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Act to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults
To eliminate most Federal penalties for possession of marijuana for personal use, and for other purposes.
Other Bill Titles (3 more) 4/17/2008--Introduced.
Act to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults - Prohibits the imposition of any penalty under an Act of Congress for the possession of marijuana for personal use or for the not-for-profit transfer between adults of mariju... moreSee Full Bill Text
Committees
Amendments
This bill has no amendments.
Bill Status
| Introduced |  | Voted on by House | | Voted on by Senate | | Considered By President | | Bill Becomes Law |
| April 17, 2008 |
Users tracking H.R.5843 (64) are also tracking:
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In the News
September 09, 2008 America: Looking for a Commander and Chief of Peace!
Visit Marijuana Policy Projects Legislation page to write your Congressperson about "The Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act"- HR 5843. ...
September 05, 2008 Ron Paul, Marijuana and the Revolutionary Spirit
Visit Marijuana Policy Projects Legislation page to write your Congress person about "The Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act"- HR 5843. ...
September 01, 2008 Cannabis cures cancer!
Visit Marijuana Policy Projects Legislation page to write your Congress person about "The Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act"- HR 5843. ...
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Blog Coverage
October 14, 2008 The Benefits of Decriminalizing Marijuana Use in Maryland
Known as HR 5843, the bill would remove any federal penalties for recreational use and possession. This would allow states to decide their own laws on cannabis, a big win for state's rights. Although both bills face harsh criticism, ...
October 14, 2008 MD: The benefits of decriminalizing marijuana use in Maryland
Known as HR 5843, the bill would remove any federal penalties for recreational use and possession. This would allow states to decide their own laws on cannabis, a big win for state's rights. Although both bills face harsh criticism, ...
Source: Marijuana.com
October 13, 2008 House of Representatives to Consider Cannabis Decriminalization!
NORML is pleased to report that HR 5843, an "Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults," has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Barney Frank and Ron Paul. ...
Source: PotSpace Forums
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Comments
This is a good start. If you watched the 'pot' documentary "Grass" (1999, narrated by Woody Harrelson) or the more resent drug related History Channel programs you know that pot was outlawed in a effort to target and get rid of unwanted Mexican laborers in the US*. So I can't help but wonder if this is yet another politically correct law with an agenda intended to accommodate illegal aliens--maybe the sanctuary cities will refuse to enforce drug laws for foreigners. Of course I'm being just a little facetious, because it's hard to believe that our government is finally concerned with protecting our liberties in the pursuit of happiness. Still, I'll take freedom where I can get it, even in baby steps.
And as happy as I would be to finally be able to deal with stress legally (without destroying my liver and having my property confiscated in the process) the important issues like the issues that caused the end of prohibition are not being addressed.
In Chicago over 20 teens were murdered in a matter of days. The mayor blames parents and guns. I blame young criminals who are able to buy guns because they 'earn' well over $100 per hour (untaxed) selling illicit drugs.
Before the drug war, gang bangers built "zip guns" and were lucky to get their hands on "Saturday night specials". Now they can afford anything that's for sale (including police, judges and public officials).
Those of you who oppose legalization, need to understand that after billions of dollars spent for and against drugs, the end result is that your (underage) children cannot walk into a bar and buy a shot of booze because the bartender fears jail and the loss of their license. However, your kids *can buy* any drug they want as well as weapons and anything else for sale. For the amount of money we're spending each child should have a personal DEA agent (do the math)--and yet it's not working. The demand and profit in drugs needs to be dealt with, with something a little more sophisticated than righteous indignation, imprisonment and the violation of constitutional rights. The drug war must end.
Still not convinced? Watch the history channel programs on gangs and read these articles.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/23/america/23prison.php
Or
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/23/us/23prison.html?pagewanted=3&ei=5087&em&en=6658d220ab5ba0a3&ex=1209096000
And
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4695848&page=1
And
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/906662,daleykids042108.article
And those are just for this week… imagine if I had a anti-drug war blog!
ABNU aka CABNU-141
*cocaine, once found in Coca Cola and dozens of other products, went from being highly praised and widely available to being outlawed due to an epidemic of "cocaine crazed Negroes" (raping White women).
Let's spread the word, and contact our reps! Has marijuana ever killed anybody? Ever?
A THC crazed Negro.
More that 35 years and over a trillion ($1,000.000.000,000.00) dollars spent on a failed "War On Drugs". Even many in law enforcement say it is time for change. Check out LEAP - Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.
http://leap.cc/cms/index.php?name=Content&pid=2
The Congressmen involved like Farr are mad at the money spent on the War on Drugs and go to places like Colombia. There are then problems with the FARC, etc. Farr's trip to Colombia cost the Colombia Free Trade agreement. The drug use and selling Congress should stay out of international politics and trade.
Legalizing drugs is for idiots.
I support the end of marijuana prohibition because too many responsible citizens and their families have had their lives destroyed from marijuana use.
This bill will free up federal money and manpower to deal with real problems that are affecting American society, such as preventing violent crime and reducing poverty and welfare levels.
Don't allow our government to continue criminalize minor marijuana infractions and those who use marijuana responsibly.
I'd like to see just ONE scientific study that proves marijuana is dangerous to my health (beside making me eat too much). It has vastly better medicinal benefits for pain relief, anxiety, insomnia than any prescription I've paid an arm and a leg for in a pharmacy.
I would love for this to pass, but for some reason it is an issue that Congress seems to be way behind the public. On the documentary on Show time recently stated up to 70% of people support medical marijuana. I just don't get it. I am pretty new to this site and the processes of Congress, does anyone have an approximation on when the House will vote on this?
I pled guilty to possession of a small marijuana pipe. What I got was 18 months probation, $1500 in court costs and fines, Substance Abuse counseling, 50 hours of community service, Drug testing, and Narcotics Anonymous....for a damn PIPE!!
This madness must come to an END..Or I will walk away from this country and NEVER return.
I was kicked out of my dorm my sophmore year for "drug paraphernalia" i.e. an empty baggie and empty pack of rolling papers, plus an $1100 fine and academic probation. We can't smoke pot, legally, but we can certainly get shi-faced drunk and then drive our car into a tree...or another person. Marijuana infractions do not merit the consequences involved. No student should face serious repremand for simple possession of a small amount or paraphernalia, when the guy next door has a handle of Captain Morgan under his bed.
I have a friend who was in school getting As n because of a break in next door the office came to his house for help getting information. the next thing you know he his being sent to jail like he was a harden criminal. Smoking cannabis never causes the violence or acts of crime(break in occurred after a party) and is good way to relax. Now he is kicked out of school and has trouble getting a good job. his only job is workin with actual harden criminals. This prohibition is very troubling because it turns decent citizens into criminals. The Government needs to stop giving the organized crime a way gain money(most of their money comes from the sale of cannabis) and causing violence in our streets. It is not the gov. job tell us no but rather protect our liberities. What is the point of the war on terror when the liberities we are fighting for are being denied by our own gov.
I don't get it. Isn't Congress SUPPOSED to vote representing the people. If 70% of the people are in favor of decriminalizing personal, responsible cannabis use, then why does Congress vote against it? It seems to be the congress men and women are voting for what THEY believe rather than doing their job and voting how WE believe. To me that should be considered illegal. We don't vote them into office to make decisions for us, we vote them in to make stand up for what we believe in and should vote accordingly even if in disagreement with their personal opinions because that is how our government was designed. Again, anything other than that should be illegal and these congress people should be penalized and removed from office.
i believe wut u sed cuz da same thing happened 2 me n freshman year a $372 fine and a weeks suspension nd disciplinary probation until i graduate for less than a fuckin half a gram fuck this war on drugs dis is just bullshit 2 lock motherfuckers up the gov't wants everyones $ bcuz they sell physically addicting substances (caffefine, tobacco, alcohol) as well as something that can kill you as well fuck dese niggaz
You are very ignorant.
Write your congressman and urge them to support this bill!
I am a strong supporter of this bill, but have to point out the fact that people speaking absurdly (like the above profanity laced rant) are probably the largest reason this will never pass. You can not act as if there is nothing wrong with bud, if you talk like a fool. Play the game of life, prosper individually, and push for a better society. Screaming 'motherfuckers" only helps the people in charge keep things like bud illegal.
I totally agree with this bill. I'm from the state of Wisconsin. I am 26 years of age and a marijuana smoker. I use it mostly from pain my body endures. When I was 15 years old I was hit by a semi-truck on a bicycle, the accident has left me with constant pain in my lower and upper back, as well as pain and minimal movement in my right knee at times also. So having no medical insurance, and the forsaken prices of doctor's and meds without it is just crazy. Literally crazy. So, I find remedy and whatnot through cannabis. Which is alot more useful anyways then some narcotic pain pill thats gonna cost me alot more to buy and keep buying, as opposed to just be able to cultivate for my own use. I'm glad to see this bill. I believe responsible adults should have the right to smoke and grow marijuana for personal non-profit use. Here in Wisconsin the marijuana laws are just non-sense. You can walk around with a loaded handgun in your pocket and its just a misdemeanor if your caught with it, but say if you get caught twice with only $10 of marijuana its a felony. How's that? I think it's time to stop and remove these laws they are tasteless and we don't need them. It's time that we spend these dollars otherwise, like on poverty, healthcare, and food for the less fortunate. Not spending these monies locking up an individual for smoking reefer. I think America needs to reset its priorities. Finally a free America? I guess we will have to wait and see.
Pay attention to the opposition to this bill. You will find that the biggest opponents are the ones that stand the most to lose. Pfizer, and other major U.S. drug manufacturers will throw whatever money is necessary at this issue to make it go away. As much as I'd like to see this bill pass, I don't think it has a snowballs chance in hell of passing. 8 years and an executive office that has far too much power later, we're talking about an issue that really could have been resolved. Thanks once again to the idiot Bush supporters, My government gets to keep on telling me what I can and can't do with my own body. Fortunately for me, I live in a state (CA) and county (Santa Cruz) that doesn't have its head stuffed up its ass, and essentially allows me to smoke if I want.( Until I'm priced out of my own birthplace, but that is another issue) It's decriminalized here and most of the time the Cops will look the other way in case of a minor possession. Very forward thinking. But what about states like Florida where posession of 20 grams OR LESS (that is less than an ounce of a natural growing plant for you mouth breathing republicans) is a MANDATORY 1 year in jail and a 1000 dollar fine. Connecticut has similar laws.
It won't pass. 95% of Americans could be for it (which they aren't) and it wouldn't pass. Don't hold your breath, Mrs. Raegan was very successful in her WoD and there's a healthy chunk of the population willing and ready to fight this tooth and nail. Regardless of the fact that if we stopped arresting and started fining and taxing the plant we'd save ourselves (and make) a whole bunch of money.
If we keep sounding off in favor of this bill, how can it fail. Maraijuana users must make their voices heard. We are not criminals, we are not alcoholics out driving drunk running people down, we are everyday citizens (not criminals) and we should have an individual right to use marijuana if we so choose. It is not only used by minorities, it is used by American citizens and as citizens of the Free World we should have that right. The marijuana law was passed in a storm of racial hatred against blacks and hispanics; however, that time if racial hatred should dissipate from our laws.
agreed. the best way to get something passed is to write your congressman.
you can get the address at your states official website.
indiana marijuana smoker
lets also try sending the messages that the plant itself is useful in other ways than just getting high. we can use it to make bed sheets for every prisoner in the united states, we can make their uniforms, shoes , pillowcases and pillows. all these things we as taxpayer pay for. make all the violent prisoners that should be there work and grow the plants and then make them process the plants and make it into hemp and THEEN make them turn that hemp into the above mentioned items and oh by the way let them smoke it mellow out and stop killing themselves and harming the men and women we pay to watch over them. SUPPORT N.O.R.M.L. brought to you by a member of the armed forces who does not smoke at this time but will upon retirement and I dont want to spend it in jail
This bill is doomed to fail. Despite what all the websites, public service announcements, and propaganda tell you, the vast majority of the people who run this government consider their constituency to be sheep who need to be herded at the behest of whoever pays the best. Writing you congressman won't help; for every letter they get, a lobbyist has a stack of cash waving under their nose. Big Pharma won't allow it, some moronic Christians are already claiming this bill is a sign of the "end days", along with the Anti-Christ to be, Barack Obama, and while this certainly isn't a "moral" issue, the opposition will have no trouble turning it into one. I applaud Frank and all of the supporters of this bill for having some common sense, but I doubt it will even make it to the House floor for debate.
It will pass.
Take Action! go to http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=11280301
I really hope this bill passes becuase im tired of people saying that its bad and should stay illegal. I really think if it wasnt for weed I wouldnt be alive right now. Going through high school I didnt understand why people smoked pot because I thought it didnt do anything good to your body but when I went into college I figured out that not only does it help people that are ill but that it helped me relieve stress. I got so stressed out when I was in college that if it wasnt for weed I think I wouldnt be here right now. I mean dealing with work, school and coming home to deal with parents was really stressfull. So I gave it a try one day and ever since then when I feel stressed I light one up. I'm not addicted to it I can go days, weeks, even months without it but when im stressed I will smoke pot. I support this bill and I already sent a letter to my congressman and hope others do the same.
I would hope that this bill would pass but reality has shattered my hopes for such a rational bill and cost saving bill. Today I called up Barney Frank’s office and was told that they are very hopeful of the bill but doubted it had any chance of passing this year. He basically told me, as stated above, that Big Parma, the Oil and Textile Industry, and many other industries have too much to lose for Cannabis/Hemp to be legalized. These industries will do everything they can to make sure this bill never sees the light of day.
The representative essentially told me that this bill will surely not pass this year; however it will be reintroduced each year in hope of getting more sponsors. Unfortunately as the number has dropped from 7 to 6 co-sponsors; though this at first glance did not surprise me as House of Representative elections coincide with this bills year of introduction. That was until I looked at the name of who withdraw her name as a Co-Sponsor, as it was Rep Zoe Lofgren California!
Rep Blumenauer, Earl [OR-3] - 6/24/2008
Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] - 4/24/2008
Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] - 6/25/2008
Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] - 6/5/2008
Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] - 4/17/2008
Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] - 5/22/2008(withdrawn - 7/31/2008)
The Rep’s advice to me was to let as many of my friends as possible know that with out more Co-Sponsors and backing this bill has absolutely no chance of passing. So I urge please write, call, or email your congressman urging him or her to Co-Sponsor the bill, as well as urging all of your friends to do likewise. If you feel to lazy to write up a convincing yet informing message to your congressman I can recommend the preformatted messages from NORML’s website which sends them to your congressman after entering a bit of information.
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=11280301
You can check the detailed status of the bill at Thomas.gov
http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c110:1:./temp/~c110CDfgHS::
We will have to pay the piper to see weed legalized. That means that we will put money in the gov't coffers. Will you pay for a license or a stamp? Encourage others to write the lawmakers in their states as well as others.
No, it doesn't help our cause when some of you out there insist on being ignorant or loudly pronounce your stupidity.
Most responsible smokers have decent jobs and stable homes. It's the society losers that give us a bad name. The less educated, welfare assisted and non-educated.
I support this on many levels..1 being simple possession of small amounts of marijuana are not and should not be a federal priority and enforcement choices should be left up to each state on possession. same with large amounts amounts stored at locally approved medical marijuana dispensary's.. this eliminates half the problem. unfortunately it will never leave committee.
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