Barney Frank, Ron Paul, marijuana - what could possibly go wrong?

SEATTLE, Washington - I'm sure if I combed over Barney Frank's overall record, I could find quite a bit of garbage, but I like to give credit when credit is due. Last year I mentioned Frank's criticism of state and federal efforts to restrict online gambling. Now Frank has turned his attention to the herb: He and Ron Paul have gotten together to introduce H.R. 5843, which would (among other provisions) eliminate all federal penalties for possession of up to 100 grams of marijuana for personal use.

I figured that someone or other introduced legislation like this on a regular basis, even as only a symbolic gesture, but this is in fact the first decriminalization legislation introduced in 24 years.

I'm sure if Thomas Jefferson was around today he would include the marijuana plant in "tree of liberty" discussions.