A BLEAK FORECAST FOR POT SMOKERS?

Drug laws, the majority of which affect pot smokers, swelled to new
levels of severity under the Reagan administration, with the
introduction of mandatory minimum sentences. Under the Clinton
administration, the number of people incarcerated for drug offenses
increased nearly 80%. Over the course of the last three years, the
Bush administration has actively and illegally campaigned against
sensible marijuana laws in states like Nevada, New Mexico and
California. Sadly, this pattern of making already draconian laws even
stricter continues today.

Two bills in the House of Representatives would enact criminal
penalties against marijuana smokers for 'drugged driving,' if passed.
Even if the individual is not under the influence or impaired, the
conviction would hold based on inactive marijuana metabolites detected
in bodily fluids. Rep. Jon Porter (R-NV) is the primary sponsor of
H.R. 3907, which demands that state legislatures enact mandatory
minimums for DUID (driving under the influence of a drug) laws. If
states failed to enact these laws, they would be penalized by losing
portions of their federal highway funding.

Similarly H.R. 3922, sponsored by a coalition of legislators
(including the man who brought you the Higher Education Act drug
provision, Mark Souder (R-IN)), would impose DUID legislation on all
50 states.

The good news is that these bills are proposals and have not become
laws. You can act now by calling and urging your representatives to
reject H.R. 3907 and H.R. 3922. If we don't let these bills become
laws, decriminalization will mean that much more.

Log on to www.norml.com to send a pre-written letter to your
representatives. DO IT NOW!