Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act H.R.2835 was introduced June 11, 2009 by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) along with Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Farr, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Paul, Ms. Woolsey, Mr. Rohrabacher, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Thompson of California, Mr. George Miller of California, Mr. Stark, Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Olver, and Ms. Baldwin

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c111:1:./temp/~c111WNKdlj::

Along with Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2009 H.R.2943 was introduced June 18, 2009 by Rep. Barney Frank along with Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Paul, Mr. Rohrabacher, and Mr. Hinchey

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c111:2:./temp/~c111gyz2zY::

Congressman Barney Frank is author of the States’ Rights to Medical Marijuana Act (H.R. 2592), an attempt to stop federal government from intervening with states’ medical marijuana laws. He has consistently voted for the bipartisan Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment, annually proposed by Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) and Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), that would prohibit the United States Department of Justice from prosecuting medical marijuana patients.

In March 2008, he proposed the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008 (HR 5843), which would decriminalize small amounts for personal use of the drug. Congressman Brank Frank commented on legislation to remove federal criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use stated “In a free society a large degree of human activity is none of the government’s business. We should make criminal what’s going to hurt other people and others than that we should leave it to people to make their own choices.”

Cosponsors [as of July 16, 2009]
Rep. Tammy Baldwin [D-WI]
Rep. Earl Blumenauer [D-OR]
Rep. Steve Cohen [D-TN]
Rep. Peter DeFazio [D-OR]
Rep. Keith Ellison [D-MN]
Rep. Sam Farr [D-CA]
Rep. Bob Filner [D-CA]
Rep. Raul Grijalva [D-AZ]
Rep. Maurice Hinchey [D-NY]
Rep. Michael Honda [D-CA]
Rep. Dennis Kucinich [D-OH]
Rep. James McDermott [D-WA]
Rep. James McGovern [D-MA]
Rep. George Miller [D-CA]
Rep. James Moran [D-VA]
Rep. John Olver [D-MA]
Rep. Ronald Paul [R-TX]
Rep. Jared Polis [D-CO]
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher [R-CA]
Rep. Steven Rothman [D-NJ]
Rep. Fortney Stark [D-CA]
Rep. Michael Thompson [D-CA]
Rep. Robert Wexler [D-FL]
Rep. Lynn Woolsey [D-CA]

Thank you for contacting me to share your support for H.R. 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.

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, including California, already have laws that significantly reduce penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana, in many cases providing for a mere civil fine.

For those people concerned about the effects of decriminalization, it is important to point out what this legislation does 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. And, 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.).

I am hopeful that Congress will have the opportunity to address this common-sense legislation that will bring federal law up to date. I appreciate knowing of your support.

Sincerely,

GEORGE MILLER

Member Of Congress, 7th District

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

• Barney Frank (D-MA)
• Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
• Sam Farr (D-CA)
• Jim McDermott (D-WA)
• Ron Paul (R-TX)
• Lynn Woolsey (D-CA)
• Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA)
• Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ)
• Mike Thompson (D-CA)
• George Miller (D-CA)