Also, U.S. Representative Republican Ron Paul (TX), along with ten co-sponsors, is once again seeking to allow for the commercial farming of industrial hemp. House Bill 1866, The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2009, would exclude low potency varieties of marijuana from federal prohibition. If approved, this measure will grant state legislatures the authority to license and regulate the commercial production of hemp as an industrial and agricultural commodity.

Several states -- including North Dakota, Montana, and Vermont -- have enacted regulations to allow for the cultivation of hemp under state law. However, none of these laws can be implemented without federal approval. Passage of HR 1866 would remove existing federal barriers and allow states that wish to regulate commercial hemp production the authority to do so. Upon introducing the bill in Congress, Rep. Paul said: "It is unfortunate that the federal government has stood in the way of American farmers, including many who are struggling to make ends meet, from competing in the global industrial hemp market. Indeed, the founders of our nation, some of whom grew hemp, would surely find that federal restrictions on farmers growing a safe and profitable crop on their own land are inconsistent with the constitutional guarantee of a limited, restrained federal government. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to stand up for American farmers and cosponsor the Industrial Hemp Farming Act." Visit - http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=13073826

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Members Of Congress Call For an End to Federal Marijuana Penalties

H.R.2943 : To eliminate most Federal penalties for possession of marijuana for personal use, and for other purposes. 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), has reintroduced legislation 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 (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. Visit - http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=13568661

when contacting your members of Congress. H.R.2943 : To eliminate most Federal penalties for possession of marijuana for personal use, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] (introduced 6/18/2009)      Cosponsors (4) Committees: House Judiciary; House Energy and Commerce Latest Major Action: 6/18/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. COSPONSORS(4), ALPHABETICAL Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] - 6/18/2009 Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] - 6/18/2009 Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] - 6/18/2009 Rep Rohrabacher, Dana [CA-46] - 6/18/2009

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Support The National Criminal Justice Act of 2009!

Over a dozen U.S. Senators, led by Virginia Democrat Jim Webb, are seeking to establish a blue-ribbon commission to review America's criminal justice policies -- and the criminalization of nonviolent drug possession in particular. Senate Bill 714, The National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009, seeks to initiate a comprehensive re-evaluation of America's drug and prison policies.

Writing in Parade Magazine on March 29, Sen. Webb explained why this review is necessary:

"America's criminal justice system has deteriorated to the point that it is a national disgrace. ... The United States has by far the world's highest incarceration rate. With 5% of the world's population, our country now houses nearly 25% of the world's reported prisoners.

... Drug offenders, most of them passive users or minor dealers, are swamping our prisons. ... Justice statistics also show that 47.5% of all the drug arrests in our country in 2007 were for marijuana offenses. Additionally, nearly 60% of the people in state prisons serving time for a drug offense had no history of violence or of any significant selling activity. ... African-Americans -- who make up about 12% of the total U.S. population population -- accounted for 37% of those arrested on drug charges, 59% of those convicted, and 74% of all drug offenders sentenced to prison. Visit - http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=13046001

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