House to Unveil Bill to End the Federal Marijuana Prohibition WSJ Team

Just when we thought marijuana reform was at a standstill there seems to be a glimpse of a better future in our midst. That’s right, lawmakers in the House are now planning to introduce a bill that would defeat federal prohibition on marijuana. What would this do exactly? Rep. Barney Frank’s (D., Mass.) urges that “This is not a legalization bill; the legislation would limit the federal government’s role in marijuana enforcement to cross-border or inter-state smuggling, allowing people to legally grow, use or sell marijuana in states where it is legal.”

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 goverments. This bill, which will go public on Thursday, would be the first bill of its kind ever introduced in Congress. Other co-sponsors include Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA).

Last week marked the 40th Anniversary of President Nixon declaring a war on marijuana and other drugs. The legislation also comes on the heels of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, which released a report on June 2 calling for a major paradigm shift in how our society deals with drugs.

46.5% of Californians voted last year to legalize marijuana in their state, and voters in Colorado, Washington and possibly other states are expected to vote on the issue next year. In the past year at least five state legislatures have considered legalizing marijuana, including California, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Washington. 16 states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for medical use, but the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) continues to arrest people under federal law. Does spending millions of dollars of taxpayer money supporting SWAT raids of pot-dealers make any sense to you? It is time we look past what our outdated and biased legal system says is right or wrong and take matters into our own hands. This could be a huge breakthrough in the eyes of marijuana activists, both on a political and social level, so stay tuned and hope for the best!

What: Press Conference on the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011

When: Thursday, June 23. 2:00pm EST / 11am PST

Call-in Info: 1-800-311-9404; Passcode: Marijuana

Cheers,



The Weed Street Journal

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