U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) is leading the effort to adopt a congressional resolution that would allow marijuana users to possess up to about 3.5 ounces of the drug without fear of arrest, CNN reported July 30.

In introducing House Resolution 5843, the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008, Frank and his allies said the measure would not decriminalize misuse of the drug. The resolution does not address laws against growing marijuana or selling it for profit, and does not speak to existing state laws on marijuana use.

Groups in support of Frank's stance, such as the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), compared the resolution to existing U.S. policy on alcohol, a legal product with laws governing its misuse.

"The vast amount of human activity ought to be none of the government's business," said Frank, who told reporters that he neither smokes marijuana nor encourages others to do so.

U.S. Representative and 2008 presidential candidate Ron Paul (R-Texas) is Frank's co-sponsor on the resolution. Other House supporters include Reps. William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.) and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), who believe current marijuana enforcement unfairly targets African-Americans.

Federal government agencies have long opposed any marijuana decriminalization initiatives, with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) pointing out that people charged with simple possession offenses rarely end up incarcerated.