It seems that Rep. Barney Frank was not joking when he said on HBO(story) that he would introduce a bill that would allow adults to possess up to 3.5 ounces of Marijuana for personal use.

"I do not believe that the federal government should treat adults who choose to smoke marijuana as criminals," Frank said in a statement, adding that it's "not appropriate in a free society."

It seems Frank's indulgences are limited to puffing on cigars between votes. He indicated last month on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher that he does not smoke marijuana

This is the first time that Frank has pulled for the decriminalization of personal pot use since he was in the state Legislature in the 1970s.

"When I got to Congress, frankly, I was feeling more cautious," Frank told Maher. "I finally got to the point where I think I can get away with it."

Read the full story here. I think that Barney is right, we may be at a place in history that would allow the personal use of Marijuana by adults, legally.