Frank files bill decriminalizing marijuana

WASHINGTON -- Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank has reintroduced legislation that would curtail the federal government’s authority to arrest and prosecute minor offenders, his latest attempt to roll back federal penalties for people who possess small amounts of the drug or use it to ease symptoms of chronic illnesses.

Frank, a Newton Democrat, filed the legislation late Thursday, the measure -- co-sponsored by Texas Representative Ron Paul and others -- would wipe out federal penalties for possession of up to 100 grams of pot, and for the not-for-profit transfer of up to one ounce. The legislation would leave it up to the states to determine punishment for those offenses.

Under current federal law, defendants found guilty of possessing cannabis for personal use face up to one year imprisonment and a $1,000 fine. So far, 13 states -- California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington -- have passed laws that protect medical marijuana patients from prosecution, according to NORML, an advocacy group pushing for marijuana legalization.

Last year, Massachusetts voters approved a referendum that would reduce pot possession from a crime punishable by jail time to a civil offense punishable by a $100 fine.