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HR 5842 would reschedule marijuana for medical use, end federal interference in state laws

Washington, D.C. -- Congressional Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced the "Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act," HR 5842, yesterday, a bill co-sponsored by Representatives Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Sam Farr (D-CA), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), and Ron Paul (R-TX). The act would change federal policy on medical marijuana in a number of ways. Specifically, HR 5842 would reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug, which cannot be prescribed, to a Schedule II drug, which would recognize the medical value of marijuana and create a regulatory framework for the FDA to begin a drug approval process for marijuana. The act would also prevent interference by the federal government in any local or state run medical marijuana program.

Similar versions of HR 5842 have been introduced in prior Congressional terms, but have never made it out of committee. "It's time that the federal government take this issue seriously," said Caren Woodson, Government Affairs Director with Americans for Safe Access (ASA), a nationwide medical marijuana advocacy group working with Mr. Frank and other Members of Congress to change federal policy. "By disregarding marijuana's medical efficacy, and undermining efforts to implement state laws, the federal government is willfully placing hundreds of thousands of sick Americans in harms way."

In addition to rescheduling marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), HR 5842 would provide protection from the CSA and the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) for qualified patients and caregivers in states that have legalized the use of medical marijuana. Specifically, the act prevents the CSA and FDCA from prohibiting or restricting: (1) a physician from prescribing or recommending marijuana for medical use, (2) an individual from obtaining, possessing, transporting within their state, manufacturing, or using marijuana in accordance with their state law, (3) an individual authorized under State law from obtaining, possessing, transporting within their state, or manufacturing marijuana on behalf of an authorized patient, or (4) an entity authorized under local or State law to distribute medical marijuana to authorized patients from obtaining, possessing, or distributing marijuana to such authorized patients.

In December, U.S. House Judiciary Chair John Conyers stated publicly his concern about the tactics being used by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and promised oversight hearings. Since then, several California mayors have written to Conyers expressing their support for hearings, including the mayors of San Francisco, Oakland, West Hollywood, and Santa Cruz. Opposition to federal interference in state medical marijuana laws has also come from multiple city councils, members of the California Board of Equalization and the state legislature, as well as New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

fingers crossed!!!!!

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it is time to Re-schedule and RE-legalize cannabis! the fact that it is a schedule 1 substance is absolutely ridiculous. cocaine is schedule 2!

p.s.
did you know that at one point in U.S. history, you could've gone to prison for NOT growing hemp ?

I don't expect congress to act on the will of the people on this one, but rather the will of the pharmaceutical industries who have just as much power in this country as the government itself..

I bet they'll be pouring MILLIONS in to lobby against both of Frank's bills, sadly...I just wish that for once, common sense will prevail to our legislators...I know I'll be praying for it anyhow..

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This is great!!
If this happened then I would personally consider it a miracle from god and really devote myself to church!! I am fucking serious, Ronnie (read the link in my signature) would have his life changed in a flash for the 2nd time in his life, and this time in his favor! I am hoping like hell for him, that this happens. Please please please!
However, it would just be a small step in the larger scheme of things, a sched 2 is not victory folks, it is 1 small step! And that's if it happens, I hope that it does.
Victory will be when it is removed from the schedule period, and regulated into the mainstream just as tobacco and alcohol! That will be victory. In the meantime I will be hoping for 1 small step!!!!!