On April 17, Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., introduced his briefly anticipated marijuana decriminalization bill. Dubbed the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008, it would eliminate federal criminal penalties for possession of up to 100 grams (about 31/2 ounces) of marijuana and the nonprofit transfer of up to an ounce. This is similar to the change recommended by the Nixon-appointed National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse (aka the Shafer Commission) 36 years ago.

Speaking as someone who most emphatically is not a marijuana user, I applaud Frank for taking this step. As unpopular as it may be to do so, I hope others will seriously consider supporting him and his efforts at ending this most wasteful and pointless aspect of the so-called War on Drugs.