(NewtonLiberalmania: Newton, Mass) Newton Congressman Barney Frank officially cosponsored two bills that will legalize the use and possession of marijuana.
His first bill, HR 5842 lets doctors prescribe and recommend marijuana to their patients. Congressman Franks’ second bill, HR 5843 eliminates criminal penalties for possession of up to “100 grams” of the drug. Any adult who wants to smoke marijuana, could legally do so under Frank’s proposal.
HR 5842 does not require a prescription, only a recommendation by a doctor. HR 5843, also decriminalizes the “not for profit” transfer of the drug.
In a statement released by Mr. Frank’s Congressional office, he did not see any distinction between smoking marijuana and smoking cigarettes. Despite new laws that crack down on tobacco smokers, Frank said “I do not believe that the federal government should treat adults who choose to smoke marijuana as criminals.”
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, NORML, a Washington based organization seeking the repeal of all civil and criminal penalties for the possession and use of marijuana urged their members to support the legislation. NORMAL PAC has given $3500 in contributions to Congressman Frank since 2002.
May 20, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Any true conservative or libertarian would agree that the government should stay out of private decisions.