Legislation to Legalize Marijuana

A new bill was introduced to legalize marijuana on April 17, 2008 by Barney Frank of Massachusetts and Ron Paul of Texas. 

To date, this bill has not been passed into law

H. R. 5843 is titled “To eliminate most Federal penalties for possession of marijuana for personal use, and for other purposes.”

The short title is: ‘Act to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults’

The bill, which was 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

The bill is designed for elimination of certain marijuana-related penalties.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no penalty may be imposed under an Act of Congress for the possession of marijuana for personal use, or for the not-for-profit transfer between adults of marijuana for personal use. For the purposes of this section, possession of 100 grams or less of marijuana shall be presumed to be for personal use, as shall the not-for-profit transfer of one ounce or less of marijuana , except that the civil penalty provided in section 405 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 844a) may be imposed for the public use of marijuana if the amount of the penalty does not exceed $100.

HR 5843 <— text of entire bill