If you have been keeping up to date with the marijuana reform movement then you have probably heard rumor of a bill that could potentially remove marijuana from the list of federal controlled substances and cede to the states regulation of marijuana. The bill, designed to limit the federal government’s role in enforcing marijuana laws, would “end federal marijuana prohibition” and allow states to legalize, regulate and tax the drug, ending the struggle for power between the federal and state governments. However, regardless of whether or not this legislation passes, a ban on transporting marijuana across state lines would still be enforced.
As a marijuana activist, I was personally thrilled when I heard of this bill earlier in the week, however, if something seems too good to be true then it most likely is. Realistically, the bill has little to no chance of passing the republican controlled house. The bill would have to go through the House Judiciary Committee, whose chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas, said his panel would not consider it. “Marijuana use and distribution is prohibited under federal law because it has a high potential for abuse and does not have an accepted medical use in the U.S.,” Smith said. His argument is that by decriminalizing marijuana, addiction levels will skyrocket and will lead to greater profiled for drug cartels who fund violence in the U.S., as well as the border of Mexico.
The bill was introduced by Democrat Barney Frank of Massachusetts and Ron Paul, a Texas Republican running for his party’s presidential nomination. Co-sponsors include John Conyers of Michigan, Barbara Lee of California, Jared Polis of Colorado and Steve Cohen of Tennessee. Frank went on to say” “Criminally prosecuting adults for making the choice to smoke marijuana is a waste of law enforcement resources and an intrusion on personal freedom.”
We are continuing to see more and more activity pushing for the reform of marijuana laws, so keep up the good work and remember to contact your government officials.
Email Lamar Smith and voice your opposition to his draconian policies https://lamarsmith.house.gov/Contact/
Cheers,
