that has refused, time after time, to bring issues related to this for a vote, we would have had much more progress than we do.
When Frank and Paul entered a bill during the last Congress, Lamar Smith, (R-TX) made sure it died in his office (head of the judiciary committee.) oh, and he's now on the science committee and he's a scum sucking creep in the pocket of the oil industry, so expect him to help make the world worse in terms of global climate change, too. Sadly, he's the rep for Austin, but the Republicans gerrymandered districts so eve Austin has a reptile republican representative, and Austin is a liberal city.
http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th/house-bill/499
There were 16 sponsors for Jared Polis' (D-CO) bill- HR499 - to End marijuana prohibition for 2013. Never made it to a roll call. The REPUBLICAN 2013 Congress, btw, was considered the WORST EVER by polls of the American people. funny how people are sick of republican bullshit posturing and scientific stupidity - about cannabis, evolution, global climate change - the whole ball of dung.
http://blog.norml.org/2013/02/05/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-the-new-federal-marijuana-legalization-measures/
Representative Polis’ legislation, The Ending Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2013, would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act, transfer the Drug Enforcement Administration’s authority to regulate marijuana to a newly renamed Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana and Firearms, require commercial marijuana producers to purchase a permit, and ensure federal law distinguishes between individuals who grow marijuana for personal use and those involved in commercial sale and distribution.
Speaking on the bill, Rep. Polis stated, “This legislation doesn’t force any state to legalize marijuana, but Colorado and the 18 other jurisdictions that have chosen to allow marijuana for medical or recreational use deserve the certainty of knowing that federal agents won’t raid state-legal businesses. Congress should simply allow states to regulate marijuana as they see fit and stop wasting federal tax dollars on the failed drug war.”
Representative Blumenauer’s legislation is aimed at creating a federal tax structure which would allow for the federal government to collect excise taxes on marijuana sales and businesses in states that have legalized its use. The Marijuana Tax Equity Act, would impose an excise tax on the first sale of marijuana, from the producer to the next stage of production, usually the processor. These regulations are similar to those that now exist for alcohol and tobacco. The bill will also require the IRS to produce a study of the industry after two years, and every five years after that, and to issue recommendations to Congress to continue improving the administration of the tax.
“We are in the process of a dramatic shift in the marijuana policy landscape,” said Rep. Blumenauer. “Public attitude, state law, and established practices are all creating irreconcilable difficulties for public officials at every level of government. We want the federal government to be a responsible partner with the rest of the universe of marijuana interests while we address what federal policy should be regarding drug taxation, classification, and legality.”
Holder could call for rescheduling, but Obama has already said he wants Congress to do its job. Good luck with that. Or maybe some republicans will listen to reason now that they see dollar $ign$ when compassion wasn't enough for their sorry souls.
Uruguay has legalized marijuana for their entire nation and, at this time, various nations are fighting back against prohibitionists at the UN as they create their 10 year drug policy statement - but Argentina, too, is looking at legalization.
This year, a majority of Americans indicated they wanted legal recreational marijuana. BUT for MORE THAN A DECADE, approx. 70% of Americans have supported legal medical mj.
So, now here are the Republicans, with their pants around their ankles trying to pretend they weren't jerking off to some new law to stick wands up women's patooties while the rest of the world tells them to grow up.
Here's an old list of just a few who want to use science-based evidence, not racist-based laws, regarding cannabis. This list has grown since then -
http://www.democraticunderground.com/117052
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