Rep. Barney Frank (MA): Marijuana, Politics & State's Rights

[TheKillerbear420]

let's just make it legal already it don't just help cancer pain I have bi polar an anger dissorder I take 3 types of pills that has a 2 page list of side effects an it kinda works I was smoking marijuana till I got busted now I'm back on them pills an I work out 4 times a day an gained weight this pills are destorying use so please just make it legal

[daiewayne]

My boyfriend broke 3 vertebrae in his back and marijuana helps his constant pain. He is also b i-polar and a high-strung person. When he smokes pot he is so much more rational and easy going. I can take pot or leave it, but when I smoke it when I'm stressed I feel so relaxed. I am also b i-polar and when I get depressed or manic pot helps me feel less depressed and calms me down quite a bit and helps me sleep during my manic phase.

[ajwells123]

I understand that there are countries out there at have legal pot but the main difference is it has been legal there for a long time. To suddenly make pot legal and flood the market with it, and just see what happens could be risky.

[Micaiah2004]

MARBLE MOUTH, BARNEY THE LISP IS WRONG AGAIN LIKE HE WAS WITH FREDDIE MAC/FANNIE MAE BEING "SOUND" ...GET RID OF THESE SCUMBAGS!!!

RETURN THE COUNTRY TO GOD, FOUNDING FATHERS, THE US CONSTITUTION. GET RID OF BARNEY THE DANCING QUEEN.

[john51880]

Please vote for Sean Bielat!

[historian65616]

Is this the same man that currently supports a federal takeover of the healthcare system with requirements that carry fines, jail time, and felony records for those who don't want to buy into the federal program? I guess states rights is just another political tool. Throw out those who don't represent their constituents, and leave politics out of lawmaking. The Constitutions doesn't say in the fine print, "only enforced at political whim".

[xcallmethebigggx]

Drunk drivers drive on the wrong side of the road which literally posesses your mind, Its just funny how alcohol is legal but not marijuana.

[xcallmethebigggx]

I use medical marijuana to get a appetite and to get better sleep I f i dont smoke that day i dont eat or even drink water and I found marijuana the only thing that will help me eat, Every morning i wake up with nausea I dont use it as a party drug I use it medically, Compare a drunk to a really stoned person and see which one can walk straight ina damn straight line, when you smoke and drive youre more cautious on the road your eyes are more on the road.

[fmckadoo]

Are you kidding me? He doesn't know a plant if he sees it? Doesn't know his partner is using? This is the guy that controls our economic policies in the House? A Moron slips through......

[NHMntnHIGH]

Barney Frank doesnt know what dope is all he needs to do is look in his mirror each day as this man is a dope

[SacredCowProductions]

YouTube - How Weed Won the West

[salvator00]

did that guy say "orientated"? wtf?

[OSO010]

its legal in california los angeles

[Drolz0]

some one give me this guys email adress. berry frank, your words are very impressive you speak about the matter so well.

[SUITSUSALL]

Time to call before you light up.

We have all heard of 420 the time of day or year when all the smokers light up.

Let's make 410 each day and year the time to call or write your congressman and senators and flood the switch boards with calls to legalize pot.

Please pass this on and help support this cause the 410 / 420 call before you light up cause

( Please be respectful when you call, try to act refined and intelligent. ) GO TO MPP (dot) ORG.....or NORML

[samloralilly]

look no one is gonna stop smoking weed cigeretts and alchohol is more of a hazard for your health and everyone will agree on me with this. over 18million proud strong patriotic americans a year try mirijuana from ages 12 - 40+ and who isn't besides the governement. fuck that putting people in jail for god creation then putting a murderer in jail thats how it feels like . Fuck that

[willia3r]

That's why I hold little to no regard for the "States' Rights" groups as they are currently orientated.

Most of them are usually closeted racial demogogues still smarting over their Great, Great Grandfather's totally losing in the Civial War and angry that they can't lord it over black people anymore.

Rarely are "States Rights" ever intrepreted to PROTECT INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS in BALANCE with the Federal Government as was the original purpose behind the whole concept of balance of powers.

[WVliberty]

hitler hated powerful local and stae governemnts and beleived in a strong central racist state, people want to label state rights as racism but it has nothing to do with any racial group, read ron pauls manifesto

[willia3r]

I don't doubt that Ron Paul is an honorable man. I'm really in agreement with a good portion of his positions especially on our country reducing its foreign presence in the world. I am simply leary of the "Libertarians" at the local level, especially in my state of Georgia.

I try to get behind the notion of "States' Rights" right up to the point where they start talking about the Civil War & the ugly "State" supported segregation that followed it.

That's when they lose me.

[legi0naire]

To much alcohol u do stupid stuff get aggresive fast, hurt people or even die by accident or death by alcohol poising.

Weed u laugh a lot eat a lot forget about your problems and its all over after about 2-3 hours u can't really overdose and if u do u only fall a sleep nothing more, it has less long time health issues and only harmfull when u smoke just like sigarets, alcohol will kill your liver slowly and destroy braincells weed does not do that.

Do u really want criminals to control weed?

[Lingerfoot]

Jesse Ventura and/or Ron Paul - 2012

[brainerdrebel]

I don't smoke but it should be legal. Criminals love laws. Tax it, and control the distribution of it. We can get all the alcohol legally we can drink. Kids can get alcohol easily. I am 60 years old we could get alcohol as easy as a cold drink. Any wino will buy a 10 year old alcohol for a drink. Our legal system is based on harm, if citizens don't harm anybody it is nobody"s business.

[skyHIMself88]

I can see it now... high school and middle school classrooms full of kids that are high of their ass. Everyone driving around high of their ass. Everyone getting at home getting high of their ass. Maybe this well help inflation because more jobs will be available because no one will be working cause they just want to sit at home and get high all day.

[iRSMOKEY]

You should really take a look at what this bill is about before you post some ignorant comment like that. It's narrow minded people like you that make great accomplishments like this hard for everyone else. I mean, just cause alcohol is legal you dont see everyone sitting at home drunk all the time. Do some real research on this.

[skyHIMself88]

Fuck you, you pothead!!!

[nightmare123killu]

For starters I will start by saying that you are probley some young 13 yr old that thinks its funny,you do not understand how serious medical marijuana and hemp production could benefit the u.s.a, you know that over half the usa population has tried marijuana or use it daily and do you know how many presidents(with an s) and politicans have smoked marijuana? John F Kennedy used it for back pain,type in HR 5843 and see all the reasons why this biill should be passed

[fuckinghellyoutwat]

i guess you've never been to holland, its just a normal country, weed is freely available and the world keeps turning, infact a larger percentage of americans use cannabis then dutch and in holland its strictly 18 to enter a coffee shop so maybe you should be more worried about school kids getting high now.

[sord1989]

thats assuming that everyone wants to smoke weed... you sound dumb as hell

[moses21u]

I think alcohol is worst then marijuna and should be legal for adults its a persons own choice to smoke or drink who is it to tell you what to do legalize marijuna make the hard core drugs have stiffer penaltes

[hmb4life420]

Weed being legalized would be the best thing for the country right now. Health care costs will decrease, prisons will become less crowded, and police would be able to focus on catching actual criminals.

[ajwells123]

Weed being legalized. Most people will not be responsible with it. Crash accidents will go up. Public intoxication will go up. As will criminal activity...

[cannabistv]

Unlike alcohol and inhalants, Cannabis is not an intoxicant, so don't fret too much. Check NORML for good research on driving issue.

Any prohibition increases criminal activity. That's why many who fought to end alcohol prohibition did not drink or condone drinking. They saw the damage to their communities, lack of respect for the law and corruption to be intolerable - especially since prohibition is ineffective and always makes things worse.

[Clyaton]

Look at the facts, look at marijuana, you will find that is not true. Criminal activity will decline immensely, and would

decline much further if it were outright legalized.

[iRSMOKEY]

If anything criminal activity will go down. Hard to call it a crime if it's legal! And that's mostly what this bill is about... The over population of our prison system. There were over 800,000 people arrested and imprisoned for simple possesion last year alone. People who posed no threat to society! A lot of good lives were ruined forever. Look at the facts, not the bullshit they feed you in D.A.R.E.!

[jjsk8erkid]

I got charged with possession last night with 3 grams, cause I felt like getting stoned. I felt like getting stoned because my aunt and dog died in the same week and was charged with possession the same night of her funeral. meanwhile these "officers" proceeded to play with my bud, squeezed it, joked about it, called my friends fuckin idiots, and held me in their car for 40 mins with my friends outside. all for some bullshit "cause its legal" reason. even the fuckin cops said it should be legal.

[jjsk8erkid]

oops I mean "..cause its ILlegal.." oh and before I was I sat handcuffed (was the only one who was) in wet grass it was like 50 degrees out. whoever believes it should be illegal needs to seriously take a look at WHY they believe that. being brainwashed with bullshit propaganda is no excuse and the govt is throwing people in jail and ticketing ppl who pose no threat to society.

[jjsk8erkid]

I havent ever had anything on my record, I havent even been in a fight or gotten a ticket before. Ive never hit another car, shorted people for money, or robbed anyone, yet im a criminal because I have depression and physical pain. gimme a damn break..

[ajwells123]

I can only imagine what america will be like if weed is legalized. For all the ignorant hippie democrats that think the world will be peaceful and everyone will handle it responsibly, I hate to burst your bubble. But it will not be that way. Things would change for the worst without a doubt!

[nutsack666]

i despise barney frank. he needs to be jailed for his involvement in the housing scandal. but he is right about the marijuana issue.

[katough]

everything you just said has been regurgitated crap that they've been pumping into us since 1943. on line with everyone else who uses the reason 'its illegal' for the reason it is illegal. look back, read history and educate yourself before you comment on something you know nothing about. drinking has much higher danger values than pot ever did and people dont fking drive while stoned. we sit at home and laugh at idiots like you on tv for not relaxing and enjoy'n life instead of running others

[DanHipp]

Oh, and not all dems are ignorant. In fact the IQ, SAT, and GRE scores of dems are higher than republicans. Look it up, smart guy.

[xxxjordonxxx]

Things will not change for the worse. Have you ever heard of Holland? They do not have as much of an incentive to use marijuana because it is legal. Besides, the Constitution states specifically in he 10th Amendment that all powers not SPECIFICALLY GRANTED to the federal government are reserved for the people and the states. So why is the federal government regulating marijuana?

[trianglepoint]

People..How..Many..children..s­uffured..UNDER...this..THING..­FEEL..THE..PEOPLE..HE..IS..FEE­LING..THE..PEOPLE...OH..IT"S..­DIFFERENT...NEED..TOO.PROTECT.­..THE..PARADOXALY...CONFUSED..­.WHERE..ARE..YOUR..CHILDREN...­NOT..NEAR..THIS..THING...DON'T­..GET...CONNED...PEOPLE..(SHEE­PLE)..

[trianglepoint]

This..cold..thing..hope's..you­..will..not..remember....b.fra­nk..for..ever...you..elected..­it

[trianglepoint]

People..I'am not..completely..sure..but..I.­.do..remember..in the late..60's...thru..the..70's..­80's...this thing..came..under..scrutiny..­..for..messing..w/..young..men­..does..anyone..eles..remember­...why..did..it..ever..get..re­-elected...so..we..could..smok­e..a..joint...you..were..never­..like..this..in..yester..year­...where..is..your..courage...­..

[Fastlan3]

GO HERE!! Select an Agenda! sign it, and send!

H.R. 5842: The Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act

H.R. 5843: The Personal Use Act

***(dot)mpp(dot)org/federal-ac­tion/*** dot = .

[IFlick]

The former Chief of Police for the city of L.A. Darryl Gates - now a radio talkshow host has an idea for the treatment of marijuana offenders. The rearrest of and man, woman or child ever charged with a marijuana crime. Each will be retried and on conviction executed!

[deathlaychur]

IFlick you are dumb and you sound drunk. So that makes you a fucking moron. You don't make any sense.

[IFlick]

No, I'm dumb or drunk you silly cock sucker!

[JohnR22926]

Anybody see some hypocrisy from the Left on the States Rights issue?

They're much opposed to letting each State decide the abortion issue for themselves. However, the Left is ALL in favor of letting each State (or even city...like D.C.) ban handguns. See the inconsistency here?

[notzimmer]

well the left is big government. so marijuana is the exception for them. plus for states to pass abortion laws they would first have to turn over rowe v wade, so that is out of the 'lefts' hands

[JohnR22926]

notz: If the Supreme Court ever turned Roe V. Wade, the issue would be kicked back to each State to decide for themselves. Some would ban abortion, but most would allow it.

But abortion isn't my point. My point is the Left wants State rights when the issue is in their favor. When some States will overturn laws they like, then the Left is in favor on Federal govt control.

[Raging5]

When it becomes legal the police will have a plate full of drug dealers and drug lords waging war against them, since marijuana is worth more ounce for ounce than gold, there will be war between cartel and police, but then again, the police and politicians got themselves in this mess so they can take responsibility into whatever happens, but i don't see why it would be much of a battle against drug lords, the U.S could just bring in modern weapons and BAM! end it right there.

[xchristyxx]

chances are if a 15 year old walked up to 10 people and asked for marijuana at least 1 would find it for them. but if we regulate it in convienence stores or what have you we can put forth harsh laws punishing people for obtaining cannabis for minors its ridiculous that we spent 10.7 billion dollars in 2006 1 year to house and obtain marijuana related offenders stop ruining 800k lives a year over a plant less harmful them alcohol

[kmish213]

flawed logic. think about it, if it was legal, stores could sell it, marijuana users do not need to rely on underground sources for marijuana.

therefore eliminating any need for dealers.

[Raging5]

I'm not sure you understood my comment, i commented that if it were made legal, drug dealers, and major drug cartels won't be making the money they are making right now, cannabis is worth more ounce per ounce than gold, that means, cartel will wage war with police in an effort to keep marijuana illegal for civil protection reasons.

[kmish213]

but then if we we're to keep it illegal, we are submitting to their will

it should be no tolerance, legalize it and fight back. i dont know how war is gonna illegalize something.

[notzimmer]

to bad gold is worth way more per pound than marijuana and besides big drug cartels with lots of guns and money dont care about marijuana they dont make a very good risk to profit ration on it. they care about coke and heroin and other more expensive drugs that have less VOLUME, which is key when transporting.

[Estamio]

Hash, as I understand it, is concentrated MJ.

Thanks.

[notzimmer]

im glad you know what hash is, but raging5 said marijuana

[fckyamoma]

i contacted my representative and told him what to do if he dont im a blow his house up

[Raging5]

You fucking americans NEED TO WAKE UP!! you are having the biggest sleep in of your lives while someone else in the house is stealing your rights.

[velvethandofdarkness]

Please act by visiting MPP's site and "ask your U.S. House member to co-sponsor this legislation"! If everyone works together we will make progress together. Simply entertaining yourself by watching this video and moving on to another video while not acting doesn't help! Please, take a few brief moments to participate, let your voice be heard! MPP also has a channel here on YouTube, one of their most recent videos is titled, "Barney Frank Introduces Marijuana Decriminalization Bill"! H. R. 5843

[kalnasty727]

the only reason marijuana is illegal is because the goverment cant make a profit or benifit from it....i say lets all smoke pot

[deathlaychur]

The government can make lots of money from the legalization of cannabis but we are trying to decriminalize it. The only reason why it is not decriminalized yet is people profit from it being that way. Think about all the federal agencies, district attorneys, lawyers, probation officers, cops, anti-drug organizations that all get a cut of the billions of dollars thrown away each year? After decriminalizing it we can then force to legalize it which would bring billions in revenue.

[Fatherlogan1]

We were very close to pass a bill in Canada few years ago to decriminalized (not legalize!) the possession of Marijuana and/or own less than 3 plants. Because every social and criminal studies for the last 10 years are saying this is the right think to do. But then came along a small visit to Ottawa from your president threatening to tighten the border if the bill would pass. It was abandonned.

[AUX000]

It is BS. Mexico legalized drugs for like 2 days, then they got a visit. There are thousands killed on the border and cartels are now building camps for training assassins. Google it. It is a huge problem and prohibition makes it possible.

Of course the US visitor said that the US would close its borders if Mexico continued with that policy. Funny that terrorism is not as important, and the border is wide open.

It is a scam. It is all about MONEY that come from your wallet. Write congressman.

[kmish213]

i always get the feeling that the only reason marijuana is illegal now is because the DEA's only resource of work is attacking vulnerable people and companies.

tell me, please, where is the effort in driving up to a medical marijuana dispensary, breaking into it without any fight, and taking all of the herbs and prosecuting the owner? where is the effort? the toughness of the situation?

as opposed to stopping murderers, drunk domestic abuses, pedophiles, and rapists?

[spazman303]

this guys knows his shit. rep. frank is on several economic committees in the senate, and his social conclusions are dead-on accurate. i hope this bill passes.

[cureworks]

Thank you Rep. Barney Frank for this bill, H. R. 5842.

Here's hoping the 110th Congress can do what the 107th (H,R.1344 & H.R. 2592), 108th (H.R. 2233) and the 109th (H.R. 2087), among other restoring the Will of the People bills like the Industrial Hemp Farming Acts of 2005 and 2007 could not do.

Legalize hemp, tax recreational hemp at 20%. hempmuseum org

[Slavesrevolt]

Hemp is one of the pivotal issues.

[dnHooligan]

i love you sweetleaf

[rolltide51386]

"the right of each state to decide its own policy regarding how marijuana is treated"

Finally somebody is making sense.

[LibertarianViewer]

Damn those big-government Democrats!

Wait...It's Republicans who are banning drugs? Holy shit

[CCBassline]

why aren't the people of america making the rules? why in the hell are we letting corrupt politicians tell us what we can and can't do?

marijuana is not a drug, it's a herb. the only treatment it needs, after debudding the plant, is drying it out. it is completely natural.

government spends millions of dollars to spread misinformation. you see more anti marijuana commercials than anti heroine or anti crack.

am i the only person who feels that is a problem?

[DylanMyers]

Amen brother, i dont know you but i know you are well educated..............

[rehabib2]

i've been looking for a pharse to put on a big sticker for the window of my truck that will get peoples attention. why aren't the people of america making the rules? why in the hell are we letting corrupt politicians tell us what we can and can't do? that says it all . wake up people

[zoxband]

A bump for a very wise comment:

"Please do your part as a citizen - educate your elected officials, especially your U. S. House reps, on this issue. Tell your friends to do the same. If their constituents insist on this, they will vote for Barney Frank's new legislation to legalize Cannabis possession on the federal level. And when they do vote for it, call them and tell them they did good!"

[HarveyBirdmanTk421]

I dont like marijuana. I hate the smell and it makes me feel dumb and slow. But I also hate Bed Bath and Beyond. I wouldnt jail anyone who shopped there I just wouldnt go in...

[hunterdmetz111]

@HarveyBirdmanTk421 ha right on if people dont like pot they dont have to smoke illegal or not people r gonna smoke it so instead on spending millions a yr on trying to keep it out of america which isnt working at all just let us smoke

[p00j2620]

Marijuana isn't legal because EVERYONE could grow it on their own easily and would be hard to tax. They make a killing on it being illegal as opposed to legal.

[oxymoron1024]

I really don't agree with that, if it was legal it would no longer be a income. There would be more trading than anything. All the money would be spent on equipment to grow and that would stimulate the economy

[swishersweets2008]

actually, buying supplies, seeds, and still not everyone has the talent to grow super quality weed, so having grow stores and pot depots would be a way to go, plus some people dont want to grow, they want it now, so buying it from stores would stimulate the economy big time

[QuietBullet]

your so wrong. i can create my own beer (which i do) but i still buy it cause its ready right then. no time to waste on making it. its a money maker on so many levels its not funny. it would be a big industry that we could stop importing alot of stuff cause we can create it right here at home

[RONALDMCFONALD]

your both right. geesh

[daryl3161]

my fav gov official

[honeybees1]

Barney Frank Thanks and I love you.

[Racer1968]

You go Barney!

I'm not saying marijuana is completely benign or for children (unless authorized by a doctor) but if marijuana wasn't relatively safe and effective for medical maledictions do you think The American College of Physicians, 124,000 strong, would release a position paper endorsing medical marijuana in Feb 08.

To see the paper Google > American College of Physicians Marijuana.

[cannabistv]

Please do your part as a citizen - educate your elected officials, especially your U. S. House reps, on this issue. Tell your friends to do the same. If their constituents insist on this, they will vote for Barney Frank's new legislation to legalize Cannabis possession on the federal level. And when they do vote for it, call them and tell them they did good!

[6k2]

Why do most people think that they do not know how safe cannabis is?

They see the deaths of alcohol and tabbaco.

They see the rapes, cancers, murders, violence and death created by these drugs.

Do people think they walk around with a bucket on their head?

They just have no reason to legalize it. They make just as much money from taking the property and assests of drug dealers and growers. They get the cash without actually having to sell the drugs.

They are not dumb.