At a press conference today on Capitol Hill, Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) made an impassioned case for his federal decriminalization bill, which would remove federal penalties for adult possession of up to 100 grams of marijuana.

A number of folks attended the event and spoke in favor of the bill, including reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and William Lacy Clay (D-MO), Rob Kampia of the Marijuana Policy Project, Bill Piper of the Drug Policy Alliance, and Allen St. Pierre of NORML.

Kudos to Allen for getting a quote into the CNN story about the clear hypocrisy in how our country treats marijuana compared to alcohol, a much more harmful -- yet legal -- drug:

Allen St. Pierre, spokesman for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, likened Frank's proposal -- co-sponsored by Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas -- to current laws dealing with alcohol consumption. Alcohol use is permitted, and the government focuses its law enforcement efforts on those who abuse alcohol or drive under its influence, he said.

"We do not arrest and jail responsible alcohol drinkers," he said.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (aka the Drug Czar's Office) put out a ridiculous press release yesterday as a preemptive strike against Rep. Barney Frank's federal decriminalization bill. Rep. Frank and other supporters of the legislation are holding a major press conference today to formally announce its introduction.

SAFER responded rapidly to the Drug Czar's bogus claims and executive director Mason Tvert got a number of words in edgewise with the Denver Daily News:

<snip> “The Drug Czar must be truly scared of the federal marijuana decriminalization bill that is moving through Congress,” said Denver pot proponent Mason Tvert. “It appears his office spent more time preparing this one marijuana ‘report’ than it has ever spent actually helping people with substance abuse problems receive treatment." <snip>

<snip> Tvert said that while few marijuana users are thrown in prison, the fact that they’re arrested in the first place is a significant problem.

“They are permanently branded as criminals with drug convictions just for using a drug less harmful than alcohol,” he said. “If the Drug Czar is so thrilled with how states are handling those arrested for marijuana possession, he should support the bill introduced by Rep. Barney Frank that simply leaves marijuana enforcement up to the states." <snip>

<snip> Tvert, however, said regardless of pot’s potency, it’s still less harmful than the legal alternative — alcohol.

“Alcohol use alone is the nation’s third leading preventable cause of death, whereas there has never been a single death in history attributed solely to marijuana use,” he said. “Why on earth would the Drug Czar prefer adults use a more deadly drug?” <snip>

Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) is hosting a press conference on Capitol Hill today to announce the introduction of the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008, the first federal decriminalization bill to be introduced in Congress in the past 30 years. The legislation would eliminate federal penalties for possession of up to 100 grams of marijuana and the not-for-profit transfer of up to one ounce of marijuana.

Back in April, just after he announced his intention to file the bill, Rep. Frank explained why he felt such legislation was necessary:

"I think marijuana is less harmful than alcohol. 

Rep. Frank will be joined by one of the bill's seven Congressional co-sponsors, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), as well as representatives from the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). Other congressional sponsors include Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-MO), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) , Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX). 

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SAFER is fully in support of Rep. Frank's bill and encourages everyone to contact your Congressional representatives today and encourage them to support it, as well.