A bill that would establish a National Commission on Marijuana Policy was introduced in the US Congress last week. Filed by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), House Bill 1635 seeks a commission that would undertake a comprehensive review of the costs and benefits of current federal marijuana prohibition, as well as examining how federal policy should interact with state laws that have either approved medical marijuana or legalized marijuana outright.
"Regardless of your views on marijuana, it's important that we understand the impact of current federal policy and address the conflict with those state laws that allow for medicinal or personal use of marijuana," said Congressman Cohen. "This conflict is only going to continue to grow over the next few years and we must provide certainty to the millions of individuals and businesses that remain caught in a web of incompatible laws. A national commission would provide us with the information we need to create sensible policy going forward."
Joining Cohen in backing the bill are cosponsors Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Sam Farr (D-CA), Jim Moran (D-VA), and Jared Polis (D-CO).
"The Obama administration has repeatedly stated that a national conversation is needed when it comes to our country’s marijuana policies, but so far that conversation has been largely one sided," said Erik Altieri, communications director for NORML, which worked with Cohen on drafting the bill. "It is time for federal lawmakers to listen to the voice of the majority of Americans who want to see change to our nation’s marijuana laws and for them to take part in that dialogue."
"We have clearly reached a point where the American people want marijuana prohibition to end," said Steve Fox, national political director for the Marijuana Policy Project. "The states have been taking the lead, but the federal government must catch up. It is no longer a question of whether the federal government should allow states to enact their own marijuana policies. Of course, it should. The question now is how to reconcile state and federal laws. This commission bill proposes a study and a discussion that is long overdue."
The proposed commission would consist of 13 members: five appointed by the president; two appointed by the Speaker of the House; two appointed by the House minority leader; two appointed by the Senate majority leader; and two appointed by the Senate minority leader.
Eighteen states and the District of Columbia allow patients with qualifying conditions to use medical marijuana with recommendations from their physicians. In November, voters in Colorado and Washington State approved measures making marijuana legal for adults 21 and older and directing state regulatory bodies to create regulations for businesses to cultivate and sell marijuana to adults.
Comments
the people picking the names ugh
commission
Jim Webb tried to get a commission on the " criminal justice " issue and it flopped . A " marijuana commission " will probably see the same attention . Legislation is already afoot to deal w/ cannabis in congress . The folk`s @ MPP & NORML are hitting at all angles . I wish them the best .
This screams stall tactic.
In reply to This screams stall tactic. by Chris_in_WI (not verified)
I agree.There have been many
I agree.
There have been many "reports" through the ages:
http://www.DrugLibrary.org/schaffer/library/studies/cu/cu60.html
Go here to download the book that excerpt is from:
https://ChristiansAgainstProhibition.org/Licit_and_Illicit_Drugs
Probably about the only good thing I can say is that perhaps it will force a conversation and those who are so against legalization will have their outrageous lies scrutinized and laughed at so much they are forced — through embarrassment and people getting wise to them — to shut up. And perhaps those who are too afraid of speaking up will feel they have a reason to speak up and contradict the bogus baloney they hear.
In reply to I agree.There have been many by Drew B (not verified)
The main problem of course is
The main problem of course is the main stream media are bound to give tons of airtime to the liars who promote prohibition, and only give minimal airtime to legalizers.
marijuana prohibition
The marijuana prohibition is no different than the Whiskey prohibition it is time to make it legal and let the people that to use it do so and the people that don't want to use it well that is their right also. No person should take the rights away from another person or stand in the way of another person's rights. We are people not animals and it is time we were treated like people with respect and let us make up our own mind as to our life.
national marijuana commission
when ya create the marijuana commission, make sure they take a vote on the cost of marijuana for pain and the cost that the government is paying on prescription pain killers for pain...... look what the government can save......drug company drugs are the most expensive part after the hospital bill and tests, then people get hooked on the manufactured drugs, have other medical problems from the drugs, never hear about that from marijuana..... to me, doctors can't hold back this information to patients much longer, the patients that this is hurting are the ones that have never tried marijuana, but have always been stuck on pain pills that are bad for your body, and because marijuana is illegal they have never tried it.....
Add new comment