Thursday: NEW BILL to end federal ban on marijuana to be introduced to Congress

[RainDog]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/06/22/new-bill-ending-federal-ban-on-marijuana-to-be-introduced-in-congress/

Reps. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Ron Paul (R-TX) will introduce legislation on Thursday to the U.S. House of Representatives that ends the federal prohibition on marijuana.

The Oakland Tribute reported that the bill would limit the federal government to enforcing cross-border or inter-state smuggling laws, and allow people to grow, possess, use or sell marijuana in states where it is legal to do so.

Although over a dozen states have legalized the use of marijuana for medical reasons, it is still outlawed under the federal Controlled Substance Act.

The legislation authored by Frank and Paul would allow each state to propose and enforce its own marijuana laws without federal interference.

[Drale]

1. I hate to be pessimistic but

I don't see this getting anywhere near passing in the House perhaps not even in the Senate.

[RainDog]

3. probably not...

but if people called their reps to let them know they support an end to the WoD, Congress peeps would at least hear from their constituents - .

most people don't say anything - they don't want to be associated with this issue - so the only voices that get heard are the anti-s

this legislation would take the issue out of federal hands and let each state decide. I think that's a good idea - and let people vote with their feet and their tourist and their tax dollars.

States in which people have voted to change their laws to reflect the majority of voters on this issue should not have to fight the federal govt when the federal law came about b/c of shady political actions - both prohibition itself and then the WoD.

[RagAss]

2. It doesn't have a shit's chance......unfortunately.

[RainDog]

4. every state that allows citizen initatives ought to put a mmj bill on the ballot

or a legalization bill, if they have an mmj law.

let the people in states see who supports the issue now, put the initiatives on the ballots and vote out those who vote against this - putting initiatives on the ballots, walking the streets before the election to knock on doors - getting out voters on this issue could make a difference.

[RainDog]

5. so, I see the Obama admin. is promising more money to Central Am. for the WoD

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1347165

it's like the states and the federal govt are existing in two different universes.

I guess they can try to sell arms to those cartel members, too, and "track them" - what a joke (if you don't know about this - our govt. sold weapons to drug cartels with tracking devices that had batteries that faded... this is how our nation fights the WoD - with its brain tied behind its back.

what a waste of resources and human lives to continue this failed policy. why are we, as a nation, unable to respond to this failure with anything resembling common sense?

too much money for the weapons industry, it seems - they're the ones who benefit the most - who get the most money from the WoD.

I guess war in the middle east just isn't enough of a profit margin.

[Harry J Asslinger]

6. Ridiculous

I got very excited when I saw the news about the bill being introduced tomorrow, and then -- I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the headline about increased spending for the WoD abroad. They may as well be burning that money. What incredible atavism, especially in the wake of the Global Commission and the exposure the WoD got in the media.

Here's to hoping the bill passes. It'll certainly bring out the full force of the reefer madness machine when it's introduced.

[RainDog]

7. at least someone at the federal level will be talking about this issue

and things like scheduling of marinol v. whole-plant cannabis can go into the public record for historians to ponder how this nation got to be so corrupt.

[Ezlivin]

8. Obama will roll out a more vigorous War on Drugs

I'd love to be proven wrong, but I also suspect he'll try to show he's "tough on crime" by talking down this bill.

Let's contrast his words and actions when this bill is introduced with his words and actions when other, much worse bills were introduced.