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.