Barney Frank introduces federal marijuana decriminalization bill 2008-04-17 18:35:00

Today, Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced a bill, The Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008, to congress that would decriminalize personal use of marijuana and make legal the use of medical marijuana.

Under this bill, people would be allowed up to 100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) for personal use, however public consumption would be punishable by a $100 fine, the same as most states that have decriminalized it. The cultivation, sale, import and export of marijuana will still be illegal, however a not-for-profit transfer of up to 28 grams would be allowed.

Aaron Houston, a member of the Marijuana Policy Project, says
I couldn't have said it better myself, with a majority of the American people believing that small amounts of marijuana possession should not be a crime, it's about time somebody in congress started listening to the people.

This is a big step in the right direction for marijuana reform, even if the bill doesn't pass it will have brought up the topic among a powerful group of people and might just make them think a little bit, and if more bills similar to these, especially with public backing, come to them, well they can't deny the will of the people for ever... can they?

This bill was co-sponsored by Republican Congressman Ron Paul (TX). Ron Paul is a rebel-republican who is traditionally conservative and believes in freedom for the individual and small government. This gives the Marijuana Decriminalization Bill bi-partisan support from the very beginning.

Barney Frank called his bill the "Make way for serious criminals" act. Here he is on Real Time with Bill Maher talking about this bill last month.

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