cannabisnews.com: It Is Time for Some Frank Talk About Legalizing MJ





It Is Time for Some Frank Talk About Legalizing MJ
Posted by CN Staff on March 29, 2008 at 05:05:44 PT
By Ed Kociela, Local News Editor 
Source: St. George Daily Spectrum
USA -- Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank is proposing a bill that would remove federal penalties for possession and use of small amounts of marijuana. Why do we need a federal bill?Because the rest of the country is far behind Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Oregon in decriminalizing the herb, with Michigan on the verge of approving a similar bill.
We need a federal bill because we need to put an end to this fruitless, expensive prohibition once and for all.We need a federal bill because of the growing number of people across the nation who are clamoring for the legalization of marijuana for medicinal and recreational uses.We need a federal bill because the prohibition of marijuana is rooted in racism, fear and greed, not science.The Cliff Notes version of a piece written for the Virginia Law Review on how marijuana became illegal begins in about 1910 with a cast of characters that runs the gamut from migrant farm workers to polygamist pot smokers; from Pancho Villa to William Randolph Hearst; from the nation's first drug czar Harry Anslinger - who led a vicious, unfounded assault on marijuana - to the DuPont chemical company. For the full story on why and how marijuana became illegal, go to: http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/LIBRARY/studies/vlr/vlrtoc.htm http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/History/whiteb1.htm http://blogs.salon.com/0002762/stories/2003/12/22/whyIsMarijuanaIllegal.htmlFrank's proposal would eliminate all federal penalties prohibiting the personal use and possession of up to 3 & 1/2 ounces of marijuana. Adults who consume marijuana would no longer face arrest, prison or even the threat of a civil fine. In addition, the bill would eliminate all penalties prohibiting the not-for-profit transfers of up to one ounce of cannabis between adults.This bill is based on the 1972 National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse study commissioned by then-President Richard Nixon, which reported that "the use of drugs for pleasure or other non-medical purposes is not inherently irresponsible; alcohol is widely used as an acceptable part of social activities," and added, "the actual and potential harm of use of the drug is not great enough to justify intrusion by the criminal law into private behavior."Pot was once described as a gateway drug that would lead our children on a path to dangerous drugs. Today's kids, however, are finding it easier to raid the family medicine cabinet to get high.We are also finding that the medicinal use of marijuana can be beneficial to those with serious medical conditions, from life-threatening diseases to chronic pain.Marinol, some experts say, is a good compromise because it's marijuana in pill form and, believe it or not, it's something your doctor can prescribe for you without the DEA crawling all over him.But, it is cost prohibitive and researchers and patients are finding that because the cannabinoids used to manufacture marinol are so concentrated, they feel like they are either getting too much or not enough of the drug. Those who go for the herb claim they can better regulate their dose by toking on a joint or hitting on a vaporizer because the effects are more immediate and effective.It's time for our leaders to remove the cultural and nonsensical reasons for the prohibition on marijuana and pass Frank's bill. Complete Title: It Is Time for Some Frank Talk About Legalizing MarijuanaSource: St. George Daily Spectrum (UT)Author: Ed Kociela, Local News Editor Published: March 29, 2008Copyright: 2008 The SpectrumContact: ekociela thespectrum.comWebsite: http://www.thespectrum.com/Related Articles:Time To Legalize Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23778.shtmlFrank Defends Proposal To Decriminalize Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23774.shtml
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Comment #16 posted by museman on April 05, 2008 at 08:08:46 PT
Hope
That is exactly the way it felt during Nam. When we returned from war, not only were we ignored by the establishment, but we were jilted at the alter-of-where-it-counts by those we swore to serve.Betrayal. That's definitely in the toolbelt of american power-elitists, though given other terms like 'patriotism' and 'security'(for the rich) and attached to false moralities like 'divine right of kings' or 'endowed.'Betrayal. 'Benedict Arnold' isn't a term gotten by loyalty, but it is distinctly american. We have an entire social/political infrastructure of Benedict Arnolds. Fancy, clean(on the outside,) photogenic, polished boots, with the best of everything that money can buy, but no real substance or guts when it comes down to the nitty gritty, like the truth.Prohibs are benedict arnolds of the most insidious kind -their betrayal is hailed by the ignorant as some kind of 'service.' Their betrayal is a crime of biblical proportion. They lie, cheat, steal, and yet still parade around like they were kings and godlings, and their dogs carry a social disease called fear and loathing in america. Their dogs, of course are 'law enforcement.'
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Comment #15 posted by Hope on April 04, 2008 at 10:10:25 PT
Museman
I'm sure that's true. Realizing all this is like realizing the one you love has betrayed you and has been betraying you all along. America, the Beautiful Liar. That makes me sick.
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Comment #14 posted by museman on April 03, 2008 at 18:22:12 PT
#13
You know, there is a lot of 'anecdotal' evidence to support the idea that this kind of thing has been going on all along.
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Comment #13 posted by Hope on April 01, 2008 at 10:06:38 PT
They are so arrogant!
"... regardless of what the Oregon voters say".No Democracy for the United States? No Representative Government, either? Unbelievable! What is going on? What's wrong with those people? They have no decency or sense of responsibility at all! I'm tempted to damn them... but I don't need to... they've done that to themselves.Some people are foolish enough to wonder why respect for our government and law enforcement is at a all time low. Now you can't even expect your party delegates to do what they are supposed to do? They should be stripped of the honor bestowed upon them to serve as representatives and delegates. Big time and soon... or they are nothing but a sham and they are making a shambles of everything they are supposed to be... which that's probably all they have been, anyway. But the blatant arrogance of it is just stunning.
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on March 31, 2008 at 07:37:21 PT
museman
When I read that someone endorses Clinton I wonder why. That's a shame. I saw an interesting web site a while ago called Blue Oregon. 
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Comment #11 posted by museman on March 31, 2008 at 07:20:59 PT
related
I recently heard that our governor, who is an Oregon delegate to the Democratic Convention, will cast his vote for Clinton, regardless of what the Oregon voters say.This is a perfect example of the BS of politics and how they serve their own interests and not the people. This shows how 'representation' only goes as far as the status quo allows -which is very little, if any.From what I can tell though it may be moot, as there is a rather large presence of Ron Paul support here.
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on March 31, 2008 at 05:23:23 PT
Hope
There is a movie online about Hillary. I watched the first 5 minutes or so and couldn't watch anymore. If she gets the nomination I will return to my many years of not caring who is President. Voting will be a non issue for me and Stick once again. We aren't angry about it either. If we don't move beyond where we are and have been for many years then why care at all? 
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Comment #9 posted by Hope on March 31, 2008 at 01:51:01 PT
The caucus
Actually, I haven't been keeping up with all that so much. I voted in the primary, of course, and I plan to vote in November, but I haven't kept up with it lately, as much as I probably should have. I know people are angry with Clinton about her version of her reception in Bosnia a few years. My sister put it pretty well when she said, "If Clinton will lie about that, she'll lie about anything." I'd like to think she got mixed up... but that's a little difficult to believe.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on March 30, 2008 at 12:28:07 PT
Hope
I am having a good day so far and it's great to feel a little hope. I guess Clinton didn't win Texas after what has happened in yesterday's caucus. Texas is really getting progressive. I wish my state would. LOL!
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Comment #7 posted by Hope on March 30, 2008 at 12:16:52 PT
Amen and Amen!
Thank you for that, FoM.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on March 30, 2008 at 12:13:29 PT
Hope
I say Amen to that!
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Comment #5 posted by Hope on March 30, 2008 at 11:52:28 PT
Godspeed the day.
"Politicians have used the excuse it is against Federal Law way too many times and then they wouldn't have that excuse to use anymore."
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on March 30, 2008 at 11:49:19 PT
Hope
I think it is remarkable. Barney Frank has clout now after all these years in Congress. I know California has other issues but we have many states that need a Decriminalization Bill to take the sting out. Politicians have used the excuse it is against Federal Law way too many times and then they wouldn't have that excuse to use anymore.
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Comment #3 posted by Hope on March 30, 2008 at 11:30:48 PT
The possiblility of this Bill even being offered
is a pretty miraculous event in itself. It would go a long way towards protecting medical patients in may states and might be the beginning of the end of the hideous pogram of persecution against them and recreational users.If Mr. Frank is able to get the Bill to the floor, we must all do everything in our keyboard pecking power and calling and writing power that can be done in support of this effort.It will be a new day of peace and hope and freedom from dictatorial, shadenfruede loving fascist monsters that infest the world today, should our Representatives and Senators and President have enough good sense to stand up for and pass Frank's bill into law.
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Comment #2 posted by dirtmover on March 29, 2008 at 09:23:58 PT
Even in states.....
Here in California, some police and sheriff's departments still refuse to acknowledge medical Cannabis.I doubt anything will ever heal the rift between the toking public and law enforcement. We'd be better off with vigilantes than the crooks with body armor and automatic weapons.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on March 29, 2008 at 07:25:41 PT
Why I Am Happy
For years now I have wondered why we haven't approached what worked in the 70s in a number of states. Ever since Angel's case didn't work out I knew in my heart we needed to change the federal law. Decriminalization is a message to the police and the powers that be not to pursue marijuana users. When the police find a garden growing in rural areas of my state they just cut it down. Police aren't threatening to marijuana users in states that have decriminalized that I know of. If a person can possess under 100 grams and that would be per person in a household I would think means it would take a lot of nerve to raid people's homes. It does take the sting out and would allow healing between citizens and the police that so many people fear. Just my thoughts.http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?wtm_view=&Group_ID=4557
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