WASHINGTON—(ENEWSPF)—June 23, 2011. Representatives Barney Frank (D-MA) and Ron Paul (R-TX) have introduced a bipartisan bill today that would end the federal prohibition on marijuana. H.B. 2306, the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011 would allow states to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana without federal interference. The bill is co-sponsored by Representatives John Conyers (D-MI), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Jared Polis (D-CO), and Barbara Lee (D-CA).
Politico indicated that the legislation is modeled after the 21st Amendment to the Constitution which repealed the federal prohibition and gave that responsibility to the states.
According to the Huffington Post, “The legislation would limit the federal government’s role in marijuana enforcement to cross-border or inter-state smuggling, allowing people to legally grow, use or sell marijuana in states where it is legal.”
According to the Marijuana Policy Project, which advocates for pot legalization. “The legislation is the first bill ever introduced in Congress to end federal marijuana prohibition.”
The Marijuana Policy Project cites a report released this month by the Global Commission on Drug Policy that slammed the decades-old war on drugs and called on governments to take a look at decriminalizing marijuana and other drugs.
More than a dozen states currently allow the sale of medical marijuana, a practice that is not legal under federal law. As a result there are clashes between local and federal authorities.
While CNN reports that passage of the bill is a long shot, part of the point of this legislation is to start a conversation on the issue.
