Rep. Frank defends proposal to decriminalize marijuana
BOSTON (AP) — Rep. Barney Frank is defending a bill he plans to file this week decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana, saying the federal law unfairly targets those using medical marijuana in California.
Frank tells The Associated Press that the decision to criminalize marijuana should be left up to the states.
He also says the federal government shouldn't have a law on the books that is rarely enforced and which doesn't make sense to large portions of the public.
Frank's comments come as pro-marijuana activists are pushing a ballot question to decriminalize possession of an ounce or less of marijuana in Massachusetts.
Critics say decriminilizing marijuana sends the wrong message to children and encourages experimentation with more dangerous drugs. | 
