Support H.R. 5843 by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX)

[zcwilly]

CLICK HERE TO EMAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE

The first federal marijuana decriminalization bill in 25 years was just introduced in Congress. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) introduced H.R. 5843, the “Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008,” which would decriminalize possession of marijuana for personal use. Please urge your representative to support this important legislation.

A deluge of messages from constituents will help members of Congress feel more confident in declaring their support for the bill. We don't expect the bill to become law just yet, but it will help us find out which members of Congress support marijuana decriminalization and which do not. The more representatives who co-sponsor it, the more support we can show for marijuana law reform.

Take action now.

Last year alone the police made almost 830,000 arrests for marijuana law offenses in the United States. 89 percent of those arrests were for posssession for personal use. Those arrested were seperated from their families, branded criminals, and in many cases fired from their jobs and denied school loans and other public assistance. The arrests cost taxpayers billions of dollars and consumed an estimated 4.5 million law enforcment hours (that’s the equivalent of taking 112,500 law enforcement officers off the streets).

H.R. 5843 would make it legal under federal law for adults to possess up to 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of marijuana for personal use. It would also allow not-for-profit transfers of up to one ounce of marijuana between consenting adults. Please urge your member of Congress to support this bill.

Our executive director, Ethan Nadelmann, made a powerful case for ending marijuana prohibition in a 2004 cover story in National Review (PDF).

Sincerely,

Bill Piper
Director of National Affairs
Drug Policy Alliance

[St. Stalin the Apathetic]

Our executive director, Ethan Nadelmann, made a powerful case for ending marijuana prohibition in a 2004 cover story in National Review

I'll interject something for Bill Spillz.... that's got to be a lie... no way would NR or any of the evil bastards who read this rag subscribe to the belief that prohibition is a bankrupt policy. Further, evfen if they did the fact that such an article was published in that magazine immediately reduces its worth to zero in every measure applicable.

[Nick]

I sent my letter to Ms. Eddie Johnson. This could have a tonic healing effect on American society. Marijuana abuse is bad, but not as bad as alcohol abuse.

[Mimi85]

Originally Posted by Nick

I sent my letter to Ms. Eddie Johnson. This could have a tonic healing effect on American society. Marijuana abuse is bad, but not as bad as alcohol abuse.

Excellent post for the most part, however I'm not even sure how marijuana can be abused, unlike alcohol. Hopefully not the ole story about mj leading to heroin from back in the day. Kudos to the congress for once. Or at least a couple of them? Did anyone see Barney Frank on Bill Maher discussing this. If not, check it out on YouTube. Classic.

[Nick]

Originally Posted by Mimi85

Excellent post for the most part, however I'm not even sure how marijuana can be abused, unlike alcohol. Hopefully not the ole story about mj leading to heroin from back in the day. Kudos to the congress for once. Or at least a couple of them? Did anyone see Barney Frank on Bill Maher discussing this. If not, check it out on YouTube. Classic.

well abuse may not be the right word, but if someone smokes everyday they might not be good at life. this is of course not true in all cases. like if you're service industry with no ambition to move up the economic ladder.

[MACK]

Originally Posted by Nick

well abuse may not be the right word, but if someone smokes everyday they might not be good at life. this is of course not true in all cases. like if you're service industry with no ambition to move up the economic ladder.

there are plenty of people that make millions and still enjoy spoking pot. Its no worse than cigarettes and not near as bad as alcohol.

[Nick]

Originally Posted by MACK

there are plenty of people that make millions and still enjoy spoking pot. Its no worse than cigarettes and not near as bad as alcohol.

yeah but i would consider abuse getting up and smoking before work, then smoking when you get home, etc etc..

I doubt that is the case with most highly sucessful people. I'm sure you could find exceptions.

and it's not worse than cigarettes as far as health, in fact it might be better... but it's effects are more mind altering

[St. Stalin the Apathetic]

Originally Posted by Mimi85

Excellent post for the most part, however I'm not even sure how marijuana can be abused, unlike alcohol.

staying high all the time is abuse... some people can handle it and have it not effect them significantly... most cannot.

[Nick]

cool xian..

we finally agree on something =]

[St. Stalin the Apathetic]

lol - I think its happened before