Mass. Rep Vows to Legalize Pot

Barney Frank says public is ready for change
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 23, 2008 4:44 PM CDT
Mass. Rep Vows to Legalize Pot
Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., right, Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., center, and Rep. Michael Capuano, D-Mass., left, listen during a Congressional hearing relating to mortgage foreclosures, Oct. 15, 2007.   (AP Photo/Lisa Poole)

Rep. Barney Frank will move to legalize “small amounts” of marijuana, Politico reports, citing Americans who think use of the drug is no big deal. “It's time for the politicians to catch up to the public,” said the Massachusetts Democrat on "Real Time with Bill Maher." But it’ll be tough for him to get a vote on such legislation, the Crypt notes.

“I'm going to call it the 'Make Room for Serious Criminals' bill,” Frank said. The idea was news to an aide, who had heard nothing about it before the HBO appearance. The lawmaker has already introduced failed bills to legalize “medical marijuana.” Why make a move now? “Because I finally got to the point where I think I can get away with it,” Frank said. (More Barney Frank stories.)

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