Rep. Barney Frank introduces legislation to curb federal penaltiies for marijuana

Parent Cafe
1

<p>Interested in your thoughts on the below. I don’t use drugs, but would like to see the end of the draconian penalties for marijuana use. I’d also like to see drug addicts treated as people with health problems, not criminals who need to be locked up due to their use (Though I do think they should be held legally accountable for any crimes like theft, assault, etc. that are connected with their addictions).</p>

<p>"(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.</p>

<p>Rep. Barney Frank’s bill would radically curb federal penalties for personal marijuana use.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>“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.”</p>

<p>The Massachusetts Democrat and his supporters emphasized that only the use – and not the abuse – of marijuana would be decriminalized if the resolution passes.
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/30/frank.marijuana/index.html"&gt;http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/30/frank.marijuana/index.html&lt;/a&gt;"&lt;/p&gt;

2

<p>I think it should be legal, or at least decriminalized. I don’t know a single person who has smoked weed and understands why it is illegal. You don’t hallucinate (I’ve heard stories, but if you want to trip, cough syrup is a better bet), you don’t become violent, you won’t kill someone from driving while high. Every time I smoke weed, I am just astonished that this little plant causes so many issues. It is really baffling to me.</p>

3

<p>Regulating mj would end the control of dealers, and any subsequent violence associated with those dealers. Not to mention the tax revenue would be substantial.
I hate when politician use the “disproportiantley effects aa”.
100grams is a lot of weed though…
The gov might as well sell it and regulate it just like alcohol and tobacco</p>

4

<p>

</p>

<p>… and in addition to The Big Tobacco and the powerful alcohol industry we’ll have The Big Pot.</p>