End Federal Marijuana Prohibition

by: Drug Policy Alliance

recipient: U.S. House of Representatives

For the first time since marijuana was effectively outlawed by the federal government in 1937, we have a chance to make marijuana legal at the federal level. Rep. Barney Frank's new bill would end federal marijuana prohibition, making marijuana legal for adults and allowing states to decide their own marijuana laws, just like they can with alcohol and tobacco.



Hundreds of thousands of Americans were separated from their loved ones, denied jobs, barred from receiving school loans and other benefits, and in some cases deprived of the right to vote simply for possession of marijuana. Many of these were small amounts for personal use. Moreover, like alcohol prohibition, marijuana prohibition is empowering organized crime and putting both citizens and law enforcement in harm's way.



Make marijuana legalization a reality by writing your representative today. Ask him or her to co-sponsor the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011, get the legalization process started, and bring an end to the failed war on drugs.

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Dear Representative,



I'm writing to voice my support for and to ask you to co-sponsor Rep. Frank's bill, which would end federal marijuana prohibition. If passed, the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011 (H.R. 2306) would remove marijuana from federal scheduling under the Controlled Substances Act, allowing states to pass their own laws, regulations, and taxes as they see fit - just like they can with alcohol and tobacco. It would also have other benefits, like removing obstacles to scientific research.



It is clear that marijuana prohibition has not only failed but is doing more harm than good. Hundreds of thousands of Americans were arrested last year for a marijuana offense - in most cases for nothing more than possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Those arrested were separated from their loved ones, denied jobs, barred from receiving school loans and other benefits, and in some cases deprived of the right to vote. Moreover, like alcohol prohibition, marijuana prohibition is empowering organized crime and putting both citizens and law enforcement in harm's way.



This bill would end federal policies that lead to prohibition-related violence and criminal operations, letting states decide their own marijuana laws and craft policy that's in their citizens' best interests. It's clear that marijuana prohibition isn't working and needs to end. Subject: Support Rep. Frank's Marijuana Legalization BillDear Representative,I'm writing to voice my support for and to ask you to co-sponsor Rep. Frank's bill, which would end federal marijuana prohibition. If passed, the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011 (H.R. 2306) would remove marijuana from federal scheduling under the Controlled Substances Act, allowing states to pass their own laws, regulations, and taxes as they see fit - just like they can with alcohol and tobacco. It would also have other benefits, like removing obstacles to scientific research.It is clear that marijuana prohibition has not only failed but is doing more harm than good. Hundreds of thousands of Americans were arrested last year for a marijuana offense - in most cases for nothing more than possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Those arrested were separated from their loved ones, denied jobs, barred from receiving school loans and other benefits, and in some cases deprived of the right to vote. Moreover, like alcohol prohibition, marijuana prohibition is empowering organized crime and putting both citizens and law enforcement in harm's way.This bill would end federal policies that lead to prohibition-related violence and criminal operations, letting states decide their own marijuana laws and craft policy that's in their citizens' best interests. It's clear that marijuana prohibition isn't working and needs to end.