cannabisnews.com: Legislation Reintroduced To Legalize M. Marijuana Legislation Reintroduced To Legalize M. Marijuana Posted by FoM on April 03, 2001 at 14:07:02 PT For Immediate Release - April 3, 2001 Source: NORML Washington, DC: Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) reintroduced legislation today in the 107th Congress to provide for the medical use of marijuana. The bill is titled the "States' Rights to Medical Marijuana Act." "People who are suffering from severe or terminal illnesses who find a measure of relief from marijuana ought to be able to use it without being treated like criminals," Frank announced. "This bill offers an opportunity for my conservative colleagues to decide if they really want to be consistent on the question of states' rights or if they think the federal government should tell states what to do." The legislation states:"No provision of the Controlled Substances Act [or] ... the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act shall prohibit or otherwise restrict --(A) The prescription or recommendation of marijuana by a physician for medical use.(B) An individual from obtaining and using marijuana from a prescription or recommendation of marijuana by a physician for medical use by such individual.(C) A pharmacy from obtaining and holding marijuana for the prescription of marijuana by a physician for medical use under applicable state law in a State in which marijuana may be prescribed or recommended by a physician for medical use under applicable State law." The legislation reschedules marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II under federal law. This reclassification properly recognizes marijuana's medical utility and enables physicians to legally prescribe it under controlled circumstances while maintaining restrictions on recreational use. Since 1996, nine states -- Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington -- have implemented laws allowing seriously ill patients to possess and use medical marijuana under a doctor's supervision. While these laws protect patients from state criminal marijuana penalties, they do not shield patients from federal prosecution, nor do they allow a state legislature to legally distribute medical marijuana. The legislation introduced in Congress today would afford patients legal protection under federal law, and permit those states that wish to establish medical marijuana distribution systems the legal authority to do so. NORML Executive Director R. Keith Stroup called the proposal a streamlined effort to get marijuana to those who require it. "Historically, voters and state legislatures have been more receptive to the medical marijuana issue than the federal government," Stroup explained. "This legislation addresses this paradigm and effectively gets the federal government out of the way of those states that wish to make marijuana available as a medicine." Stroup said that the Supreme Court's apparent skepticism regarding whether patients or medical marijuana providers may legally raise the defense of "medical necessity" in federal marijuana cases makes the need to reform federal law more pertinent than ever. "Judging from the questions raised by several of the justices, it appears likely the Supreme Court may reject the medical necessity defense in federal cases," he said. "Therefore, passage of this legislation by Congress is crucial. It will enact federal protections to safeguard patients who are using marijuana medicinally under their doctor's supervision, and will provide an opportunity for states to establish their own legal, regulated medical marijuana distribution systems to supply medicine to those who need it." Joining Frank in support of this act are Reps. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), John Conyers (D-MI), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), John Olver (D-MA), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Pete Stark (D-CA), and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA). For more information, please contact Keith Stroup, NORML Executive Director, at (202) 483-5500. For additional information, please contact Peter Kovar at the office of Rep. Barney Frank at (202) 225-5931.Complete Title: Congressman Reintroduces Legislation To Legalize Medical MarijuanaNORMLhttp://www.norml.org/Congressman Barney Frankhttp://www.house.gov/frank/welcome.htmCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #12 posted by Willy on April 04, 2001 at 18:04:34 PT Frank's proposed legislation I have been kicking around the idea of writing to my rep in the house and suggesting just such legislation.My idea is that I intend to appeal to his place in history. If he introduced legislation to re-classify marijuana to class IV, whether it passed or not, when it is eventually legalized his name would be in all the history books as a visionary leader.Barney stole my thunder, LOL. I might compose and send the letter anyway. Maybe there will be a mad scramble to sign on to it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by kaptinemo on April 04, 2001 at 16:57:50 PT: Assumptions After reading Spike's request and the subsequent comments, I am reminded of something I once read. Namely, that a thief will always suspect you of theft, and a liar of lying.To whit, I add: and a cop will always assume cannabis users are stupid.I guess we can't blame them; they are deafened to any other viewpoint simply because they hear nothing but DrugWar propaganda all day.Even the ones who know better - which is at least half of them - will never speak up. Because they risk excommunication from the Church of the Holy DrugWar. With their paychecks at risk, few are ever likely to take the moral high ground and publicly question the suppositions underpinning cannabis prohibition. That's heresy. And heretics are treated even worse that 'infidels'; after all unlike the ignorant 'kaffirs', (the 'unChurched')they should know better than to question holy dogma.Sorry, Officer Boot, you'll have to disabuse yourself of these sophomoric assertions that potheads are inherently dull-witted. Some of the brightest minds of the past century were ardent suitors of Lady Cannabia; Carl sagan amongst them.But then, I guess you wouldn't know that; you're too engrossed in busting those same potheads...while murderers have been released to make room for them. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by greenfox on April 04, 2001 at 06:39:15 PT Oh, one last thing... Because you are 16 the coffie shop owners may CARD you. You must be 18 to purchase marijuana legally from Amsterdam.Therefore let it be known: I, (greenfox,) do not endorse you to purchase marijuana. You are too young. Stick to baseball cards and bubblegum. Also: I do not support ANYonE using marijuana, except for Kap, Obs, FoM, and myself, (because we're all sweet). Everyone else should smoke legal things that are good for you, like tobacco. Although you're 16- so I don't advise you do that, either... Good luck narcy!!sig, fik-gf [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by greenfox on April 04, 2001 at 06:35:45 PT To Spike Rogers! Hey you! You're right by Amsterdam. That's where the best pot in the world is. If you really want quantity, then go to the Grey Area, talk to "The Captain", ask for the legendary "Grey Mist", and he'll give you whatever you're willing to pay for. Tell `em green sent ya! And if pure thc tricromes isn't your thing, then go to Dekaul's and ask for the Malana Cream. Very tasty- the best!sly in green, foxy in kind-gf [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by sm247 on April 04, 2001 at 06:25:47 PT will do backflip if Souder signs on... Thank you again Barney Frank for taking a stand on this issue. Congress SHOULD make this bill priority 1 but we know better... huh maybe Mr. Souder would like to co-sponser this??? Of course we would need to have a note from his parents too. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by The GCW on April 04, 2001 at 04:16:41 PT: Good example God Bless Frank!While I see there is not enough chance that Franks present proposal will meet the rational needs of Truth, his efforts are most likely going to help pave the way for other politicians to get wise!God Bless all politicians who have mercy, compassion and Love. God Bless all politicians who treat their neighbor like they would treat themselves.Be like Epaphroditus! Not wicked and evil! [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Skeezix on April 04, 2001 at 04:01:28 PT Spike Rogers Right on DanB....Yea Spike..Here's were to get good buds.Way better than than southernFrance crap.,,,and with our new Web weed for kids Special,it's only $19.95 an ounce.Why risk searching the bad part of town,only to getlow grade dirt weed,when you can get the best here.Here are some commentsfrom a few of our satisfied customers; "I dont know how WebWeed Depot does it!..This shit is dynamite!"..Scott Stoner,,Yuma Arizona "I've smoked alot of weed before,but this stuff really sets me free!"..Dealer McDope,Newark,NJ...but wait...as a special offer for our web customers,,.if you orderwithin the next 15 minutes,we will double your order!..and,If you order withyour credit card,we will include a complimetary bong,and bic lighter.Call now!...operators are standing by.,,,,and of course,we have a money back guarantee.If for any reason you dont think this is the best weed youve ever had,,simply returnunused portion for a full refund...call now,,toll free 1 900 WEB-WEEDHey......wait a minute.....if you're only sixteen,I may have to get a note from yourparents,.... [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Dan B on April 04, 2001 at 02:44:40 PT: Spike Rogers - A Plant Don't insult us with your blatant attempt to get us to tell an underage person how to obtain an illegal drug. You must really believe we are idiots if you want us to hand out such information to a 16 year old. Any kid that can find Cannabis News can find marijuana, so don't ask us again.I don't believe you are a 16-year-old kid. I believe you are plant put here to try to get us to incriminate ourselves in the guise of helping you find some weed. If you are not, you should realize that asking such questions can get unsuspecting people in trouble, and let this be a lesson to you. We won't take the bait.If you want to comment on the issues presented on Cannabis News, that is fine, and you are welcome to do so. But don't insult our intelligence by asking us to help a teenager find illegal drugs.Dan B [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by dddd on April 04, 2001 at 02:33:50 PT snowball inferno This is truly a remarkable and valiant effort on Mr. Franks'part,,and I am further impressed by the list of those supportingit.........Unfortunately,the "snowballs chance in hell",theorum doesindeed apply here.None the less,it is a very good thing to get any representation..Imagine if patriots got together under the slogan;"No taxation without representation",,,,a new revolution would occur.......d..d...d....d [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Spike Rogers on April 04, 2001 at 02:17:32 PT: Me DOPE! Dear whoever reads this first,You probably get this everyday but I'm a big marijuana fan but still young (16) and not very experienced. I was wondering if you could tell me where I could find the best of the best in both quality and quantity. I go to school in the U.K and the stuff there is not bad but really expensive and I live in Nice, in the South of France. The stuff there is cheap but full of odd things which rather put me off last time. If you could be so kind to tell me if you know a cheap and decent place in France or the U.K I'd be very thankful. Ever so thank you, Spike. http://cannabisnexs.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Robbie on April 03, 2001 at 19:19:33 PT Brave, yet unattainable Doc,You yourself and more people like you would have to be in Congress for this to have a snowball's chance. I appreciate Barney Frank's efforts, but he is already on the outer left of the Demos. "Traffic" and a serious paradigm towards discussion notwithstanding, our esteemed federal leadership wouldn't go near it...even on the Democrat side of the aisle. Maybe it will have the effect of generating more discussion and debate, and that is always helpful. But the legislation is already flawed, since you yourself said that having MJ as Schedule II while Marinol is Schedule III makes no sense. Like G Jr. is going to do with cocaine, Congress would rather raise Marinol to Sched. II or I rather than lower MJ's schedule. Calling all cars! Calling all buses! Calling all planes! "Ze Plane!! Ze Plane!!" [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on April 03, 2001 at 17:54:21 PT: A Brave Attempt I applaud Barney Frank and his purity of intent on this issue. Unfortunately, the way in which the House works makes it unlikely that this will even receive a hearing. One despot on top can derail even the most worthy legislative endeavor. I'd sure love to testify. Maybe one of those paragons of virtue would call me "disreputable" to my face. That'd be worth the trip. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: