Someone asked me to read an article that appeared on CNN.com about legalizing marijuana. It’s pretty interesting that a huge debate amongst lawmakers has heated up relative to easing pot restrictions. Rep. Barney Frank said that the U.S. should stop arresting responsible marijuana users. Frank announced a proposal to end federal penalties for Americans carrying fewer than 100 grams, which is almost a quater-pound of weed. Some lawmakers feel as if the current laws puts to much burden on law enforcement resources, punishes people who are actually prescribed the substance, and unfairly affect and target African-Americans.

“The vast amount of human activity ought to be none of the government’s business,” Frank said on Capitol Hill. “I don’t think it is the government’s business to tell you how to spend your leisure time.” Allen St. Pierre, spokesman for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, also sided with Frank’s proposal. Pierre said “We do not arrest and jail responsible alcohol drinkers”. That’s sorta true!

Reps. William Lacy Clay, D-Missouri, and Barbara Lee, D-California, said that the current laws is not only targeting nonviolent offenders, U.S. marijuana laws unfairly target African-Americans. Clay said although he does not condone drug use he is opposed to using tax dollars to pursue what he feels is an arcane holdover from “a phony war on drugs that is filling up our prisons, especially with people of color.”

If the proposed law, HR 5843,  were passed, the House would support marijuana smokers possessing up to 100 grams — about 3½ ounces — of cannabis without being arrested . It would also give its blessing to the “nonprofit transfer” of up to an ounce of marijuana. With that all said, DO YOU THINK MARIJUANA USE SHOULD BE LEGAL? Tell us what you think about the lawmakers opinions about weed! Leave your Comments!

Big shout out to Riq for the article!

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