Support the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act

[infam0us]

https://secure2.convio.net/mpp/site/...rAction&id=346

DO IT!!!
DO IT NOW!!
LOL

[Duplicity]

Done. Thanks for the heads up.

[amsterdamage]

Done and +rep.

Thanks for posting that!

[jimbo7]

Done Barney has been busy on the pot front these days, this is his second pot bill in a month!

[FreezingMoon]

thanks

[tonymon1]

I just sent mine, figured I would share the letter I sent, I just didn't feel the stock one really covered enough. Feel free to use mine if you would like.

I am writing today to ask that you please support H.R. 2943, the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2009.

Introduced by Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.), H.R. 2943 aims to reduce the number of non-violent prisoners and free up law enforcement resources by eliminating federal criminal penalties for possession of up to 3.5 ounces of marijuana, and the not-for-profit transfer of an ounce of marijuana. But most importantly it would stop American lives from being ruined. Those who are against marijuana claim that people are not incarcerated for simple possession, but that is not always true, and even cases when it is, this supposed "slap on the wrist" costs people their jobs, homes and student aide. If the oppositions claim is people are already "let off the hook" with a fine then why fight against writing it into law to protect those who receive much harsher penalties for the same "crime".

For 70 years, our punitive marijuana laws have failed to curb marijuana use. Today, more than 800,000 arrests are made for marijuana offenses every year. 89% of these arrests are for possession, not sale or manufacture. Despite U.S enforcement efforts, our marijuana use rates are the highest of any nation surveyed by the World Health Organization, according to its most recent reports.

Speaking of the WHO, they have made other statements about marijuana I feel should be brought to your attention: "The World Health Organization's investigation into the gateway effect of marijuana stated emphatically that the theory that marijuana use by adolescents leads to heroin use is the least likely of all hypotheses." Also, "exposure to other drugs when purchasing cannabis on the black market, increases the opportunity to use other illicit drugs."

Congressman Frank's legislation is a step in the right direction. By eliminating federal criminal penalties for possession, this bill will send a message to the states that the federal government is leading the way in freeing up law enforcement resources that are better spent fighting violent crime and allow them to make the choice for themselves on how to combat this issue without fear of the federal government. Which is what "The Report of the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse" which was commissioned by President Nixon in 1972 concluded. How long are we going to ignore all these commissions, reports, and studies?

I have heard argument after argument from people against reform on this issue. And time after time their opinion defies what the studies and statistics say. They also like to take the stance that by not arresting people we would condone and increase usage, I have seen numerous studies conclude that in places where use is in some way permitted, be it the 13 states that have already enacted decriminalization similar to this bill, Amsterdam, or other places around the world, they all come back saying there is not a swing in either direction that is large enough to make any conclusion on.

Fifteen million Americans admit to using cannabis within the last month, I will not speculate on what that number would be if everyone were being honest. The majority of these people are not considered criminals in any other aspect of their life, their relaxation method happens to be cannabis instead of alcohol. Many of them reach that conclusion after researching these drugs and realize that contrary to popular belief cannabis is much safer and healthier than alcohol. It's impossible for a human to overdose, the amount required is such that even if marijuana were hundreds, if not, thousands of times stronger it would still be very difficult to overdose, you would fall asleep long before you would be in any danger. Marijuana can harm lungs when it is smoked, however there are other methods of use that do not. Aside from that, there are no solid indications that cannabis causes other health problems, abuse may exacerbate conditions people already have and even those issues are greatly debated. We can all agree more research needs to be done to hammer out the details, unfortunately the way the laws are now it is nearly impossible to do that research. Next time you hear someone claim the laws shouldn't be reformed because more tests need to be done please inform them that as long as they continue to obstruct, that research cannot take place.

Please cosponsor and support H.R. 2943. I will greatly appreciate your support just as you appreciate mine. Thank you very much for your time.

[arcadianskies77]

Personalized and sent.

[infam0us]

I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men can enjoy marijuana."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Washington D.C. the sons of former potheads and the sons of former anti-pot activist will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even though states are United, ignorance, sweltering with the heat of stupidity and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and peace.

I have a dream that my future children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by amount but by the quality of their weed.

I have a dream today.


please don't comment on my MLK reference, i respect MLK very much.
I was just trying to make a point. enjoy.

[HighMtnSkier]

I'm very surprised that this hasn't gotten more attention on here, as I think this is one thing we all should be able to agree upon. It's bad enough that the media hasn't said a fuckin thing about this.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no penalty may be imposed 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. For the purposes of this section, possession of 100 grams or less of marijuana shall be presumed to be for personal use, as shall the not-for-profit transfer of one ounce or less of marijuana, except that the civil penalty provided in section 405 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 844a) may be imposed for the public use of marijuana if the amount of the penalty does not exceed $100.

While not 100% legalization, it would basically de-criminalize cannabis on federal level. Once that occurs, I'm sure that additional states would follow. For this bill to pass, it would open up many loopholes in the current cannabis enforcement laws on a state level tat a savy lawyer type should be able to get something presented to the supreme court in a few years which could get MJ moved off the schedule 1 list.

In my 20 years of smoking, I've never seen a bill introduced that has some real potential.

Please write your elected officials, it takes only a few clicks to let them know that you will support them supporting this bill. Here's a link to get you started.
Contact Officials - NORML

Here's another link, to see the context of the bill -> Search Results - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

Here's a link to track it's status ->H.R. 2943: To eliminate most Federal penalties for possession of marijuana for personal use, and for other purposes (GovTrack.us)

Get off your asses, and let your representation know you want to see this bill pass!

[RebelINS]

This should be stickied in all sections of this forum, this is by far the most important thing thus far that we should all focus on.

[2MuchSkunk2Nite]

Personalized and done, +rep for sharing this. Big thanks to everyone else in the thread who wrote in also.

[HighMtnSkier]

Originally Posted by 2MuchSkunk2Nite

Personalized and done, +rep for sharing this. Big thanks to everyone else in the thread who wrote in also.

Thanks

[Not sage]

i sent it and got a reply...

Thank you for taking the time to contact me in support of the Act to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults.

I appreciate your research on this matter. However, I'm afraid that I can't agree with you that the legalization of marijuana is the best policy for our country. Although I can understand the arguments of those who favor legalization for specific purposes, such as for medical use, and in small doses, I'm troubled by the extent and consequences of drug abuse in our nation to support making marijuana legal. There's simply too much evidence on the dangers of marijuana, especially to young people.

I appreciate your taking the time to contact me. Although we don't agree on this issue, I hope that you will not hesitate to continue to share with me your views. I look forward to hearing from you again.

[infam0us]

@ Not sage and everyone else...


That;s fucking bullshit!!!

[SpongePaul]

GREAT IDEA, Go to norml.org, and you can go to the write your rep area, it will send via e-mail a pre worded letter, all you do is fill in your info in blanks. its the easist best way to stay up to date on what bills are circing and a great way to conact everyone from the state level on up to the pres.