Decriminalizing marijuana will make America great again
Sure, there are more pressing issues out there, but Barney Frank and Ron Paul’s proposal to decriminalize marijuana possession is still worthy of applause. Sadly, common sense has no shot and theres no way in hell this will pass, especially with an election on the horizon. Still nice to see Frank and Paul put it out there, though.
Legislators aim to snuff out penalties for pot use
(CNN) — The U.S. should stop arresting responsible marijuana users, Rep. Barney Frank said Wednesday, announcing a proposal to end federal penalties for Americans carrying fewer than 100 grams, almost a quarter-pound, of the substance.
Current laws targeting marijuana users place undue burdens on law enforcement resources, punish ill Americans whose doctors have prescribed the substance and unfairly affect African-Americans, said Frank, flanked by legislators and representatives from advocacy groups.
“The vast amount of human activity ought to be none of the government’s business,” Frank said during a Capitol Hill news conference. “I don’t think it is the government’s business to tell you how to spend your leisure time.”
The Massachusetts Democrat and his supporters emphasized that only the use — and not the abuse — of marijuana would be decriminalized if the resolution resulted in legislation.
The Drug Enforcement Administration says people charged with simple possession are rarely incarcerated. The agency and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy have long opposed marijuana legalization, for medical purposes or otherwise.
“Legalization of marijuana, no matter how it begins, will come at the expense of our children and public safety. It will create dependency and treatment issues, and open the door to use of other drugs, impaired health, delinquent behavior, and drugged drivers.”
Interestingly, alcohol, which creates dependency and treatment issues, and opens the door to use of other drugs, impaired health, delinquent behavior, and drugged drivers, is still cool.
–WKW