Barney Frank Ignites Congress for Common Sense

America's resources are strained. As the Iraq fiasco escalates, the dollar devalues, and fuel costs soar, America's new tomorrow is begging for a contemporary point-of-view.

For too long Bush has made us a nation afraid of its own shadow. Fear mongering, failed policies, and a sense of foreboding have usurped common sense. The American dream and any sense of optimism have been driven down into a deep, dark pit.

America yearns for tomorrow while neo-conservatives, frightened evangelicals, and the old-guard cling to yesterday's well-formed lies. Iraq is a lie, fossil fuel is a lie, political boundaries are a lie, right-wing religion is a lie, and so are America's money wasting, prison-crowding, twentieth-century marijuana laws.

In response to public pressure, scientific evidence, and a lack of fear, twelve states have passed marijuana legislation in conflict with federal law. In California, medical marijuana has been dispensed since 1996. Despite federal views to the contrary, the sky has not fallen down over the golden state's liberal herbal policy.

In 1992, Bill Clinton admitted to having "experimented with marijuana a time or two." But, he famously claimed, "I didn't like it, and didn't inhale and I never tried it again." Challenges to twenty-first century America have warranted a new look at unwarranted fears: Barack Obama supports marijuana for glaucoma, cancer patients, and medical use. He has said, "the war on drugs has been an utter failure, we need to rethink it - decriminalize our marijuana laws."

John McCain's moth-eaten, opposition to marijuana for medical use, is another signal his presidency would be a roadblock to a new America. McCain states: "I still would not support medical marijuana because I don't think the preponderance of medical opinion in America agrees with the assertion that [marijuana] is the most effective way of treating pain."

In part 2 of my interview with Congressman Barney Frank, he talks bluntly and plainly about an issue that clouds the path towards a new America. His reasonable, live and let live position makes sense, moving us into the twenty-first century, at last.

Comments

[BBackSoon]

As an old "Head" I would welcome some reasonable marijuana laws. In my humble opinion it should be treated much like alcohol, you must be 21 to buy or possess it, you will not allowed to be stoned and driving a motor vehicle and it should be heavily taxed. Then the cops can go after all the drugs that will actually kill you.

I also have to admit it would be cool to walk into the Hit and Run and ask for a pack of Roman Red"s or Maui Wowie Wides.

[FullChat]

There is no reason to use logic until January. Try it then.

[imbansheed]

'"Voted the brainiest, funniest and most eloquent member of the House"
Congressman Frank, you da man.

[fredamae]

Cannabis is medicine. The Law and the Federal Schedule I classification is ridiculous and its costing us $7.5 billion annually, just for Cannabis eradication.

Science has More than proved the Federal Policies wrong, that Cannabis is dangerous, addictive and has no medical value.

Mr. Frank, thank you! If you were to take it further, Tax it and regulate it our gov't would realize more than $40,000,000,000.00 in New tax revenue, annually. It would reduce crime, free up valuable Law Enforcement resources and provide jobs.

Industrial Hemp would be environmentally and economically sound, also creating Lots of jobs.

It is past time to stop enforcing laws that the people do not want enforced.
It is irresponsible to continue down the path we are on. Cannabis Prohibition has failed.

[BringBackDemocracy]

Federal law regarding marijuana is barbaric. We need to wake up and realize that cannabis is medicine. We need to stop locking up people and handing out criminal records for smoking a little weed.

[Sciguy]

Amen, Mr. Frank! File that bill and make it pass - and thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!