home

Bill Introduced to Legalize Marijuana Use in States That Allow It

By Jeralyn, Section Legislation
Posted on Fri Jun 24, 2011 at 08:58:00 AM EST
Tags: marijuana reform (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

Via NORML:

Today, a bi-partisan group of representatives introduced the first federal bill since 1937 aimed at ending marijuana prohibition. To coincide with the bill’s introduction NORML is launching a new public service announcement featuring NORML Advisory Board member, country music icon, and cannabis enthusiast Willie Nelson. In the video below, Willie calls on you to support this important legislation and to contact your elected officials and encourage them to do the same.

Major props to Colorado Rep. Jared Polis for co-sponsoring the bill introduced today. It's called Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011 and was introduced by Barney Frank and Ron Paul. [More...]

Its chances of passing? Nil, according to the Washington Post. How do you deal with irrational legislators like Republican House Judiciary Committee Chair Lamar Smith who spout nonsense like:

“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.”

Via Marijuana Policy Project:

“The legislation would limit the federal government’s role in marijuana enforcement to cross-border or inter-state smuggling, allowing people to legally grow, use or sell marijuana in states where it is legal,” according to the Marijuana Policy Project.

If the bill has no chance in passing, what's the point? To begin a national dialogue, so three years from now, a future Congress can pass it? How about starting a dialogue now about repealing Title 21 and all its drug laws?

< Journalistic Incentives | Cheering For The Team >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Bill Introduced to Legalize Marijuana Use in States That Allow It | 3 comments (3 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

    It sure is frustrating... (none / 0) (#1)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 24, 2011 at 07:54:09 AM EST
    the tortoise's pace to sanity...not to mention the hare's pace when we fix to go insane.

    Lamar Smith...nonsensical ain't the word, I question whether he has a functioning brain.  Ending prohibition hurts the cartels Lamar (first grade math!), marijuana is not physically addictive Lamar, and I thought your lot was the party of state's rights?  Knock knock anybody home Lamar?

    Local Growers increase (none / 0) (#2)
    by kgoudy on Fri Jun 24, 2011 at 08:03:51 AM EST
    My observations, in Colorado, is that state legalization has increased local tax revenue and provided income to the caregiver-growers. The local dispensaries provide only locally grown marijuana, and the business is booming. If anything, it is removing a market from drug cartels, whose produce cannot be sold in dispensaries.

    Even if it was allowed... (none / 0) (#3)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 24, 2011 at 08:34:37 AM EST
    no self-resoecting dispensary for medical use would touch gak brick weed with a ten foot pole...the mexican cartels do not deal in quality strains, another reason to put them out of the reefer business...they don't do quality control.  


    Parent
    Bill Introduced to Legalize Marijuana Use in States That Allow It | 3 comments (3 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment