January 12, 2009                                 

Mr. S
Newburyport,MA

Dear Mr. S

   Thank you for your comments concerning legislation to provide for medicinal marijuana use and to eliminate penalties for possession of marijuana for those purposes. I appreciate the opportunity to respond.

    I have noted your support for these initiatives. While the specific bills you referenced in your correspondence were not considered by the U.S. House of Representatives in the previous session of Congress, be assured that I will keep your support for such legislation in mind as the current session progresses.

     Again, thank you for contacting me. Please feel free to do so regarding any matter of concern to you.

Sincerely,
John F. Tierney
Member of Congress

December 11, 2008

Mr. JR
Holyoke, MA 0104

Dear J:

         Thank you for contacting me with your support for H.R. 5843, an Act to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults.  I regret that we disagree on this issue.

         As you may know, H.R. 5843 would decriminalize possession of 100 grams or less of marijuana as long as the user is an adult and the marijuana is for personal use or for the not-for-profit transfer between adults for personal use.  Currently, H.R. 5843 is before the House Committees on the Judiciary and Energy and Commerce. 

         While I support the use of marijuana for medical research and favor treatment and rehabilitation rather than immediate incarceration for certain drug offenders, I oppose the legalization of marijuana for recreational use because I believe that drug abuse ruins lives and costs our country billions of dollars, health care costs, and criminal justice expenditures.   

         As a legislator, I have consistently favored the expansion of treatment and prevention programs to depress the demand for illegal drugs.  By placing government resources behind efforts that bring together law enforcement agencies, schools, service organizations and health providers, we can successfully reduce the demand for illegal drugs.  I believe this is a better model for curbing drug use than legalizing even small amounts of marijuana for personal use.

         Please be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind if H.R. 5843 comes to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote.  Again, thank you for your correspondence and please feel free to contact me with any other questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
John W. Olver
Member of Congress
JWO/cbh

GM
Lowell, MA 01852

Dear GM:

Thank you for contacting my office regarding the decriminalization of marijuana. I appreciate your views and having the benefit of your opinion.

H.R. 5843, an Act to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults, introduced by Representative Barney Frank (D-MA), would eliminate most Federal penalties for possession of marijuana for personal use.  Currently, this legislation is being considered by the House Committees on the Judiciary and Energy and Commerce.

It is estimated that four percent of the world population consumes marijuana annually.  Used for centuries, marijuana regulation began in the early 20th century within the United States as consumption became more commonplace within urban environments.  Various states have decriminalized marijuana use for both personal and medical use.  These states include, among others, Maine, California, and Oregon.  Possession of any amount of marijuana in Massachusetts is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and six months in prison.

The legalization of marijuana is a contentious issue, with passionate feelings for and against its criminalization.  While there are valid points on both sides, on this issue I will defer to the countless medical professionals and law enforcement officials who advocate for leaving the Federal penalties for possession of marijuana in place.  I support decriminalization for minor possession believing that treatment programs are more helpful than jail time.  I do not, however, support the legalization of marijuana.  I am also a firm supporter of the use of marijuana for medical use and fully support decriminalization for this important treatment.

Please do not hesitate to contact my office in the future with questions or concerns.  If you would like to see what I've been doing in Washington DC, or to get my views on a certain issue, please visit my website at http://tsongas.house.gov. 

December 1, 2008