Official Bill Info

• Latest Action: Apr 16, 2008 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

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  I know the most recent action for this bill is as follows: "Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce." on Apr 16, 2008
• Committee Assignment: House Energy and Commerce

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  This bill has been assigned to the House Energy and Commerce committee.
• Committee Assignment: House Energy and Commerce - Health

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  This bill has been assigned to the House Energy and Commerce - Health committee.

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Most-commented sections of the bill text

Highest Rated User Comments

• On April 21, 2008, by chasewolf - Though this bill is about marijuana reform, I find a greater underlying issue in state rights being put to test. Essentially what the bill is asking for is that states that currently allow medicinal marijuana use be allowed to continue it's use and cultivation without federal involvement. In otherwords, in states where it has been legalized for medical use, a person recommended it can indeed posses and use it rather than be in violation of a federal law which states it's still illegal. This is giving power back to the states, and I am all for that.

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  As noted by chasewolf, a user on OpenCongress.org, on April 21, 2008, "Though this bill is about marijuana reform, I find a greater underlying issue in state rights being put to test. Essentially what the bill is asking for is that states that currently allow medicinal marijuana use be allowed to continue it's use and cultivation without federal involvement. In otherwords, in states where it has been legalized for medical use, a person recommended it can indeed posses and use it rather than be in violation of a federal law which states it's still illegal. This is giving power back to the states, and I am all for that."
• On September 29, 2008, by carigis - I would support this bill.. but the classificaton should be much lower. marijuana should not be the same classification as methamphetamine

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  As noted by carigis, a user on OpenCongress.org, on September 29, 2008, "I would support this bill.. but the classificaton should be much lower. marijuana should not be the same classification as methamphetamine"
• On September 08, 2008, by claythrow - I am a 30 year old male who has been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I went from working full time and being a runner/gym junkie to almost totally disabled in a few months. It has been almost 3 years now that I have struggled with this disease. It is all I can manage now to work 2 days per week, and by year end I don't think that even that will be possible. I suffer intense pain every day, there is not a single moment that I am free of it, not even when I am sleeping. It has put a strain on my marriage, and my family, and it's all I can do to just keep on going. One of the most successful and least harmful treatments in the history of this disease is Marijuana. It does not need to be smoked and cause the body any harm, it can be vaporized with virtually no ill effects, just a near perfect medical delivery system. However, the state of Massachusetts would rather have me taking opiates every day than using Marijuana for legitimate medical reasons. To be clear I do not use Marijuana now, nor will I until I could do so without fear of prosecution. I cannot risk any such legal action. I am aware of the laws decriminalizing it in Massachusetts coming up in November, however that is not enough. We need medical professionals and patients to have access to such relief, without any legal repercussions. Saying that I can posess up to one ounce and only get a fine, yet still face felony charges for purchasing or growing said material is an invitation for legal problems at best. Even when that passes I still will not purchase marijuana to treat my condition. The opiates that I now take give me nausea, constipation, I continue to need higher doses, they are expensive, addictive, only partially effective and just make me sick, and this is what Federal Government deems as a better medical alternative? I have a choice to make every day...do I want to be in pain, or be sick? That is the life I wake up to... every day. I have a beautiful wife, a loving family and I cannot fully enjoy either. I remember being healthy, and perhaps that is what makes my stuggle to survive each day mentally painful as well. You have no idea what it is like to have to sit on the sidelines in the game of life because "playing" hurts to much, I didn't either. Here is a drug virtually free of uncomfortable side effects, effective pain relief for fibro (search the internet, tons of info as to why these two mate well), and could theoretically be cultivated by me discreetly, for little money yet there stands the Government. Laws such as this have already been enacted in many states, and they have served their purpose with very minimal abuse. Considering the amount of money I give the state of Massachusetts and the Federal Government each tax year, and the quality of life I have to endure, I think it only fair that people like me have access to a certain level of comfort. I would expect that laws for abuse would still be in place, but you will find that anyone who is in my situation would not jeapordize such a cure with any sort of negligence, and this has been proven in other states. Please enact Medical Marijuana laws. There are thousands of us who just want to wake up with the choice of being in pain, or being comfortable. Wanting access to medical solutions to that we can rejoin human race is not an unreasonable request, and we ask you to help us.

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  As noted by claythrow, a user on OpenCongress.org, on September 08, 2008, "I am a 30 year old male who has been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I went from working full time and being a runner/gym junkie to almost totally disabled in a few months. It has been almost 3 years now that I have struggled with this disease. It is all I can manage now to work 2 days per week, and by year end I don't think that even that will be possible. I suffer intense pain every day, there is not a single moment that I am free of it, not even when I am sleeping. It has put a strain on my marriage, and my family, and it's all I can do to just keep on going. One of the most successful and least harmful treatments in the history of this disease is Marijuana. It does not need to be smoked and cause the body any harm, it can be vaporized with virtually no ill effects, just a near perfect medical delivery system. However, the state of Massachusetts would rather have me taking opiates every day than using Marijuana for legitimate medical reasons. To be clear I do not use Marijuana now, nor will I until I could do so without fear of prosecution. I cannot risk any such legal action. I am aware of the laws decriminalizing it in Massachusetts coming up in November, however that is not enough. We need medical professionals and patients to have access to such relief, without any legal repercussions. Saying that I can posess up to one ounce and only get a fine, yet still face felony charges for purchasing or growing said material is an invitation for legal problems at best. Even when that passes I still will not purchase marijuana to treat my condition. The opiates that I now take give me nausea, constipation, I continue to need higher doses, they are expensive, addictive, only partially effective and just make me sick, and this is what Federal Government deems as a better medical alternative? I have a choice to make every day...do I want to be in pain, or be sick? That is the life I wake up to... every day. I have a beautiful wife, a loving family and I cannot fully enjoy either. I remember being healthy, and perhaps that is what makes my stuggle to survive each day mentally painful as well. You have no idea what it is like to have to sit on the sidelines in the game of life because "playing" hurts to much, I didn't either. Here is a drug virtually free of uncomfortable side effects, effective pain relief for fibro (search the internet, tons of info as to why these two mate well), and could theoretically be cultivated by me discreetly, for little money yet there stands the Government. Laws such as this have already been enacted in many states, and they have served their purpose with very minimal abuse. Considering the amount of money I give the state of Massachusetts and the Federal Government each tax year, and the quality of life I have to endure, I think it only fair that people like me have access to a certain level of comfort. I would expect that laws for abuse would still be in place, but you will find that anyone who is in my situation would not jeapordize such a cure with any sort of negligence, and this has been proven in other states. Please enact Medical Marijuana laws. There are thousands of us who just want to wake up with the choice of being in pain, or being comfortable. Wanting access to medical solutions to that we can rejoin human race is not an unreasonable request, and we ask you to help us. "

Highly Rated Blog Articles

• O Gafanhoto - Devorando a Web! - 5842 - produtoras-se-inspiram-em ... - July 29, 2010 by http://portal.ogafanhoto.com.br/ - Apr 16, 2008 ... Official government data, breaking news and blog coverage, public comments and user community for H.R.5842 Medical Marijuana Patient ... www.opencongress.org/bill/110-h5842/show ...

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  As noted by http://portal.ogafanhoto.com.br/ on July 29, 2010, "Apr 16, 2008 ... Official government data, breaking news and blog coverage, public comments and user community for H.R.5842 Medical Marijuana Patient ... www.opencongress.org/bill/110-h5842/show ..." (http://portal.ogafanhoto.com.br/5842/produtoras-se-inspiram-em-guerras-para-criar-jogos-de-tiro/)
• H.R.5842: End the Lame Duck Act - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress - July 20, 2010 by opencongress.org - Provides for automatic continuing appropriations if a regular appropriation bill for a fiscal year does not become law before the date of the regularly scheduled general election for federal office held during such fiscal year. ...Read the Rest ... H.R. 58

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  As noted by opencongress.org on July 20, 2010, "Provides for automatic continuing appropriations if a regular appropriation bill for a fiscal year does not become law before the date of the regularly scheduled general election for federal office held during such fiscal year. ...Read the Rest ... H.R. 58" (http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h5842/show)
• CNN - The Most "Busted" Name In News & Other Crap - February 01, 2009 by Jim - http://www.opencongress.org/bill/110-h5843/show. http://www.opencongress.org/bill/110-h5842/show Anyhow, here is the "Form" letter in email form that I got back from CNN this morning concerning the posting that I made to them this ...

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  As noted by Jim on February 01, 2009, "http://www.opencongress.org/bill/110-h5843/show. http://www.opencongress.org/bill/110-h5842/show Anyhow, here is the "Form" letter in email form that I got back from CNN this morning concerning the posting that I made to them this ..." (http://jimsblog.livejournal.com/162546.html)

Highly Rated News Articles

• Ron Paul Introduces New Marijuana - April 28, 2008 by Synthesis, CA - all 2 news articles »

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  As noted by Synthesis, CA on April 28, 2008, "all 2 news articles »" (http://blog.synthesis.net/2008/04/29/ron-paul-introduces-new-marijuana-legislation/)
• Ron Paul Introduces Medical Marijuana Legislation - April 28, 2008 by Smokedot.org, CA - Paul has introduced the “Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act”, HR 5842, which would bar the Federal Government from intervening in doctor/patient ...

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  As noted by Smokedot.org, CA on April 28, 2008, "Paul has introduced the “Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act”, HR 5842, which would bar the Federal Government from intervening in doctor/patient ..." (http://smokedot.org/08/04/28/ron-paul-introduces-medical-marijuana-legislation)
• Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act Introduced Yesterday in ... - April 17, 2008 by Common Dreams (press release), ME - Specifically, HR 5842 would reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug, which cannot be prescribed, to a Schedule II drug, which would recognize the ...

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  As noted by Common Dreams (press release), ME on April 17, 2008, "Specifically, HR 5842 would reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug, which cannot be prescribed, to a Schedule II drug, which would recognize the ..." (http://www.commondreams.org/news2008/0418-03.htm)