Latest Major Action: 4/28/2008 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

A very important thing happened on April 17, 2008 in the House of Representatives. Congressman Barney Frank from Massachusetts, along with eight other congressman from across the United States introduced HR5843. If we can remember from our School House Rocks days , this bill is the first steps towards brighter days for marijuana smokers.

If the resolution becomes law it will remove federal penalties for possession of marijuana under 100 grams.  The bill does not however address dealing, growing, or trafficking of large amounts. There are currently 38 states with laws against the possession of cannabis where the legal status would not change immediately. Of course once the policy becomes publicly accepted there will be a lot of momentum for grass roots efforts to get legislation on the ballot.

This is the most sensible piece of legislation I have ever comes across, and it is worded quite eloquently by Barney Frank. The main theme is that the government has no place in attempting to criminalize cannabis, and that we can spend the resources that go into the war on drugs elsewhere. I’m not saying it’s a perfect solution, but it’s a start. I think a lot of the fear that people have surrounding marijuana is stemmed by a lack of knowledge. Things you don’t know about can be scary, it’s all about baby steps.

I personally would not mind is the government regulated and taxed marijuana.  Even if every penny of those taxes went towards campaigns to keep people from smoking, I’d be it’s biggest cheerleader. Now while the governments raking it in hand over fist from a willing public, I’ll be happily tending to my garden.

We’ll finally be able to know that dream of making a more perfect nation, where an individuals freedoms are given the highest priority. Whatever misguided moral or uninformed reason someone may have for supporting a ban on marijuana will not matter. No one person has the authority to stop another person who is harming no one by his actions.

Keep up with the latest status of HR5843 here

Please contact your local congressman or congresswoman and tell them how you feel about HR5843 and the failed war on drugs policy for cannabis.

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