LAWMAKERS CALL FOR AN END TO FEDERAL MARIJUANA PROSECUTIONS

Washington, DC: Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank, along with
co-sponsors Ron Paul (R-TX); Maurice Hinchey (D-NY); Dana Rohrabacher
(R-CA); and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), will reintroduce legislation today
to limit the federal government's authority to arrest and prosecute
minor marijuana offenders.

The measure, entitled an "Act to Remove Federal Penalties for
Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults," would eliminate
federal penalties for the personal possession of up to 100 grams
(over three and one-half ounces) of cannabis and for the
not-for-profit transfer of up to one ounce of pot - making the
prosecutions of these offenses strictly a state matter.

Under federal law, defendants found guilty of possessing small
amounts of cannabis for their own personal use face up to one year
imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.

Passage of this act would provide state lawmakers the choice to
maintain their current penalties for minor marijuana offenses or
eliminate them completely. Lawmakers would also have the option to
explore legal alternatives to tax and regulate the adult use and
distribution of cannabis free from federal interference.

To date, thirteen states have enacted laws "decriminalizing" the
possession of marijuana by adults. Minor marijuana offenders face a
citation and small fine in lieu of a criminal arrest or time in jail.

"The federal government has much more important business to attend to
than targeting, arresting and prosecuting adults who use marijuana
responsibly," NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre said. "This
is an issue that ought to be handled by the states, not the Feds."

According to nationwide polls, three out of four voters believe that
adults who possess marijuana should not face arrest or jail, and one
out of two now say that cannabis should be regulated like alcohol.

The reintroduction of the Frank/Paul bill comes one week after the
duo reintroduced HR 2835, The Medical Marijuana Patient Protection
Act of 2009 - which seeks to halt federal interference in states that
have enacted medical marijuana laws - and just days after Rep. Mark
Kirk (R-IL) called for federal legislation to sentence certain
first-time marijuana offenders to 25 years in prison.

"The U.S. Congress has a definite choice," said St. Pierre. "They can
choose the path of compassion, fiscal responsibility, and common
sense by supporting Barney Frank's and Ron Paul's efforts, or they
can continue down America's failed drug war path by endorsing Rep.
Kirk's draconian legislation. It is abundantly clear which direction
the voters wish to go; will their elected officials follow?"