Ron Paul, Barney Frank Introduce Bill That Would End Pot Prohibition

Reps. Ron Paul (R-TX) and Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced a bipartisan bill today that would remove the federal prohibition on marijuana. The bill would instead let states legalize, regulate and tax marijuana.

Politico says the legislation is modeled after the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, which repealed the federal prohibition on alcohol and handed that responsibility to the states.

The AP reports that Frank said "he's not advocating marijuana use, but believes that criminal prosecution is a waste of resources and an intrusion on personal freedom."

I will agree with Frank on this one. I want to hear some other thoughts on this.

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"By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible". Hebrews 11.3

I am all for legalizing pot. The societal hit from pot smokers is nothing compared to the damaging effects of alcohol.

I am all for legalizing pot. The societal hit from pot smokers is nothing compared to the damaging effects of alcohol.

Hear, hear, I agree! As the Colonel used to say, "pot in every chicken!"

(side note, anyone else ever notice how much B.F. sounds like Elmer Fudd when you're high?)

I am all for legalizing pot. The societal hit from pot smokers is nothing compared to the damaging effects of alcohol.

...and car accidents, and pain killer addictions.... and so on.

I always liked this bit: No animals were harmed during this study:....Simply
stated, researchers have been unable to give animals enough marijuana to induce death. Man I would have liked to see the munchies those rats got. They probably got the 'good stuff' too.

At present it is estimated that marijuana's LD-50 is around 1:20,000 or 1:40,000. In layman terms this means that in order to induce death a marijuana smoker would have to consume 20,000 to 40,000 times as much marijuana as is contained in one marijuana cigarette. NIDA-supplied marijuana cigarettes weigh approximately .9 grams. A smoker would theoretically have to consume nearly 1,500 pounds of marijuana within about fifteen minutes to induce a lethal response.

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"By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible". Hebrews 11.3

I am all for legalizing pot. The societal hit from pot smokers is nothing compared to the damaging effects of alcohol.

Hear, hear, I agree! As the Colonel used to say, "pot in every chicken!"

(side note, anyone else ever notice how much B.F. sounds like Elmer Fudd when you're high?)

When you're high? He sounds like that to me all the time.
And every time I hear him, I want to stuff a sock full of walnuts in his mouth.

I find it comical that Reps. Frank and Paul agree on anything, let alone this topic.
What scares me is that I agree, too.

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Donald
Infernal Optimist / Submariner, retired

I am all for legalizing pot. The societal hit from pot smokers is nothing compared to the damaging effects of alcohol.

The societal hit? Is that a pot smoker pun? ;-p

I cannot imagine what you are REEFERING to!

Dave's not here, man.

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

Dave's not here, man.

Oh yes I am, man... didn't you hear me bong the gong?

Dave's not here, man.

Oh yes I am, man... didn't you hear me bong the gong?

Oh wow man, I thought you gonged the bong.

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

I cannot imagine what you are REEFERING to!

I'll HOOKAH you up with an idea! :-D

I cannot imagine what you are REEFERING to!

I'll HOOKAH you up with an idea! :-D

I think your idea may have great POTential! ;-)

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"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - Orwell

This topic has really been in the public eye for the last several weeks. Now I see why. First, I am personally against the use of pot. That means for me. But I am completely in favor of making it legal. The big tobacco companies need an alternative product now that tobacco smoking is on the decline. That's a sick joke but something to keep in mind.

The amount of money we spend on incarceration and the war on drugs is obscene. We are talking tens of billions of dollars each year. The add how much Americans spend on pot and the economic impact is clear. Legalization would save this country a lot of money.

Compassionate use is also a big issue with me. While main stream medicine refuses to recognize the medical use, I know first had that it has significant benefits. My mom had advanced arthritis and was on morphine for her pain. Pot have her more relief and had fewer side effects. I could talk to her when she was on pot. She was gone when on morphine.

I don't use it but I support it's legalization.

I'm so glad nobody TOKE this thread over to Politics last night...

Hopfully that would require a JOINT decision.

Sorry guys, I don't think I agree. From what I can gather, most of the world uses it and I'm in the minority that doesn't, never have, and don't want to. Cannabis in itself isn't the real issue, it's when the buzz from it peters out and people go looking for something stronger, that the real problems start.

I haven't got a problem with anyone that chooses to use pot, good luck to you, it's your choice, just not for me.

The idea that marijuana is a gateway drug to harder things has been debunked thoroughly. The means to chasing a stronger high has to do with the individual's state of mind and reason for wanting to turn to illicit drugs. Most often those chasing stronger highs are either on a self-destructive path for various reasons or they might be mentally ill trying to find something stronger to self-medicate.

I personally know several marijuana afficionados and all of them are completely content with it's effects.

Simply legalizing a rather non-harmful substance doesn't mean the door will be open to youths to try harder things. In fact, in many countries that have legalized marijuana, they saw a drop in harder drug use.

I've tried it in the past, never had an urge to do anything more than pot, and I have no use for it now. But I largely agree that these non-violent offenses are clogging up a legal system that is already backed up with frivolous lawsuits which also need to disappear and repeat criminal offenders that need to be dealt with.

Jail is no place for marijuana smokers. Legalize it, tax it, and put the same restrictions on it as alcohol. I.e. no driving while intoxicated, no operating heavy machinery, no turning up to work intoxicated, etc. Recreational use should be OK. What people do on their own time should be their own business so long as they aren't hurting anyone.

Like Chris and Carlos, I've never touched the stuff, but I know people who have benefitted from its medicinal use. I also know people who use it recreationally, and AFAIK have never wanted or needed anything stronger. I think it is a "gateway" drug only for those who have the genetic predisposition for addiction, or an addictive personality disorder.

I have been exposed to pot on numerous occasions. In the 70s, the US Army would rent out the Diamond Head crater in Hawaii for rock concerts and festivals. Access was through a tunnel drilled through the volcano wall, and when you came out into the crater during a concert or festival, you got an almost immediate contact high from the cloud of pot smoke in the air. At the time, I smoked regular pipe tobacco and an occasional cigar, but the pot smoke gave me headaches. Anybody offered me a toke, my response was "Thanks, man, but it ain't my groove." They were cool with that.

I do believe pot should be decriminalized. At least move it off of Schedule I, so it can be used for legitimate medical purposes. And yes, having several tobacco companies in my retirement portfolio, I would have no problem letting "Big Tobacco" provide pot to medical users, and eventually, the general public. Better a regulated product with consistent, quality content than street stuff which may be cut or spiked with who knows what. Remember the kids in high school who sold a mix of oregano, sage, and dried lawn clippings to unsuspecting classmates?

And one more thing - have you ever seen an angry or violent pothead?

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Donald
Infernal Optimist / Submariner, retired

stopping gang wars in Mexico and allowing the Gov't to tax a cheap product BONUS!!! Making it a huge crime to be driving under the influence. Much like the Prohibitionists that wanted no alcohol in the country they found out that gangs can easily supply what people want without the gov't being involved. perhaps the Tobacco industry could sell their unused packing equipment to the new Weed industry and we can have formal packaging for the stuff

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In a rich man's house there is no place to spit but his face.
Diogenes Of Sinope

Hopfully that would require a JOINT decision.

Yes WEED all be really upset if that were required.

stopping gang wars in Mexico and allowing the Gov't to tax a cheap product BONUS!!!

Roger that. Tax it the same as tobacco or alcohol.

Making it a huge crime to be driving under the influence

Isn't it already? Driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated or driving while impaired (DWI), in most states it doesn't matter if you are under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, the penalties are similar.

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Donald
Infernal Optimist / Submariner, retired