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Frank Talk on Marijuana
Whether you applaud or gnash your teeth over U.S. Rep. Barney Frank's intention to introduce a marijuana decriminalization bill in Congress, you should be aware of some important contextual points about Frank's plans. His home state of Massachusetts itself is becoming a policy battleground regarding marijuana. A referendum drive and a bill introduced in the state legislature seek to have Massachusetts join about a dozen other states where possession of an ounce or similar amount of marijuana leads to a civil fine rather than a criminal charge. When I study Frank's comments, I'm reminded of a barrier addiction professionals often cite in treating problem use of marijuana and of prescription drugs: the perception among many users that these drugs can't really cause harm. I'm interested in whether you think efforts to decriminalize some marijuana possession offenses compound that problem for the treatment community.
