First-Ever Federal Bill to Legalize Marijuana
Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Left-leaning Democrats and the libertarian wing of the Republican Party have come together to propose the first-ever legislation to legalize marijuana at the federal level.
Representatives Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts) and Ron Paul (R-Texas) have introduced the “Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011,” which would allow states to determine their own marijuana rules without interference from Washington, DC.
If this change came about, states could choose among banning marijuana entirely, making it medically available, decriminalizing its possession or taxing and regulating it like the government does with alcohol.
Supporters admit that the Frank-Paul bill has little chance of becoming law in the current Congress. But they add the measure represents an important first step towards eventually decriminalizing the drug.
Besides Frank and Paul, other co-sponsors of the bill include Rep. John Conyers (D-Michigan), Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tennessee), Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colorado), and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-California)
Marijuana has been listed as Schedule I controlled substance since 1970, putting it in the same category as heroin, PCP and LSD.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Barney Frank and Ron Paul Introduce Bill to End Federal Marijuana Prohibition (by Rob Kampia, AlterNet)
Today: Members of Congress to Introduce Historic Legislation Ending Marijuana Prohibition (Drug Policy Alliance)
Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011 (U.S. Congress) (pdf)
More Californians Voted for Marijuana than for Republican Candidates (by David Wallechinsky, AllGov)
How to Buy Marijuana Legally in California (by Sidney Finster, AllGov)
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