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.

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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."

[pageonetoo]

"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. "

You are correct, because you keep making assinine, ill-thought remarks, and a certain other band of your brothers preach to the choir, but NEVER offer reason, just rote!

[CWOJackson]

"I would assert that he does these posts because he likes to poke fun..."

You mean I might find mirth in reminding you folks just how no one pays any attention to your threads?

[Indie]

NATIONAL REVIEW

Perhaps this joker would like to debate William F Buckley Jr et al on the conservative bigwig list...LOL.

[Indie]

And we already said we don't care if anyone pays attention. So why are you>?

[philman_36]

You got it...maybe we can push it up over 50.
I doubt it. I've already provided two credible sources which blow holes all in the "story line".
I hope the bill falls flat on its face as it deservedly should.

[CWOJackson]

Someone has to give you folks some attention...watching these dope threads die their natural deaths is so dismal.

[CWOJackson]

Just three more bumps to go.

[Dane]

Uh oh, CWO, Indie is really pulling out the big guns now. The dreaded William F. Buckley card.

Are we supposed to cower in fear now, even though 98% of the American public doesn't know who William Buckley is?

[philman_36]

You mean I might find mirth in reminding you folks just how no one pays any attention to your threads?
You keep implying that and give no means of verifying your claim.
How do you know that "no one pays any attention"?
Are you using only the number of replies as your criteria?

[CWOJackson]

Gasp...not the mummified Buckley!

[Dane]

We're over 50.

[philman_36]

Hey Chief...Dane was lurking! Someone is paying attention and it would appear to be pro-WOD guys.
And it looks as if you were right...over 50!

[CWOJackson]

No way of verifying my claims that no one pays attention to these threads?

And what is the alternative? That they are so bored to tears by the Soros BS that they just aren't commenting?

[CWOJackson]

Dane lurking?

Psssssst. I had to ping him to the thread. Even he wasn't that interested.

[pageonetoo]

"You mean I might find mirth in reminding you folks just how no one pays any attention to your threads?"

sure keeps their attention, doesn't it? They are so afraid of the truth... that they cannot recognize it, when it is thrown in their face!
They would be good party members, and I do not mean Pubbie!
Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you may die!

As for Buckley, you are talking way out of their league...He THINKS.

[Dane]

Hey Chief...Dane was lurking! Someone is paying attention and it would appear to be pro-WOD guys. And it looks as if you were right...over 50!

Actually for the interest of full disclosure I was pinged to this thread way back on reply #28 by CWO.

I couldn't resist having reply #51 though, especially since I turned off the TV since Ohio State is losing to that damn school up north.

[Indie]

Psssssst. I had to ping him to the thread. Even he wasn't that interested. You had to ping him the thread because you didn't want to be alone. How old are you..12? If that?

[CWOJackson]

I hate to rain on your parade but I just didn't want him to miss out on the morning humor thread.

[philman_36]

No way of verifying my claims that no one pays attention to these threads?
Is that a statement or a question? That is what I'm asking...how can/do you verify your claim? You're not answering, as usual.
And what is the alternative?
What is the alternative to what? Complete questions, please.
That they are so bored to tears by the Soros BS that they just aren't commenting?
Such cognitive powers you have. You know if others are bored or not. AMAZING!
And I don't see a thing about Soros in the article. I do see a Republican Rep. named Mark Souder (R-IN) though.
More diversionary tactics by linking the dreaded "Soros" name? I guess since Buckley was brought up it was only fair, eh?

[pageonetoo]

"You mean I might find mirth in reminding you folks just how no one pays any attention to your threads?"

Indeed, simple minds are easily amused!