Thompson Opposes Fed MJ Decriminalization
Some of you might remember me bringing up H.R. 5843 a while back. That's the bill, sponsored by Congressman Barney Frank, that would end federal criminal penalties for possession by individuals of small amounts of marijuana.
I sent a letter to our very own congressman, Mike Thompson, asking that he become a co- sponsor to the bill. I fully expected him to go along and sign up. I got a reply in the mail yesterday. He won't.
Apparently he feels that, while he supported Prop 215 (medical marijuana), he feels that Prop 215 has caused too much crime and has led to more incidents of grow related diesel spills and such. He points to Mendocino County's recently passed Measure B as proof that being easy on marijuana possession isn't what the public wants.
What he doesn't seem to grasp is that HR 5843 would repeal FEDERAL criminal penalties against possession of small amounts of marijuana. It would do nothing in regards state penalties and even allows the feds to continue eradication efforts of large marijuana grows.
I suspect Congressman Thompson likely knows that and he's just playing it politically safe. Few congresscritters are willing to put their name on the line in something as "risky" as marijuana decriminalization. Mike Thompson isn't one of them. Only seven in congress are, at this point.
posted by Fred Mangels @ 7:35 AM
13 comments
13 Comments:
Conressman Thompson formerly worked in law enforcement.
I could be wrong but I think you're mistaking him for his predecessor, Frank Riggs. Riggs was a deputy sheriff, or something along that line, for a year or two.
I may be mistaken, Fred. I'll see what I can find.
I do know, when asked, that Thompson feels that the climate in Washington, D.C. will not support it.
Okay, you are right. From his website:
Thompson is a small vineyard owner and was the maintenance supervisor for the Beringer Winery. He has taught Public Administration and State Government at San Francisco State University and California State University, Chico.
I stand corrected, Fred.
"I do know, when asked, that Thompson feels that the climate in Washington, D.C. will not support it.".
And from the letter he sent me, I get the impression he's fully part of that climate.
I totally agree with Mike on this Fred.
Maybe they don't want to cut-off federal money to eradicate pot through federal programs like C.A.M.P.
"I totally agree with Mike on this Fred.".
Shame on you.
"Maybe they don't want to cut-off federal money to eradicate pot through federal programs like C.A.M.P.".
I don't believe the bill in question restricts the feds ability to be involved in going after pot farms. It just removes federal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Maybe someone should give Mike a doobie of Menocino's or Humboldt's finest and mellow him out.
can you post the letter you got from mike?
Don't have a scanner and don't have time to type it out word for word.
Mike doesn't forget his true roots - the alcohol industry.
Mike Thompson is far too busy whoring for the alcohol industry to even consider legalization of the booze merchants main rival mary jane.
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