Frank, Paul: “Legalize it”
In April, Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) co-sponsored a resolution (H.R. 5843) to end federal penalties for Americans carrying fewer than 100 grams of marijuana. (There are actually now six other co-sponsors, including our own William Lacy Clay (D) from Missouri’s 1st Congressional District)
Yesterday, CNN reported on a press conference held by Frank to promote the legislation:
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, said Frank, flanked by legislators and representatives from advocacy groups.
“The vast amount of human activity ought to be none of the government’s business,” Frank said on Capitol Hill. “I don’t think it is the government’s business to tell you how to spend your leisure time.”
[...]“Smoked marijuana has not withstood the rigors of science — it is not medicine and it is not safe,” the DEA states on its Web site. “Legalization of marijuana, no matter how it begins, will come at the expense of our children and public safety. It will create dependency and treatment issues, and open the door to use of other drugs, impaired health, delinquent behavior, and drugged drivers.”
Allen St. Pierre, spokesman for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, likened Frank’s proposal — co-sponsored by Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas — to current laws dealing with alcohol consumption. Alcohol use is permitted, and the government focuses its law enforcement efforts on those who abuse alcohol or drive under its influence, he said.
Other legislators also argued in favor of the the Frank-Paul proposal:
Reps. William Lacy Clay, D-Missouri, and Barbara Lee, D-California, said that in addition to targeting nonviolent offenders, U.S. marijuana laws unfairly target African-Americans.
Clay said he did not condone drug use but opposes using tax dollars to pursue what he feels is an arcane holdover from “a phony war on drugs that is filling up our prisons, especially with people of color.”
H.R. 5843 is currently still sitting in the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
This is, of course, not the first time legislation has been introduced to legalize marijuana. State-level ballot initiatives to decriminalize marijuana have been attempted in several states (Nevada, Alaska, Colorado and South Dakota), but have met with defeat. One would assume there’s little hope for a different outcome with this proposal, but its supporters are clearly hoping to spark a renewed nationwide debate over the issue.
**UPDATE: I thought it might be useful to provide some polling data on public support for the legalization of marijuana: A Gallup poll in October 2005 found that 36 percent of Americans believed marijuana should be legalized. 60 percent opposed legalization.
As for party affiliation, legalization was opposed by a majority across the political spectrum: 77 percent of Republicans, 59 percent of Democrats, and 52 percent of Independents.
Todd M. hit the nail on the head with the pharma comment. I have seen people stung out so bad on prescription pain meds in an attempt to manage chronic pain that it ruined them. It led to the death of my ex husband at age 49 in 07. Perhaps legal access to medical marijuana could lower drug abuse and addiction to prescription drugs. Pharmaceutical companies aren\’t going to go bankrupt. There will still be enough pill poppers to feed them and they continue doing what they do…raise prices.
Decriminalization for personal use, medical or not, would be a change for the better. I personally lost interest in using it several years ago, but I\’m sick of seeing people arrested, harmed, and killed over weed. Real criminals rape, rob, and murder. Some serve less time or escape justice, altogether. Where\’s the logic in that?
Whether it\’s legal, or not, it\’s not going away. Acceptance of it might make trying it less attractive to future generations. Removing the taboo would be beneficial in the long run.
Not all marijuana users fit the stereotype of pothead, stoner, loser, or whatever label attached. Some folks unwind after a long day of productive work with a joint. It\’s no different than having a drink at the end of the day. Responsible adults should have that choice without fear of imprisonment. Sure there are going to be the one\’s that fit the stereotype. Some will abuse it. But, so will alcoholics abuse alcohol. There will still be gambling addicts, sex addicts, junkies, food addicts, broken people with serious problems. Addiction to anything might lead to self destruction, imprisonment, or death, eventually. The mere possession of a small amount of pot shouldn’t put them there.
Besides medical benefits or personal enjoyment, hemp has so many other benefits that we need to utilize. It’s time for U.S. government and law enforcement to focus on capturing and punishing the real criminals. For way too long they’ve wasted time and money punishing marijuana users. Pull your heads out of your behinds and make a positive change. I don’t care if you are democrat, republican, libertarian, or anything breathing… Just say yes!