cannabisnews.com: Reps. Frank, Paul Want To End Federal Ban on Pot

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  Reps. Frank, Paul Want To End Federal Ban on Pot

Posted by CN Staff on June 23, 2011 at 14:33:59 PT
By The Associated Press 
Source: Associated Press  

Washington, D.C. -- Two House members introduced a bill Thursday that would remove marijuana from the list of federal controlled substances and cede to the states enforcement of laws governing pot.The legislation would eliminate marijuana-specific penalties under federal law, but would maintain a ban on transporting marijuana across state lines. It would allow individuals to grow and sell marijuana in states that make it legal.
The bill has no chance of passing the Republican-controlled House.The bill was introduced by Democrat Barney Frank of Massachusetts and Ron Paul, a Texas Republican running for his party's presidential nomination.Four Democrats are co-sponsors: John Conyers of Michigan, Barbara Lee of California, Jared Polis of Colorado and Steve Cohen of Tennessee."Criminally prosecuting adults for making the choice to smoke marijuana is a waste of law enforcement resources and an intrusion on personal freedom," Frank said."I do not advocate urging people to smoke marijuana. Neither do I urge them to drink alcoholic beverages or smoke tobacco. But in none of these cases do I think prohibition enforced by criminal sanctions is good public policy."The bill would have to go through the House Judiciary Committee. Chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas, said his panel would not consider it."Marijuana use and distribution is prohibited under federal law because it has a high potential for abuse and does not have an accepted medical use in the U.S.," Smith said. "The Food and Drug Administration has not approved smoked marijuana for any condition or disease."Decriminalizing marijuana will only lead to millions more Americans becoming addicted to drugs and greater profits for drug cartels who fund violence along the U.S.-Mexico border. Allowing states to determine their own marijuana policy flies in the face of Supreme Court precedent."Source: Associated Press (Wire)Published: June 23, 2011 Copyright: 2011 The Associated PressCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml

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Comment #38 posted by FoM on June 30, 2011 at 14:16:18 PT
William Bennett's Opinion
Why Barney Frank and Ron Paul Are Wrong on Drug Legalization ***By William J. Bennett, CNN ContributorJune 30, 2011 Editor's note: William J. Bennett is the Washington fellow of the Claremont Institute. He was U.S. secretary of education from 1985 to 1988 and was director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy under President George H.W. Bush. (CNN) -- From certain precincts on the left, notably Barney Frank, to certain precincts on the right, notably the editorial page of National Review, we are witnessing a new push to end the so-called war on drugs and legalize drug use, starting with marijuana. Indeed, Ron Paul, Barney Frank's co-sponsor in the latest legislative effort, said recently he would go so far as to legalize heroin.SnippedURL: http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/06/30/bennett.drug.legalization/
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Comment #37 posted by josephlacerenza on June 30, 2011 at 05:52:52 PT
Well, It's Thursday!!
The judge will be handing down his decision on the injunction of SB423!! Crossing our fingers in Montana....
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Comment #36 posted by FoM on June 29, 2011 at 20:34:48 PT
Stubborn Congressman Tries to Block Marijuana
Stubborn Congressman Tries to Block Marijuana Legalization BillJune 29, 2011Barney Frank and Ron Paul's historic bill to end federal marijuana prohibition is generating a lot of excitement around the country, but in Washington D.C., it's already becoming another reminder of the arrogant drug war politics that have long obstructed the path to reform.Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) was quick to announce his plans to prevent this important debate from ever taking place:The bill appears doomed on arrival, according to the Associated Press, which reported that House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith said his panel, which the proposed law is required to venture through, would not even consider it.URL: http://stopthedrugwar.org/speakeasy/2011/jun/29/stubborn_congressman_tries_block
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Comment #35 posted by Hope on June 27, 2011 at 14:15:41 PT
Comment 33
That's very interesting.
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Comment #34 posted by Hope on June 27, 2011 at 14:14:35 PT
Maybe we are all their constituents 
under the title of the House Judiciary Committee. They are a Federal committee that perhaps should be answerable to us all.The chairman, Smith, has already said he intends to let it die without ever being heard by the committee, much less ever seeing the House Floor for a vote. It might not pass there anyway... but Smith's not taking any chances.Playing games with our "Republic"? Is he really representing the will of the nation's citizens... or just a few or perhaps, just his own will in the matter?
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Comment #33 posted by dongenero on June 27, 2011 at 14:12:52 PT
"Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011,
Note that 2 of the bill's co-sponsors are on the House Judiciary Committee.Rep. John Conyers, D-MichRep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn
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Comment #32 posted by dongenero on June 27, 2011 at 13:57:31 PT
House Judiciary Committee
http://judiciary.house.gov/about/members.htmlHere are the committee members. I believe the Frank/Paul bill, "Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011" must pass through this committee to even get to the House floor for a vote.Lamar Smith, R-Texas, is the committee chairman and I believe he has the ability to block the bill from even having a hearing within he Judiciary Committee.Shame, as the record of voting on this issue, for each and every Representative, would be for all American citizens to see. So much for democratic process. Still, if you have Representatives on the committee, they should hear from their constituents.
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Comment #31 posted by Hope on June 27, 2011 at 12:51:52 PT
You're, right, Museman.
I saw over at Huff post and other places that people are excited and hopeful about this.What part of "No chance" do they not understand?It's sad.Like I said... it would take a miracle... or a lot of them. The first one being Lamar Smith coming to his senses.I'd take a miracle. I'd like a miracle.
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Comment #30 posted by museman on June 27, 2011 at 10:37:10 PT
note
"The bill has no chance of passing the Republican-controlled House."So now's the time to look good and gather liberal votes, without actually doing anything.Sorry if any bubbles get pierced.LEGALIZE FREEDOM
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Comment #29 posted by FoM on June 25, 2011 at 19:17:31 PT
greenmed
Thank you. 
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Comment #28 posted by afterburner on June 25, 2011 at 10:33:33 PT
Chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas, Sounds like Parrot
"Decriminalizing marijuana will only lead to millions more Americans becoming addicted to drugs and greater profits for drug cartels who fund violence along the U.S.-Mexico border."Should read: "[Continuing to criminalize] marijuana will only lead to millions more Americans becoming addicted to [hard] drugs[, pharmaceuticals, tobacco and alcohol] and greater profits for drug cartels [and the DEA] who fund violence along the U.S.-Mexico border [as well as more sin taxes for governments and more deaths from so-called FDA-approved pills]."Also, just why are non-psychoactive hemp, cannabis ointments, cannabis edibles, and vaporized cannabis illegal if the FDA is concerned only about "smoked marijuana"?
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Comment #27 posted by GentleGiant on June 24, 2011 at 20:13:12 PT:
What A Fool, Mr. Smith
I do got to say one thing, this guy and all others who sprout nonsense about 'no accepted medical use' excuse, are surely going to look like complete fools when they realize, marijuana actually is medicine.
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Comment #26 posted by greenmed on June 24, 2011 at 18:37:37 PT
public pressure...
also includes donations for organizations that represent and inform. Thank you Hope, and of course FoM (:0)>
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Comment #25 posted by greenmed on June 24, 2011 at 18:19:00 PT
Lamar Smith
Mr. Smith's unwillingness to even discuss the resolution in Committee is obstructionist to say the least. He not only goes against the the will of his constituents, but also halts any progress of discussion in the main Chamber where the chips would fall with a recorded vote. In previous years that is what happened.There should be a way for Committee members, say 2/3, to over-rule the Chairman on some issues.Public pressure in the form of letter-writing, emails and phone calls is our best plan to cause Mr. Smith to reconsider his most un-democratic tactic.
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Comment #24 posted by Hope on June 24, 2011 at 18:06:36 PT
Immly
Immly
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Comment #23 posted by Hope on June 24, 2011 at 18:04:19 PT
Representative Lamar Smith
I think Representative Smith needs to remember he is an elected representative of the people and that he is not the king of everyone.That would be the miracle. If he realized that and humbled himself before it.
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Comment #22 posted by Hope on June 24, 2011 at 17:53:12 PT
At DrugSense
And Immily and others are on the list of organizations as well. 
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Comment #21 posted by Hope on June 24, 2011 at 16:58:48 PT
Drugsense
I've noticed has a place where you can donate to the cause, as they work, and they do work for it.... in the name of CannabisNews and other organizations, too... but CannabisNews.:0)http://www.drugsense.org/cms/donate
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Comment #20 posted by Hope on June 24, 2011 at 16:50:26 PT
It's immoral
to persecute people over a plant.
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Comment #19 posted by dongenero on June 24, 2011 at 15:15:27 PT
Lamar Smith, R-Texas
Lamar Smith actually makes the argument against decriminalization and FOR the legalization in the Frank/Paul bill. Guess he hasn't read the bill, heh."Decriminalizing marijuana will only lead to ...... greater profits for drug cartels who fund violence along the U.S.-Mexico border."Right Lamar, that's why we plan to legalize.
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Comment #18 posted by Hope on June 24, 2011 at 14:41:51 PT
 "Till the crust collapses from lack of support?
Sinkholes? I see the possibility of a rougher, pock marked, moonscape style landscape on Earth a couple thou down the road. Taking water, as well as petroleum, and mining,from some places, may cause sinkholes somewhere, elsewhere. Or did I dream that?
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Comment #17 posted by Hope on June 24, 2011 at 14:16:31 PT
The Wikipedia article
is changed now. I thought it might last a little longer than that.
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Comment #16 posted by museman on June 24, 2011 at 10:52:24 PT
ripit
We are all in this together -except those who made their separate beds.Letting go of mammon is the hardest thing the human race will ever do.Its all a matter of priority. If one places their values in the wrong places and things, over the correct values of human-earth relations, this is what we get BS, corruption, toxicity, and lots and lots of unpleasantness in our lives.When the tempest take away ones house, their car, their TV and their job, but they are still standing there with life and hope, what is it that holds the most value? If one answers that it is what they have lost instead of what they have, they are doomed to repeat the pattern.As the elements rage around the globe, against the evil corruption that has imbalanced nature, more and more people are finding themselves in this position.Realization is going to be and has been for many, a very rude and possibly violent awakening because they continue to cling to falsehoods and false value. We can be forgiven for having to reluctantly contribute to the situation, but not for supporting it, going willingly to the compromise for the sake of personal comfort and self satisfaction.Truth knows its own, Spirit knows its own. We have Grace, Hope, and reason for Great Expectation for the near future. Every thing, action, word, or conviction we hold in the Truth is protected, regardless of any attempt to dislodge, discredit, stand in front of, or that is thrown out by the dying beast and its minions. Compromise with truth is equivalent at this point with the factor of resistance in an electric circuit -it produces heat. Enough resistance, and it burns.The Light and Truth pouring out on us right now is not going to stop for the BS of a stubborn-thick-necked people, its going to turn all resistance to ashes. -there is no further debate, if people can't see the obvious going on all around them, they are never going to see until the tempest blows their house down -literally.LEGALIZE FREEDOM
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Comment #15 posted by ripit on June 24, 2011 at 10:23:19 PT
thank you museman
and yes i for 1 am tired of waiting an i wish i had just a .001% of your way with words! i so want to fight this assault against me but don't quite know how to do it without jeperdizing my withheld judgement(i want my voting rights and to carry my guns,hell i even got called up for jury duty but couldn't do it because i'm on probation.i've been wanting to serve on jury duty ever since i turned 18) so i can get back all they took from me although i'll never get back the last five years of my life and so my so called freedom.
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Comment #14 posted by Hope on June 24, 2011 at 10:14:28 PT
Ripit....
They sure did!
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Comment #13 posted by ripit on June 24, 2011 at 10:00:31 PT

hope wow...
somebody got mad..};ž
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Comment #12 posted by museman on June 24, 2011 at 09:59:56 PT

FoM
How that happened I don't know, I only pushed the button once. Please remove the double post, and this one...thnx
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Comment #10 posted by museman on June 24, 2011 at 09:57:09 PT

yes, its about the people
we as 'voters' continue to allow as our choices. And the reason why we always get our political 'choices' handed to us in front of a gun and a fake smile, is, I'd speculate, the same reason why facebook saw 'potfarm' as 'immoral.' Because 'morality' is all about enforcing the status quo, and the status quo is all about empowering the rulers (who aren't the politicians, but corporate money) and forcing the sick game of 'economics' down our non-rich throats.and runruff posed this; "I wonder with anxiety, how long before we the people take our lives back from the schemers and those who profit from the misery of others?"How long has it been already? How many wars have we sent our children to go die in since this 'glorious state' came into being? How many of the 'citizens' meekly go to the long, slow, slaughter of freedom every day, and sell their life blood and time to the insidious fat bastards who run the show? How long until the people realize they've been duped so bad they finally realize that not ONE of these 'representatives' represent anything that is REAL!?How much oil/earths hydraulic fluid are we going to burn to serve the ways and means of the rich? Till the crust collapses from lack of support? How many trees and forests are we going to continue to destroy? Till there's not a single tree older than about 15 years left? How many nuclear rectors are we going to allow them to continue to build? Till the blood runs from our childrens eyes and we watch them die screaming just before we die ourselves?America, your complicity in all of this is of paramount importance, you can no longer clam ignorance and say "I did not know." Your continued support of these erroneous, failed, destructive systems, your unwavering belief in the power of money over the power of Love, Forgiveness, Understanding, Equality, and Sharing the Bounty, has got this thing you claim to hate, yet feed everyday as if it were a favorite pet!You believe in these charlatans who claim to represent your interests? Even the most benign seeming are only looking out for the interests of the money.Once and for all. Who is your God? What do you worship america? And just showing up in your church boxes and giving lip-service to wisdom you apparently can't apply to living, doesn't make you spiritual. Like voting for the unending list of lessers-of-evil, without actually making any attempt to find and support REAL people that might actually REPRESENT interest other than their greed and power doesn't make you a participant in government. And even if you could find someone to replace the liars, thieves and cretinous human scum who pretty themselves up for photo ops but can't do a thing about the worm infested corruption inside, they would just become corrupt themselves. This system is the epitome of the concept 
"You can't put New Wine in old wine skins" -this system is the oldest 'wineskin' there ever was. It is the same system used in Sumeria, Babylon, Egypt, Greece, Rome,...and Rome never died. America is the New Rome. Referred to by the less scrupulous as the 'New World Order.'When americans can understand that their money, property, all the THINGS they value so falsely, are the reason for their bondage, some real progress could actually start.Fortunately for all those who cannot turn off their ipods, computers, TVs, who cannot walk or ride a bike (for any other reason besides disability) who cannot value the smile of a child over the number of zeros in their bank account, there are many of us who can. We've been bearing the brunt of your foolishness for a couple of generations now, we've been going to jail and standing up for truths that we believe in, truths that are the defacto reasons for cannabis prohibition in the first place. We've been stating the truth in the face of all the platonic, shallow, un-original thought that goes into mockery, discrediting, class/race separation, creed prejudice, and social ego stroking that has been a stopgap in the way of true progress of liberty since the founding fathers established the equivalency of 'right and privilege' to money, property, and bloodline.How long will we have to wait? Maybe not long now. Most of the energies, life forces, Spirit, and power of REALITY that YOU do not believe in is coming to kick your ass!LEGALIZE FREEDOM
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Comment #9 posted by Hope on June 24, 2011 at 09:17:55 PT

Oh my gosh!
Better go read this while it's there! It surely won't be for very long.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamar_S._SmithWhat I was going to tell you is that he represents the Austin and San Antonio area.
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Comment #8 posted by ripit on June 24, 2011 at 08:30:48 PT

ot they took potfarm down off facebook
it pisses me right off i'm tryin to find out why right now but 1 of my farm neighbors told me they took it down because of moral reasons! what kind of bullsh*^ is that when they have mafia wars and other games with so much violence and crap?

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Comment #7 posted by runruff on June 24, 2011 at 08:18:05 PT

Judiciary Committee. Chairman Lamar Smith, R
Lamar- Liar, Lunatic or Genius?Looking into Lamar's background I'd say; more like a charlatan!If he is in your district, do something! Not, don't just do something, sit there! Anything will help. He is stuck in his job like a plug in a molasses bottle. His money backers have got him sewed up. We need people on the ground to expose this bigot for what he really is! The old money folks down south love this horses a$$ but young people around colleges and high tech business centres hate him. I wonder with anxiety, how long before we the people take our lives back from the schemers and those who profit from the misery of others?
 
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Comment #6 posted by HempWorld on June 24, 2011 at 07:43:20 PT

Vioxx killed in excess of 110.000 Americans
according to CNBC research.Just leave it to AP and fascist Reuters to tear this bill apart with bs arguments.The lobbies of big pharma, the cigarette and alcohol industry and the petrochemical industries will be glad to join hands to get rid of hemp/cannabis.
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Comment #5 posted by Sam Adams on June 24, 2011 at 07:36:13 PT

federal baloney
I don't know about the rest of you but I'm SO glad the FDA is not approving cannabis in any form! I'm equally grateful that they made sure I could take Vioxx for 3 years! VERY efficient and reliable work from those guys! 

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Comment #4 posted by dongenero on June 24, 2011 at 07:08:14 PT

#3 PaulPot
Indeed! That is the key. The lawmakers. 
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Comment #3 posted by Paul Pot on June 23, 2011 at 23:15:48 PT:

Target prohibition polititians
Read up on the end of prohibition, anti-prohibition groups drew up a list of the 20 worst prohibition politicians in the country and got 12 voted out of office in one election. After that everybody came over to wanting to repeal prohibition. Might be a good tactic worth repeating. 
But this bill is a great thing to happen, win or lose it will contribute to the ever growing chorus to end this monumental farce.
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Comment #2 posted by Hope on June 23, 2011 at 22:34:38 PT

L. Smith, a high priest to Prohibition wants the
human sacrifice to his prohibition to continue."The bill would have to go through the House Judiciary Committee. Chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas, said his panel would not consider it."Marijuana use and distribution is prohibited under federal law because it has a high potential for abuse and does not have an accepted medical use in the U.S.," Smith said. "The Food and Drug Administration has not approved smoked marijuana for any condition or disease."Decriminalizing marijuana will only lead to millions more Americans becoming addicted to drugs and greater profits for drug cartels who fund violence along the U.S.-Mexico border. Allowing states to determine their own marijuana policy flies in the face of Supreme Court precedent.""
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Comment #1 posted by Tim on June 23, 2011 at 16:05:13 PT

Excuse me???
..."Allowing states to determine their own marijuana policy flies in the face of Supreme Court precedent."Um.. Excuse me, Mr. Smith. The states DO have the Constitutional RIGHT to determine their own rules and regulations! That's one of the reasons there are states!
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