Congress to increase penalties for marijuana-related offenses

marijuana.com ^ | 11.20.03 | Steve Fox

[freepatriot32]

Can you imagine a bill that intentionally forces marijuana users to inhale a greater amount of tar and carbon monoxide? What about a bill that dramatically increases penalties on medical marijuana providers who develop high-quality strains of marijuana for seriously ill patients?

The Drug Sentencing Reform Act, scheduled to be introduced by U.S. Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN) within the next few days, would accomplish these "goals." Please call your U.S. representative today and urge him or her not to cosponsor this bill. See below for details about how to do this.

While the most prominent objective of this bill is to ensure that individuals convicted of drug-related offenses in federal court receive the longest possible prison sentences, the bill would also -- for the first time in history -- increase penalties for marijuana producers based on THC levels. For example, under the provisions of this bill, a medical marijuana provider in California convicted in federal court for possession of just 33 plants with a THC content of between 13 and 25 percent would be sentenced "to a term of imprisonment which may not be less than 5 years." Previously, a 5-year mandatory minimum applied to the possession of more than 100 plants.

By dramatically increasing penalties on the distribution of marijuana with higher THC content, this bill would ensure that lower-quality marijuana is sold to children (and adults, of course). This will not decrease the number of Americans smoking marijuana; it will simply increase the amount of tar and carbon monoxide inhaled by Americans while they are smoking.

Members of Congress must understand that their constituents support harm reduction policies, not harm exacerbation policies.

Please call your U.S. representative toll-free by using the Capitol Switchboard at 800-839-5276. This switchboard operates 24 hours a day. So if you are inspired to call after normal business hours, the operator will transfer you to your U.S. representative's office and you can leave a voice mail message. Of course, calling during business hours is preferable.

Here is a sample script for you to use when you call:

"Hello, my name is ______________ and I live in ______________. I am calling to urge Representative __________________ not to cosponsor the Drug Sentencing Reform Act being introduced by Representative Souder [rhymes with powder]. This bill would dramatically increase penalties on individuals growing medical marijuana in accordance with state law. It would also ensure that smoking marijuana is even more harmful to children than it is under current law. This is not a bill that Representative ________ should support."

If you are not certain who your U.S. representative is, go to http://www.house.gov/writerep , enter your state and zip code (your five-digit zip should work), and click the "Contact My Representative" button. The name of your U.S. representative should appear on the next page.

As noted above, this bill is also designed to limit the ability of federal judges to reduce prison sentences for defendants convicted of drug-related offenses. For example, under the provisions of this bill, a judge would be prohibited from reducing a defendant's sentence based on family or community ties -- factors that could still be considered in non-drug-related cases.

The Marijuana Policy Project will be working with many other individuals and organizations to fight this bill. It will not be passed without a major fight. Thank you for doing your part to stop it.

======================================================================

Please visit http://www.mpp.org/USA/donate.html or write to MPP, P.O. Box 77492, Washington, D.C. 20013 to donate to our lobbying work on Capitol Hill."

[CWOJackson]

"Your sarcasm proves nothing."

Psssssst. The lack of interest by the average freeper proves everything...they ain't buying your BS.

[Bronco_Buster_FweetHyagh]

Unbelievable.

[Indie]

Jackboot lickers? Unwelcome? Last time I checked our enemy were the fascist leftists and Islamics. No sarcasm.

[philman_36]

...a medical marijuana provider in California convicted in federal court for possession of just 33 plants with a THC content of between 13 and 25 percent would be sentenced "to a term of imprisonment which may not be less than 5 years."
This guy needs a serious clue! From the DEA theirselves.
Drug Intelligence Brief
According to University of Mississippi analyses, the THC content of commercial-grade marijuana has slowly risen over the years from an average of 3.71 percent in 1985 to an average of 5.57 percent in 1998. These analyses also show a corresponding rise in sinsemilla THC content from 7.28 percent in 1985 to 12.32 percent in 1998. The national averages of THC content for commercial-grade marijuana are as follows:

Average THC Content of Commercial-Grade Marijuana (Percentage)

1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998
3.97	4.52	4.52	4.19	4.77	5.56	5.57

There isn't any such thing as 25% THC marijuana that I can find, unless it's jumped about 13% in the last 5 years!
Pure scare tactics and more useless legislating!

[Indie]

And guess what? You are ignorant beyond your wildest imagination. You prove the very point I made about the marijauana.com folks. Divided we fall and so will conservatism with idiots like you driving the movement.

[Indie]

Psssssst. The lack of interest by the average freeper proves everything...they ain't buying your BS

Guess what. I'm not here to please people on this board as you obviously are. I could care less about winning the popularity contest of "the average freeper"..and you know why?? Because I have learned to think for myself. You are a sheeple. You are the problem.

[CWOJackson]

LOL! While I would love to take the credit for being the reason why thousands of registered freepers pay no attention to these dope threads I must humbly decline. But if you want to blame me for the failure of the legalize dope message not going anywhere...hey, go ahead, delude yourself.

Heck, if it wasn't for me this thread would have died hours ago.

[CWOJackson]

Thought you'd appreciate checking out this tantrum.

[Indie]

Heck, if it wasn't for me this thread would have died hours ago.

I guess you can't read. I really don't give a rat's behind whether it dies or not. Why are you still here anyway?

[philman_36]

And one more for the latest "figures"...
Potency of Cannabis Seized in Central Florida During June 2002
A range of 1.41 - 12.62
Still don't see no 25% potency weed!
This guy is so full of it that it isn't funny!

[CWOJackson]

Why am I still here?

Why, I'm just trying to help out.

[pageonetoo]

"Psssssst. The lack of interest by the average freeper proves everything...they ain't buying your BS. "

tTe average freeper is aware of YOUR BS, and lack of an identifiable original thought.!
I note you were one of the first posters on the thread, and therefore, those of us that wish to debate INTELLECTUALLY, have stayed away... I just note that you are still doing busy work!.
You are obviously a poser, not a warrior, who must not have anything to do, except make snide, incoherent comments.!
If you could debate the issue, you may get some proper responses, but your atempts at humor, are just that, ATTEMPTS...
Go spew!

[Indie]

You good sir know it's useless legislating and Bravo Sierra, and I know that...but few others obviously do. I would give them a history lesson but how can one talk to a rock? LOL. Your home page says more than I ever could!

[philman_36]

Why, I'm just trying to help out.
Yeah, help keep the thread alive so that more folks can see how full of it this bill and its promoter are when they see the DEA stats for theirselves showing that there is no such thing as 25% potency marijuana. According to the DEA it's barely reaching 12%!

On with the propaganda!

[CWOJackson]

"I note you were one of the first posters on the thread, and therefore, those of us that wish to debate INTELLECTUALLY, have stayed away... I just note that you are still doing busy work!."

Again, while I would love to take the credit for that, it wouldn't explain why every other legalize dope thread goes the same way.

[CWOJackson]

Yes...they are flooding this thread aren't they.

[philman_36]

I would give them a history lesson but how can one talk to a rock?
I give the history lesson anyway. Lurkers, ya know.
Your home page says more than I ever could!
I try.

[pageonetoo]

" I guess you can't read. I really don't give a rat's behind whether it dies or not. Why are you still here anyway?"

the "chief" is a semi-poser, wannabe. I would assert that he does these posts because he likes to poke fun, but has no consistent thought patterns. His trivial comments never have any real interest, they are just designed to provoke response (which he got from me today, because I like to taunt, as well. He probably wanted to be a cop, as a child, but never measured up.

As an aside, I got a letter today from the RNC, asking why I had not contributed, this year, though I had been consistent in the past. I am replying to them that I can't tell the difference in the Dims, and the Other Party, and can not give support to their party any longer, though having literally donated THOUSANDS in the past...
Independent, and Proud, I prefer to support those who think, like me... and I can no longer support the party of the BIGGEST G'UMT EVER!

[philman_36]

Yes...they are flooding this thread aren't they.
I wouldn't know. Do you have the means of determining how many view the thread? I don't.
It is obvious that there aren't too many responding, but how many are simply checking it out and absorbing the information (lurking)?
If you don't know the number of thread views then all you're doing is blowin' smoke and trying to create a diversion!
Bump it one more time with another reply, okay. I'll oblige ya in kind.

[CWOJackson]

You got it...maybe we can push it up over 50.