The Ron Paul Thread
- upnorthman
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- Velokid1
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Federal Decriminalization Bill Introduced -- Bill Would End Federal Authority to Arrest Adults for Pot Possession
April 17, 2008 - Washington, DC, USA
Washington, DC: US Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced legislation in Congress today to strip the federal government of its authority to arrest responsible adult cannabis consumers. The measure, H.R. 5843, known as an “Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults,” is the first federal decriminalization legislation introduced in 24 years.
“It's time for the politicians to catch up with the public on this [issue],” Frank said. "The notion that you lock people up for smoking marijuana is pretty silly."
Frank's pending bill, co-sponsored by presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), seeks to eliminate all federal penalties prohibiting the personal use and possession of up to 100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) of marijuana. Under this measure, adults who consume cannabis would no longer face arrest, prison, or even the threat of a civil fine. The bill also eliminates all penalties for the not-for-profit transfers of up to one ounce of pot.
NORML Legal Counsel Keith Stroup, who worked closely with Frank's staff to draft this legislation, said, "If passed by Congress, this legislation would legalize the possession, use, and non-profit transfer of marijuana by adults for the first time since 1937." The bill incorporates the basic recommendations of the National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse (also known as the Shafer Commission).
Currently, twelve states have enacted various versions of marijuana decriminalization, eliminating criminal penalties for minor pot violations. According to federal data, passage of these laws has not subsequently led to increased marijuana use.
“This newly introduced legislation seeks to bring the federal government into line with the over 100 million Americans who currently live in a state or municipality that has already decriminalized cannabis possession,” NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre said today. “This year, the masses in the U.S. celebrating 4/20 really have something to rejoice, and to now lobby for.”
Similar statewide legislation is pending in New Hampshire and Vermont. Additionally, Massachusetts voters will decide on a statewide decriminalization measure this November.
According to a nationwide CNN/Time Magazine poll, more than three-quarters of American adults favor decriminalizing marijuana.
For more information, please contact Keith Stroup, NORML Legal Counsel, at (202) 483-5500. Supporters can write their Representatives in favor of this bill at:
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/? ... 01&type=CO
updated: Apr 18, 2008
April 17, 2008 - Washington, DC, USA
Washington, DC: US Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced legislation in Congress today to strip the federal government of its authority to arrest responsible adult cannabis consumers. The measure, H.R. 5843, known as an “Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults,” is the first federal decriminalization legislation introduced in 24 years.
“It's time for the politicians to catch up with the public on this [issue],” Frank said. "The notion that you lock people up for smoking marijuana is pretty silly."
Frank's pending bill, co-sponsored by presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), seeks to eliminate all federal penalties prohibiting the personal use and possession of up to 100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) of marijuana. Under this measure, adults who consume cannabis would no longer face arrest, prison, or even the threat of a civil fine. The bill also eliminates all penalties for the not-for-profit transfers of up to one ounce of pot.
NORML Legal Counsel Keith Stroup, who worked closely with Frank's staff to draft this legislation, said, "If passed by Congress, this legislation would legalize the possession, use, and non-profit transfer of marijuana by adults for the first time since 1937." The bill incorporates the basic recommendations of the National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse (also known as the Shafer Commission).
Currently, twelve states have enacted various versions of marijuana decriminalization, eliminating criminal penalties for minor pot violations. According to federal data, passage of these laws has not subsequently led to increased marijuana use.
“This newly introduced legislation seeks to bring the federal government into line with the over 100 million Americans who currently live in a state or municipality that has already decriminalized cannabis possession,” NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre said today. “This year, the masses in the U.S. celebrating 4/20 really have something to rejoice, and to now lobby for.”
Similar statewide legislation is pending in New Hampshire and Vermont. Additionally, Massachusetts voters will decide on a statewide decriminalization measure this November.
According to a nationwide CNN/Time Magazine poll, more than three-quarters of American adults favor decriminalizing marijuana.
For more information, please contact Keith Stroup, NORML Legal Counsel, at (202) 483-5500. Supporters can write their Representatives in favor of this bill at:
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/? ... 01&type=CO
updated: Apr 18, 2008
- Velokid1
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It's perfectly pertinent. And it's my thread.
Really though, to me and the people I know, this isn't a fun little pet issue. It's not about, hey let's party... give us our weed, dude. People suffer every day for no reason at all. NONE AT ALL. There is ZERO reason for adults who use cannabis to be considered criminals. Name one legitimate reason.
Of course, nobody can. So to say, 'aw c'mon, stop talking about it' is a little like telling a cancer activist to stop talking about the people afflicted with cancer.
Really though, to me and the people I know, this isn't a fun little pet issue. It's not about, hey let's party... give us our weed, dude. People suffer every day for no reason at all. NONE AT ALL. There is ZERO reason for adults who use cannabis to be considered criminals. Name one legitimate reason.
Of course, nobody can. So to say, 'aw c'mon, stop talking about it' is a little like telling a cancer activist to stop talking about the people afflicted with cancer.
- chitwnvw
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Excellent tutorial on trends at google.com. That won me over.steve74baywin wrote:Good vid on the media lying about Ron Paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iW5kOB1pmg
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Never know what a few tokes will do....chitwnvw wrote:You guys are morphing the Ron Paul thread into another legalize pot thread!?!?
To me it is about several things,,,One is how once again the masses were hoodwinked into believing something ridiculous and retarded. Two would be how parts of our government is the biggest criminal that needs to be locked up.
Smoking a herb that has been used for ages is something some need to go to jail over???? Talk about how peoples minds can be controlled. To arrest, fine and jail someone for that is like kidnapping...
- chitwnvw
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What's your take on opiates? I mean, should I be allowed to use heroin or cocaine if I am not hurting anyone else? IIRC it was legal until the early part of this century and the world didn't end.steve74baywin wrote: Smoking a herb that has been used for ages is something some need to go to jail over???? Talk about how peoples minds can be controlled. To arrest, fine and jail someone for that is like kidnapping...
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Yeschitwnvw wrote:What's your take on opiates? I mean, should I be allowed to use heroin or cocaine if I am not hurting anyone else? IIRC it was legal until the early part of this century and the world didn't end.steve74baywin wrote: Smoking a herb that has been used for ages is something some need to go to jail over???? Talk about how peoples minds can be controlled. To arrest, fine and jail someone for that is like kidnapping...
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If the government is interested in a malleable citizenry wouldn't a population addicted to an opiate be the perfect population?steve74baywin wrote:Yeschitwnvw wrote:What's your take on opiates? I mean, should I be allowed to use heroin or cocaine if I am not hurting anyone else? IIRC it was legal until the early part of this century and the world didn't end.steve74baywin wrote: Smoking a herb that has been used for ages is something some need to go to jail over???? Talk about how peoples minds can be controlled. To arrest, fine and jail someone for that is like kidnapping...
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The problem with that would be this.... They need workers, or peasants of the kingdom.....They need people who will strive hard to further build their dreams....So No, a population on opiates wouldn't be good for them..RussellK wrote:If the government is interested in a malleable citizenry wouldn't a population addicted to an opiate be the perfect population?steve74baywin wrote:Yeschitwnvw wrote:What's your take on opiates? I mean, should I be allowed to use heroin or cocaine if I am not hurting anyone else? IIRC it was legal until the early part of this century and the world didn't end.steve74baywin wrote: Smoking a herb that has been used for ages is something some need to go to jail over???? Talk about how peoples minds can be controlled. To arrest, fine and jail someone for that is like kidnapping...
Secondly, the whole population wouldn't go on opiates just because they are legal....Just like not everyone would use cannabis, smoke cigarettes, or drink alcohol just because they can.....
Hey Russel bro,,,thanks for being up this early, and up for conversation.....
All those dam west coaster get on too late,,,,there oughta be a law..
- Velokid1
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RP's new book is out today.
You can read selections from it here (click on "Search Inside this Book"):
http://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Manife ... 0446537519
You can read selections from it here (click on "Search Inside this Book"):
http://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Manife ... 0446537519
- Quadratrückseite
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Wow! I read the excerpt - powerful stuff. I'm going to go get the book today. I am voting next Tuesday in the NC Primary for Ron Paul - might be the only chance I get to vote for him. I'm assuming he's still technically on the ballot.Velokid1 wrote:RP's new book is out today.
You can read selections from it here (click on "Search Inside this Book"):
http://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Manife ... 0446537519
"The bus is the real talisman. It's the thing that runs through all of this history. It's not a thing anybody owns or controls. No matter how peeved you get with people, the bus always makes your heart jump. Everybody was attached to it."
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Yes, Ron Paul is still on the Ballot........Quadratrückseite wrote:Wow! I read the excerpt - powerful stuff. I'm going to go get the book today. I am voting next Tuesday in the NC Primary for Ron Paul - might be the only chance I get to vote for him. I'm assuming he's still technically on the ballot.Velokid1 wrote:RP's new book is out today.
You can read selections from it here (click on "Search Inside this Book"):
http://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Manife ... 0446537519
- Quadratrückseite
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I just found out he will be on the UNC campus this Friday speaking. I just went and got my free ticket!
"The bus is the real talisman. It's the thing that runs through all of this history. It's not a thing anybody owns or controls. No matter how peeved you get with people, the bus always makes your heart jump. Everybody was attached to it."
- Ken Kesey
Steve
1978 Country Homes Camper conversion - "Gus"
http://gusthevwbus.com
http://freshandmodern.com/blog
- Ken Kesey
Steve
1978 Country Homes Camper conversion - "Gus"
http://gusthevwbus.com
http://freshandmodern.com/blog