Late Friday night, on the March 21st edition of the HBO show "Real Time," hosted by Bill Maher , Representative Barney Frank (D--MA) announced his intention to file a bill that would remove all federal penalties for small amounts of marijuana.  This bill would free up valuable federal resources, save taxpayers' billions of dollars, and improve the lives of patients across the country.   Frank stated that he thinks "its time for the politicians in this one to catch up to the public. The notion that you lock people up for smoking marijuana is pretty silly."

Representative Frank demonstrated that he is a man of his word by filing HR 5843 (Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults).  Rep. Frank's proposal would eliminate all penalties for possession of up to 3½ ounces of cannabis and non-profit transfers of up to 1 ounce.

Also, Rep. Frank joined long-time Drug War critic, Representative Ron Paul (R-TX) , in filiing HR 5842, the Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act, which would end the federal intervention in states that have passes laws allowing the medical use of cannabis.  

Please contact your representatives and urge them to support these bills.  Representatives Frank and Paul have shown great courage by standing up for such  common-sense proposals, but they need our help and the help of their collegues.  While these proposals likely won't be signed into law by George W. Bush, it is important to build our movement for the future.  We will never change federal law without starting somewhere and building upon that initial support.