Barney Franks legislation would remove FEDERAL penalties and prevent precious resources from being used on Plant prosecution. States laws would still be in place and marijuana would still be illegal.
"Marijuana is addictive the person craves stronger drugs." Ah, the gateway theory, where would a prohibitionist article be without that golden nugget. The first drug I took was Aspirin, after that I went on to harder stuff like Nyquil for nighttime sneezes, and then eventually I drank alcohol...all before I ever knew what Marijuana was!!

This is America, land of the free, I can do what I want in a private place...if it does not hurt thee

Thanks for writing this brilliant piece of journalism! You really attacked the issue at hand and presented plenty of alternative options to what is being offered. Keep brainstorming and writing, because you write some incredibly original, insightful, and downright groundbreaking articles.

Wow. I wasn't expecting this type of article from my side (right). Although I vote the same as you I do not agree with you on this one issue. The style of your writing is poor - this is just a hit piece with very little substance. I view this on the level of most from the far left.

Republican Ron Paul is a co-sponsor, yet you somehow left that part out???

I think Barney Frank is a bad person who has corrupt intent in just about everything he does in his job as a life-time politician. Like Glenn Beck said (paraphrasing) last week regarding this same bill that as a Libertarian I want to support Ron Paul, but I can't get my arms around why Barney Frank wants this.

I speak the truth when I say that this issue is the Only one I agree Frank. The only one.

There have been hundreds of medical studies over the past 30 years. Nearly every one refutes your cherry-picked reports. And the fact that the DEA does not support ending prohibition of cannabis is absolutely worthless. The DEA receives billions of dollars to fight the War on Some Drugs. They have a pony in the race. Of course they want to continue receiving the vast sums of money. If cannabis is re-legalized then they stand to lose billions. Additionally, I recently learned that DEA employees are mandated By Law to oppose any re-legalization effort. If the head of the DEA said publicly that he agrees with the Frank-Paul bill then he would lose his job.

I'm a solid conservative and up until around the beginning of this year I echoed your words for two decades. I have voted 100% Republican since Reagan. I don't use any illegal substances and neither do any of my close friends. My position changed 180 degrees after I began hearing the reports of the 1000's of murders happening just south of our border. People are being murdered every single day down there... and it's all because of prohibition in the US.

If prohibition does not end soon I fear that Mexico will fall. When that happens then there will be a stampede across the border into the US. What would happen to America if hundred of thousands of Mexicans ran across the border? There would be a huge increase in violence and crime - both from them and to them. That would cause more long term harm to the US than what the terrorists did on 9/11.

As a conservative I choose to use logic and reason instead of emotions and feelings when deciding where I stand on issues. One method I employ to help me gain perspective is 'What do the bad guys want?'

With the war in Iraq:
One group of Americans want the US to stay and fight until the country is stabilized. The other group wants us to leave immediately. The bad guys (terrorists) want the US to leave immediately. I am not going to side with the terrorists.

Lawfully carrying a concealed firearm in public:
One group believes that it increases violence and chance for harm. The other group believes that by carrying their firearm they are able to defend themselves and others from a violent attack, which can reduce violence and harm. The bad guys (murderers and gang members) want civilians to be unarmed. I am not going to side with murderers nor gang members.

Ending prohibition to stop the Mexican cartels:
One group thinks that ending prohibition will reduce or nearly end the violence and murder along our border. The other group thinks that we must continue this prohibition. The bad guys (cartels) want prohibition to continue. I am not going to side with murderous cartels.

Ending prohibition is not a left-right issue, although there is less support on the right than the left. This is a freedom and security issue. Security, because continuing this prohibition will cost us dearly in so many ways. Freedom, because we are a free people and free people should be allowed to put into their bodies whatever they want - even if it's considered unwise - so long as they do not harm others or infringe on others' rights.

There is one part of conservatism I call 'cruelty'. We are 'tough on crime', I know and that's good. Yet, most conservatives still believe it is acceptable to put hard working, otherwise law-abiding citizens, in cages because they choose to consume cannabis instead of alcohol within the privacy of their own homes.

I see it a cruel that people, such as yourself, would rather keep human beings in cages and give them a Lifetime sentence. A 'lifetime sentence' ? An arrest even without a conviction will remain on someone's criminal record Forever. Their entire life is likely to be much less successful - they won't get hired for the good jobs because of an arrest 15 years ago when they experimented with cannabis in college, for example. The charge of cannabis possession or use guarantees a lifetime sentence. ...and you're okay with that??? Stop being cruel.

Mitchell you made some excellent points. Over half the country has admitted to trying marijuana once, including the last 3 presidents. Alcohol is legal but kills 1000's of americans every week. Do you want your kid arrested and thrown in the same jail as murderers and rapist because they smoked a plant that god created? get a grip end prohibition now!

First of all, what does his sexual orientation have to do with it? ..or are you implying that he's automatically "wrong" just because he's different from you? You're just one person in a world of nearly seven BILLION, you are NOT the standard that everybody else is measured against! If he's wrong or if he's right has NOTHING to do with the way he's naturally oriented. Your first paragraph is repugnant.

And secondly, advocating for the legal production and sale of something is NOT the same as wanting *anybody* to use it. The prohibition is keeping the marijuana market free from competition and has driven prices up to ridiculous levels. Even an idiot could see that this combination is going to be extremely enticing to criminals, so enticing in fact that they will NEVER stop coming into our neighborhoods selling weed to our kids and arming themselves for protection.

Ending the prohibition isn’t about wanting to get high, it’s about ending the daily cartel murders and beheadings, it’s about keeping marijuana away from our children, and it’s about removing the risk we’re all living with of being mistakenly or intentionally subjected to home invasions by these criminals seeking to protect their turf.

What right do you have to put my family in danger like this? If you think that the benefits of the prohibition outweigh the costs then please let us know exactly how the prohibition is benefiting any of us at all! It doesn’t reduce the use of marijuana in this country that’s for sure. There are currently 15 million regular marijuana users in this country, and a further 100 million people (a third of our country) acknowledge that they obtained and consumed marijuana during the prohibition. After *seventy years* of prohibition do you really think that results like these are worth the risks you’re imposing on our families?

The big flaw in the prohibition is that its architects believed that forcing the price of marijuana up would reduce demand for the stuff. But they failed to take into account the *inelastic* nature of the demand for marijuana. Forcing up prices didn’t reduce demand, it simply diverted it to illegal suppliers.

We have to get these people out of our communities and prevent any more from wanting to follow them. The ONLY option to do this is by licensing reputable businesses to legally produce and sell marijuana to adults, with prices set too low for the drug dealers and cartels to match. That’s what it’s going to take to get rid of them and keep them gone. That’s what it’s going to take to fix the damage your beloved prohibition has caused!

We need to contact all of our legislators and tell them that we want them to fight for the imminent end to the prohibition!

Marijuana wasn't made illegal because of its' effects as a drug. It was made illegal because the business interests of a couple of very powerful, wealthy businessmen were going to be compromised because of the extraordinary usefulness of the Hemp plant - perhaps the most important crop of all in 18th and 19th century America. Laws were written to ensure that Hemp was grown, which it was almost everywhere, including Monticello and Mount Vernon. The evils of marijuana were manufactured to demonize the hemp plant. You don't have to take my word for it - there's plenty of information out there from numerous sites.

While it's true that there are some carcinogens in the smoke of marijuana, it's link to lung cancer or other respiratory disorders is speculative and virtually non-existent. The most recent data out of UCLA, demonstrates that THC, the psychoactive component of the marijuana plant may in fact have a protective effect on the lungs. Not a single death has ever been attributed to marijuana. BTW, there are a lot of successful, productive people, from all walks of life, who have been smoking cannabis for decades without ever feeling the craving that you write about for stronger drugs. Admit it, you made that part up, right?

Interesting that you should write your piece on our nation's birthday. Perhaps you'll see the irony in the fact that the Declaration of Independence was written on hemp and Betsy Ross fashioned her flag from hemp as well. Happy Birthday America!

233 years old and still not really free.

Wow finally someone who knows what he is talking about. I am so glad you are in support of continuing to dampen individual liberties as long as the cause is one you believe in. We should have a full reading and editing of the constitution once and for all. There are already too many freedoms we need to curtail and the current process the federal government uses to chip them away is taking much too long. While we are at it, we should invade some of those immoral liberal countries who have taken steps toward relaxing drug use laws. As a matter of fact, I think if we just sat down with the Taliban and explained that we are basically in agreement with them on the personal freedom thing we might be able to cut a deal with them and clean up the world once and for all.

This isn't a "LIBERAL" issue TRADIONALVALUES. I am amazed how ignorant most of these Neo-"Conservatives" don't think they are.

I consider myself a TRUE Conservative. I am for individual freedoms, liberties, and well being of our nation. I don't agree with past Republican Administration's foreign affairs. I also don't agree with your post here about Barney Frank turning America into a "Woodstock". Wake up you ignorant "Conservatives"!

You are the reason the current Conservative Party with their Mrs. Palin needs a RE-OVERHAUL! We need Republicans who stand for freedoms and non-corporate causes. Our nation has gone to looking out for Corporate well-being more than the American public's well-being!

Ron Paul, the most conservative member in all of the Congress Critters co-sponsered this bill you idiots! Mention that before you bash a piece of bi-partisan legislation!

Hope this bill Pa*sES! Ron Paul 2012!

First off, authors of this articlle... EDUCATE YOURSELF on marijuana research before you write!

This isn't a "LIBERAL" issue TRADIONALVALUES. I am amazed how ignorant most of these Neo-"Conservatives" don't think they are.

I consider myself a TRUE Conservative. I am for individual freedoms, liberties, and well being of our nation. I don't agree with past Republican Administration's foreign affairs. I also don't agree with your post here about Barney Frank turning America into a "Woodstock". Wake up you ignorant "Conservatives"!

You are the reason the current Conservative Party with their Mrs. Palin needs a RE-OVERHAUL! We need Republicans who stand for freedoms and non-corporate causes. Our nation has gone to looking out for Corporate well-being more than the American public's well-being!

Ron Paul, the most conservative member in all of the Congress Critters co-sponsered this bill you idiots! Mention that before you bash a piece of bi-partisan legislation!

Hope this bill Pa*sES! Ron Paul 2012!

This entire article can be debunked with one word:

Liberty

Anne ur just a douche bag!!! I don't smoke pot, but I'm all for legalizing it. The number of alcoholics in this country significantly outweighs the number of potheads and it has done much more damage to American society where every year thousands of people die from it. Not to mention that we waste billions of dollars on a problem that will never go away, and funnel billions into the hands of domestic an foreign criminals, so what if it's unhealthy and has adverse effects so does alcohol, but of course somebody like you who always beloved that they are right and a better person because they take the "high moral road", and that's bulls**t!!!!! Don't be ignorant, yeah it's not a great thing and people shouldn't do it, but they will, an at least if it's legal we can regulate and generate new income and taxes in this country. You completely dismissed the other views on legalizing when they make excellent points on the subject, so stop being an ingnorant a*****e just cause u knew some kids who f**ked up their life with pot. Again look at all the lives destroyed by alcohol, or are u against that too and elive we should go back to prohibition days entirely. I will concede that there are negative effects of marijuana, but the benefits of legalizing drastically outweigh the costs. Your not always right just cause u think that ur on the side of morality when the truth is who decides what is moral. Do you belive it is moral to continually fund both domestic and foreign violence by allowing marijuana to remain legal, because I don't believe so. I'm not saying your necessarily wrong, but to completely dismiss the argument and to believe that your viewpoint is the right one is competely ignorant, and I hate ignorant a*****es, so stop being one!!!!!!!

Wow, is this article ever full of hatred and contempt!  If there was ever a article that perfectly outlined why I abandoned the Republican party and it's central core of bigots and hate-mongers, this is it.  Not only is it full of vitriol, it is obviously slanted and biased to the point of pure propaganda and fear mogering.Brain damage?  Oh please.  Why don't you grow up pal?  Some people just don't like living in a prison state.  Conservatives like you would love to lock up everyone in this country that thinks differently than you do, and now that all your BS "small governement" and "lower taxes" charade has been exposed as the lies they are, we're simply left with witch-hunting.  "Get the gays!  Get the stoners!".  You are the kind of person who oppsed Civil Rights, of interracial marriage.Sir, you are a piece of hateful garbage.  Why don't you go back to your Bible and re-read the New Testament... your opinion and attitude is more anti-Christian, more pro-Soviet style send-em-to-the-gulag.

Hey morons, let me tell you three things you don't know.

1. States rights are a core conservative principal.
2. Barney Frank is a U.S. Representative, not an "activist".
3. Nobody likes you.

You're banging the ignorance drum when you try to perpetuate lies such as "marijuana causes mental problems" and "... studies have shown that there is a connection between chronic marijuana use and anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and schizophrenia." Those are purely created by the "right" (which is almost always wrong) to scare people away from a benign and beneficial plant. Beneficial for far more reasons than it's mood altering affects.

What is most ironic about your failure to understand cannabis is that it is the most ideal substance for relieving the above-mentioned issues and it is excellent for relief of pain. It is natural. It was placed on this earth by God, and mankind has used it for ages with no deaths attributable to cannabis.

What you are doing with articles such as this is perpetuating the lies and propaganda created in the 1930's by one Harry J. Anslinger who was a racist fool on a one-man rampage to use cannabis as a tool to wage war on hispanics and blacks. As you bring this ridiculous misinformation into the new age you only make yourself look ignorant and you add fuel to the fire... the fire that is this: People already know that cannabis is a far, far safer alternative to alcohol or tobacco, and they already know that it has a great number of benefits. As our youth realize your lies, you lose what little credibility you might have had.

In essence, your ignorant articles such as this one (and the agreeing posts that follow it) are simply working against you and offer more support for the effort to end prohibition.

It surprises me that in 2009 there are still people who fail to understand the truth of this amazing plant and all it offers humanity. Why you continue to fight against it baffles me... no wait... I see it now. It's not the plant you're after, it's the people. Makes sense, that's what Harry J. Anslinger was after, too.

LEGALIZE. TAX. REGULATE.

Vote for politicians that support ending prohibition. Bring cannabis under control and stop letting the violent black market control it.

WAKE UP AMERICA.

I'm sick of it!!!!!!!!! I like pot. You like beer. Who's correct on this? It's insane.

The millions should not need a buffer like medical marijuana to get smoke.

The intolerant squares (that enjoy a drink) say they just want medical marijuana to get high. And saying it's medical is an excuse. Well so what. I will never touch crack, coke, or meth. And it's never been gateway drug for me or any of my successful adult friends.

I get high once every 2 weeks. Why do I have to have excuses? This whole law is illogical.

Why not make donuts and soft drinks illegal? They make you fat and give you diabetes. And everyone knows one donut leads to another.

I like pot. So what. Am I a sinner? Have I hurt anyone? Have I stole anything?

You like a drink. I like a puff. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? Just legalize it, tax it, regulate it. AND END THE CRIME AND VIOLENCE CREATED BY KEEPING IT ILLEGAL!

What a bunch of *%*^$& hypocrites! Think about that the next time you're watching the big game with a beer in your hand watching a Budwiser commercial.

ALL of what Ann Morris said is fact. Don't be idiots anymore. Get this legalized as Republicans and you may find yourself in the White House again. Don't believe me? The on line poles show that the American people are sick of the war on some Americans just because they choose a safer intoxicant. Big phama and the booze loby will do anything to prevent legalization. This would give us our OWN drug that can't be taken over by the a-holes that want to sell us theirs. They've already taken just about everything else there is to take (steal).

and I am probably more intelligent than the Average Joe who does not. The poor grammar that I exhibited in the title was a sarcastic poke at anyone who believes that marijuana hinders your ability to think properly. I have been smoking marijuana for years and I must say that memory loss, along with spending too much money on it, are basically the only negative effects that come to mind. I used to be an extremely depressed and anxious person and began self medicating with marijuana. It has helped me tremendously to overcome my mental disorders. I am now prescribed xanax, however I don't need it when I'm smoking pot, in fact I feel that it treats my issues even better than my prescribed medications does.

Honestly, I feel that smoking pot actually intoxicates a person to a lesser extent than drinking alcohol does. If anything alcohol should be illegal and marijuana should be legal.

grrr, I am far to frustrated with the pure idiocy of these mega conservatives that I'm having a hard time putting this into a civil debate. I'm going to cool down and sleep on this, to be continued tomorrow.

YES TO HR 2943!

If booze is legal, pot should be. If cigarettes are legal, pot should be even more so. You can't find a case of someone smoking a joint, coming home, and beating their wife (something common with people coming home from the bar). Marijuana's "bad effects" have been greatly exagerated in this article. Yes, it does have a negative effect on your short time memory, but only while you are high, it can cause no permanent brain damage unless you inhale enough smoke at once to cause asphyxiation, which is more likely to happen because of a change in the wind while you stand by a bon fire. Pot has never killed anyone. Ever. No medical institue or university has ever recorded a death attributed to cannabis use (cigarettes kill 500,000 plus every year).There have been no cases of marijuana only smokers getting lung cancer. Ever. You can't find one. Bob Marley probably smoked the most marijuana of anyone in recorded history. He did not die of marijuana caused cancer, he died because of a wound on his foot he got while playing soccer. Marijuana has nothing in it that leads it to being a "stepping stone drug." 1 in 11 pot smokers use cocaine (the second most commonly abused illict substance) and less than one in 132 use heroin (third most). The only thing that leads it to being a "stepping stone" is because of the illegal drug market. Someone goes to a dealer (dealing lots of different drugs) and the dealer says "Hey want to buy some coke this time too?" And let me tell you, you don't say "No" to a drug dealer. Didn't we learn our lesson with our first round of prohibition? You want to stop these mexican drug cartels killing people left and right and making ma*sive profits? Well then don't just decriminalize weed, which wouldn't solve the root problem (still having to do back-alley purchases), fully legalize marijuana. And tax the hell out of it. The amount of tax revenue from the sales of recreational users would be ma*sive and help our still struggling economy. Hemp paper is better than the kind we use now. Its more durable and cheaper to produce. You can not get high from the industrial strain of cannabis, but it is still illegal in this country. Fabric for clothes and canvases (from the latin for Cannabis) could also be produced. We give Canada all these jobs that could be American jobs producing better paper and better fabric and paper. Hundreds of thousands of jobs would be created in the new cannabis industry, tax revenues would help the federal and state governments, and crime would take a ma*sive hit. In summary, if pot isn't legal soon, I'm coming to your house, and I am confiscating your beer. Have fun watching the football game now, GO STEELERS!