HR 2306, the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011, is still awaiting a hearing assignment from either the House Judiciary Committee or the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The chairmen of these two committees seem content to bury their heads in the sand and ignore the will of the people on this issue, while simultaneously stonewalling the democratic process. The refusal thus far to allow HR 2306 its “legitimate debate” illustrates the frustrating side of national politics.
However, the twelve co-sponsors who have since joined with HR 2306’s primary sponsor, Rep. Barney Frank, in supporting this bill show that not all lawmakers are content to watch tax dollars being frivolously thrown away while our citizens are being robbed of their civil liberties. We need more brave individuals to stand up and rally with them, which is why NORML is asking you to reach out to your elected officials and encourage them to co-sponsor this important legislation. With each legislator added to the list of co-sponsors, we are adding a new political ally and demonstrating the widespread support for our cause.
Over the past 70+ years, the federal criminalization of marijuana has:
1) Failed to reduce the public’s demand for or access to cannabis.
2) Imposed enormous fiscal and human costs upon the American people.
3) Promoted disrespect for the law.
4) Reinforced ethnic and generational divides between the public and law enforcement.
This debate is long overdue. It is time to rethink the leaf.
Contact your Representatives today and tell them to stand with us and co-sponsor HR 2306.
NORML would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to Representatives Polis, Paul, Honda, Nadler, Conyers, Cohen, McDermott, Norton, Lee, Stark, Rohrbacher, Rangel, and, of course, Barney Frank for their support and advocacy of HR 2306.
I was Previously living in the united states about a month and a half ago, for about 11 years, smoking marijuana to help my ptsd, and recreationally. If The united states Legalizes’ Marijuana then Canada will be sure to follow, Since the only reason Canada has not legalized it as of now is because the united states has threatened to close down the boarders if we do.
Just sent the Email to Cliff Stearns in Florida—Don’t hold your breath on his support. He has clearly said he will not support any bill of any kind in support of marijuana. Florida will pass Medical marijuana if it is by a Ballot vote (57% support without ground troops). It will never pass in Florida if it is left up to people like Cliff Stearns. Florida the 4th Largest Population State in the USA. Put Florida on the Ballot for 2012—Make it happen NORML!!! You’ll be glad you did!!!
i asked Lisa Merkowski she said not just no but hell no. glad i didn’t vote for her
Please contact your representatives. We don’t need more decades of Prohition.
sent to my rep, will see what his response is
That’s…………JERKCOWSKI, not Merkowski.
Well folks it is only a matter of time before our dream of legalization comes true! This country is in
the negative right now, but two of the plants of LIFE
marijuana and it’s cousin industrial hemp will reign as
a Super Crop,that is a renewable resource.It will feed
the hungry nations of the Earth.Vote for Ron Paul he will solve our problems.
I’ve got rookie tea partyer Blake Farenthal. He seems receptive 2 ideas that makes sense.
I contacted Andy Harris – my rep – a conservative Republican – he told me no. I tried – later I’ll try to vote him out of office.
Just sent an e-mail to Jay Inslee, hopefully being a representative of WA he’ll support it 🙂
Yea tell me about it we have had the same problem here in Missouri for the past four years. I got a response from my rep. It’s here if you want to see it. Same old thing stuck in the 30’s .http://tinyurl.com/3kxr937
Thank you, NORML and its wealthy supporters, Mr. Lewis & Mr. Soros & everyone else!
I loved the Frontline show.
Now if only cannabis prohibition were the first thing to get cut and included in a jobs promotion political action!
[Paul Armentano responds: To clarify, NORML does not and has not received funding from either Lewis or Soros, though both parties have historically funded several statewide ballot initiatives and campaigns to reform marijuana laws, as well as other drug law reform groups (e.g., DPA, formerly MPP).
I emailed my representative, Sue Myrick, when I heard about HR2306 — she responded a few days ago (clipped) “I understand some of the arguments in favor of ending marijuana prohibition at the federal level. However, I believe that marijuana is a gateway drug — one of the most commonly abused illicit drugs in our country – and I feel that the attempts to legalize marijuana would result in more harm to our society.”
I would have sent the petition to my legislatures, but there was a typo in the first sentence. Oops
The beginning of the end ?
http://marksailorsarcatanow.wordpress.com/2011/07/29/brown-cuts-camp-funding/
I’m hearing that there are going to be cuts to medicare and social security.We should demand the drug budget cut first!
I have also sent the HR 2306 question to my representatives, and await their response, I do not think they have what it takes to be fair in Florida, we will see, I have written about the legalization issue in the past, and it gets ignored. I will however persist with this one, until I get an answer and hold them accountable in the elections.
There is no we the people here. I would say after the 40 year prohibition they have no intention of listening to anyone who isn’t buying them off. This world sucks without legal weed.
State of Alabama still ignored HR 2306.
I have been keep working on for it what can I do to make my state to listen to me.
Why they (Alabama) is not listen to me, I,m been doing this for many years in the past.
My representatives Mike Roger is no good person.
I want you to pick one out from my state.
No more Mr. Mike Roger I like him but not his ideal still not support HR2306
Again I do want my state change new law, prohibition is not doing no good it worthless.
Come on Alabama wake up.
Despite decades of bigotry and ignorance and being pushed aside, we continue to write letters that are deposited in the trash. We hold signs up in the air while wearing tie-dyed shirts and goofy sun glasses that earn nothing more than amused looks from passers by. No wonder the fat cats with corporations waiting on them hand and foot so easily ignore us. We are of zero value to them.
It is time for weed smokers to become the most valuable members of society. We must become cherished in the hearts and minds of every social class, age group, race, gender, and religion. I therefore propose “civil service protests” where marijuana advocates get together with signs, tie-dyes, goofy glasses, letters to their representatives and most importantly their work gloves. I propose that legalization groups provide free public services such as picking up trash from the sidewalks. We should get together and mow the knee high weeds in the vacant lot on the corner. We should get together and help shoppers lift heavy groceries from carts into their car trunks. We should organize a group of marijuana users to help paint a house, weed a garden, organize a charity event, or work in a local soup kitchen, or collect toys for impoverished children during the holidays.
Use banners and signs like, “POTHEADS FOR TRASH-FREE SIDEWALKS” or “STONERS PAINTED THIS HOUSE FOR FREE” or “HOLIDAY TOYS FOR LITTLE TOTS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SMOKING POT.”
And all along the way we should have polite, friendly, yet informative conversations with everyone we meet about the lies and dangers of marijuana prohibition.
Get off the couch, get away from the computer, be a loud proud pot smoking CONTRIBUTOR to society, and put the myth of the lazy, worthless, drug addled user to bed. Become a MOST VALUABLE member of society, then when your hard work is done, go home, write your representative again, and enjoy some cannabis. You earned it.
#21 Im down for that. Get the society to see that we aren’t a burden but a different way of life..We Make our own decisions, its called common sense. Don’t allow the idiots with reasons to take your rights away into office in the first place. I wonder if Congress would even show up if they were just doing it out of good will and not getting a paycheck. Maybe thats what we need. Volunteers as congressmen. Do it just like we do jury duty. If twelve people can put someone to death on a jury then why cant citizens be volunteered into congress via no paycheck for a little while and then switch them up after so long. Wouldnt allow the lobbying would it? Nope. Wouldnt have enough time to seed their bullshit ideals onto others.hmm. maybe we need to look at volunteer work in government officials kinda like firefighters.
It now seems that over the next several months the debate in Washington will center around where and how to make the spending cuts required by the debt deal.
This seems like a most opportune time to make our case to stop wasting tax dollars on marijuana prohibition. It would seem that even the most bull-headed prohibitionists will be hard pressed to justify continued prohitition at the same time that we are being threatened with cuts to social security and medicare.
In a similar line, legalization will create substantial additional tax revenues that almost nobody will object to (except those who are currently making a killing off of prohibition).
It is very good to expose your representatives on where they stand. Cannabis is a very big issue, but denying it is part of an organize crime tactic to keep it illegal. Organize crime cannot control democracy but they are trying. They are trying very hard.
Get serious, stay focus, and vote.
WHY WHY WHY is this beautiful plant still illegal. WHY is it still schedule ONE on the federal list.
I’ll continue to work these take action things.
THANK you NORML for fighting the good fight.
Mr President. Do to the disproportionate number of minorities imprisoned on drug charges I can’t give you my vote. No decriminalization no vote! get it?
@14 – Perhaps Sue Myrick should take a look at this site (if she is open minded enough…). Failing to end prohibition because of the myth of the gateway effect is just plain lame and ignorant! Encourage her to get medical advice on the subject instead of legal (via the DEA). Here is the link:
http://www.420magazine.com/2011/04/the-myth-of-marijuanas-gateway-effect/
15 Trillion Dollars in debt.Over 18 Billion on the war on Cannibus. Legal to get drunk around children. This is not a democracy it`s a hypocracy. Here`s an early warning to Washington. If we all stop paying taxes which people will they attack first? Taxation without representation ring a bell you drunken idiots?
Sent on the request to my Rep. here in Arizona. As expected a form letter reply(We disagree on this issue), but followed up with a note indicating that I will not be able to support him in his bid for re-election, and I will remind them of this weeks before election day.
I would wonder, what the farmer of 1790 would say if informed he/she couldn’t grow something for their own use..Their musket’s still warm, I’m sure they would have a very strong opinion, as they did to the Whiskey tax.
SkunkyFingers right on! Florida is always the last not the first. Wish someone had the money to get medical marijuana on Florida ballot. I have a lot of friends that will walk door to door for signatures in Tampa. I do know our persistence is showing signs of the walls coming down.
EVENING PAPER – GET YOUR EVENING PAPER – READ ALL ABOUT IT.
Government refuses to submit evidence in support of their claims against cannabis. Lamar Smith makes “duck and cover” his agenda. Public calls him a gutless wonder with no spine.
There is more than just corn in Indiana, it could be hemp and marijuana. The first time I contacted Peter Visclosky Dem. Rep. of Indiana via e-mail his response was that marijuana was a gateway drug to harder drugs. No e-mail yet on a recent subject of medical marijuana and to make marijuana legal and or change draconian laws in Indiana. It will probably be another no brainer answer, marijuana is a gateway drug. As far as law enforcement goes, no pot arrest or D.U.I.D. arrest, no bonus. Money talks and the bullshit walks all over us and our rights as Indiana citizens. And as far as the Gov. of Indiana and the last two Presidents and the present one, they all thumbed their noses against FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS and come out smellin like a rose. What a HYPOCRACY! They are just another part of the 21ST CENTURY INQUISITORS. When you have a good politician, the PROHIBITIONISTS look at them like they are soft on marijuana drug use and their re-election.
From Susan A. Davis
Thank you for writing with your support for the Ending the Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act (HR. 2306). I appreciate hearing from you and apologize for the delay in my response. Each week, I receive over 2,000 pieces of mail, and it often takes me longer to respond than I would like.
As you may know, Congress has long debated how to address the drug problem in our nation, and it is true that prisons often house many drug offenders. While I do not believe that all drugs should be legalized, I do support the legalization of medical marijuana. I share your view that already extended law enforcement resources would be better spent elsewhere than prosecuting those using or prescribing medical marijuana in accordance with their own state laws. In fact, when I meet with law enforcement officers from California, this is a point that many of them raise.
Since coming to Congress, I have been a consistent supporter of states’ rights when it comes to medical marijuana. I am proud that California has been so progressive on this issue and would like to see an end to the federal government’s intervention against those trying to ease their pain and suffering through state-approved medical marijuana use. Rest assured, I will keep your support for H.R. 2306 in mind should it come to the House floor for a vote.
Once again, thank you for contacting me. As your representative, I both need and value your perspective. Please sign up for my E-Newsletter at my website http://house.gov/susandavis/ if you would like to receive regular updates about what is happening in Congress.
Fight the law by disobeying the law. Hide the truth– smoke pot in private, pay no taxes on it. An unjust law does not need to be obeyed– rule of law be damned.
While we are at it– kill all the prohibitionists. They aren’t really human anyway.
(Since I’ve made comments like this before I should clarify: violence against PEOPLE is bad).
@33 – Susan A Davis is not all bad! However, she could still use a bit of enlightenment since she apparently does not support the use of cannabis except for medical use. Please write her again (I don’t live in CA) and let her know that ruining people’s lives because of the use of recreational cannabis qualifies as a hate crime – which she readily chooses to fight. Point out to her that all the unjust laws against cannabis users truly amounts to discrimination and could certainly qualify as a hate crime. People familiar with Nixon’s thoughts and actions can easily see where my thoughts are now coming from. When a adrenaline pumped swat team busts down the door of an otherwise good law abiding American because they are suspected of having a bit of marijuana they are guilty of terrorism – something our leaders are supposed to protect us from!
Even though I am addressing this message specifically to comment #33, I encourage all of you to use these same ideas and arguments when you write to the policians that represent your State. It is my sincere hope that we can educate them since it would really mean a lot to me to see marijuana legalized before I die!
they are never going to let it go folks.our government has too much to lose. too many big pockets and, too many favors in government. on top of that, now they’re prodding your employer to drug test…i just dont find any incentive that it will ever be legalized…im quite bummed when my employer has the right to test me when i dont consume and, go to work. seems the light at the end of the tunnel is made from the trickery of mirrors….peace to you all…
hey did anyone no that the draft of the declaration of independence was written on hemp???so are rights were written on hemp dose anyone see something wrong with this??
Even though HR-2306 is good idea,and i hope it passes(:.we still need to vote in- each individual State, one at a time.. like a stack of dominoes from the inside out…The fact that Marijuana Prohibition is based on lies and deceptions from the beginning .. mainly, to protect Special Interest.. only allow’s a “Pandoras Box” of possibilities…What else have they lied to us about? Is money their highest priority?(duh) overiding “values” like ethics and morality” . What about 9/11? ..We know that O”bama has the power in the Media as to not disclose information about Federal raids on marijuana gardens and dispenceries, So what other things are the Media lying to us about or not revealing? The obvious blatent lies and half -truths regarding Marijuana Prohibition only open up more questions but also opportunities.. have hope,the Civil – Drug-War (on it’s own people) is far from over.
DAY 30 http://www.change.org/petitions/let-the-end-marijuana-prohibition-act-get-a-hearing
NORML petition for the RON PAUL HR 2306 bill
I got a response from my Sen Devin Nunes, (R). He said, “HR2306 was recently introduced to two (2) different congressional committees; the House Judiciary Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee. Before this legislation can be reviewed by the full committees , it has to be reviewed by subcommittees, where I expect vigorous debate. Considering the thousands of bills both committees have to review, it comes as no surprise that HR2306 is still pending review. Nevertheless, I will share your support of HR2306 with my colleagues who sit on both committees.” Please note his ‘pre-excuse’ to whit: the thousands of bills in both committees. I am such a cynic.
#21 One of the collectives in my county collected over $5,000 from it’s members. They gave it to the Police Youth Activity League, and the Chief of Police made them give it back, saying it was tainted money! The next week, they are closing community swimming pools because of a lack of funds. Dispensaries are not illegal in California, yet our county sheriff raided the same dispensary saying they make too much money. As far as I know, IRS is the agency that decides what is and is not ‘too much money’ for a non-profit business to make. Our Board of Supervisors will try imposing a ban on dispensaries this week, even though the result will be 15 lawsuits the county has no money to defend against.
@41 – Wow, the Chief of Police and the sheriff in your county are truly pathetic morons! Again I wonder “How do these jerks end up in such high positions of authority???”. It really pisses me off!
The Chief of Police is retiring amidst allegations of discrimination. We are going to vote the Sheriff out. THEN the Chief will run for Sheriff and we won’t vote for him. The Sheriff wrote the ordinance and it allows no growing by anyone other than a collective. She is trying to usurp state law; SB215 and SB420 cannot be changed because it was a proposition passed on a voter ballot. She says mj is illegal per the Feds and that is all she parrots. Fresno County MMJ patients will not give up on this battle with her. She will have her pants dued off and I, for one, do not want to see her butt!
The California Police Chiefs Association is the biggest rogue and foe in the state. “The law is the law.” If they continue to break the law – well – maybe they wouldn’t feel so good behind the bars – instead of in front of them – and – you know what they do to cops in jail.
REP JAY INSLEE, WA CONGRESS replied to me:
Thank you for contacting me with your support for H.R. 2306, the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011. I appreciate hearing from you.
H.R. 2306 would, limit the application of Federal laws to the distribution and consumption of marijuana. H.R. 2306 will not legalize Marijuana; instead this bill will remove marijuana from the list of federally controlled substances while allowing states to decide how they will regulate it. As you may know, in November 1998, the voters of our home state voted in favor of Initiative 692 (I-692). I-692 allows for the medical use of marijuana by patients with certain terminal or debilitating conditions, such as cancer or AIDS. The initiative does not legalize the use or display of marijuana in public, and therefore the drug cannot be distributed in clubs or other public facilities. Voters rejected Initiative 685 in 1997 because it did not sufficiently restrict the circumstances in which marijuana could be legally prescribed. H.R. 2306 has been referred to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Judiciary. As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind as H.R. 2306 continues through the legislative process.
I feel that doctors should be able to prescribe the best medical treatment for patients, removed from governmental influence. While I support leaving the government out of medical decisions, any federal legalization of medical marijuana must have strict guidelines on its use. In spite of the fact that public opinion may become more accepting of the medical use of marijuana, I do not support legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes.
You will be pleased to know that in the past I have voted for an amendment to the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and related agencies Appropriation bill that would have prohibited the use of funds in the bill to prevent the States of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon, or Washington from implementing State laws authorizing the use of medical marijuana in those States. Unfortunately, this common sense amendment intended to preserve the authority of individual states failed to pass the House of Representatives.
As you may know, in October, 2009, President Obama’s Justice Department announced that federal law enforcement raids on lawful medical marijuana dispensaries would cease. According to a memorandum sent to U.S. Attorneys by the Justice Department, U.S. Attorneys should not focus resources “on individuals whose actions are in clear and unambiguous compliances with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana,” though more recent statements by the Justice Department have led to uncertainty and confusion regarding this issue.
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me about such an important issue. For news on current federal legislative issues, please visit my website at http://www.house.gov/inslee, where you can also sign up to receive my e-newsletter. My office is here to serve you, so please feel free to contact us in Shoreline at 206-361-0233 or in Washington, D.C. at 202-225-6311 for assistance.
Very truly yours,
JAY INSLEE
Member of Congress
#41 *UPDATE* Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted 4 to 1 today to ban, not only dispensaries, but the cultivation of cannabis by anyone other than collectives in designated industrial areas out by the freeway. I can only say get 40,000 signatures by September will be the obstacle for us next. And, if you have a collective in these areas, and the city or cities decide to annex your property, you have no right to appeal.
46. Mrsmac
You can’t ban a legal product. We proved that in Butt county.
You’re preaching to the choir. It isn’t over yet.
http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/08/09/2494202/board-oks-tight-limits-on-medical.html
Don’t look now prohibition,but your working on a beat down!
48. Mrsmac
You can’t restrict a legal business either. Check with Joe Elford ASA.
uobjecth http://buy-provigil.bid
inotq buy clomid and nolvadex