March 24, 2008 - Washington, DC, USA

Washington, DC:

 

US Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) has announced that he will shortly introduce legislation in Congress to strip the federal government of its authority to arrest responsible cannabis consumers.

 

Representative Frank made the announcement Friday on the nationally syndicated television show, "Real Time With Bill Maher."

 

“It's time for the politicians to catch up with the public on this [issue],” Frank said. "The notion that you lock people up for smoking marijuana is pretty silly."

 

Frank's pending bill seeks to eliminate all federal penalties prohibiting the personal use and possession of up to 100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) of marijuana.

 

Under this measure, adults who consume cannabis would no longer face arrest, prison, or even the threat of a civil fine.

 

The bill also eliminates all penalties prohibiting the not-for-profit transfers of up to one ounce of pot. NORML Legal Counsel Keith Stroup, who worked closely with Frank's staff to draft this legislation, said, "If passed by Congress, this legislation would legalize the possession, use, and non-profit transfer of marijuana by adults for the first time since 1937."