
One group thinks that ending prohibition will reduce or nearly end the violence and murder along our border. The other group thinks that we must continue this prohibition. The bad guys (cartels) want prohibition to continue. I am not going to side with murderous cartels.
Ending prohibition is not a left-right issue, although there is less support on the right than the left. This is a freedom and security issue. Security, because continuing this prohibition will cost us dearly in so many ways. Freedom, because we are a free people and free people should be allowed to put into their bodies whatever they want – even if it’s considered unwise – so long as they do not harm others or infringe on others’ rights.
There is one part of conservatism I call ‘cruelty’. We are ‘tough on crime’, I know and that’s good. Yet, most conservatives still believe it is acceptable to put hard working, otherwise law-abiding citizens, in cages because they choose to consume cannabis instead of alcohol within the privacy of their own homes.
I see it a cruel that people, such as yourself, would rather keep human beings in cages and give them a Lifetime sentence. A ‘lifetime sentence’ ? An arrest even without a conviction will remain on someone’s criminal record Forever. Their entire life is likely to be much less successful – they won’t get hired for the good jobs because of an arrest 15 years ago when they experimented with cannabis in college, for example. The charge of cannabis possession or use guarantees a lifetime sentence. …and you’re okay with that??? Stop being cruel.
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Medical Marijuana Gardener Bernie Ellis of Fly, Tennessee, tells of his being labeled a “terrorist” and investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations to intimidate him to drop his campaign for free and fair elections.
Thursday, June 25th, 2009 at 10:20 am | By: Radical Russ
Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2009
June 24, 2009
Dear 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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Thursday, June 18th, 2009 at 10:20 am | By: Radical Russ
Washington, DC: Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank, along with co-sponsor Texas Republican Ron Paul, will reintroduce legislation today to limit the federal government’s authority to arrest and prosecute minor marijuana offenders.
The measure, entitled an “Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults,” would eliminate federal penalties for the personal possession of up to 100 grams (over three and one-half ounces) of cannabis and for the not-for-profit transfer of up to one ounce of pot – making the prosecutions of these offenses strictly a state matter.
Under federal law, defendants found guilty of possessing small amounts of cannabis for their own personal use face up to one year imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.
Passage of this act would provide state lawmakers the choice to maintain their current penalties for minor marijuana offenses or eliminate them completely. Lawmakers would also have the option to explore legal alternatives to tax and regulate the adult use and distribution of cannabis free from federal interference.
To date, thirteen states have enacted laws ‘decriminalizing’ the possession of marijuana by adults. Minor marijuana offenders face a citation and small fine in lieu of a criminal arrest or time in jail.
“The federal government has much more important business to attend to than targeting, arresting and prosecuting adults who use marijuana responsibly,” NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre said. “This is an issue that ought to be handled by the states, not the Feds.”
According to nationwide polls, three out of four voters believe that adults who possess marijuana should not face arrest or jail, and one out of two now say that cannabis should be regulated like alcohol.
“The US Congress has a definite choice,” said St. Pierre. “They can choose the path of compassion, fiscal responsibility, and common sense by supporting Barney Frank’s and Ron Paul’s efforts, or they can continue down America’s failed drug war path by endorsing Rep. Kirk’s draconian legislation. It is abundantly clear which direction the voters wish to go; will their elected officials follow?”
Additional information about the ‘Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults’ is available at NORML’s Take Action Center.
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Thursday, June 11th, 2009 at 10:20 am | By: Paul Armentano
Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank, along with a bipartisan coalition of 9 co-sponsors (see below), will reintroduce legislation in Congress today to strengthen legal protections for state-authorized medical marijuana patients.
The bill, entitled the Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act of 2009, seeks to amend the discrepancy between federal law and the laws of over a dozen states that have enacted regulations governing the therapeutic use of cannabis.
Thirteen states – Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington – have enacted laws prohibiting medical marijuana patients from state prosecution. Passage of the the Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act would ensure that medical cannabis patients who are compliant with state would no longer have to fear arrest or prosecution from federal law enforcement agencies.
Previous versions of the Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act were introduced in both the 108th and 109th Congress, but failed to receive a public hearing or a committee vote.
While campaigning for the presidency, Barack Obama promised not to use Justice Department resources “to try and circumvent state (medical marijuana) laws” — a pledge that has been repeated in recent months by US Attorney General Eric Holder. Nevertheless, agents from the US Drug Enforcement Administration have continued to target medical marijuana providers in states that allow for the drug’s use.
To support the Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act of 2009, please log on to NORML’s Take Action Center here.
Co-sponsors of the Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act of 2009
RevRayGreen: MASS TWEET THIS -@ChuckGrassley Truth is Chuck you follow Nixon's CSA full of reefer sadness. btw Chuck, Marijuana is not a drug.
RevRayGreen: @ChuckGrassley http://bit.ly/55Ejsi Truth is Chuck you follow Nixon's CSA full of reefer madness. btw Chuck, Marijuana is not a drug.
SneakerPimp: one last thing Puff puff pass to any one who wants it
SneakerPimp: i wanna here about the imminent MiniSpof sounds like time for some
SneakerPimp: im estatic and excited for NSL today.
SneakerPimp: mountain time wake n bake
SneakerPimp: oh yea also wake n bake
SneakerPimp: its central im high as a kite everybody
SneakerPimp: ill grab that WUD
WakeUpDead: @Russ, I dont think that wireless is going to work out for the show, it was choppy and studdered just like last week. Hardline may be the only way. Puff [...]
WakeUpDead: A MINI Spof, Lock up your Weed, in 18 years that is. Really Man congrats! Greatest days of my life when my kids were born, hell yeh, great news [...]
BenJaMin: Late night Stash!!!
SneakerPimp: heres a bong rip for spof
RevRayGreen: errr test over....
RevRayGreen: on hold..
RevRayGreen: @RR I'll try and lob a call to you.....
SneakerPimp: where is the first field of cannabis gonna be?
SneakerPimp: !
Radical Russ: Breaking News: MrSpof's wife's water just broke! A MiniSpof is imminent!
SneakerPimp: oh russ its not my fault that i dont understand choppy word:stoned:
SneakerPimp: @Mrspof congratulations tell us all about it tommrow
Radical Russ: OK, test over. Sorry. Only needed a half hour. Be back tomorrow afternoon.
slash5city: don't forget to watch CCS live on u-stream 8 pm west
thaistik: Local Crime Stoppers notice.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Pot shop burglars sought
Crime Stoppers is looking for information on the suspects who police say burglarized a medical marijuana dispensary and stole cash, drugs [...]
Marijuana-Related Health Costs Minimal Compared To Those Of Alcohol, Tobacco; California Medical Association Says Pot Prohibition Is A "Failed Public Health Policy"; Oregon: State NORML Affiliate Opens First 'Cannabis Café'. […]
American Medical Association Calls For Scientific Review Of Marijuana's Prohibitive Status; Dutch Marijuana Use Lower Than European Average, Study Says […]
"Truth In Trials Act" Reintroduced In Congress; Maine: Voters Approve Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Measure; Colorado: Breckenridge Voters Overwhelmingly Decide To End Pot Penalties. […]
Some of the nation’s top athletes discuss why today's pros are turning to cannabis — and away from alcohol and painkillers — off the field, and question why pro sports leagues are continuing to sanction those who do. Moderator: Steve Bloom, Author, Pot Culture; editor, celebstoner.com * Toby Grear, MMA fighter * Sean Neumann, Documentary Filmm […]
Cannabis Law Reform's Missing Link: Law Enforcement Former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper; LEAP and NORML Advisory Board; Author of Breaking Rank Putting the Mexican Cartels Out of Business Mexican drug cartels now employ over 100,000 soldiers and are responsible for nearly ten thousand deaths per year. Their largest source of income is marijuana. […]
Rep. Barney Frank cites NORML for marijuana information
sounds like time for some 
mountain time wake n bake 
don't forget to watch CCS live on u-stream 8 pm west 
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