H.R. 5843 would eliminate most Federal penalties for possession of marijuana for personal use.
Detailed Summary
Act to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults - Prohibits the imposition of any penalty under an Act of Congress for the possession of marijuana for personal use or for the not-for-profit transfer between adults of marijuana for personal use.
Deems the possession of 100 grams or less of marijuana as personal use (one ounce or less for a not-for-profit transfer between adults).
Allows the imposition of a civil penalty under the Controlled Substances Act for the public use of marijuana if such penalty does not exceed $100.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 4/28/2008: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Points in Favor
- States Rights: Allows states to decide if and how they wish to prosecute possessors of small quantities of Marijuana. By eliminating federal penalties for such possession, the Commerce Clause will no longer pre-empt state law with respect to low-level possession.
- Cost: Would reduce cost of federal law enforcement efforts that are disproportionate to the alleged cost of self-harm. Law enforcement resources should be used to prevent harm-to-others, not self-harm.
- Law Enforcement: Allows law enforcement to more thoroughly address activities that cause harm-to-others by relieving officers, agents, prosecutors, and judges of legal duty to enforce a law which has been enacted to prevent harm-to-self.
- Personal Liberties: Live and let live. The bill would allow states to determine whether people should be able to use marijuana in the privacy of their home. So long as the users aren't harming anyone, it is extremely offensive to brand them as criminals and force them to live in fear.
Points Against
- Action Required at State Level: The bill would divest the federal government of authority to prosecute low-level possession, but state laws would still need to be changed for responsible users to be protected, except potentially in Alaska.
Visitor Comments
John
It's about time, pot is now the nations #1 cash crop.
Did we learn nothing from alcohol prohibition? Legalize and put the 100+ billion pot industry into our economy and tax revenue, not organized crime.
Tax and control like alcohol and it'll be harder for kids to get, as right now they buy it at any school in the country.
Will
Its about time someone stepped up to the plate. It needs to be done. Just think about the thousands (maybe millions) of tax dollars that each state could make off taxing marijuana.
Johnny
This should have happened a long time ago. We need to realize that this can only improve economy and the youth.
Emma
Legalizing marijuana will have many positive effects on the nation's economy and will finally free space in our nation's prisons. People accused of possessing, distributing, or using marijuana are NOT criminals by any means.
Erik
Im all for the legalization of pot, but does anybody really think this could happen?
Lagoon
End the war against our family and friends.
Shaun
How do we support this bill? Who do we write to? I think it's long overdue, the last vestiges of the age of Temperance and the social class fearmongering of Reefer Madness. Reefer causing rape IS madness.
Shelley Marie
Yes, yes, yes. It's about time. End the war on marijuana!
Jake
I believe that we should learn from the past. Look to the Prohibition and see how organized crime became rampant in the United States. This is a big leap forward for the US economy.
Andrew
Legalize it! Go here to send a message to your state rep!
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=11280301&type=CO
Terry
Yes e-mail or call your congressman immediately and tell them to support H.R. 5843!
I AM NOT A CRIMINAL
Mikey
Also Terry, tell everyone you know, friends, family. I am thinking about writing Support H.R. 5843 on my car window with those marker things. One Love~!
loonidood
This would have a tremendous effect on the workforce, with millions of people suddenly free to work for utilities, factories, and all the other jobs that require drug tests as a sorting-out of a big percentage of the population.
wingtip
prison guard's union;
has become a major player in California politics. Its political influence has grown to the point that it is widely considered to be one of the most powerful political forces in Sacramento.
Have you ever wondered why California's prison population grew from 23,264 in 1980 to 180,846 in July 2000? What has driven the growth of the prison system in California over the past two decades is the 25-fold increase in the number of drug offenders sentenced to prison.California now has the highest rate of drug offender incarcerations in the nation .....
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature approved a $7.4 billion bond measure last April to provide 53,000 new prison and county jail beds
U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson ruled in 2006 that the $1.1 billion medical care system in California's 33 prisons was "broken beyond repair," ......
Against and Anonymous
You must be kidding me - So far I can't see anything helpful about alcohol and weed or drug usage OF ANY KIND - I I did my best to use them all!! Look at any crime - guns involved, domestic abuse - almost all crime is 'under the influence' -
I think alcohol is SUPER deadly; let alone pot - so you get no + vote from me. I know what you think re: taxes etc - it all sounds great on paper - but it stills opens the door to ALLOW and condone the usage of it all.
Why do we need any of it???? Ever think about that? Why can't we seem to 'feel' life rather than numb ourselves from living a REAL life - an authentic life. Oh and by the way? Think about how many BAD decisions you've made (young and old) under the influence of both these things. AND GUESS HOW PAYS FOR THAT???
Idiots everywhere.
Maybe stop and think about getting through a DAY WITHOUT - hmmmmmmm there's a thought.
Against Against and Anonymous
Almost all crime is not under the influence. You obviously know nothing about what you speak. Drug crimes are committed because of the black market drugs create. Eliminate the black market, eliminate the crime. I'd love to see whatever stat you can produce about crimes committed on marijuana - because you can't produce one, it doesn't exist. I had to read your incoherent junk twice to figure out that you were against - because the amongst the arguments you make are the best for legalization & taxation. Please, educate yourself.
john
I am in favor of this bill. But I do disagree that there will be a significant amount of tax dollars on this 'product.' It is not like alcohol or tobacco because it is very easy to grow your own (i.e. tax free).
to Against and Anonymous
it's about people being free to make their own choices and have their own experiences.
People like you would keep EVERYONE from doing ANYTHING that YOU feel is NOT GOOD.
Just because it may become legal, does NOT mean you have to use it or like it or not fight against it. You can continue to be a highly regulated, government shill while I'm not...
Dave
Legalization of possession gets some benefits (reduces costs), but to really make a difference you should also legalize its sale, and tax it to get some revenue (and thus reduce other taxes).
Justin
Write your congressman. Reasonable change starts with you.
Jason
It's about time we citizens do something to support our representatives who bring forth these types of things. There's no need for the government to regulate personal responsibility. There's no need for our government to punish and jail people for personal drug use.
Repression
People may not like marijuana use, or think its unhealthy. Sh*t, I love the stuff and I worry about it sometimes. What you have to understand, Against and Anonymous, is the cost of repressing these things in society. As with psychological repression, social repression doesn't actually stop the behavior in question, it just sends it underground, to come out in far more harmful and twisted ways. And what happens when we repress our society's desire for drugs? It becomes a war on the poor, a war on the cancer patients, a war on our children, and nobody benefits. It was always far harder to get alcohol in high school than it was to get marijuana.
john is dumb
tobacco is easly grown also, you dont see people doing much of that in their back yards. people are lazy if you sell packs of joints at the store most people would just do that. becides you would have to have more than a few plants in your closet to stay stoned for any period of time, not to mention the time it takes to grow the things.
Doug
@ Against Against and Anonymous:
Do you ever go to a nice restaurant? Do you drive a car that is any bigger that the absolute minimum? I don't cast aspersions on the way you relax and enjoy life, please don't get on your high horse and do it to me.
Before you go to the old argument that my usage kills other people...no one is saying to legalize DUI. And violence associated with drugs is a side effect of the black market.
The angry economist
http://youtube.com/watch?v=22dX74hgTiw
my contribution to the legality of marijuana
Sheila
No new taxes....please.
Say yes to HR 5843 just to be right for a change.....the country of freedom is starting to look like a concentration camp.
Ian
I can sympathize with people who are afraid of social costs of legalization. I assure you the social costs of the war on drugs are worse. First, keep in mind this is only regarding personal use of marijuana. This is not distribution and it is not the more serious drugs that are actually involved in violent crime. There is no reason to lock up nonviolent marijuana offenders or to put a black mark on their employment record keeping them from gaining education or employment in the future. As Jimmy Carter said, "Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself."
Dennis
I disagree with you John. There are many reasons for government regulation and control of a relatively harmless recreational drug like marijuana. One main reason is the measured quality of the product. I personally would rather pick up a five-pack of special "swisher sweets" at the liquor store, than mess with fertilizer, watering, curing, rolling, etc... Although there will be a few enthusiasists who prefer to grow their own, most people would prefer to just buy it rolled and ready to go. The "convenience" under a regulated market in the consumer driven US would supercede thoughts of home grown hassle. The market exists for regulated distribution of marijuana, as evidenced by the unregulated distribution of marijuana. Think about it.
Dirk Diggler
i don't think these kats use marijuana responsibly http://digitalfuntown.squarespace.com/dft-blog/2008/3/4/the-nuttcups-series...
anonymous advocate
Pot should be legalized, but regulated like tobacco and alcohol. If people are educated on the effects of pot, then we'd be in a much better situation than we are now. Due to the "illegal" nature of the plant, you don't get much education about it aside from the typical "Just say no" mantra. There are countless numbers of people in the world who smoke pot and still live productive (and pleasant) lives. It should really be a matter of choice whether someone wants to use it or not.
BOSS
i hope everyone realizes that this is to remove federal penalties. states will still have the restrictions in place. so, while this is an important step, it's nothing more than a nudge in the right direction. hopefully it'll find away to get tacked on to a bill that's more likely to get passed.
Richard
Legalize it. Tax it. Put the billions of dollars into our economy instead of letting illegal growers and importers from Mexico get it. It's been proven time and again that Marijuana is far less harmful than alcohol and a total waste of time for our police. So quit the ridiculous political posturing and legalize it.
Joe
It's about time.
Dennis
BOSS. You forget that "The People" have a lot more political clout at the State level than they do at the Federal level. Practical grass roots movement can easily sway a state legislature.
Will
All the other good agruments aside...
Regulating what people can and cannot put in their bodies is unconstitutional! Any real patriot should respect the freedom endowed to us by our founding fathers.
Fred
There are a great many hurdles to overcome before the ruling class finally see reality. The alcohol and prescription drug companies don't want to see legal pot as that would cut WAY into their profits. They pay the lobbyists, fund campaigns, and the rest of us in America don't. Who do you think the law makers will listen to?
Sad, but true.
Keri
A lot of people use marijuana for reason other than just getting high. My father suffers from an inexplicable tremor. He can't even write his own name. Doctors have been unable to determine the cause, though, so without a diagnosis he cannot use marijuana medicinally, not that he could in our state anyway. It does stop the tremors, and he doesn't deserve to be treated like a criminal.
Seriously
how have I impeded on anyone elses rights by enjoying a herb? why do people still think that marijuana is so harmful, even though it was made illegal without even studying it? I'm not bothering anyone by playing video games and listening to music under the influence of marijuana. I don't drive high. so why does society think I owe it something when I enjoy something by myself? Prisons have turned into a slave trade. Privately owned prisons make more money when they have more people incarcerated. the american people are better than this. live stoned.
Tom
A good way to collect tax revenue on home growers is to require a license to grow it. Charge per plant, simple enough. I'd gladly pay.
We have too many no violent people in prison right now because of our draconian drug laws. What is wrong with someone who wants to grow a plant in the privacy of their own home and partake in the privacy of their own home? Nothing.
We make such a big deal about drinking and driving, but still there are parking lots in front of bars...think about that one for a moment.
What we do in the privacy of our own homes is no ones business but our own.
a1
I'm against legalization. I'm for decriminalization to a certain extent. Get it however you can get it. Do it in the privacy of your home. Don't get caught with it or under the influence of it unless for some insane reason you WANT to be penalized.
Shell
2.5 million people in jail in this Country and about half for marijuana at a cost of about 1 billion per year to taxpayers. How about that for a reason to legalize it.
Bob/Paul
John: Read the detailed summary... "This bill will not affect federal laws prohibiting the sale of Marijuana for profit, nor the import, export and cultivation of Marijuana. It will also not alter the legal status of Marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug according to the Controlled Substances Act."
If sale for profit, import, and export are all still illegal, than I have a feeling they won't be able to tax it, either. How can you tax that which can't be sold?
Alicia Mariah
It's already been said. The money that one could make off of legalizing marijuana is reason enough alone.
Lets do it
Always was told it was bad bad bad. So I thought it was bad bad bad. Then I met quite a few good people who use marijuana. Every one of them have proven to be responsible adults. I have no further reason to think its bad bad bad... lets do it
G
This should happen how can we help get this passed?
xkey
Wake up sheeple!
Daniel Fulenwider
Finally two congressman that have enough balls to stand up to the mainstream and their closed-minded propaganda. Please support this bill and tell everyone you know too as well.
Freedom LOVER
Contacting you congressmen is the best thing you can do. You had the time to read my comment, you have the time to contact him/her. DO IT NOW!
Hate the smell
I'm all up for passing this act. However, to all the smokers, PLEASE stay the HELL away from me if you reek of the stuff. It's freaking gross having to sit next to a person who just smoked it or even have the smell of it on your hand when someone who just smoked touches your stuff.
Smitty
Here’s what you can do to help move this legislation along…
Contact your House representative:
https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml
Contact the Speaker of the House – Nancy Pelosi:
http://www.speaker.gov/
Contact the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee – John Conyers:
http://judiciary.house.gov/contact.aspx
Contact Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee – John Dingle
http://energycommerce.house.gov/membios/contact_form.shtml
Email all your friends and ask them to do the same thing. Use the tools on this site.
The Cenobyte
Legalize it. All making something illegal does it make more crime. Nothing should ever be illegal unless you can see direct effect on someone else. Smoking, drinking, drugging, no seatbelt. Whatever... Become a libritarian, take back your liberty.
chris
i want can has weezburgerz?
Jim
Good luck! The marijuana laws result in the employment of lots of people from arrest, prosecution, incarceration or rehab, and so on. How is that segment of the economy going to agree to stop that income stream and become unemployed? Wish it would be legalized/de-criminalized, but reason and facts are not the issue.
Steppenwoof
I contected by email my congresswoman (a republican) about this bi-partisan bill, to get her to co-sponser it. She claimed that no such legislation existed. The moron.
bobbydee
The bill won't pass this time through, but it will allow us to determine which reps, who live in contestable districts (either general or primary) oppose/favor it. That will allow us to focus our resources on electing/tossing-out those reps. I would be willing to relocate in order to establish residency anywhere in the US to help get reasonable reps in office. I am also willing to purchase a home and take on as many roomates as local law allows so that they can establish residency.
The Millenial Generation is now larger than the Baby Boomers. And the so-called Greatest Generation is moving on to the next life. Demographic shift (Millenials increasingly attaining voting age status) and new tools for organizing (the internet) will allow us to succeed within the next decade.
Mr. Sensible
Hemp should definitely be legalized. The word 'marijuana' was invented to make hemp sound more foreign and to aid the agenda of those who conspired to make it's cultivation and use illegal. Since then, the drug war has done nothing but ruin many people's lives by turning them into criminals and incarcerating them simply because they prefer to smoke a little weed on the weekends rather than getting hammered in some bar then sliding behind the wheel for the trip home. Anyone who disagrees that hemp should be made legal is either an idiot who refuses to see the truth or a cop who makes his living from forfeitures.
Sign me,
A P.H.D. from Missouri
Barb Marshall
Marijuana does NOT make you violent.
If anyone says they know someone who smoked weed then committed a violent crime, they should look more closely at what was smoke and inquire as to what other drugs might have been taken as well. Pot makes the user passive. That is a fact. As with any drug there may be a few whom have the opposite effect, As with Benadryl an antihistamine sold over the counter. This can be said of almost any drug in your local pharmacy.I am against the government telling me what I can or can not put into my body.Then using my tax dollars to impose the law that I don't support. I can think of much more urgent need of my tax dollars. I want the government to STOP wasting my money.Everyone reading this needs to know how their local congressmen feels about this subject. If they don't agree with your beliefs then get them voted out of office.
shady8x
Nearly 3 out of 4 Americans support a fine-only (no jail) for recreational smokers.
Its about time that politicians listened to the people they claim to represent!!!
Mario
About time. All for it!
KT
This only eliminates federal penalties. Aren't most people who are arrested/convicted/incarcerated for marijuana use penalized under state law?
bobbydee
KT,
Yes, but if a state legalizes low level possession, then federal law enforcement officials can still prosecute individuals. This bill would allow states to decide. This is certainly a marathon, not a sprint, but we ought to get running by taking the first step.
College Student
It seems the further west one travels, the more likely it is to encounter a state that has legalized Marijuana use. Now it seems that a person is more likely to get in trouble with the feds than with local police for drug use. In my state, if you have less than an ounce (no matter the quality) it's a $100 fine. However, people previously incarcerated remain in jail (we don't want to look soft on crime).
While smoking is a different experience for all people, and like alcohol there is no reason to do it continuously all day, everyday... My friends and I smoke nearly every day, usually just once and only casually. We all maintain above a 3.6 at one of the hardest universities in the state.
Put simply, "Dope" doesn't always make you dumb, and usage should be at the discretion of the people.
Elizebeth
oh good. It is such a peaceful harmless drug compared to alchohol.
i vote no
damn stoners using up the worlds supply of lighters, snack cakes, and glass.
Travis
heres a few other reasons why to legalize it . First of all and most productive if u ask me is it can replace paper , and its so easy to grow you don't need to cut new forest down to make more. cooking oils and food. clothing . even car fuels . the list go's on and is expanding ever more as research is being allowed more and more nowadays. so maybe the reason the government doesn't want it legalized . is because it will stop allot of money they make on many other products and industry's/company's. not to mention it might bring upon a more peaceful planet and in my opinion they don't want that either.
Kevin
I believe many Americans are opposed to legalization of marijuana because they have been immersed in the "war on drugs" for almost 30 years now. Propaganda like "just say no", "gateway drug", "drugs are bad, mkay" have brainwashed the American people into thinking that marijuana is one of the most harmful substances in existence.
I don't smoke weed, I've never even touched marijuana! but I can clearly see the cost on our economy that the war on drugs has. I can clearly see that marijuana is no more dangerous or harmful than cigarettes or alcohol (and is probably less dangerous than those legal drugs). And finally, I can clearly see that marijuana is making 'criminals' out of normal people every day.
Legalize it (write to your reps!)
John Sullivan
Yeah I have been to jail like 10 times for a dime bag,thats pretty stupid on my part yeah but how much money was wasted.420 style check out my blog homies
http://potpolitics.com
willnavidson
If you read the bill, you'll notice that this is supported by none other than Ron Paul :)
Tyestick
It really boils down to this..Your Personal Liberty To Choose.
Liberty to "Just Say No"
Liberty to live your life as you want
If it dont Infringe on your personal Liberty then why would you be bias and Infringe open my Liberties?
Feel free not to smoke it.
Its real simple cause I'll only ask once if you want to smoke with me.
Its not a big deal if you dont.
See, Thats respecting your rights.
Doug
... and among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness...
Dave
Please legalize and end this madness. For a country that calls itself "the land of the free" America locks up and criminalizes alot of free people. America and the UN are running the modern incarnation of the Inquisition. It's time to end this insanity before it is carried to its logical conclusion and becomes something much worse.
pissinguparope
People in British Columbia would love to see this pass, since the bud from here has been keeping alot of you potheads stoned since the late 60's
Tommy2
Legalize it and the kids will actually smoke it less.
harry
Cannabis users will always be criminals in this country. Deal with it.
Cokehead
Legalize cocaine too while you're at it.
Kenny
Seriously, this criminalization of such a harmless thing has got to stop.
A frequent user
I smoke cannabis regularly, but have recently stopped for a month to pass a drug test for an upcoming job. Partial legalization like this in the U.S. will help make it possible for the same thing to happen for us here in Canada. Weed is not addictive, it will not take over your life and you do not (in any respects) feel like committing crimes when you are high. You feel like sitting on your couch and watching cartoons or the discovery channel. Who the hell is harmed by that? I don't go to work stoned, I don't go to school stoned. I get stoned at home and I am not hurting anyone. So friends, legalize it!
@ harry
Some of the smartest people in the world where/are cannabis users and a few where even president of the united states. Racists and bigots are criminals. the lack of knowledge that people have on cannabis causes much more harm then cannabis users do. do some homework
Anon
A wiki requiring login is stupid. If I didn't have to log in I would have fixed the "non for profit" thing.
@ i vote no
its a good thing there are people out there like you just to show how stupid some people can be. I'm glad you say no, because you sir, are an idiot and frankly i don't want you on our side if your just going to be saying stupid sh*t all the time.
Arpafa
Anyone who honestly thinks that marijuana even comes CLOSE to being as harmful as alcohol has absolutely no idea what he or she is talking about.
NONE.
Curt
This bill is a step in the right direction but it does not go far enough. Sales would still be criminalized. As far as I'm concerned we need a constitutional amendment that congress shall pass no law infringing on what a person does at home when it does not interfere with the rights of another citizen.
THE DUDE
It is a failure of our system that in a time like this, we continue to arrest, prosecute & jail users of a drug that has had no recorded deaths; while alcohol takes the lives of thousands every year. Stop jailing and making criminals out of normal people like me, and my parents and everyone i know in LA
J
I cant say anything more than, what John said. It's about time.
Jonathan
While, I am not an advocate for pot. I do believe that legalization is good way to make revenue than take money away from tax payers. The United States currently has the largest prison population in the world most due to minor felonies AKA drugs. If we were to remove such penalties and we could save billions of dollars in tax money and make capital on taxing the product for those who wish to partake. I also believe that it would lessen crime due to the fact that most gang activity is funded by drug running. You have to think of it like prohibition times. Do you see organized crime today because of alcohol?
DJD
Sadly, although it makes complete sense to change this outdated law, it is far easier for all these folks (probably born before 1970) to simply let things stay the way they are and not accept something like this. Once they are replaced with the next 'generation' of government officials who don't really remember owning a black/white only television.
Cathy
Bravo!! Its about we took a step forward. Its a baby step but thats OK. If marajuana was regulated like tobacco and alcohol we could put all that (illegal) money back into our hurting economy. Again, BRAVO!!
Ymeg
This should not be regarded as a health problem; that is not the government's concern.
This should be regarded as a question of liberty. You mind is like a nation that you control. You have the right to do whatever you like to that nation--as long as you don't hurt others.
Kat
I can't believe we are such a weak people that we find it so hard to stand up to the powers that be that we can't seem to come to a sane way of dealing with such a peaceful dilemma. Almost everyone I know smokes. From Dr.s to lawyers to judges to cops and the list is endless. Isn't it about time we toughen up and speak the truth about a beneficial herb that keeps many people from becoming the nuts they would be if they didn't utilize the calming effects of pot?
Corey
Two facts about America.
1) America has the highest percentage of its population in prison in the WORLD.
2) A majority (greater than 50%) of those people in jail have drug related sentence.
Its about time we try to fix this.
Dan
Everything's so damn backwards concerning American drug policy. This will not pass; I'm guessing 2015 at least before anything changes.
Joe
Look at all these people for this bill...it's crazy how this many people are for it, if anyone takes anything out of this comment section is that not everyone in America thinks marijuana is bad.
DANieL
"Make the most you can of the Indian Hemp seed and sow it everywhere."
-President George Washington, 1794
About time.
Derek
Haha I doubt this will happen but I'm really hoping for it...I'm 19 and have been smoking for three years. The ONLY time I've ever been in trouble with the law was for possesion...that and underage drinking but yeah it was all at the same time..And I mean ONLY time I've never even got a parking or speeding ticket...But luckily i was found not guilty in court..thank god. But yeah write a automated letter to your states representative here
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=11280301&type=CO
Good day,
Britt
Hopefully this can lead to more hemp products that can save our economy. We can have cheaper paper products, material, and a new alternative fuel source. What an amazing plant!
Anonymous
An excellent proposal, but may I ask what is the cutoff age for "Responsible adults?"
Billy
I don't smoke weed, and haven't since high school, and I totally support this bill. States' rights! There will be states that ban it and states that legalize it.
Also, when are we going to address the invasion of privacy involved when a company can choose to not hire you or fire you based on something you do on the weekend if it in no way effects your work performance? If you take a vacation to Amsterdam on Saturday, and are drug tested at work a week later, and fail, they can fire you or force you into rehab! But the drunk who gets plastered every night has no evidence in his piss when he gets to work the next day so that's fine?
Sean
We can't forget.
Our founding fathers who wrote the constitution giving us rights, smoked more or less grew pot (George Washington), why oppose something they think is right?
No one is hurting anyone doing this. IT expands the mind and thought process. I have been exposed and realized soo much while under the influence of pot. No one on the drug is harming anyone. And before you oppose this more, I garuntee you 9/10 people that prepare your food at a food service industry, do or have smoked pot in the last 72 hours. So before you piss them off, think about making it a bit easier for them, and maybe they get your order wrong on purpose for pushing something they do for leisure away.
jd
marijuana should not be a criminal issue if anything it is more of a health issue but is still alot less harmful than alcohol and tobacco which are legal for peope over 21 and 18 which marijuana should be just like tobacco at 18+
cmoore
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE LEGALIZE IT ALREADY :)
Damon
Stop the war on our citizens.
Anon
Alcohol is more dangerous than marijuana is.
The above poster who related to this cocaine is very much off base. A lot of the problem surrounding marijuana and its legalization arises from being uneducated.
Marijuana is never going to go away and it is important to realize that at this point legalization is the best solution.
All of the money which goes into drug dealers/large smuggling circles hands can go to the government for help with (hopefully someday) national health care, our crappy education system, supporting libraries, and police, firefighters, etc etc...
Instead of going into tax evasive dealers hands and even ultimately to other countries.
I am not sure how anyone could see this money going to the American government as bad. Marijuana use will continue to happen -- you might as well have a better social environment from it. The only thing that will change ultimately is better social services for everyone.
Wesley
This is a great bill. We need to stop arresting responsible adults who choose to use cannabis in their own homes. Some adults like to use cannabis over alcohol that does not constitute labeling them as criminals.
Why it won't, but I want it to
I don't if this has been said, but look at who funds a lot of our officials, oil companies, pharmaceutical companies, steel industry, and on and on..... These industries will take a huge drop in profit if marijuana was ever legalized. Hemp can be used as a renewable energy soruce, Hemp makes better paper, Marijuana can be used in stead of asprin, and again on and on...
These industries have the power (and by power i mean money) to influence who gets in office. I love smoking pot. I agree with most things said on here in support of it. We are rather passionate about this. Cut down some smoking and donate to NORML so we can see results
The Golden Rule
"He who has the gold, makes the Rule"
shanicee
if this bill pass's i think that would be great, for me personally but for all the pot smokers out there, and there is A LOT of em!
jake from AVL
overdue
Dan
I wish this would pass...so many innocent peaceful pot smokers being thrown in jail for nothing. We could use this tax money to get this country out of debt and to jump start our slowing economy
Paul
If you truly want this to go forward, then immediately contact your congressman and senator. Voice your support, and make sure they know that pot is not an addictive substance and that pot could be America's #1 cash crop!
@ Billy
Companies have an absolute right to discriminate against who they hire based on their weekend activities or drug use. They have the prerogative to select the best of the best as employees and at the present time, I don't think any employer would want an employee who had a chance of being arrested because he got caught with weed on the weekend..that would reflect on the company.
Odinsyeti
Just in case you missed Smitty's post above, please go back and find it. He has the key to this success.
Do the same things he suggests at the state level starting NOW! Even if the federal law doesn't pass right away, this is the first time I know that the Fed has even come close to this in many years.
If at first it doesn't succeed, continue to e-mail. Remember that their JOBS not their MONEY count on us voting for them.
They want their jobs so they can CONTINUE to have money and power (it feels really good apparently)
We are their managers! Tell them to stop burning the French fries or they'll be fired!
Nate
70 years overdue.
Astre
I think it's ridiculous that anyone have any laws against nature, i.e. marijuana, mushrooms containing psylocibin. Salvia might be next on the list. No one is going to want to drive a vehicle inebriated... Like people say, it WILL be good for the economy, and all these people aren't criminals. They're only criminals because the gov. made it illegal, they aren't bad people at all.
support
Land of the free is a catch fraise that only the rich are allowed. The criminalization of marijuana was a racist law only put in place to attempt to control people. The brain washing of America to believe something is dangerous when no proof can be shown leads the “Americans are smarter than that” argument fall flat on its face. America is paying for and will continue to pay for the mistakes of power grabbing elite until the country fall’s apart. Legalization will not fix the mistakes of the past but may finally remind people that the government LIES to the people to control them. I have heard just say no my entire life and have yet to hear what the danger is. I’m still waiting for that answer.
@ @ billy
That's not true. You are in fact saying you are your job and your job is you. What you do off time is the same as what you do on time at a job. By saying "Companies have an absolute right to discriminate against who they hire based on their weekend activities or drug use." I'm sure most companies can find people with in it's own current structure that partake in drugs, alcohol (which is MUCH worse for you than Marijuana as you can DIE from it). Then from there it's a slippery slope of "Well we here at [company x] don't agree with homosexuality and because you are gay we can not hire you into this company" When you aren't at work and not being paid guess what? You are on YOUR time, your time to do whatever you want. And in all actuality 'work time' is still your time, you choose to work at [company z]. Saying companies shouldn't hire you because of your personal activities is the same as shoving their morals down your throat.
Natedawg
I totally support this measure. I also think it is kind of tongue in cheek because although it will be legal to have a certain amount, it is still illegal to buy it. So every time I go to get weed, my dealer will have to "give" me the weed if a cop asks, and obviously no one is ever gonna "give" me weed so the cop can automatically assume that I bought it, thereby committing a crime.
Knight of the Cannabis Crusade
Make your voices heard! Legalize it!
Mike Anderson
The polls show that the people want this passed but my question is why will it not get passed?
for real
Legalization and taxation are good.
What the opponents of legalizing pot say is that it breeds "criminals". Have they ever seen anyone smoked up before? The most criminal thing someone who smokes weed does is eat the whole bag of doritos and giggle about it.
Educate yourself
I suggest all of those opposed to this bill consider taking a look at economies where the legalization of marijuana is a very real thing. Get back to us when youve come to a rational decision.
Listen to Smitty
Smitty -
Here’s what you can do to help move this legislation along…
Contact your House representative:
https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml
Contact the Speaker of the House – Nancy Pelosi:
http://www.speaker.gov/
Contact the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee – John Conyers:
http://judiciary.house.gov/contact.aspx
Contact Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee – John Dingle
http://energycommerce.house.gov/membios/contact_form.shtml
Email all your friends and ask them to do the same thing. Use the tools on this site.
Tyler
Start using hemp. It will end our dependency on china. It was the number one cash crop in the past. It is more durable than cotton as a fabric and can be made into basically anything. It can grow under harsher conditions, also. As for marijuana, why should someone in a free country be told what they can and cant do if as they are causing no harm to others or others property?
!!!!
The argument against legalization that goes: the taxation will suffer because its so easy to grow, is preposterous. First of all, marijuana is not easy to grow, it takes patience, ALOT of money, and its really easy to screw up. Secondly, you could use that argument for alcohol as well... We COULD brew our own beer and alcohol, but the professionals can do it much better. The same can be said about marijuana, yes you can grow it, but by leaving it to the government, they can use much better lights, nutrients, get stronger strains, and it will be MUCH cheaper, faster, more efficent.
I am all about the legalization of marijuana, I sincerely hope it happens sometime during my lifetime.
Matt
Although I support this bill and I very much hope it is passed, I am concerned it will not pass with the current text stating that up to 100 grams is for personal use. Anybody with a basic knowledge of marijuana use knows that nobody with 3.5 ounces on them is carrying it for "personal use" and I am afraid the house will see this the same way.
Anderson
it's not going to happen. as long as it gets you high, there isn't even a remote chance of this bill passing. don't get me wrong, im a frequent user, and i love the plant but i know it's not going to happen.
just eat edibles!
!!!!
The reason why marijuana wont be legalized is because its NOT an addictive substance, thus cannot be monopolized. Our government wants nothing to do with it.
marijuana
i would like to add that, contrary to what most people expect, people DO go to work or school under the influence. it happens everywhere. maybe its illegal not because its harmful but because itll make everyone in the nation super lazy.
reducing the punishment to something like a pay-off ticket is acceptable, but misdemeanor and sometimes jail time is too much.
but then again, what are the chances?
Kennedy
Cannabis in general could be the shot in the arm that this economy needs.
The benefits of renewable oil and cellulose-based materials from the non-psychoactive strains could help offset the tragic avalanche of lives, funds, and our food supply, i.e., soldiers, military spending, and corn-based ethanol.
Pair the benefits with some of the mind-expanding qualities of the "drug", and we might be able to push past this 8-year nightmare.
baller
its a harmless substance that is not linked in any way to any other drugs- do some other drugs and you'll know this. pot should be legal for all our brothers and sisters to grow for ourselves tax free, because it is our right. don't you think owning a gun is more dangerous- you can actually kill someone with a gun. why does it even need to be an issue anymore? why does anyone care? if we all do it why cant we just band together and get this done so that we can stop paying petty tickets.if you don't like pot then don't do it, but don't make it an issue about the money, the only reason that it is not legal is because the government cannot find a good way of taxing it to make more revenue than by keeping it illegal because people can grow their own. in essence its only still illegal because uncle sam cant come up with a way to make more money off it than now. jah rastafari.
Agree but will it happen?
Politicians are the ones who have to vote for this, and let's face it. They don't really care about facts. They don't want this to run around their next campaign on commercials... "Senator Blah voted to let drugs stay on our streets!" I mean, they'll spin this however they want. I don't smoke pot, I don't drink, I don't smoke cigs or do any kind of drugs whatsoever. However, I'm for legalization of pot because I'm for personal freedom, honestly, and pot is the least likely to cause real problems. Debate as much as you like, but reefer mania is BS.
To: john is dumb
Actually, when you compare the cultivation of pot versus tobacco, pot is way easier. Tobacco takes a very long time to grow to a full size then another long period of drying. Compared to pot, the easiest plant to grow there is.
Evan
@Matt
Some people have 100g for personal use. Those people have a lot of friends or a lot of books.
RevRayGreen
RESCHEDULE RELEGALIZE END INCARCERATION GLOBAL MARIJUANA MARCH 2008 MAY 3 - OVER 200+cities WORLDWIDE !!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ofEqvUQnWs
Lets see
I was recently invited to the Phi Theta Kappa honors society for keeping up a GPA of over 3.8 during my senior year of high school and freshman year of college (which I am currently in).
I have recieved multiple honors and excellence awards, and received scholarships amounting over $20,000 for colleges.
I own my own business, I am my own boss.
Yet, those hilarious "Above the Influence" and "Truth" campaigns outline me as someone who cannot make their own decisions in life, ranging from their looks to who they are as a person. Apparently, if you smoke mariajuana, your life goes down the drain, your car explodes, and you lose all your real friends.
End the bullsh*t. Legalize it.
Troy Paulekas
Legalize!
Decriminalization
This bill decriminalizes marijuana on the Federal level only. Its by no stretch of the imagination "legalization". Hopefully its a step toward legalization though.
budz
legalize it
www.budzsack.com :D
Sean
Raiding the dispensaries and arresting medical users and growers is doing nothing but keeping the medicine away from people who are truly suffering and need cannabis.
Time for change is now.
Adam
I certainly hope the penalties are removed. I look forward to the day tat it's legal to use hemp and marijuana.
Mike
A step in the right direction.
Write your state rep / congressmen
Kurt
It's time to stop and be legal!
President Bush
Ive got your back guys, i toke, i just didnt want cheney to know
doug
This bill has my support.
End prohibition 2.
Matt
This is the first time in 24 years that this type of legislation has been brought forth in our Congress.
We as Americans, and all of mankind, have a right of Freedom to make choices, whether good or bad, as long as they do not infringe on those of others. America was built on the foundation of a Free Society. This bill is not to condone activities that are viewed as "bad" but more so give adults the FREEDOM to make their choice as long as they are not harming others in the process.
Stand up for our rights as Americans. Stand up for America, and the principles of FREE SOCIETY. Take our country back. SPEAK UP!
"criminalizing choices that adults make because we think they are unwise ones, when the choices involved have no negative effect on the rights of others, is not appropriate in a free society."
-Barney Frank, Congressman, 4th District, Massachusetts.
SPEAK UP and BE HEARD!
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=11280301&type=CO
Stan
It will fail, guaranteed, nice "feel good" legislation, but it would probably be political suicide to vote for it.
Keaton
The pass of this bill will, in the long run, decrease crime and will lower taxes. It will stop from the building of new prisons and the money to keep them fed and sheltered. Only positive things can come from the passage of this bill.
Raintree
Ron Paul is a hero to this country and it's too bad he's loosing out to that senile McCain. Barak Obama will do wonders though! he wants to decriminalize marijuana too. Alcohol is far worse for you and worse for those around you than Pot will ever be!! Those against this bill have no idea what they are talking about.
RevRayGreen
political suicide for who ?
I want more candidates running under the platform of cannabis law reform.
progress, progress, yes
seriously. we're living in progressive times, lets make some progress happen. it will be good for all.
Wingo
Personally I don't smoke pot anymore, my own choice. The penalties for smoking weed are grossly exaggerated. Yes, legalize the stuff and get the tax dollars, it will generate billions for the USA.
Jasper
For those who think passing this bill would mean the gov't advocates or condones the usage of cannabis: Look at alcohol and nicotine, they are legal yet the government does not condone or advocate their usage and in fact there is a large number of people on both sides of the issue for or against their usage.
The real reason its not legal or decriminalized: Not enough people have stood up and said
"THIS IS STUPID!!
I WANT CANNABIS HEMP LEGAL!!!
FOR PRODUCTS;
FOR MEDICINE;
FOR FOOD;
FOR FUN;
FOR GOODNESS'S SAKE! ISN'T THAT WHAT LIFE'S ALL ABOUT ?!''
Educate yourselves, people. Another little bit of truth: The only ones against it are the ones relying on hearsay and widely accepted falsities! They haven't done THEIR research; do YOURS and try changing THEIR minds!
Do your part!
Let your voice be heard! E-mail your rep and tell him to support this. Send this to all your friends who feel the same way and tell them to do the same! Post this on the forums you visit to get the word out about this bill! We have to take a stand and the time is now!
joe snakes
yes so i just wrote my state rep thanks to the Andrew guy
raintree
You are guaranteed that the representative's office will read the letter if you FAX it. Don't email it, it'll get deleted like all the other white House emails!! FAX YOUR LETTER!!!
OG Kush
smoke me~
Tom E. Canavan
It is time to finally use reason when it comes to the marijuana laws. Tobacco and alcohol both kill. There are no two ways about that. Then why is a benign plant, which has never caused a death in recorded time,illegal,and its users turned into criminals? I don't care for alcohol or tobacco. I like to relax with a joint. What the hell is so wrong with that? Use your head.
Donald B Parsons
I tried to post yesterday but had trouble so I'm going to see how this morning goes before I type too much
Donald B Parsons
I have contacted all my reps and then some. through capwiz.org and many other sites. I have written to MANY including the President,all 3 of the Presidetial candidates and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi(D) Calif.
Donald B Parsons
While you are all writing to your reps. you can also ask them to support H.B.5842 which is a separate bill more along the decrim/medical side of the issue so for those that are not onboard with the legalization of 100 grams at least see if they support the sick and dying that I am HIDING behind (according to some prohibitionists.)
Donald B Parsons
I would be going,( and even got time off of work to go) to the Global March on May 3rd but with the price of gas, just don't know if I can justify the 200 mile round trip.
Donald B Parsons
I FEEL ALL ALONE!!!
Hellllloooooooooooooo......
I waited too long to post, everyone has moved on. My loss though, but I'll see some of you on other posts.....
Kevin Spears
Donald, I'm still here keeping up with this bill. I've wrote my local reps and I'm awaiting their reply. I've also e-mailed some of my friends and told them about it. It's silly to lock people up for smoking marijuana and it's time to end these failed policies. Heres to lobbying and hoping this bill passes. Kevin
Rini
Decriminalizing medicinal & recreational use of M is that users won't be supporting black market terrorists with their purchases. It will also curb pot producer's shady habit of lacing pot with more harmful drugs to get consumers addicted to an otherwise non-addictive substance. Power to the People!
beano
im writing from sunny south africa, have been reading a lot of all these comments and what strikes me is how 9 out of ten people are totally for legalising how is it that we are being held to ransom by a small minority? kinda like the masters of apartheid over the mass of my countrymen.... anyway i sure hope you guys get it right.. it seems as though your laws trickle down to become our reality.... to mall my peeps out there..KEEP THE FIRE BURNING...!!!!!
A frequent User
The Comments on this post are awesome! Its great to know that those of us who support this bill are not alone. and for the nay-sayers, take a look at the amount of deaths or hospitalizations caused by cannabis use (hint: there arent any) and take a look at the lethal dosage of cannabis (hint: they cant find one) and compare this to alcohol or even cigarettes. Time to open the eyes of the ignorant, make the facts apparent. LEGALIZE!
Qball
As long as it's regulated the same as alcohol, where if you are DUI or PI you are breaking the law, I wouldn't have a problem with legalizing it. I don't use it and never will because I don't like not being in control of my actions, but if someone is using in their own home, and ONLY in their home, not driving around or in public with it, then legalize it.
Patrick
I'm all in favor of the bill passing, but a lot of you are saying that distributors and users are not criminals. They are criminals. Right now, the drug is illegal, therefore any users/distributors are criminals. I use it, so I admit that I am a criminal.
anon.
I am a complete supporter of this bill, and for many reasons.
Whether or not I am a user is irrelevant. Making marijuana legal will not change the number of users at all. It will, however, make use safer because people will be able to safely buy it without the threat of it being laced with dangerous drugs. Making marijuana legal will also remove the "secrecy" there is in it's distribution and therefore decrease any possible violence over buying/selling.
It doesn't make sense to keep marijuana illegal. Alcohol is as a whole more dangerous than weed but is legal (and more widely abused). Alcohol ruins more lives than weed does and alcohol abusers have a far greater tendancy to show violence than marijuana users.
Cigarettes kill millions each year, yet they remain legal. When was the last time you heard anything about a marijuana related death?
I am behind the passing of this bill 100%
Matt
It really is time for this. It is simply quite unfair to be imprisoned for recreational marijuana use.
R. Stevens
Sorry to say. It will NEVER pass.
America is a pseudo-dictatorship run by large groups with vested interests in keeping this stuff very illegal.
Sadly - it WILL get defeated until America actually get's off it's TV/Wall-Mart hypnotized butt and re-structures it's current government into a form which represents it's citizens instead of it's businesses and governmental departments.
Wish it were true that this will come to pass!
*Heck even Canada/bis won't even lighten up on it's laws. In fact recently the conservative govt. in that country is pushing Bill C-26 to institute American like draconian punishments for growing a single plant.
Wish in one hand &*$% in the other - see which fills up first...
:(
the bandit
DARE TO HAVE A MIND OF YOUR OWN
Josh
Very good point Mr. R. Stevens.
With folks like Ron Paul and Author Barney Frank still fighting for what the people tell them they want I still have hope that word can be spread and eventually every American that has their head firmly planted up their a** (from too much TV and consuming too many products made in China) will take a more vested intrest in polotics and begin to pay more attention to how our country is being ran.
Legalization is FAR OFF but this bill and it's publicity may the first brick in the road.
Jeff
Write a letter. Support the bill.
Rich
To support!!:
call (202) 224-3121 to contact your US Representative and tell them you want them to vote on this bill!!!!!!!
Michael
Marihuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding.
Read it.
callen3028
Marijuana is the only thing that lets cancert patients on chemo eat. IF they eat, they at least live longer, their body is stronger, and they have a better shot at winning.
nate
You can't grow it, you can't sell it, you can't import it, but you can have it and smoke it...sounds pretty stupid to me. I don't know how this would possibly help the economy if we can't produce it and commercialize it. It will take some of the heat off of the stoner community, which is more than welcomed, but will only have a positive effect on the organized crime involved. If it's going to be legal, let us embrace our farming heritage, cultivate the land, and let the cannabis sprout forth from our fertile soil!!!
James
Good step in the right direction. Yes, I think pot is essentially harmless especially when compared to the legalized drugs (alcohol and ciggies)
However, I actually think ALL drugs should be legalized. I am simply echoing others comments when I point out that MOST crime is either directly or indirectly drug related. The people who use the addictive drugs, including nicotine, don't care how much it costs them, their family, or society.
Succinctly-make drugs legal, tax them, use the taxes to fight illegal drugs, fund drug rehab, and prosecute drug crimes. Stiffer penalties for illegal distribution and consumption esp. to minors and during pregnancy.
all in all more gov't money and less gov't hassle
Brother
Things do need to change, those with money...run the country. Ron Paul wants to change that. Get involved. Read. Money is power but so is knowledge, learn and make a difference. You have the power, you can change the World!
Sheep
I cant wait for the day that America legalizes pot then Britain might see the benefits and go for the same thing. We tried making it legal once before in a small part of london as a test, but I'm not sure what happened to it cause I've heard nothing about it since. That happened a few years back now too.
Ava
Legalization of marijuana means we'd be saving $42 billion and actually boosting our economy considerably. We'd be able to have better schools, healthcare, families would get more money back on tax returns. We would even be able to pay for $7 Billion for the annual increase in the State Children's Health Insurance Program
(that President Bush wants to veto-- but spends billions of $ on the war) AND have $35 billion left over. Legalization means we wouldn't have to cut down trees to make paper, we'd have hemp for stronger ropes and fabric, etc. And hemp seed oil for fuel!
Blake
Besides the many economic benefits of marijuana, it would help many people physically and mentally. I have always been baffled by the fact the marijuana is the only class 1 drug that is natural, and, if used in moderation, completely harmless. In fact, the increasing rate of lung cancer deaths due to tobacco is stunning, in comparison to marijuana's cancer deaths, none. Society has been stereotyping and making marijuana seem so horrible, well show me how. Now, I have come to realize upon its many amazing effects, marijuana is a cure for "hang-overs".
Alex
Haha. Look at all the hopeful stoners.
Alex
News caster: This just in! Legalization of marijuana causes American economy to skyrocket...however, the drop in productivity counters this and the economy is in a worse state than it was pre-legal marijuana."
The claims that Marijuana is better than alcohol and that the hemp seeds are new fuel source is as much propaganda as the claim that Marijuana kills.
Pot breeds a generation of blubbering idiots.
Dave
I'm not a big fan of pot(never did anything for me), but the prohibition
against marijuana is insane. Our courts and jails are filled with people who are guilty of selling a plant. Our tax money should be spent on better things.Legalize it, regulate it, tax it.
Pablo
Emma, I disagree, generally people who sell pot are criminals (you know, your "guy"), they provide the stones on which to step when moving up the drug chain, and regulating Marijuana sale legally would remove them from the system, then there would be no criminals who make more from selling less of something else. The people consuming MJ for personal and or pain relief would also no longer be branded criminals.
Vince
Something has to be done differently.
Just youtube, overcrowded jails and you will see. People stacked right on top of each other side by side.
Maybe a violent offender should live like this. NOT SOMEONE WHO SOLD A LITTLE MARIJUANA!
vince
Against and Anonymous
You must be kidding me - So far I can't see anything helpful about alcohol and weed or drug usage OF ANY KIND - I I did my best to use them all!! Look at any crime - guns involved, domestic abuse - almost all crime is 'under the influence' -
LOOK AT THE COMMENT AFTER THE ONE I COPIED. YOU CANT TELL THESE TWO ARE BEST BUDS, CAN YOU? I THINK THEY SHOULD TRY IT BEFORE THEY KNOCK IT. ON TOP OF THAT, LOOKS LIKE THEY WERE DRUNK WHEN THEY WROTE IT. THERE IS AT LEAST FOUR MISTAKES. WEED IS NOT NUMBING, ITS RELAXING. GET REAL PEOPLE!
Please Legalize for Medical Use
There are millions of people who suffer from chronic neuropathic pain for which there is no known cure.
Researchers at the University of California-Davis recently concluded a study that proves the effectiveness of medical marijuana for chronic neuropathic pain.
Please reschedule this drug and allow these millions of pain suffers to live a pain free life!
do it
as a teen it was easier to get weed then Alcohol i knew 6 dealers.
@ Alex
"The claims that Marijuana is better than alcohol and that the hemp seeds are new fuel source is as much propaganda as the claim that Marijuana kills." - Do your homework, hemp is an extremely productive crop for various things (paper and clothes are just a couple examples) and is leaps and bounds better for you than alcohol and there is no lethal amount compared to the relatively small amount of alcohol that needs to be consumed to die. Also..cannabis does not "breed a generation of blubbering idiots" I am not a chronic user but I know several PhD's and university professors that are. It does not make you stupid, it helps you unwind. Try a new method and think before you open your mouth or type something frankly retarded. Pardon my French, but you, Sir, are f**ked in the head.
Brother
Stupid people commit stupid crimes, the fact that a small percentage of them happen to also smoke cannabis is irrelevant. Martha Stuart went to prison, are we then to assume that all white females who do crafts and cook turkey's are criminals or are more likely to commit crimes. No friends, you can think whatever you want about cannabis, thats your right. But at least do some research into it, if not for us, do it for yourself. Unless you enjoy sounding very, very ignorant.
Martha Woodenbaker
This bill should pass.
sook
Something that I wrote on this subject.
http://www.pctechbytes.net/forums/showthread.php?t=15877
I have personal experience with this issue.
hiphen
the points in favour say it all.
GOD
ok guys, for real. STOP the bllsh*t. Leagalize it because i said so. I made the plant, and i made it smokable for a reason. If i didnt want you guys to get high, I wouldent have given you the means to.
Stop portraying my plants as sin and go get those meth labs. they are the real evil of the world.
@ @Alex
"Do your homework." Might want to take your own medicine. No, not pot. You are a prime example of the blubbering idiot that weed breeds.
owlvee
PLANT ONE DAILY...
Help spread the seeds!! Everyone plant their seeds outside in public places...
Enough of us smoke that pot could be everywhere soon..
Action
I love to see so many people supporting this legislation by posting approving comments. I hope people that take that kind of time, will also take the time to write their legislators to vote for this.
caitriona
i'm a regular smoker. i also have a full scholarship to my school, am on the dean's list, and still manage to hold down a part-time job. funny how when i was staunchly anti-drug i didn't do nearly as well in my academic, personal, or creative lives as i do now!
let's all get together and see to it that this senseless persecution of nonviolent citizens and wasting of valuable tax resources is put to a stop.
@ caitriona
Good for you! I am also a college going regular smoker who is at the top of my class. People need to stop stereotyping cannabis users as idiot's because we are not! idiots who happen to smoke weed are idiots, it has nothing to do with cannabis. Stupid people will make bad decisions whether or not they are high, they use drugs as an excuse for their stupidity when they only have themselves to blame. If you need to relax and you smoke a joint, you should not be branded a criminal or a "blubbering idiot", you are/should be free to do what you feel as long as you do not hurt others in the process. Knowledge is Power!
simon
Well, give us a life worth living and less tying our self belief into margins on spreadsheets and the pain won't be their to solve.
Adriana
I'm so glad that someone finally got it right. Typically, people who use Marijuana for recreational purposes pose no threat to society. Contrarily, at times in my city those whom distribute the substance are some scary people. Generally speaking, however, they're "chill."
Hopeful
there is no doubt in my mind that this bill would have a positive effect on the US economy as well as my lifestyle. For the record, there are 10000 bills introduced to Congress every year and I'd be surprised if this makes it to the floor, let alone ever passes.
Joanna
It's about time!! We need to make sure this bill gets to the floor and that others are made aware of this. Not only the use of smoking marijuana but the use of industrial hemp would be amazing for this country. There are soooo many uses for hemp it's criminal that we as a country do not take advantage of this increduble natural plant.
Justy
It will never happen due to all the federal jobs created out of having marijuana remain illegal. Lawyers, cops, prison guards, rehabilitation officers, etc... I believe it needs to be done, however.
Johny
God is up for being down with weed.
Also Against Against and Anonymous
Here are some real facts for anyone who thinks there MIGHT be some validity to this fools statements; he's uneducated and misinformed.
Legislation was originally passed for political, not rational, reasons: Much of the hysteria which led the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act (as well as earlier state laws) was racist in nature
Illegalization of marijuana, much like the short-lived illegalization of alcohol, has spawned a massive black market; it has surpassed corn in many states as the largest cash crop. Farmers can make $70,000 for a bushel of marijuana (versus a couple of dollars per bushel of corn), although this would certainly drop if it were legalized.
cont...
Also Against Against and Anonymous
cont...
Drug busts often trap young people in a flawed system that turns them into lifelong criminals.
The anti-marijuana laws are clearly ineffective, as marijuana use has increased since it was first illegalized.
Limiting the use of a substance with no known harmful effects to others (e.g. violence) is a violation of personal freedom.
Marijuana is legal in The Netherlands:
Research on the population of Amsterdam has demonstrated that the stepping stone argument is a myth.
Marijuana use rates in the Netherlands are 5.2% of the public, while they are 12.3% in the United States. [Government Reports US Department of State. European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Abuse]
Also Against Against and Anonymous
In conclusion, I am aware many people may have feelings which causes them to believe passing this resolution is wrong. I simply emplore people to educate themselves and not to perpetuate ignorance.
chad
if alcohol is legal, then so should be marijuana. Atleast it has somewhat of a medicinal value, as compared to alcohol.
boworl
Why do we not back up and look at the problems we had with prohibition of alcohol? It seems to me that today's social problems are very like the problems the country was experiencing during those days. I think as long as congressmen are saying: Not on my watch,we are going to see escalating violence in the streets,high profile criminals that are looked up to by children, and finally;totally lost domestic tranquillity as insured by the Constitution.
A war on drugs is a war on the people that are citizens of the United States;another Constitutional item that needs addressing.I think if there is a war on plants and substances; why not a war on Jimson Weed or even the mold that grows on rye: ergot? The LSD mold. I mean really; how can a plant shoot back? drugs are no worse than alcohol, caffeine or tobacco; or at least that is what the fMRI images show.
Zack
Listen people, weed is great and everything and it should be legal, of course, but we really need to stop arguing about how it isn't as bad as alcohol or tobacco. Of course it is not as bad as either of these substances and anyone educated in any way about anything can see that, but the real argument here is the American citizens right to do what they want while not affecting anyone else's rights. If you don't believe in that then you don't believe in a free society. Get over what you THINK is good for other people and take control over your own life. Leave my life to me.
Donald B Parsons
I'm gonna take that as a yes vote, and AMEN
X
Pass the bill and quite killin crops
TheHebrewHammer
I see no reason for anybody to be against this bill. Marijuana FTW.
drug war dove
Prohibition rapes free choice.People who advovate prohibition are repists.
Don Hager
The marijuana laws in this country are ridiculous. It is seriously time for a change to them. Locking people up for smoking marijuana (which is less dangerous than alcohol) is crazy. It's time for the people on capital hill to wake up and do something good for a change.
@ the Alex sub-thread
I may know several serious potheads that just graduated from a top ten law school with honors. But maybe if they hadn't screwed their brains up so bad with pot, they'd be M theororists and contributing to our economy in more practical ways.
Hempman
No one gets stupid from using marijuana, no one goes insane, no one gets lung cancer. Ganja prohibition laws are not based on fact,t hey are based on moralistic ideology. Learn the facts - http://hempmansays.blogspot.com millions of people use ganja, the worst thing they face is having the laws ruin their lives.
Amanda
I think pot should have been legal from the start. It is a really safe drug, by that I mean you cannot overdose, and there have been no deaths resulting from using pot. (Compared to: tobacco-400,000; alcohol-100,000; legal drugs-20,000; other illegal drugs-15,000; caffeine-2,000; aspirin-500;marijuana-0)Check out this site www.jackherer.com. There is only one problem with legalizing it - Just like any other merchandise, it will be subject to added chemicals and tax/inflation.
Mandie
I have been using mj for many years to treat my migraines. I used to have headaches EVERY DAY, now since I've been using MJ I haven't had but about 2-4 migraines in about 6 years! It is wonderful to be able to live my life without pain. For the first time since middle school I can just be normal.(And be able to think. I know you know what a regular headache is like.)
Tolken
Hey, Amanda has a valid point there people. Wake up! Look at that 'marijuana-0', I mean what would it take for the government to stop all this nonsense. And one point for all you 'religious' people, read your bible again- God said all the plants were for 'us'. Why would god give us something that would hurt us anyway? YOU KNOW IF SCIENTISTS DISCOVERED IT WAS A 'CURE-ALL' IT WOULD BE LEGAL TOMORROW!!
Lisa
To contact your local house representative to urge them to support this bill please visit:
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=11280301&type=CO
Yes, it is possible that one day it will be legalized, it should be the will of the people, if you wish it so then share your support don't be scared you are not alone.
Other websites of important interest would be:
NORML (The national organization for the reform of marijuana laws)
http://www.norml.org
STUDENTS FOR A SENSIBLE DRUG POLICY
Currently anyone with a drug conviction cannot qualify for Financial Aid. This organization supports change in the federal law.
http://www.ssdp.org
There is also Marijuana Policy Project.
http://www.mpp.org
unknown
WELL ITS ABOUT TIME
FIRE UP!!!!
steven
I have AIDS and on low income cant aford to buy I need the right to grow mj for my on use it need to be legalized. for sick people. and for every adult to use.
Robin
I, being a pot smoker, feel it should be legalized to the extent that federal charges would not be held against a person with possession. but on the other hand, taxing marijuana is bull crap. that would make me not wanna smoke just bc i would have to pay taxes on my weed that i could grow myself??? just legalize the sh*t and your crime rates will go down, and it will kill some of the black market...bc i can name of 100 people i know that smoke pot from the ages of 13-53. its an herb made from God's touch, unlike tobacco which is unhealthy for humans, weed isnt harmful unless its overused.
Kyle
The fact of the matter here is simply that nothing is going to get accomplished by our complaining and voicing our opinions... Pretty horrible eh?
So now the question stands... What must we do to accomplish de-criminalization at very least? Well, thanks to NORML (http://norml.org) you can now contact your rep. in the most simplistic a convenient way possible.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS VISIT THE LINK LISTED BELLOW AND FOLLOW THE SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS.
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=11280301
If you don't act NOW, our fight WILL be lost.
MIKE
It'a about time we legalize it. it is a helpful medicine that helps people suffering from a variety of diseases.LEGALIZE IT ALREADY!!!!!!
Jason
NO! Just what we need... lazy druggies and more dangerous minorities destroying more lives!
vance
*********There's alot of f***k*i*n* pot head's on this link. Do you really think anyone in charge of passing this bill is reading this. smoke up. then scan through the bullsh*t in this link and find a link that is proactive and might actually make a slither of difference.
Donald B Parsons
Go to congress.org to contact your local and federal representatives and ASK them to support H.R.5842 and H.R.5843.
I don't know what prohibitionists are afraid of with making cannabis as available as alcohol. It's not like 20 million potheads are going to start smoking anywhere, anytime. Same as alcohol, so no public smoking, NO smoking and driving, etc....
Jason,
What this world could do without is a bunch of ASSHOLES getting DRUNK ON ALCOHOL and BEATING their significant others and driving around DRUNK like their the best NASCAR driver born (hence the phrase "LIQUID COURAGE.")
Donald B Parsons
LAZY DRUGGIES, I do know a few and they are just lazy people who happen to smoke pot. There is no direct correlation between cannabis and laziness despite what you think. I have worked HARD for 30 years and only drew unemployment for 8 weeks in that 30 years due to company went belly-up and left 30 employees jobless.
So yes, some cannabis consumers are lazy, some alcoholics are lazy, some cocaine users are lazy, some donut eaters are lazy, some lazy people are lazy...
What's dangereous to me is misinformed,ignorant people judging others and undermining the soveignty of the Human body.
Vance, although he was alittle harsh hit the nail on the head...
congress.org (contact your reps), drugpolicy.org,cannabisconsumers.com (come out of the closet). The lists go on and on... just visit sites linked to these sites etc....
Donald B Parsons
I wonder how many read the bill thoroughly before commenting.
The bill will not make cannabis legal. The bill will allow the states to decide (as it should be) according to the Constitution it should be the States Right to decide. Let "WE THE PEOPLE" be heard state by state, vote by vote as it has been in thirteen states now that have some form of medical decriminalization in effect.
H.R.5843: The act to REMOVE FEDERAL PENALTIES (not states penalties)for the Personal use of Marijuana use by responsible ADULTS.
The people of each state then can VOTE yea or nay and MAJORITY RULES not BIG BROTHER deciding what I CONSUME, MY BODY IS MINE NOT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS.
Donald B Parsons
Don't judge others lest ye be judged by others, arrrrr.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you....
Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.(if you get drunk and beat your spouse and kids, don't tell me not to smoke pot and eat Pringles...)
I'm PASSIONATE about this because for 70 years "OUR" government has called us criminals for smoking a weed and harming NO ONE other than MAYBE ourselves while ASSISTING BIG TOBACCO,ALCOHOL,and PHARMACUETICAL companies with PUSHING their DEADLY PRODUCTS on us consumers, even avertise by targeting very young future consumers of their POISONS.
I'm just so sick of the stereotyping and lying,and filling of prisons with minor drug offenders .. so yes I'll fight this to the END now..........
Donald B Parsons
If you want to wage a "WAR ON DRUGS" you should ask your congressional represetatives why they (federal govt.)are not regulating the cigarettes that kill 5 million worldwide, yearly 400,000+ in this country.
What is the FDA doing allowing all these KILLER PHARMACUETICALS to go into the public marketplace?
COCAINE and HEROIN kill 20,000 combined yearly and MARIJUANA KILLS NONE yearly.
Where do the REAL EVILS LIE...
Donald B Parsons
PHARMACUETICAL DRUGS kill 100,000 a year
ALCOHOL kills 150,000 a year
TOBACCO kills 400,000 a year
DEMON DRUGS
COCAINE & HEROIN kills 10,000 a year
MARIJUANA kills 000,000 a year
ASPIRIN kills more people yearly than illegal drugs.Prohibitionists have said I dare not use my real name when posting because I hide behind anonimity so I started using my real name. They then accuse me of hiding behind the sick and dyings plight to legalize medical cannabis as a front to outright RE-legalize marijuana.
I hide behind NO ONE. I think MARIJUANA should be RE-LEGALIZED for all to enjoy. What I'm saying is if not legal for all at least lets see that OUR sick and dying friends and relatives have that option of medical marijuana if it helps them with health and quality of life.
Matt
I think that the stone-walling of legalising this drug comes more down to the hemp level than anythign else. Hemp is an amazing plant. If we legalize marijuana, we legalize the growth of the plant, from which we can get hemp .. this would kill the cotton industry and s couple others .. I personally think this is great news though. Hemp is fantastically strong, durable, and easy to grow. .. better all around that cotton .. especially for industrial uses.
Lets at least re-legalize the prescribed use of Medical Marijuana.. that's agood start at least and it wont upset the cotton farmers lol.
Alex
Just wrote my congressman. It's the least we can do, so do it now!
onelove
I have also written to my congressman. Anyone who knows American politics knows that it's a painstakingly long process to get any kind of bill passed through Congress, but the fact that they are making steps in such a positive direction really shows the growth and maturity of our nation.
Caleb
Legalize, regulate. it all sounds good but only comes from a change in the minds of lawmakers. I urge everyone who reads this to pull a "Pay it Forward". send e-mails, letters, and make calls to oyur reps and congressmen, and tell friends about HR5842 and HR5843. Make sure at least 3 friends do the same. "Grass"roots all the way!!
chet
they know they should, they're just selfish pigs.LEGALIZE IT.
Jester
Its not a native substance, We stole Tobacco from the Natives and brought over alcohol from Europe, and destroyed the ancient world with it.
Its a foreign substance, no wonder the suits fear it so, But i don't i love culture and life,
Currently though i am a criminal i would like to change that
Andrew
I find it extremely encouraging that this is supported by 98% of people who have voted for/against this bill on the site's poll, and at the same time wonder why this hasnt been passed and if it ever will pass. lets just legalize it and tax the sh*t out of it. more controlled, less crime, less money wasted on drug wars, and TONS of revenue. i know im probably preaching to the choir here, but still.
Ben the SoFla Canadian
Hey erybody, one thing that nobody seems to have mentioned is All the fuel uses for hemp oils, I noticed plenty of people talking about cars but hey what about all our other oil burning POS's, How about a Hemp airplane fuel, can any of you guess what that would do for saving our failing airlines, or even a boat fuel for fueling or trans-continental tankers, raise your hand if you've managed to realize that HEMP OIL CAN FREE US OF OUR PETROLEUM ADDICTION!!!! List the uses for petroleum bi-products and cross reference that with hemp oil, see if you don't find a cheaper, healthier and smarter alternative to oil
David in NC
just wanted to get a few real documented facts put up....instead of this heresy stoned conversati