WhiteHouse.gov is once again asking the public to pose questions directly to President Obama via its ‘Open For Questions‘ service. The topic of this week’s forum is the national economy, and not surprisingly, many of you have already put forward questions to the President regarding the taxation and regulation of cannabis.
For example, the most popular question in the category “Budget” is: “With over 1 out of 30 Americans controlled by the penal system, why not legalize, control, and tax marijuana to change the failed war on drugs into a money making, money saving boost to the economy?”
Similarly, under the topic “Financial Stability,” most asked question is: “Would you support the bill currently going through the California legislature to legalize and tax marijuana, boosting the economy and reducing drug cartel related violence?”
Marijuana-related questions also top the “Green Jobs and Energy” category, and are among the top vote-getters on the site overall.
According to website, President Obama will “answer some of the most popular submissions live at WhiteHouse.gov” on Thursday morning. That means that we only have a few more hours left to contact the White House.
Please take a moment right now to log on the WhiteHouse.gov/OpenForQuestions and vote for the questions above, as well as others pertaining to the need to regulate cannabis. Let the President know that millions of American voters believe that the time has come to tax and regulate marijuana. Help us send The White House a message our elected leaders can’t ignore.
Done and done.
I think its great that Obama is finally gonna listen to what the pot public has to say. So now all you drug free people are screwed hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
I believe in Obama.
I saw soooo many questions for the legalizing of marijuana. How can they possibly blow it off this time? Hopefully they’ll finally get the point and at least give us real answers this time!
I think it’s up to the states to decide to legalize cannabis now that Obama’s called off his federal DEA attack dogs. But jeez you people are so greedy; why not ask him to allow the cultivation of non-psychoactive industrial hemp? It would be a boon for the construction industry, and I’d happily farm hemp.
Here is my question that I post this morning.
Mr president, History has shown that prohibition Does NOT work! It is time for marijuana to be legalized, regulated, and taxed.The failed war on drugs is an open wound on America and we are bleeding to death. Will you end this madness?”
I am thinking that for this to work, rather then everyone post a question, we need to all agree to vote on just one or two because it’s not the volume of questions, it’s the most popular question.
I left a comment at the WhiteHouse.gov/OpenForQuestions
It was easy and only took a second, We need more Comments
Lets get Our message on National TV
Done
let’s make our questions heard!
Yes I really hope that he pays attention to the questions. I know there was some talk earlier about him ignoring marijuana related issues and that would be terrible.
I submitted a question and I can’t wait for him to respond to some of these.
“answer some of the most popular submissions live at WhiteHouse.gov”
in other words, they are going to ignore cannabis/prohibition reform even if it is the number one topic time and time again. if he does talk about it, you can be sure he is going to be as ambiguous as possible.
We don’t want federal regulation of marijuana. It’s not their job. It’s a state issue, and we need to keep it that way. Fight smart, Less federal regulation.
Done. Look around the various categories; this question has been asked a number of times.
Can you feel change coming? Come on, folks, we the people have the power to make this happen!
Although we all know what happened during BOTH rounds of “Ask the President”, I remain hopeful.
Free America. End the War Against the Citizens. Legalize the PLANT God gave us.
All the top questions pertain to taxing/regulating marijuana. Not a surprise… it’s time to legalize! This is no longer a controversial issue… do it Mr. President!!
Keep the questions rolling folks, doing awesome so far and hopefully he can answer for us!
I was impressed with some of the questions….not just the Cannabis related ones. SPEAK UP fellow potHEADS.
“Immortality is yours!! TOKE it!!”
I think they may be having some web issues over there. I can’t seem to log in to vote.
Hopefully this time he’ll answer some greener questions.
Think he can dodge these again? Hope he can answer some questions in more detail, now that his feet are wet.
🙂 I voted and the 2nd top question has to do with it and so do about 4 in the top 10 so if hes serious about change he wont skip over these questions
Hopefully he’ll acknowledge us this time!!!
He better answer them this time. I feel like all of the drug related suggestions from change.gov were ignored
did you guys send an email about this? i didnt seem to get one in my inbox
Questions #2 and #7 right now at whitehouse.gov pertain to cannabis (“marijuana” which I avoid using at all costs, for reasons that should be obvious) so if you read this then you should head to whitehouse.gov and log in and search for ‘marijuana’ and click the x for every question, at least for the first hundred. That’s what I just did.
Yeah, I definitely voted for the bills mentioned and others like them. Really hope this doesn’t disappoint.
Why in god’s name would I want our government to tax and regulate marijuana??!?!?!?!?!? Everything they tax and regulate turns to disaster. How about legalizing marijuana and leaving it to the free market and NOT TAXING AND REGULATING IT!!
Vote Ron Paul ’12 for the sake of humanity.
Yes! And, get them to call off the witch hunt on our Canadian friends, too! Drop the extradition of Marc Emery and everybody else they are persecuting in this witch hunt on cannabis! If they are going to stop the raids, then they should also drop prosecutions of medical patients’ source of a fantastic selection of cannabis seeds.
Everyone must do their part to engage..It looks like the Cannabis topic is a top question. Lets hope we get some answers..
hope he keeps his word this time and that his responce is meaningful.
I posted on a few diffrent sites and have ppl talking about it saying they voted so i tried my best to get the most i can wish i could get a job from norml but once its legalized where will norml go??
it is 5:41 kansas time and the vote is up to 3509 i think it will need at least need to get to 10k to be safe. PEACE everyone and vote for hemp
People YOU need to vote NOW!!!!!!!
I love how they keep doing these and marijuana always seems to be at the top of the list. Maybe they are just hoping to get a different #1 question for once.
I hit up like 27 answers YES last night…….
O k i screwed up there are 3600 votes for this question “President Obama, Do you plan on letting Science end the failed “War” on Marijuana for personal and medical use thus taking the strain of our prisons and police forces so that we no longer have to arrest over 800,000 non violent drug offenders?”
Dont know if this question is what NORML would like to ask but it has 3600 votes now.
There are also a lot of marijuana-related questions in Green Jobs and Energy and Health Care Reform.
There are also some in Jobs too.
Lets all hope that the administration will finally accept the facts and allow the subject of marijuana legalization. We have waited long enough and the time has come to put science and fact ahead of fear mongering and proselytizing. I can’t wait to see if President Obama will finally address this issue. From saving tax payer money for not incarcerating responsible cannabis users to generating tax revenue and jobs, to eliminating the need to smuggle cannabis across the border, legalization is long overdue and the ignorant rants from the likes of Senator Grassley and others are not helping.
I’d like to also remind my fellow NORML supporters to check the below link and get in on the letter campaign on April 20th. Thanks in advance and keep the pressure on the legislators, both on the federal as well as the State and local levels.
http://tiptopwebsite.com/websites/index2.php?username=busgreg&page=100
I posted my question: “Mr. President, there is overwhelming support on the issue of marijuana. Will your party turn a cold shoulder and ignore the biggest issue brought from these public polls… again? It is not democracy when the voice of few overpowers the voice of many”
On the first page the top 8 of 10 questions relate to marijuana and the drug war, on the next page there’s another 8 or so! I hope people put their votes in!
Holy hell, we’re DOMINATING that board. The top 8 questions pertain to the legalization of marijuana, all with overwhelmingly positive reactions. There’s no way that he can ignore a landslide vote like this one. Something’s gotta give.
just treat it like any other natural product, allow the people to apply at their discretion. worry about what big pharma is trying to hook you on
You morons. Here’s a way for people to actually ask the president questions, and now, because of your stupid cause that’s been addressed twice, he’ll likely never do this again.
If you want reform, polluting every single online forum for asking the president questions isn’t going to get there. Instead, it’s just going to make it more likely that he never has another online forum.
At the very least, keep your comments to one topic area, instead of polluting every single topic in the series. What the hell is wrong with you stupid fucks?
for joe q. public
our case has been addressed twice because he didn’t answer the first one. if you feel we are ‘polluting’ the forum then simply don’t participate and if he ‘never has another forum’ whats the loss since its a farce anyway.
Someone with as much sand in their vagina as Joe Q. obviously doesn’t smoke cannabis.
Just log in to whitehouse.gov and then enter ‘marijuana’ in the search box. It’s not difficult. Then vote up every marijuana question.
Hey Joe Q. Public, why would you expect people to listen to you and take your advice aver you call them ‘morons’ and ‘stupid fucks’? Now who’s the moron?
Prohibition….that’s what’s wrong with us. We won’t stop until we get what we rightfully deserve.
Joe, he and the rest of the administration can no longer sweep this question under the table anymore. Every time it comes up, he dismisses it, and every time he dismisses it, the reaction comes back stronger. If Obama said “The government will look at the facts and we’ll talk to NORML and the MPP… and we’ll consider whether marijuana reform is the right approach,” much of the questions on that page would not be answered. But trying to ignore us and hoping we’ll go away only maddens us further.
We’re not going to stop until we see the government at least consider marijuana reform. Until then, we will not rest until we’re recognized. It may be hard for you to believe, but many of us actually feel empathy toward the 750,000 Americans who were arrested on simple possession charges and locked up with rapists and murderers for 3 to 5 years. We feel empathy for those people, and not only because they were forced to live in such conditions but also because their lives are ruined. Can they get a decent job? Not a chance. Their lives lie shattered in ruins because of this. Because of this injustice.
Joe, I and many people like me WILL NOT REST until we get the answer we as Americans deserve. We WILL NOT REST until the government finally puts to rest the myths of marijuana that have poisoned our legal system for 70 years.
We’re a movement, Joe. And we’re going to fight because we believe in a just cause. We’re not going to stop because the government “doesn’t have time” for us right now. We’re going to fight because people are dying and are suffering from this insane and ignorance-and-fear-bred law.
We will not stop. We will not rest. We will fight until our rights are established, until people like Charles Lynch won’t have to live in fear of SWAT agents breaking down their door and pressing guns to the backs of their heads.
We cannot be stopped.
Reply to #43. Actually its never been addressed. Its been ignored.
By keeping quiet on issues that matter to the public policy makers will continue to be in the dark on what the public wants. It isn’t just the people here who are “polluting” online forms.
Repetition is important. Obama needs to be surrounded by the issue. And if our cause is listed high again it will receive extra media coverage. Whether Obama talks about it or not. People will take note that he AVOIDED the most important question on the people’s minds.
To Joe Q Public
We will keep this up until the truth is allowed to prevail and cannabis is regulated and available for both medical and adult use. If you feel that we are stupid fucks, explain to us exactly what is so stupid about legalizing a plant that is less harmful than both alcohol and cancerettes, both legal, a plant with known and proven medical value, a plant which along with Industrial Hemp can provide both jobs and a new taxbase for our nation!
The war on drugs has been a failure ever since its sorry inception and to continue to waste our money and brothers in sisters in often private prisons that is the truly stupid part of cannabis prohibition. And using this forum for our cause is every bit as legitimate as it is for those who support any other cause listed.
And finally John Q Public, some of us don’t hide behind a screen name.
What’s the matter Joe Q?
Afraid that your DEA job is at stake?
You STFU, everyone here wants there freedom to come back to them and you gotta do what it takes, even if it does cover other topics. This is a huge deal going on here and this nonsense of prohibition needs to end!
So many lives are being lost over drug cartels, kids are getting there hands on them from drug dealers, we are paying billions of dollars on the “War on BS”. People are being put to jail for having a toke, people like you forgot what this country stood for and you are a disgrace to this country.
Point i’m trying to make is that everyone is fed up with the BS and they want to do whatever it takes to get there voice heard, for the sake of the economy and for the sake of freedom.
If you don’t like it, then post your BS elsewhere you nazi.
I asked the question of prohibition and reminded him that FDR lifted alcohol prohibition nieteen days after taking office and would he be doing the same.
Or perhaps he will eventually have to address the issue instead of copping out as usual. If he would just show us he is listening and the questions will stop. Keep ignoring the issue and Also, marijuana legalization has to do with the various topics it is posted in. Legalization of cannabis would benefit our planet, our economy, our people and not to mention the hypocritical situation of alcohol and tobacco, the real killers, being the legal drugs. Joe Q. Public, it really sounds as if you need a vape session right now.
Joe Q you are quite the angey little man.And obviously this matters to many more americans than you are aware of. You should take some time to educate yourself on the hypocrisy and corruption of prohibiton ! Any Society That Would Give A Little Liberty For A Little Security Deserves Neither And Will Lose Both !
@Joe Q. Public
We want change and we want it NOW. We’re pretty damn serious about it. We’re tired of being considered criminals in our own country. Enough is enough.
We want to be free and live in peace. That’s all we ask. On top of it, we want to give our country more money by feeding the economy with our wallets.
You’re welcome.
@ joe q. too bad marijuana is related to almost every single topic available on the board.
The next few days will be the most crucial in cannabis reform we have seen in a while. Today Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton went to Mexico and for he first time acknowledged that the United States bears some responsibility for the current violence across the border because of our lax laws for assault weapons and our consumption of drugs. Rachel Maddow on tonight’s show talked with Andrea Mitchell about the subject and alluded to the fact that the war on drugs has been a failure. Good! Rachel also reminded her viewers and Andrea about the up coming visits by AG Holder and Secretary Napolitano in the next week to be followed by President Obama. That is a lot of high caliber officials traveling to Mexico to address the subject. It is imperative that we keep up the pressure by contacting these folks with the facts of the failed drug war. It is becoming apparent that the administration is poised to go one way or the other and we all know what does not work.
As children we were always taught to tell the truth and the truth is the only way drug use and abuse have to be addressed. It is no longer acceptable, both financially or socially, to continue the failed path of the past. It is also no longer acceptable for our leaders to ignore the potential windfall to be recognized by all three, Industrial Hemp, medical cannabis and recreational use by adults. All three can and will, when properly regulated and fairly taxed contribute to the economy and our Nation’s financial recovery. We know that it is possible and we can no longer remain silent when so much of our money is wasted on this failed policy. We can no longer bury our heads in the sand to the question about what kind of message we are sending to the children. Really, what kind of message are we sending when we allow the use of alcohol and cancerettes, both known to be highly addictive and hazardous to your health, yet the kids get to watch mom and dad having a smoke and a brew after dinner? Yet if we as a Nation had the good sense and tell our children that drug use and abuse are to be avoided and the reason why pot has been illegal for so long are financial gain by special interests and fear mongering by those who gain the most from it’s prohibition. The facts are that cannabis is neither addictive nor the gateway drug so many have tried to brainwash us. Cannabis has medical value and no, you can’t overdose. Both alcohol and cancerettes…. As to whether anyone should use dugs or not is one that needs to be decided by the parents. Just as abstinence results in higher teen pregnancy and VD, so does “Just say NO” result in higher drug use and abuse. Cannabis prohibition in ways may have lead to the drug abuse problem by lying about pot. I know some people who would not believe the government’s dire warnings about the truly dangerous crap.
Make use of the internets and snail mail and make your voices heard. We can not stay silent during this period of high level diplomacy south of the border. You can bet your smelly socks that the prohibitionist movement won’t sit on their behinds. The Prison Industrial Komplex, the correction workers unions and the police associations all have too much to lose to remain silent. We can be assured that they won’t cede an inch and we have to keep up the pressures. I’ve sent my $50.00 to NORML and I urge anyone who has a buck or two to spare, send them in! (I’m a NORML member, this is an unpaid endorsement) Since you are reading this online, use the Googles to contact media, legislators and your likely inclined friends to do likewise.
If the public cannot use these forums to voice their honest opinions then the point of the forum is moot. This is a serious question, and while he has taken a certain stance before, when he first entered into the realm of presidential candidate he supported marijuana decriminalization.
The opportunity of having an open minded president doesn’t come often, now that we have one we should all make our voices heard.
lol! uh oh! the 21st century is frightening someone! sorry Joey Q. sorry you lack the foresight to see how this issue effects America. you poor bitter bastard. maybe you can join the rest of us in the 21 century someday. in the meantime, thanks for the laugh.
Hopefully he will listen, if he does, then he’s doing a good thing. With as many drug related questions as there are, he will have to listen. The U.S. is watching.
Joe q….
were taking over if obama listens or not were to far in too give up i mean ny cali massachuttes…..everyones gonna join
sooo because we make a great effort means he wont listen if so hes as closed minded as you… either way we will come out on top!!!!!
Joe Q. Public……Your detestable behavior and language are nothing to be proud of. While observing extemely aggressive stance against people exercising their rights to personal freedom; I’m sure I can rely on the fact that you don’t smoke tobacco, drink beer/liquor, contribute to abortion, commit violent acts against others, etc. I mean with such a strong stance against people exercising their right to state their opinion (A GOD GIVEN RIGHT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION), I’m sure YOU are a great role model and a man that a young child could look up to.
You and people like you, who like to judge others is the reason people have been so oppressed for so many years. Did your ancestors complain when the Union wanted to end slavery and ask them “what the hell was wrong with them stupid fucks”. We’re talking personal freedom. The government has no right to tell you how to treat your on body. It’s not like the government cares TRULY. If they did they wouldn’t provide the most deadly drugs in the world, legally (tobacco and ETOH). You my friend, would probably benefit from a little intake of GOD’s special herb. One day GOD will judge us all. Spare us your judgement. After all we are all ONE NATION UNDER GOD, aren’t we.
it’s a real bummer that you can only post about two sentences…. I did what I could, but I couldn’t help feeling like just another ignorant stoner with what they allow. If I could have- this is what would have said:
Mr. President –
As an advocate of change I beg you to address the issue of marijuana reform. In this time of great economic hardship, the time is now to explore every alternative source of revenue we can to get our great country back on her feet. There is no doubt that the “war on drugs” was a complete failure and has spawned an even more deadly drug war south of the border that is spewing over our own borders at alarming rates. Please take the power away from them as we did gangsters at prohibitions end. Legalize, tax, and control: Would generate numerous jobs and wealth that would definitely make a fair dent in California’s looming deficit as well as releasing good American’s of which were wrongly incarcerated and the tax payer money that it takes to do so.
Thank You.
Exhausting experience as I spent several hours going through the questions, but I did it because marijuana really needs to be legalized.
Also answered yes to other questions so it didn’t look suspicious.
created a profile just to vote in favor of the pro-pot questions! NORML has been very busy lately with all these crazy updates. i remember the good ol days like summer of 08 lol when not much was going on in “marijuana legalization” funny how quickly things can change even if it is way overdue.
Joe Q – Everyone is laughing at your right now. Keep voting people!
I’m really excited to hear Obama’s responses to these questions but I’m afraid that he might not say what I want to hear.
Joe Q. Public..you are a douche.
the reason this issue shows up in several different topic is because it covers so many facets of society.
human rights, environment, economy, gang violence/civil wars because of this stupid drug war.
the public needs to wake up and realize that cannabis & hemp illegality back in the 30s was a crime against humanity.
Weve taken over the last few topics!!!
We are showing that cannabis has multiple benefits it doesnt just belong in one category.
Simmer down John Q. Judging by your angry tone, readiness to call names, and inability to offer any other real alternatives, I’d say you’re probably a republican, but that’s your problem.
For the first time in generations we have the upper hand in this debate. Asking questions about many different aspects of drug policy is what inquiring minds do. Following a single strand and refuting any deviation is what has f’d up this country to begin with.
They’re already moving the marijuana related questions to the back of the pack, preempting any real chance one will get answered, but keep asking and voting all the same. We finally have a President who hears the collective voice of the people. So make sure your’s is loud!!!
ps. get a life john.
I hadn’t started smoking till I was 22 I know thats harsh on the good herb i know i know, but if I hadn’t started I would be in so much pain not only every month, but I have been diagnosed with migranes since I was 6 or 7 and my mom always said it was bad so i never smoked but if I smoke I dont get headaches nowhere near as much as I used too if they was to legalize it I would be so happy as well as the rest of us please listen to the other people that dont have insurance and are just doing what people have been doing for as long as people can remember even past presidents said “follow the indians and sow the hemp seed” George Washington.
Joe Q., I kindly disagree. If we don’t force Obama to address this issue, he never will. Frustrate, annoy, irritate, whatever…as long as he knows we exist, we are determined, and we will make our message known whenever possible. GOAL for everyone – submit/vote on marijuana questions suited for each topic. Make weed #1 in for every topic.
Type marijuana in the search and you get 1400+ questions.
Type terrorist in the search and you get 87 questions.
We have a real voice here…let’s hope it works.
I’m unable to vote for some reason? so I will post my rant video here
In response to #43:
“You morons. Here’s a way for people to actually ask the president questions, and now, because of your stupid cause that’s been addressed twice, he’ll likely never do this again.”
Exactly, and the people have spoken. If he decides not to do this again, he ignores thousands of people who took the time to ask them in the first place.
“If you want reform, polluting every single online forum for asking the president questions isn’t going to get there. Instead, it’s just going to make it more likely that he never has another online forum.”
Nothing else has so far, so why not try? Again, if he does, he’s ignoring thousands of people.
“At the very least, keep your comments to one topic area, instead of polluting every single topic in the series. What the hell is wrong with you stupid fucks?”
The questions for legalization are in the relevant categories, those being: Green Jobs and Energy, Budget, Financial Stability, and Jobs. (As of 11:18PM CST)
What the hell is wrong with YOU? You do realize this is the result of exactly what he asked for? People’s true questions, not those typically censored by the media — real questions and real issues that deserve an answer, and its amazing a president is doing it. Of course this issue would dominate again given he ignored two previous attempts to give an articulate response on the subject.
We have a voice too, and every time they ignore it, we get louder.
Voted in catagories that include drug law reform. Really do hope the Prez addresses these issues. Let’s make this a real “FREE” country and not a “nanny” State.
“i Burn more trees than forest Fires…”
~POTHEADS-4LIFE~
Our voices will be heard… again
I dont know if you guys noticed, but the website moved the “budget” category from the top slot on the left all the way to the bottom.
I’ve loved Obama and defended him for so long, but I’m starting to get discouraged. They obviously moved that on the website because of how it looked publicly to have the top 8 questions pertaining to legalizing marijuana right on the front set of questions
sigh 🙁
As of now it looks like marijuana legalization is topping the Whitehouse’s questions. The message is clear, America wants more than a one sentence answer, we want a real discussion about marijuana and the drug war !
Joe Q,
Fuck you. If we don’t use all of our aggressiveness we will simply be ignored again. We are sick and tired of living in fear, and being treated like second class citizens. It is instrumental to this cause that we demonstrate the desire and strength in number that we possess. If we are ignored, we will likely all put our efforts into Ron Paul’s 2012 campaign. He needs to know we are serious, and can appease us by doing what is right. It has not been addressed at all by the President. And I’m sure the webmasters know how to scroll down to the less popular questions. And why should we only comment in one topic area, when this issue affects multiple ones? Go to hell, dude.
What time is Obama answering these questions and where? Is it Internet only or…
If President Obama ignores the marijuana legalization issue, NORML, MPP, DPA, and citizens need to call him on it by raising holy hell in the mainstream media. Hell, just in case, save copies of the whitehouse.gov/openforquestions website. Let there be no question what is on the mind of Americans.
Easy there Joe Q Public. While i may feel that some of the marijuana related questions are poorly worded, it is important to not let up. These online forums are a great way for us to let the Obama administration know that we are here, we want marijuana legalized, and we are not willing to give up on our quest. This is the only issue that keeps me interested in the political world. I’m sure that is case for many others as well. So why would we not continue to let Obama know that this issue is a big concern of ours?
FOLKS!!! John Q is RIGHT in an important respect!! CNN commented about 30 minutes ago that these forums “MUST” be “Fixed” somehow because “Marijuana has taken over every one of the topics”!! YES we need the votes and questions NEED to be asked, but we may well be wearing down our welcome at whitehouse.gov!! PLEASE just be reasonable!!
they removed the marijuana questions????????????????????????????????
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
?????????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CNN this morning at least gave a nod to the fact the forum had been “hijacked” by the cannabis lobby.
While it was done with the usual snicker and smirk, it was at least duly noted in one mainstream media outlet.
Not sure what Zay is refering to. Some of the topic categories moved around over the last 12 hours for no clear reason I could discern. However a search still shows results for those questions.
As of 9:15 EST … 2033 questions with marijuana as the search item.
Correction 2047 while I refreshed this page to post …
I seriously doubt this is all originating from NORML, MPP, LEAP, etc. I’m sure there are plenty of people adding their 2 cents for the same reason NORML and the like exist; America is tired of the accumulated costs of cannabis prohibition.
7,853 votes puts that first question at the top of the list under the Budget category as of voting close.
7,889 … guess people can still sneak in a few votes. I just did on some more mundane topics.
I don’t care about wearing out our welcome or how annoying they might think we are. I don’t care what any of them thinks or says or does, unless it’s legalizing marijuana. Until then, they’re just destroying innocent lives and excusing themselves for it.
Mr. Obama will be answering the question on the Website at 11:30 a.m.
well i hope he discusses this but i highly doubt he will, and as far as how he called the dea off of raiding i do believe but am 100% sure that it was in the case of raiding medical marijuana but i dont recall there being a statement about if a state were to try to tax and regulate it, lets just hope he isnt a douche about it like the rest.im staying optimistic but i am not holding my breathe 🙂
Notice how all of the Marijuana questions are somehow missing now?!? Now it is all questions about student loan forgiveness. I see he has something new on his agenda. This man is a rat. He is shadier than Bush, but he has much much more trust. He doesn’t have mine. I am voting for Ron Paul in 2012!! You know, real change!
Even if our President doesn’t address us today, we can at least say our voices were heard once again in his own public forum.
I say we never give up. We deserve to be heard. We deserve a rational discussion on federal marijuana policy. By ignoring us, they’re giving us no choice but to get louder and with larger numbers. We want to talk about this now!
We have spoken. Marijuana is the #1 issue in America right now as far as its citizens are concerned.
If you don’t like it, sorry. Deal with it. We’re not going away.
Yes, the questions regarding marijuana have been removed! …and to no surprise a bunch of questions about education are at the top of the list (no doubt seeded questions)
Thanks to our bullshit governing body!
Damnit damnit damnit!!! I just woke up and I missed my chance to vote 🙁 Way to be on top of things everyone else!!
..I hope the president doesn’t go ‘Jimmy Carter’ on us..safe to say most anything is better than GWB–
–except, John McCain.
The recent actions show he does not directly control the DEA.
We have alrady ‘worn out our welcome’ in the prisons of Amerika–why shouldn’t we be obsessive on the topic?
What better, more practical thing could the executive branch be doing than loosening the chains on the economy and personal freedom?
FREE UP THE WEED!
Interesting that the marijuana questions have suddenly disappeared. Look at Clinton’s comments in this article. They are going to come up with a plan to reduce demand of marijuana? That sounds incredibly shady. This administration is not who they say they are!
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0327/p99s01-woam.html
We need your support at http://www.campaignforliberty.com Real marijuana reform. Real change.
they make no mention of marijuana in this article
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/25/obama.online.town.hall/index.html
@John Q. Public
Being nice didn’t work so we took over whitehouse.gov and we still have nothing. Our government works for US and when they brush me aside it is time for action. How long have you been using the internet by the way? Must not be very long because forum trolls RULE the interwebz and that is not going to change. If you don’t like it then you can just GET OUT. (see South Park for that last reference). Although, I do agree we have to be more civilized. My persona as a successful college student works a lot better than 30 hippie stoners sayin “legalize it duuude.”
No, I think the’re still there, I’m just not sure if he will realy answer them.
well if they do “fix it” becAUSE WE WANT OUR PROBLEMS HEARD THIS IS NOT A DEMOCRACY,RIGHT??? ITS A YOU TELL US WHAT YOU WANT US TO HEAR AND FORGET THE REST…..
How is it that suddenly every question has to deal with education? Me thinks the website may not be legit.
never mind they just hid them under “budget”
no, not removed, just decided to blow off any question relating to marijuana great job listening to the people obama… you make me sick
They removed all the marijuana questions.. he is live now and it completely ignoring it…
Nothing yet… We can only hope.
Everyone laughed when he brought it up… he ignored us.
Made a joke out of it. hahaha. Change???
He said no 🙁
wow.. good answer yet again.
They all laughed at the question.
Well, there goes our plans to shit. Thanks Obama.
shot down once again, gee i didn’t see that one coming. I like how he just acts like its a redicolus idea, like has he looked at the numbers?
He answered the question. It was shot down in flames.
NOOOOOOOO!!!!
what an asshole. I hate them they screwed us again.
Hah, it was the top question in 5 categories and Obama brushed it away with a one sentence answer without reason or explanation. What a shame.
Obama just mocked the idea of legalizing marijuana to boost the economy. Fuck this country and fuck America. I’m moving to Amsterdam or Canada.
just a no with no explanation..
well, you just heard folks, he thinks we are a joke…dont be too surprised…HE’S A LIAR AND HYPOCRITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow. He just shut it down. I know that he has rapport and reputation to uphold, but I hope that he rethinks his words. He stated that he did not think that legalizing marijuana is a good answer to our economic woes. I know it’s not the only answer, and he didn’t outright say that it was not going to happen… but it sure could help.
He just gave an non answer to the Marijuana question
….the crowd laughed and he said no he didnt think it was a good idea 🙁
Luckly he just shot down all your questions about the marijuana legalization. Everyone laughed. It’s cool tho, cause two weeks ago he gave out 126+ billion dollars to someone who just gave it to their CEOs
OMG. He said “no” to the idea of legalizing marijuana!!!! i’m so sad. 🙁
Well out of the thousands of votes and questions regarding Maryjane he just answered with “No” with everyone around him laughing and smirking even when he brought it up. Doesn’t look good at all.
Well, that didn’t go over very well…he basically made fun of the marijuana issue and issued a blanket “no” statement without any reasoning. Horrible.
Very funny Obama! Thanks for giving your full consideration to the question of legalization.
well, fuck.
of course he made a big joke out of it, it got less than 5% of the time that the other issues got. but it was the number one voted issue, there is something wrong here, the national media needs to call him out somehow here.
What was so funny Obama? This was not a joke!
My god. They laughed and clapped when he said “No.”
It’s time to up the ante. We have to fight harder against this stigma.
what a dick head, i knew he would do that and i knew all those stuck up people in there would clap for him talking against it. I know who i wont be voting for, and turn your tv’s off so they know they lost an audience when he turned down that question
There it is folks, he said NO! Now what?!
He had the chance to save the world and just blew it!
he just answered.. in like 2 seconds
“The answer is no.”
NO WE CAN’T
no respect and he didnt even address anything about it.
Bullshit there he goes again. He goes into great detail about every other question but he passes off the marijuana question with a one sentence answer. Why does he not explain his reasons for his decision?
obama laughed at the marijuana questions, so it is obvious that he and his administration have no plans to seriously address current drug policies.
Well, his comment to me? Highly insulting.
So much for sticking with science.
Looks like it’s a firm “no.”
I’m so mad right now.
I supported Obama throughout the primaries and the general election. I worked tirelessly getting doors slammed in my face in rural Pennsylvania, where I live. I am EXTREMELY upset at the way THE AMERICAN PEOPLE’S voices were just mocked by our president. A flat out “No” and laughter? I feel disrespected and just plain let down.
well obama just shut that idea down, he firmly gave a NO answer. Didnt even talk more about it or anything. Just squeezed it inbetween two questions, because it got over 3 million votes. doesnt that say something?
hey man, i just watched the live feed off the white house site. he talked about marijuana helping the economy question but in a negative way, honestly i don’t think Obama is the president i voted for. All the people in the room just laugh. I’m pretty disappointed.
That was another blowoff instead of a response! I am angry! And what is with the public laughter? It started at the mere metion of the topic. Why are we not treated seriously? This is a about Nation’s War against it’s own People as well as the Survival of the Economy!!!
Obama simply dismissed the notion that pot could be a potential cash crop for the United States and provide a sustainable amount of taxable revenue. It’s sad to see my elected official belittle me by making light of an issue that I find to be valid.
He made fun of the question, laughed, insinuated the internet crowd is a bunch of stoners, and firmly reiterated that marijuana would NOT be a boon for the economy. Gave no reasons, no facts, not even any real opinion on the matter.
The thing that gets me is all the “in the know” chuckling.
Marijuana is NOT A JOKE!!!! It is a SERIOUS ISSUE! Obama this will NOT GO AWAY!!!!
M i also add that I am very proud that I did not vote for this wolf in sheeps clothing….Ron Paul!!!
There you have it. Dismissed without the slightest explanation. What else can you expect from the US government.
Hes said no to the economy about marijuana after he said lots of ppl wanted an answer for but thats not what half of us wanted to know…while evrybody laughed in the background like it was a joke…But each state has there own rights and its our freedom so i think he should have stayed on the topic for longer than 22 seconds unlike all the other questions he stood on for about 5 minutes each so we are being taken as a joke how do you feel?
What a joke. He made a mockery of the most popular question. He dismissed Americans by saying “Idon’t know whay this says about our online audiance.” He’s like all the rest. Sorry I voted for him.Scoreone for the drug dealers and drug cartels. How many more have to die? How many more citizens and sick will be arrested . Hello Europe for me.
Wow. A whole 10 seconds of air. Big no and a laugh.
obama punked out on the question
After all of the voting on the well stated questions, we just have Obama laughing over considering legalizing pot.
Way to evade the question. No politician is ever going to support the decriminalization if we can’t get this man to even seriously consider the question.
Its hopeless.
i just wanted to say thanks to mr obama for slapping me in the face i was one of those “online people” that wanted to know what your going to do about this failed drug war
thanks
Anyone else watch it? Everyone laughed when he mentioned it, and he laughed along and just said “No.” No explaination, no nothing. No vote from me. He’s no better than the rest of the corrupt politicians.
Well people, President Obama addressed marijuana legalization right after he was talking about health care reform. He basically tagged it on the end saying that there were millions of questions about marijuana, and “I don’t know what that says about our online participants…” while everybody in the room laughed (more specifically laughed at the ignorant people on these boards.) SO GOOD JOB SPAMMING A SERIOUS PROJECT AND HAVING US LAUGHED AT BY THE PRESIDENT. Fucking tools.
I just heard President Obama’s comment on cannabis and boy am I pissed!
Not only does he not think it’s a good idea, he disparages what it must mean that so many cannabis adovcates are checking into this site!
Well here’s what it means:
Unlike many of the mindless sheep blindly following idiots to their detriment we pay attention to what the hell is going on and we care enough to voice our opinions!
Looks like its onward ho without him.
Let’s all BE SURE to send him our regards on April 20th. And for good measure, lets all stay home from work and BUY NOTHING that day.
go to whitehouse.gov and let obama know what you think
Way to duck the green questions once again Mr President…. How lame.
Obama the lama didn’t address the “War on Drugs”
He is not in favor of using marijuana to “grow” the economy.
Obama just blew us all off with a lame joke.
Great.
Let the Dark Ages continue.
im glad they got a good laugh about the legalization questions ranking high in votes…
I can’t believe Obama laughed at us! What is that about? He didn’t even post up one of the questions.. they ranked the top in 3 categories and the top 1-7 in Budget category.
He thinks he can just brush us under the rug.. we will do this at a local and state level, and then he’ll have to face the reality.
Go to your state legislators and assemblymen, demand reform if u live in Massachusetts or California.
Well they asked Obama the marijuana question and he gave us the same one line “No, I do not”.
ZERO.
ZILCH.
NADA.
NOTHING.
Right back where we started. I am sorry I voted for this prick and I am going to tell him so. This is the most important issue and he LAUGHED at us!!!!!!!!!!
12:20pm. Watching Obama live on town hall.
He was just speaking of health care and brought up the fact that many people asked him online to legalize and tax marijuana. He laughed and said NO, he doesnt think it will help anything. Everyone laughed as he remarked how the questions themselves makes him question the people who are online users. He didnt even give it 60 seconds of discussion.
X.x
You have to give him credit for cracking a joke on it. He informally answered the question by not adressing the actual question. Ahh.. stoners once again get a bad rep. But you have say, at least he made everyone laugh about it. I don’t think it’ll help the economy.. but the question is based to let adults make the choice. Not to get us out of debt. Obviously, the administration is still an administration, but i think another 3-4 years.. we’ll see “change” in our drug laws. I miss amsterdam.
just watched his answer on the news regarding the hot topic question… he still says no…
I think Joe Q was right, regardless of his choice of words. This was an inappropriate place to ask these questions and all that came of it was that he pointed out the questions early and everyone laughed at the notion.
Its time to write in a comment to Whitehouse.gov on how they steamrolled over the Marijuana questions.
I already have.
just heard Obama laugh and shrug off the legalization of marijuana question. looks like we need to elect somebody different next time because he’s not gonna do it during his time in office.
i love you but you are an asshole
he laughed =( hello it will change everything
hemp revolution
high there
is a plant that grows
just like people stick and hole
how many purposes can you find
when the variety is infinite and the bud is kind
home grown with love and care
we all could find the strain that could keep us breathing clean air
people may smoke it people may eat it people may make it into fuel, paper, etc. etc. I want to make clothes, clothes that keep people dry and warm, shelter from societal storms, clothes that can be taught to be made the only cost being contributing to discovering the ways in which this plant can be used
well you guessed wrong i just watched on line and the vertict is nope.we got 30 seconds and alot of laughter.haha.screw the government,ive been thinking maybe we dont need marijuana legal,because what would happen is they would make it less potent and it would cost me more money.just keep it underground,i dont mind paying 25,50,65 a sac.plus i oould get it in 5 or ten minutes.ive been paying the same price for 10,20 years.no need to change now.love my country hate my government.HEY WASHINGTON THIS TOKES FOR YOU!!KEEP TOKN AMERICA
e-mail the white house
I can’t believe he turned our concerns into a joke.
How can MJ be the top question in 4 out of 11 catagories and he turns it into a joke?
Obama’s promise for change is fast turning into the joke played on all of us.
WEll all he said was no and all his lackey’s had a good laugh and applaud, YAYYYYY@keeping non violent people locked up, YAYYYY!!
Fuck this country.
Boy, what BS how Obama brushed right over the marijuana question. Politics as usual, nothing changed! It was one of the major questions and he just pissed on it. No Balls Obama… Not enough done. We need to stand together and not let him forget, everytime he ask question,we need to beat him down with the marijuana legalization question. Were not going away!!!
well im glad they all got a good laugh about legalization questions haveing popular votes
When they showed the question the audience and the President found humor in it then said no.
So much for change……………
We were all ignored
And what did he do? Laugh it off. NORML, it’s time to get at this man and expose his hypocrisy, we won’t stand for this anymore.
Obama just “answered” our question. As a quick aside. Practically laughing in our faces. “I don’t know what this says about the online audience…” “But no, I don’t think this would grow our economy.”
You’ve got to be kidding me. The anti-legalization crowd doesn’t have a leg to stand on, and he’s just going to LAUGH US OFF?!
Change indeed. Vote 3rd party in 2012!
The removal of those questions will unfortunately not be met with the outrage it deserves.
WHAT the FUCK obama, how INSULTING
“There was one question that was voted on that ranked fairly high and that was whether legalizing marijuana would improve the economy and job creation, and I don’t know what this says about the online audience ,” Mr.Obama said, drawing a laugh. He said he wanted to make sure the question got answered. “The answer is no, I don’t think that was a good strategy.”
Was just listening to Obama town hall meeting, and he replied to our question, but he didn’t agree that legalization would help the economy. He didn’t give any reasons even though you could tell the crowd’s body language seemed like they thought it should be legal. Let’s face in Obama isn’t going to touch this in his first term, maybe towards the end of his first, but I doubt it. He won’t risk loss in political capitol with the republicans/conservatives who are anti-drug. There is hope however since he has left states to allow there own laws with weed. So if some states get legalization/regulation passed and they start raking in tax money (which of course they will) and there aren’t any big problems, the Feds will see the power of the all mighty dollar and will want there cut of the taxes (after all Feds are just another gang) which will put more pressure on them to change weed to a schedule 5 substance. So push your state level officials hard!! It will only take a state of two to legalize for the flood gates to open just like medical. Keep up the good fight! I affirm one way or another it will be legal in the next 7-8 years.
The TOP 7 questions under budget was cannabis related, and we get an answer like that? Honestly!
12:10 p.m. ET. A “no” to legalizing marijuana:
Obama notes that one of the most popular questions posed online was “whether legalizing marijuana would improve the economy and job creation.”
“I don’t know what that says about the online audience,” the president says with chuckle.
“The answer is no, I don’t think that is a good strategy to grow our economy.”
another one liner
WHAT THE FUCK HE LAUGHED AT US
http://disc.420chan.org/weed/src/1238084628244.jpg
The president says to those watching online that, “what matters to you is how you’re going to find a job … medical bills … how you’re going to put your child through college.”
I glad he knows what matters to Americans by laughing at them.A-hole
He touched on the topic saying that it has had the most votes – and “I’m not sure what this says about the internet crowd”, and said he did not believe this is a good idea – and all the crusty old people there clapped. Looks like it’s up to the states.
Well… I guess we can’t expect much from this administration on drug policy reform. I’m livid because although he answered our question, he subtly(sp) mocked us all and did not approach the issue with the serious tone it deserves.
Well, he just answered. He said he did not think it was a good idea. That was all. Talk about frustrating as all hell… How are we supposed to have an actual discourse about this issue when the president won’t touch it with a ten foot pole? Mr. President, please grow a pair.
The most disturbing part, however, is that when he read the question the audience LAUGHED. The legalization movement is still a joke to most people. Get those ads up, Norml. It’s all fine and good to demand change from your public officials. If you actually want it to happen, you have to change the public’s mind first…
He lumped together all the questions speaking on marijuana as if they were all the same one and simply said “no” to the legalization of it… No explanation, nothing. I feel disrespected Mr. Obama, you don
he walked right around the mary jane Qs. it got about 15 seconds of airtime. what a cop out.
Typical that they would avoid those questions, but I have a feeling that they’re taking them into serious consideration even though they’re not openly talking about it yet. With California and Massachusetts putting legalization laws up for votes, and after Hillary said that its obvious that using law enforcement to stop people from wanting to do drugs isn’t working, the White House can’t ignore the truth anymore.
Keep your chin up, folks and keep pressing. Like Obama said, persistence is important. Stay strong!!
He snubbed the pot question without answering it, at all. All he said was, “No, I don’t think it would help.” But he never said why. That’s what really irks me. Not only that, but the facts stand in the face of that opinion. Any attempt at lifting a ban on marijuana use is statistically coordinated to an influx of capital. The money that comes in from that would be like a million pounds being lifted off of the shoulders of American tax-payers. But ignorance prevails, and the sheep clap on to the answer of “NO.”
I am outraged by Obama’s response to our questions. We presented a number of the different arguments in favor of legalization and he responded by laughing at us and dismissing us out of hand. This kind of treatment should not be overlooked.
This is total BS. He wont even address the issue! he says “i dont know what this says about our internet audience” and everyone laughs. THOSE ARE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE A**HOLE!
Wow, He completely blew us off. He gives 10 minute answers for every other question but when the BY FAR most popular subject comes up, he laughs it off and doesn’t take it seriously. wtf…
Someone in the crowd still might ask something but I doubt it.
Disappointed =(
HE SIDESTEP IT AND LAUGH IT OFF WE NEED TO GO BACK TO THE SITE AND WRITE HIM.TELL THEM THEY LOSE ARE VOTE IN 2012, RON PAUL JUST LIKE 80 MILLION VOTERS ON HE’S SIDE.
He lost my vote!!! What an ass!
no such thing as out-wearing our welcome. If they won’t listen to us today, we’ll be twice as loud tomorrow. They will listen.
this is bull crap…he dissed everybody…
Yo guys. Obama has made it clear what he thinks about legalizing MJ. Stop getting your hopes up. You need to bark up another tree so to speak. As much scrutiny as ther is on his policies right now and rediculous amount of spending, do you really think he will risk his image further by legalizing MJ? I mean, I’m totally for it but repeatedly pushing this on him is insane. He ain’t gonna budge. I think if CA’s legalization program turns out to be beneficial beyond everyones’ wildest dreams, then I think he might reconsider.
Just sent email to whitehouse.gov
I and millions of other Americans were dismayed to see you blow off the questions regarding the legalization of marijuana. The fruits of the Drug War can be seen now with the murder and mayhem on the Mexican border and the millions unnecessarily jailed for doing nothing more than what you yourself admit to having done. And so you choose to make a joke of it? When will public policy be based on science and reason instead of insipid politics? I am disgusted.
Well, the president asked us what we thought, and he just laughed at us. He didn’t even give a reason why he doesn’t agree that medical marijuana or legal marijuana isn’t an answer. He just laughed. I supported this guy and he laughed at me.
Just heard his reply…and the laughs of the people sitting around him when the question was asked if legalizing pot would be considered to help with the economic crisis. His answer was obvious, he thought the question a joke. I guess some dreams are beyond our reach. Like so many, I work, pay taxes and have no voice in this government.It is sickening every time I here someone refer to The Mexican government as being corrupt as if our government is not. There is no difference in Cartels vs Lobbiest. They are each representing special interest groups that manipulate government policy.If you screw with either one, you essentially face a political demise(one way or the other). I am at least grateful that he spoke his position out loud so we can no longer wonder where he stands. It just goes to show anyone will say anything to get elected. Same B.S. different President…….
Of course he blew it off as a joke. He made clear along time ago that he had no intentions of legalizing marijuana. Even with escalations in violence with Mexican drug cartels, the spiraling economy and overwhelming popular support on the government website, he STILL blew it off! He’s no different to me than any other politician–our time for change is still a long way off…
**Watching the live feed currently**
I am completely and utterly disappointed in how the legalization issue was not only laughed at, but was virtually ignored. Fifteen seconds were spent on the topic, ten of which were spent on said laughter.
While I am angered at the blatant disregard of possibly the largest issue addressed by the people on whitehouse.gov, what bothers me even more is that the people who put forth and support those questions were laughed at as well. “I don’t know what the online community is thinking…” (or something like that) Ha. Ha. Ha. I don’t see the humor. I
If the public is called upon to go online and submit questions dealing with the issues most important to them, don’t turn around and laugh at them.
This only makes me want to work harder for our cause. The injustices caused by prohibition are outrageous, and I won’t stop fighting until our goal is met. Please do everything you can in order to change drug policy in our country. GO NORML!
President Obama said he doesn’t think legalizing would be good for the economy! AAAAND bashed every single one of us by saying “I don’t know what that says about the internet population” what the????? I’m so angry right now I thought he was intelligent but I guess he is either an uneducated dolt or a corrupt puppet. Of course legalizing cannabis for medicinal, recreational and most of all in my opinion HEMP for sooooo many reasons (including new energy which he says all the time is important) will be good for this country! I read this on a Yahoo News top headline. So disappointing to have our ‘leader’ think like this.
Sorry, hit submit before I should have. I was going to ask if anyone else felt a little angry.
Well, that sucked. Still, the marijuana issue is now in the news again. That’s all it takes guys. We just need to keep pounding this issue, on the local, state, and national level. More people are on our side than you think, and despite Obama’s joking with the issue, the issue will NOT joke with him. This is an important thing to millions of Americans, and we are not nearly done yet. He better hope he never has another open for questions again, because people will be so pissed off all that you will see is marijuana questions on every page. This proves though that this is going to have to happen on the state and local side. The federal government isn’t going to do shit about it.
But don’t get down, folks, we still have the Cali bill today!
What people don’t realize is that up to this point, our side was really unorganized and they didn’t take us head on.
First they ignore you, then they mock you, then they fight you, then you win.
We’re getting to that “Fight you” stage.
It helps US organize.
Well, once again, regardless how many votes were cast and which questions were the most popular, the whole topic was blown off. we live in a ‘democracy’ where your voice can be heard, as long as you say what the man wants you to say.
nice going, Barack
Disrespectful and unprofessional!
12:10 p.m. ET. A “no” to legalizing marijuana:
Obama notes that one of the most popular questions posed online was “whether legalizing marijuana would improve the economy and job creation.” … Read More
“I don’t know what that says about the online audience,” the president says with chuckle…. Read More
“The answer is no, I don’t think that is a good strategy to grow our economy.”
well we are being laugh at AGAIN time to get out and protest we are not being takin seriously i am disappointed
He won’t get my vote again! That was TOTAL BS! I’m so incredibly mad.
And another thing…Remember what he said in his news conference the other night—PERSISTENCE. He values it, and we need to show it to him.
WHAT THE FUCK HE FUCKING LAUGHTED AT US THIS IS NOT RIGHT NOT RIGHT AT ALL!!!!!
I’M GOING TO TRY TO MOVE TO A DIFFERENT COUNTRY, I DON’T WANT TO LIVE IN U.S. NOMORE.
BYE AND FUCK THE U.S.
what the hell? how come did they avoid the question???? we won it fair and square… legalization questions flooded the polls… and they ignored it
There you have it, folks. Your president is laughing at you. You are a joke to him.
what a joke that was…WTF
well, shit.
I like how he said this was a serious meeting but then instead of actually answering any specific marijuana related question he grouped them all into one answer and just said “no, I don’t think marijuana will help stimulate the economy” while everyone in the room gave out a laugh. Why can’t elected officials talk about marijuana and marijuana reform seriously like other topics? If marijuana reform actually took place, I would have more respect and more than likely actually support our government. Its hard for me to support our government when its based on ignorance.
John Q:
Your response demonstrates ignorance. The reason that marijuana related questions are taking over the boards is because it is an extremely important topic on the minds of that many Americans. Part of the purpose of this was for the president to see what Americans are worried about. With that being the goal, there is no way to pollute the board. What this has shown us is that more people want legalization than the government or the media has been portraying. This is a democracy. Please stop whining simply because a topic that you obviously have some sort of issue with is important to a great many people.
President Obama just had a good laugh (literally if you saw the live web broadcast a moment ago) on us folks!
After snickering he said to the audience with a condescending tone “i don’t know what this question says about our online audience but I’ll answer them now! No I don’t think legalizing marijuana will help our economy.”
At least we know where Obama stands now and why our questions were not addressed on change.org back then, which apparently is also a waste of time for pro-cannabis people like us to voice our ideas and opinions now.
I hope I am wrong people but it kind of feels like we been had again.
Ron Paul 2012!
Too bad he took our number one topic and reduced it to a few half hearted jokes and dismissed it. The change we need at the federal level has already happened. With states able to take responsibility on their own lets push hard with local groups to make these state laws pass.
Obama let us down once again, but not only he let us down, he ridiculed all of us who use cannabis. Not only that, among us are those who are dying of serious illnesses and are using cannabis to ease their pain. There are also those who are using it because it is the only thing that helps them with this illnesses. He ridiculed not only us, but those people as well, who are among us.
I suggest all of you to write a comment to Obama telling him how you think about all of this.
You can write to him here:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
I can’t believe they ignored the most popular question AGAIN. How much longer can they ignore the population of responsible marijuana users?
just watched the feed…….didn’t hear one muther-skunking question about cannabis legalization!!! Looks like potHEADS are gonna hafta keep on pushing and annoying them UNTIL they are sooooo agitated they have no choice but to LEGALIZE.
Yep. He basically has said all he needed to on the topic. At the STATE level you can put it up for a vote; decriminalization, legalization, medical (referencing the Attorney General’s announcement) you are basically becoming a litmus strip for other states. Hope it does pass in California and Massachusetts. Focus your “U” there.
Well that was a let down. expected, but still! he treated it like a joke.
Well that was a let down. expected, but still! he treated it like a joke.
They did not remove the questions. he just briefly mentioned it as the #1 question and then made a crack about “Wondering about the Internet community” and then said NO.
I was not happy with the flip response.
anyone know where we can see the whole town hall meeting? i only caught the end and it doesn’t let you go back. did he actually address the marijuana issue?
He blew the question off.
Watched Obama live this morning and I expected something along the lines of “Wow, maybe we should put this issue on the table”.Top question in 4 categories and second in one category. So that’s 5 categories in which marijuana reform was at the top. And within 20 seconds he dismissed them all. So the fight continues all we have to do is keep the pressure up cause no matter what this is good publicity.
Hell yea, mr reuban!! We must not let up one bit. And don’t worry about wearing out Ur welcome….remember–Potheads are already not welcome……SO, let’s knock on the door until we are aloud in………….
This is bullshit all of are hard work to just be laughed off like that.That was a chicken shit answer if u asked me.He just said “no” he didnt have any explaintions.
I gotta say, I had a feeling that they would group all the questions into one statement. I feel even crappier that he just laughed off these attempts at real pertinent questions, and that the audience was laughing along with him when he said something to the effects of, “I guess we know what the majority of the internet is interested in…”
Nothing like seeing the president and the planted audience behind him be so flippant as to laugh it off as though nearly a million people on an official white house poll were “dumb stoners.”
Well, we were addressed but NOT heard. I will be writing directly to the President, as I believe he wants to listen but is politcally inclined to say the “correct” answer. I believe this is the ONLY way we will finally get a concrete answer. If everyone in this forum plus one friend wrote him personally I believe that we will HAVE to be heard. I will be writing, will you join me?
Is it just me or did the change to order of the categories in the last hour so that the #1 marijuana related questions were in the last four categories before the President started to answer questions?
k i just got done watching this thing and im not sure if i just missed it or he completly ignored our questions. I caught what i could in between working but i didnt hear anything about marijuana. anybody else?
Pushed away again.. It seems that the people of this country will never mature and look at all the negatives they are causing by thinking that pot should be legalized. There is a god damn war across the border because of our generation buying pot. We sure as hell aren’t going to stop so the government should start to adapt to this and STOP PROHIBITION.
Is it just me or did they change the order of the categories in the last hour before it went live so that the #1 marijuana related questions were in the last four categories before the President started to answer questions?
What a pathetic response that was. I had hope in Obama. I hope Ron Paul runs in 2012.
Well, he’s against the legalization of marijuana. He think it’s a bad strategy for turning the economy around. I think the opposite is true and obvious.
Well, once again he blew us off by making a joke. When can we have a well reasoned response to our questions?
WOW……I guess it is proven and true. Our govt. officials really don’ honestly care about the real issues or listen to what the people really do want.
I just lost more faith in our so called “democratic” system. The guy from CNN said ” Cannabis reform has taken over MOST of the questions…” I thought that the majority rule was how democracy mechanics worked….boy have I been swindled =(
Well, I had to step out as he was answering the first question, and came back about 30 minutes later and he was taking questions from the audience, did he at any point even touch on the MJ questions? I didn’t hear it mentioned what so ever. I do though still see the questions in the No.1 spots in 4 out of the 11 catagories. 🙂
This can’t be ignored much longer.
Well I was watching Obama talk on TV instead of trying to watch it on my SLOW internet connection.. he mentioned Marijuana 1st.. He was asked if legalization would help our economy. and he said NO .. with NO explanation of why he doesn’t think it will help our economy.. We deserve some sort of answer other than — **NO** Hey Obama .. explain to your country why you think that.. lets have a debate about that
WOW, I just watched the answering of the questions. legalization topped multiple categories and all it got was a sentence dismissing it and then a laugh. He asked the people to speak and they did! I just watched democracy fail and die.
It looks like all efforts pretty much failed. Despite the marijuana questions being at the top of over half of the topics, the guy asking Obama the questions just picked which ones he felt were relevant. Obama did mention that legalization was a popular topic, to which he just said “No, I do not think legalization will help our economy grow.” To which the audience in the room with him APPLAUDED enthusiastically. This was incredibly disheartening. Our questions were just dismissed with no explanation whatsoever. I had hope that Obama would be able to look at the situation critically and at the very least explain why he is taking the position he is on legalization. I guess we can only hope that the bills pass in California and Massachusetts, and that the rest of the country realizes how much those states will/have benefited from legalization.
(Sent to WhiteHouse.gov)
Mr. Obama,
The questions about Legalization of Cannabis are valid and important questions concerning our nation’s economy and our Constitutional promise of “Freedom”. We the People WANT CANNABIS LEGALIZED and we KNOW that it will indeed help the economy. Please do not brush off the majority of American citizens with a joke! This is no laughing matter! The U.S. Government’s policy of arresting nearly 1 million of its citizens per year for Cannabis is no laughing matter.
Let me tell you “what this says about our online audience” – It says “Mr. President, We the People demand the restoration of our original freedoms to consume Cannabis! We know Cannabis to be a plant that will solve many of the issues facing this country now, and if you will study real facts you will know this to be true. We the People want the Medicinal Pproperties of Cannabis, the Economic Boost from Cannabis, the Green Ecological Benefits of Cannabis as well as a Safe Alternative to the horrible and very deadly Alcohol and Cigarettes that are totally legal under U.S law.”
Not all of us can handle hard drugs like Alcohol (which I hear the U.S. Government can and does drink large quantities of). Yet we are asked as they take over ¾ of a million of us yearly to jail – “Why don’t you just Drink?” Alcohol is NOT a safe alternative!
Please Legalize Cannabis!
How do we go about putting this topic right in their faces so that they cant skate around it? I understand this is a sensitive issue, but how do you make them address an issue that is topping the charts?
I just wrote Mr. Obama a letter, it’s in the mail:
Dear President Obama & Staff,
Could you please explain why you virtually dismissed the issue of marijuana decriminalization during your online forum on March 26, 2009, despite its overwhelming public support?
Further, your remarks were quite disrespectful and undermine the work and progress that has been made in recent months. Your comments illustrate the disconnect between Washington and the American Public, the latter of which is ready to finally end this unjust and immoral war against (illicit) drugs, specifically marijuana! The same war that disenfranchises and warehouses millions of individuals each and every year! Most of which are minorities.
My hope is, Mr. President, that you will reevaluate your position rather than succumb to the Prohibitionists within your government! Unfortunately your words resound negatively, and my time and effort helping you achieve your budget (and other goals) is now dwindling! Perhaps this is selfish on my part, however I cannot support another Prohibitionist in office, especially one that supposedly believes in science yet criminalizes a plant.
Good luck with your ‘budget battle’ as I will now devote my time and energy to the cause of Cannabis re-legalization! Thanks for your time.
Regards,
once again pot legalization is the butt of the joke!!will anybody ever take it seriously in government? not in our lifetime!! keep building those jails… keep throwing money at THE WAR for another 70 years! they will always use the change argument to get elected but then once in they will fall in line with the rest of the assholes. goodbye american freedom..
Looks like Obama is going to ignore and even make fun of what Americas have spoke out in favor of,,HUGE numbers of people voted pot highest in priority the the topics of BUDGET,JOBS,FINANCIAL STABILITY,GREEN JOBS & ENERGY,and also did well in HEALTH CARE,I actually thought this idea Obama had about the Town Hall forum was a good one,,but now im feeling wronged by the guy I voted for!!!
call Organizing for America toll-free at 1-877-922-4264. Express your displease of Obama’s laughing off the marijuana question. Flood the vioce mail box.
I’m appalled at the audacity our President had in scoffing off the most requested questions in nearly every category of his online town hall meeting. The audience laughed at our efforts, they giggled and applauded when the president simply uttered “no” and made a complete mockery of the lives ruined every year by this worthless war on drugs. The President didn’t even read a legitimate question on the matter, he simply referred to a bulk of “questions about marijuana legalization,” then proceeded to dismiss it as a bunch of potheads.
I lost quite a bit of admiration for my President today. I saw him as rational and open-minded to discuss what the American people wanted to discuss, but he proved to be completely spineless in the face of an issue that touches on national security, health care, jobs and our basic civil liberties.
I just watched the open question live town hall meeting as im sure many of you did. Obama made a complete mockery and joke of the question and everyone that voted on it. This is an outrage and typical of the same ol politics that have destroyed our economy and are steadily destroying our country. He didn’t even answer the actual question that was asked. He says he wants to hear and know the real questions where the people want change. Too bad he’s not taking us seriously! That may have just cost him my vote in the next election! We have to be more diligent in our stance to end this prohibition!!!!
He kinda made a joke of it and blew it off by saying legalization would not be considered. I think we need to call him on this one and bring this to a boil.
Well, I found a live blog and this is what apparently was said:
“There was one question that was voted on that ranked fairly high and that was whether legalizing marijuana would improve the economy and job creation, and I don’t know what this says about the online audience ,” Mr.Obama said, drawing a laugh. He said he wanted to make sure the question got answered. “The answer is no, I don’t think that was a good strategy.”
No? Ok, well Mr. Obama, might you care to give us more than a 1 word answer on a topic that was number 1 in 4 out of 11 catagories?
I think all this says about the online community is that it’s the only place that people can truely ‘openly’ ask questions without fear of discrimination!
obama passed off our marijuana questions as a joke and everyone laughed. im not pleased at all. something huge has to be done about this.
Obama laughed us off – I feel betrayed and saddened. When will our government listen to the people? Marijuana prohibition is a failed policy, it’s claiming thousands of prisoners and is restricting our ability to make our communities safer and more financially prosperous.
Obama – you disappoint me.
He played it off, not terribly surprising, but he did get the point. Obama has too many massive issues to deal with right now, he’s not picking this fight.
But he is going to let this play out in the states. And if AB390 passes, I think we have ourselves a pilot program that will prove very successful and we go from there.
It was a little disappointing, but it was AWESOME that there was a 10:1 ratio of questions marijuana to terrorists. Responsible adults not feeling shamed or afraid to voice their opinions to our leaders. Good stuff guys.
This is not “Change”! This is our president spitting in the face of millions of people and basically saying that he is the only smart one and what he says goes! This is Unbelievable!!! I don’t know about the rest of you but this angers me to no end! We have another liar in Washington…Yipee!
Obama answered seven of the most popular questions, according to a CNN tally. That includes those from several people who asked if legalizing marijuana would improve the economy.
The president grinned through his answer: “I don’t’ know what this says about the online audience,” he said, adding: “The answer is, ‘No,’ I don’t think that is a good strategy to grow out economy.”
Well evidentiy the economy is not going to be solved by legalization,or so Obama said,jokingly, .What kind of people asked these questions he said .norml people thats who.
Wow, I’m ashamed of the way he handled that.
So, hope was dashed. I’m pretty disappointed that the President has decided to laugh off as a joke the idea that prohibition of marijuana should be immediately repealed. I’m also surprised that he chose to belittle the online community in such a way as he did. I’m pretty sure that Internet-izens helped his campaign in many ways.
It’s a sad day.
I just watched obamas response to the legalization questions on CNN and I am furious. He pretty much just said its not a serious issue and made everyone that supported legalization look like stoners. Unbelievable.
He blew us off!!!! What are we going to do now?
Thanks for not answering the one question Americans actually wanted answered Mr.President! I’ve already sent an e-mail to the White House venting my frustration for simply answering, “No I do not support legalizing marijuana.” We’ve asked time and time again and the question is not going to go away anytime soon. I can’t believe, in a government that is supposed to be more open, that we are expected to take that as a legitimate answer! Come on Obama…elaborate!!!
I cannot believe the Presidents actions concerning the clearly highly popular questions concerning ending cannabis prohibition! On the budget list for Open For Question were no less than three questions concerning this, ranking by a PUBLIC VOTE IN THE TOP TEN!!! He did make mention of questions like it, and in addressing it he disrespected all the people who voted for those questions by regarding them as “what kind of people online”. Truely intellegent people. I myself manage a business that is doing well and have to hide the fact that I even believe in ending the prohibition, yet the customers who come in can buy beer, alcohol, and cigarettes lawfully. I do not disapprove of the later I simply hate the hypocracy of the forementioned. He asked for our input and when we ask a question steeped in dogma he ridacules those who ask it. I am truely outraged. Please will tell the truth about the highest, absoulutely no pun intended, voted questions and the outrage we all feel for being regarded as stupid hippies who are incapable of thinking clearly. However somehow can mobilize on a website in 48 housr? We are tired of hiding and we are not going to do it anymore. Much like in April 1933 for my business the prohibition must end!!! PLEASE HELP!!!
I am moving out of this “Police state” ruled country and going to canada, I voted for obama, and now I feel betrayed. So I am taking my “high paying job” and moving. Enjoy your freedoms being slowly ripped away, life is too short to live in this fear when THERE IS NO REASON! Good luck guys.
Dear Mr. President,
As I watched the Online Town Hall today I wasn’t expecting you to really address what has been the top ranking subject on every open question forum you have put up during your campaign and now in your administration. I completely understand the subject is a political third rail, and that there are many who have strong interests in keeping the subject as a fringe issue. And yet, I wholly expected that if and when you addressed the issue you would do so in a mature and intelligent matter. I am disappointed.
I have looked at the evidence and the history. It is blatantly evident that the continued prohibition of hemp (or cannabis or marijuana, or whatever one wishes to call it) is not based on science or reason, but on fear and ideology. The drain it puts on America’s resources is immense. The continued growth of incarceration of our citizenry is unconscionable, and that it is disproportionally racially biased should be disconcerting. And the most deeply disturbing idea, that which baffles any reasonable and educated mind, is the prohibition of industrial hemp. That the industrial variety is both visually and chemically different from the medicinal/recreational variety, and that they cannot be grown anywhere near each other without ruining both crops, completely boggles the mind as to why there is any resistance to allowing such an amazingly useful resource to be allowed. The uses for industrial hemp are astounding and completely in line with the goals of the administration in regards to clean energy, renewable resources for many products, and the growth of new industries that can bolster a growing American economy.
Be that as it may, the real reason for this letter is how insulted and embarrassed I was to hear your flippant and belittling response to the growing support for at least opening up the debate on hemp prohibition. I can understand why you would not want to address the specific issues of the debate (the growing evidence of its medicinal efficacy, its safety opposed to alcohol and tobacco, that prohibition is the greater danger than the drug, that there are strong lobbies that want to prevent its legalization for many self-serving reasons, etc.) because there are no rational arguments to defend prohibition any more. But to make a joke of the subject and the millions who are interested in it should be beneath someone of your education and status. Your response essentially was like a parent saying, “No, because I said so.” That’s quite a change from “Yes we can.”
Sincerely,
DJ Cooper
Citizen
I think it’s wrong that President Obama wants to make a joke out of the marijuana question. (Well he didn’t really even address the question) President Obama didn’t even take the time to even read the actual question! He says he’s about change but it looks like he’s about change that he and his administration wants and NOT the American public.
He said something along the line of “I question the online community “referring to the amount of votes and questions received for his online town hall meeting. Out of 104,106 questions asked, 2,139 of those questions were marijuana related! Sadly we as “free” Americans never get the chance to vote on issues that we feel strongly about, because it never makes it to the public, because it’s always voted down. So when there is any type of online voting that allows us to ask the question we really want answers to that is where we turn to. But apparently the only response we get is a joke made and no real answer!
10 States in the United States have Active State Medical Marijuana Programs and many more state with legislation on the books. If we continue to treat this issue as a joke and users of not only marijuana but all drugs like they are as bad or even worse than violent criminal who murder and rape then we as a nation will NEVER change. Instead we will stay on a path of non-violent Americans behind bars being turned into just another statistic instead of helping those who truly need help.
They ingnored us agian.
Hey guys,
Once again, barely address the number one question. Actually he seemed to question the online audience’s character. I still believe in him though, he is with us, it is just strategy, he is listening though….
High,
I was on the streets in Memphis with MLK the day before he was murdered, no one , black or white, then believed a BLACK could be elected as President–just not possible. Thank god we refused to shut up. this is the greatest civil rights issue America has left to deal with. Vote it up and never shut up!! I am tired of being the green nigger.
yeah i read the obama answers to the questions about legalization. he does NOT think it will benefit the united states and i think this is due to the fact that the questions were asked almost completely online. thats why i think he did not take it seriously.
something needs to be done however, he needs to come face to face with the people themselves that appreciate marijuana then we’ll be more than anonymous internet posters
I’m ashamed of the way Obama handled that.
Dear President Obama, fuck you sir.
So Obama discarded the questions.. And said “he didn’t know about these internet people”. And I thought this was an understanding president… Just another fucking puppet.
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/
Obama_holds_online_town_hall_meeting_0326.html
Sorry guys, this wont work
We got swindled again, none of the marijuana questions are listed as top anymore
I am having a tough time dealing with the way President Obama made a joke out of the issue. At least he addressed it, but certainly could have offered up the all to common, “we’ll look at the facts and discuss”, but instead a firm “NO”.
I realize that he would have been crucified for showing any support at all, but to make light of the issue show’s that he is not who I thought he was.
What a freakin joke!
Obama: “I don’t’ know what this says about the online audience,” he said, adding: “The answer is, ‘No,’ I don’t think that is a good strategy to grow out economy.”
Now will you wake up!?!? Start voting for liberty politicians like Ron Paul. Visit http://www.campaignforliberty.com
I’m with John Q. You people are morons and the more I read these comments the less I wonder why things are the way they are. He’s stopping the DEA raids in the med states like he said he would. He’s even gone one step further and nominated a Drug Czar (or whatever) who advocates a harm reduction approach. Things haven’t looked this promising since 1978 and you stoners are gonna screw it up again. More of this Ron Paul idiocy, GOD YOU PEOPLE ARE STUPID.
FOR THE MILLIONTH TIME CONGRESS MAKES THE LAW NOT THE PRESIDENT. President Obama couldn’t legalize weed or anything else even if he wanted to. If you truly want marijuana to be legal the only way is to change the make-up of Congress. NEVER VOTE FOR ANY REPUBLICAN AND NEVER VOTE FOR ANY “NEW” “BLUE DOG” DLC SPONSORED CONSEVATIVE DEMOCRAT.
GOD YOU PEOPLE ARE STUPID.
And by the way Deputy Greg Williams is still waiting for your name.
Obama is a letdown to the herb community. Looks like all you votes were wasted again!
You know who to vote for next time.
its about time somebody did something about it anf quit peeking around the bush
He joked about it and felt that the poulation of internent users were suspect? We need to show up at the steeps of the White House, or put it on paper and create a “chain letter” from person to person to create a list. Or,use my web site that i will donate to put your picture on to create a mass post of real people looking at him with a soild presentation. One question or statement with detail. The web site is only sitting there emty called LetsSeeAa@godaddy.com? Let the man see us!
peace, Hersh
I was terribly disheartened at his response, so I wrote him this email:
Dear Mr President,
An extraordinary amount of the people who gave you as much as their time as possible to bolster you into the white house are personally affected by marijuana prohibition.You have, no doubt, disheartened many of those people today with comments you made during the online town hall, regarding the large number of questions related to marijuana prohibition:
“I don’t know what this says about the online audience.”
Given the current climate surrounding this issue, this isn’t a tasteful joke. An extraordinary number of your constituents want marijuana prohibition lifted. Sadly, however, we are perceived simply as stoners (a fire that is fueled by plenty who argue from bias rather than logic), when our reasons are quite based in logic and the reality of our lives and the current state of our nation. You can see how it’s frustrating? You let everyone in the country watching know that you think we are a bunch of pot heads spamming your website.
The least you could have done, is give as detailed of a response to the prohibition concerns as you did to other questions. We deserve your respect!
Certainly, there are a lot of issues to be dealt with in our country, and obviously marijuana prohibition is not at the top of your list.
However, how can you ignore the impact that marijuana prohibition has on our economy, our criminal system, our neighbors in Mexico, and the lives of millions of American’s who, in the best case, use marijuana as an exceedingly healthier alternative than alcohol and cigarettes, and in the worst case, need marijuana to relieve them of horrible pain.
You have made it clear (and this is why we love you), that you believe that things will only get better if we make real change from the bottom up, throwing out ideals that are not leading us into a brighter future, and, most importantly, throwing out ideals that aren’t based in rational thinking.
As your constituents, we deserve an honest and candid response as to why you have chosen to avoid this issue.
Sincerely,
Disheartened
Obama laughed at the idea of legalizing marijuana saying he doesn’t know what kind of people are on the internet and then simply stated no, he is not in favor of legalization. And denied us any reason as to why. He only wanted to push his agenda once again focusing on the topics that concern his outrageous budget.
I am extremely dissatisfied with the token remarks Obama made this morning, as well as the media’s opinion that special interest groups “hijacked” the questions. Come on now, there are as many anti pot/drug special interests out there as there are supporters, why can’t they see that they had as much opportunity to vote as we did? Was that just another excuse not to answer some of the most important and popular questions in the whole poll? Chime in if I am sounding dumb or something, but it sure makes no sense to me.
Well, that was a waste of time. Obama was very dismissive towards the idea. I’m really let down.
Also notice how for the first time ever the Government is not outright dismissing Legalization (only because they want the tax revenue) and people on this site are ALREADY bitching about the Taxes.
Let’s say they did legalize marijuana. And Mr. X. grows his own pot in his back yard. Groovy huh !
Then one day two 14 yr olds down the street jump the fence and try to pinch a little for themselves. AND MR. X SHOOTS THEM BOTH DEAD. Now honestly what would happen next.
I just knew they would avoid the questions, I’m not surprised they did. I hope people don’t lose faith in this new Q&A thing and stop going there and asking about this. Maybe next time?
bheh he just blew it off. 🙁
Can you believe he just laughed us off and shut us down like that? Whatever happened to the Obama who once said, “I inhaled frequently. That was the point!”?
I don’t get it, Bush was allowed to aggressively push his republican agenda on us with banning stem cells, and the patriot act, but Obama can’t even represent his own party at all?? WAKE UP OBAMA. WE ARE MILLIONS. YOU CAN’T LAUGH US OFF.
Ok I dont know if anyone has seen the latest news, but the government is still against it. So this issue will never get solved.
well, its 2:30 … did he say anything about it? missed the live showing. can’t find updates.
can somebody post a link to the video?
OOOPPS I MEANT LetsSeeYa@godaddy.com, im going to work on this so please look for it!
Marijuana was the top subject of 3 seperate categories, and that asshat sat up there and made a passing joke about what “stoners” we all are. All 80 million of us, what a funny laughing joke. Didn’t take the question seriously, referred to it as “ranked near the top,” when it was infact the top 4 voted on questions involved marijuana. This whole thing was a sham. They wouldn’t recognize even the most voted on questions from each category. What good was the point of us voting if you weren’t going to take it into account? Politicians are obviously disconnected with their constituents on this one.
He gave about 3 seconds to say no to our 1400+ votes/questions… What a let down- Fox news just covered the growing violence in Mexico and how the US is preparing for the worst in terms of total loss of government there to drug cartels. Will he ignore us when we have thousands of refugees crossing our borders? Will he continue to ignore the obvious- that this war is a product of our own doing. It’s time to take the power back. Enjoy you’re one term Obama. Your fucking out.
Yeah. So anyways, he pretty much bashed legalization. Whatever. Help us California and Massachusetts! Blaze the trail!
#86 SoloPocono Says:
March 26th, 2009 at 6:46 am
FOLKS!!! John Q is RIGHT in an important respect!! CNN commented about 30 minutes ago that these forums “MUST” be “Fixed” somehow because “Marijuana has taken over every one of the topics”!! YES we need the votes and questions NEED to be asked, but we may well be wearing down our welcome at whitehouse.gov!! PLEASE just be reasonable!!
RE:
SoloPocono,
I agree.
– – The polling would’ve carried much greater VALIDITY
IF the cannabis-specific questions asked and voted upon had been posted DIRECTLY-RELEVENT to each category,
(i.e. “Expenses of the War on (some) Drugs” posted in the BUDGET category, not in EVERY category);
Industrial Hemp ONLY posted, voted upon in categories SPECIFIC to it;
The WORDING of Cannabis-Law reform, regulation, taxation questions FINE-TUNED to each category they’re posted to.
(Instead of flooding EVERY category with the same, exact questions as the others!) .
🙁 🙄 🙁
In response to all those worried about us having asked “too many marijuana questions,” are you afraid that if we bug the government too much, it’ll run away and hide again?
Possibly, but are you really ashamed of trying? We didn’t break any rules, and the topics matched the questions. Marijuana IS a budget topic. marijuana IS a green work topic. Marijuana is a financial stability topic.
I was insulted by the laughter.
I thought he was smarter than that.
We will have to march now, we have no choice.
Start writing the letters, I just did. Lets see if they laugh when we march to their doors.
Was just watching MSNBC and they recapping Obama’s response to these ‘legalization for the economy’ questions….and all I have to say is FUCK YOU OBAMA. He proposed the question in the most joking way, even laughing to encourage the press audience in their chuckles.
He went on to comment ‘I wonder what that says about our online audience’….Ill tell you what this fucking means about our audience! When we finally get the chance to interact directly with your cabinet through a public poll (not through politicians with their tails between their legs, scared to even mention marijuana and legalization together for fear of losing their jobs) – we tell you whats on our mind! I don’t know what this is going to take anymore!
We thought we had a president that was rational, and even smoked pot, and hoped he would consider the factors of violent drug cartels, the billions spent on useless incarceration, and the millions of lives ruined with a simple ‘misdemeanor possession’ charge…OUR PRESIDENT SAYS HES PARTIAL TO UNDERSTANDING OUR HISTORY, quoting Lincoln time and time again, BUT FORGETS AN IMPORTANT FACET THAT INFLUENCED OUR NATION TO THIS DAY – Prohibition reform.
I am just about to give up on Obama, I really am. He doesn’t need a committee to show him the facts…type in NORML.org into a fucking web browser and the facts are overwhelming….
After watching the Presidents response to our question of legalization I must say that I was disappointed in the lack of respect the question received. But on a positive note he did acknowledge the popularity of the question. As a politician he can not take an online pole as a main source for legislative action. The open for question site has no checks and balances in place to ashore that the posted questions or votes are actually coming from registered voters. What we need to do is stay on top of our local officials. Politicians care about money and votes, if you cant bring them money then you need to show them that you have the votes to keep them in office. Call you representatives.
He laughed off the marijuana questions, even though they topped every list. What a guy!
He laughed off the marijuana questions, even though they topped every list. What an open-minded individual!
WHAT THE ***K, HE ***KING LAUGHTED AT US THIS IS NOT RIGHT NOT RIGHT AT ALL!!!!!
Remember the story from the Henry Fonda film “My Name is Nobody”. There was a little chick in the barnyard, a Cow seeing a wolf comming dropped a pie and the chick. Still the wolf pulled the chick from the pie and ate the chick. LESSON: Everyone who dumps on you (John Q.) is not your enemy. Everyone ( Deputy Greg Willims) who pulls you out is not your friend. DON’T MAIL ANYTHING YOU WOULD NOT ALSO MAIL TO YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF. We have a secret ballot (the true way to reform) in this country. It would be very easy to engineer marijauna reform if we would only do it.
CONGRESS MAKES THE LAW NOT THE PRESIDENT.
By the way the police also encourage you to use their ANONOMOUS TIP LINE to turn in your neighbors and former girlfriend for drugs. If it’s good enough for them it’s good enough for me.
Obama said one of the most popular questions posed was whether legalization of marijuana could contribute to economic growth. “I don’t know what this says about the online audience,” the president joked, before turning serious and saying it would not be a good idea.
oh so CNN can report on how they need to “fix” it? So why can’t CNN report on the issue itself instead of reporting on how we need to stop asking the question? Why can’t they report on how a huge thing on everyones mind is being blown off and ignored? How bout that? Just like the media! The questions are all relavent to the categories to which they are posted under from what I’ve seen. If they want to “fix” it then ANSWER THE FUCKING QUESTION!!!
Well, Obama has officially laughed off our questions… all of them. I would cry if I didn’t think there were other political issues at stake here. If the man keeps pressing for good quality education our cause should get there eventually. Keep up the pressure.
Again I wish my man could have been President. Ron Paul has no problem with this discussion. Everyone always says that you are throwing your vote away voting for a third party, I say you all throw yours away when voting for the Republicans or Democrats. The Republicans and Democrats want the same thing, just in a different form. They have been in bed together since I have been alive. If you are not registered to vote, please go register now. Lets be ready in 2 years when it is time to look at the candidates running in various Senate and House races. Ask them and do not vote unless they are for at least having a discussion openly about it.
We should demand he be jailed on drug charges, he has confessed to cocaine and cannabis use!
Wow, I can’t believe he blew us off again. I don’t care if we wear out our welcome, or annoy him, or everyone else in Congress. This is a democracy, not something to be laughed at.
Although, something in my mind tells me that Obama agrees with us, and just is too afraid or embarrassed to confront all those “professionals” in suits and ties. It’s simply a stigma issue he wants to avoid, I think, in the back of his mind he agrees with us.
Maybe if we all vote for Ron Paul, we can get him to run on the Republican ticket? That way we could have him running against a libertarian. Ron Paul isn’t afraid to confront this issue, and I think if Obama ran against Ron Paul, he wouldn’t be embarrassed about it either. Obama versus Ron Paul in a debate could be a pretty interesting dynamic, especially since it would force Obama to confront this issue, knowing what happened when he opened up for questions.
I still don’t dislike Obama, and think he agrees with us on this issue. I just feel like he’s caving in too much from the pressure at Washington to be “tough on drugs”.
High,
Marijuana is like SEX, even educated, concerned adults have a hard time discussing it in public without nervous giggling and pretentious bullshit!!!!
Our government IS an elaborate puppet show.
I’m never voting again.
legalization would never be the purest approach anyway. seriously, who didn’t see this coming?
anyway, there’s bigger things to worry about. like the inevitable impending tinfoil-hat nwo imf american union clusterfuck.
save your seeds and stay vigilant, ppl 😉
How can we take the whitehouse forum seriously when our concerns are met with ridicule? The moment has come; how shall we move? Are we organized enough? Do we take it to the streets? Retreat is not an option!
Well he can laugh all he wants.What an idiot! Glad I didn’t vote after all. Some “change”! Hopefully California will legalize it and start a chain reaction once everyone sees what a good idea it is. Then when it starts being legalalized in more states then what? What will they do then? Arrest us all? They’d have to give it up eventually.Then we will have the last laugh. That would be nice. Of course this might take some time, and this is only if california isn’t too chicken shit to stand up and do it…Soooo now we wait.
WHAT WE NEED NOW IS TO START RALLYS IN ARE HOME TOWNS CALLING FOR CHANGE THE LOCAL GOV WILL TAKE NOTICE AND IF THEY DON’T WE SHOULD VOTE THE OLD NARROW MINDED OUT AND PUT IN THE NEW POSTIVE MINDED IN.REMEMBER THEY HAVE THE GUNS BUT WE HAVE THE NUMBERS
Everyone needs to come in off the ledge. Obama’s trying to pass a budget with the biggest reforms this country’s seen in seventy years, he can’t pick this fight yet. He’s already shown he’s open to reform, but it would be HUGE news in the media if he openly discussed outright legalization. Health care? buried. Education? buried. Energy? buried.
He does take this seriously. But he’s going to leave this up to the states for now, which is the right thing to do. I was disappointed at first too, but I didn’t take it personal like so many of you seem to have. By the end of his second term I’m confident the prohibition against marijuana will be over. Keep writing your elected officials and enjoy the ride until then.
He can’t risk it for his re-election. Keep up the pressure everywhere. States are going to have to open it up first I think. I’m moving to Cali. Once the feds see all the tax money they are missing out of then we will see. Feds are another gang, and money is $. Push your states hard we need get as many legal as we can, which will put pressure on other states bordering them to get in line.
If we had as many people get behind a pro-cannabis candidate for the presidency, then I think we might have a chance at getting our way. Ron Paul?
Thinking way out of the box here – perhaps we can take some comfort in the way Obama said no. He did so very narrowly, by saying he didn’t think it would solve our economic problems. And that was it.
People must note Obama has a steely resolve to follow his specific plan to a new America. It’s hard to believe marijuana reform is not part of the plan because this monstrous fraud of prohibition is holding the country back in so many ways.
But, I think it’s possible Obama has this reform scheduled for year two or year three, when he has demonstrated success in areas he considers more critical. Then he will have much more political capital to be able to effect it – or let it be effected – without powerful opposition.
Call me a cock-eyed optimist, but I still hold much hope Obama wants to be a great president. No such office holder can be considered great if they do not attempt to bring down the prohibition beast that spawns so much corruption, violence, destruction of Americans’ potential and respect for its institutions.
If this is Obama’s plan, he cannot tip his hand now. This could explain why, when he is pressed for an answer, he just says “no” in the briefest way possible.
If this is true, what we should be working on is a way to give voice to the 30 million Americans, their friends and family, and those who believe in justice and freedom.
How about a semi-anonymous petitition – where the names are confidential, but any one of them can be verified with the promise that absolutely no reprisal – through law enforcement or through loss of employment – would happen to any person subjected to scrutiny and verification.
Just an idea. There must be SOME way to unite and wield the power of the people.
Obama is a puppet. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7535755025025800195
http://www.infowars.com
DO your research!!!!
He wants the economy to fail!
OBAMA! IF YOU AND YOURS ARE READING ANY OF THESE COMMENTS OR INFORMATION ON THE NORML WEBSITE THEN LISTEN UP.
I’m calling you on your word during your campaign trail and your ceremony speech. WE THE PEOPLE. CHANGE. I believe you said you could not do this with out us. Well here we are. Now lets CHANGE! The writing is on the wall. Don’t wash it away this time.
Obama is nothing more than another corporate shill dressed up to look like everyone else. He’s indebted to his corporate masters. Why in the world would he let abondon the pharmacutical companies in favor of a majority of people who hold no power?
He’s a goddamn lackey. I believe by the end of his presidency he will be as hated as bush43 was.
No more money from the internet crowd for Obama, or any of his cronies, BANKSTERS, WALL STREET,THE USUAL SUSPECTS. IF WE ALL STICK TOGETHER AND WITHOLD DONATIONS AND REFUSE TO HELP HIM PUSH HIS AGENDA, WE CAN PUT THIS ISSUE FRONT AND CENTER. HOPE AND CHANGE OBAMA STYLE, HOPE THEY DONT THINK I AM GOING TO KEEP MY PROMISES, CUZ IT’S ALL GOING TO CHANGE WHEN I GET IN OFFICE, TYPICAL WASHINGTON INSIDER. MAYBE SOMEONE NEEDS TO DRESS UP LIKE A BIG JOINT AND ATTEND ALL HIS RALLY’S IT DID WONDERS FOR THE TOBACCO FIGHTERS.
I don’t smoke it but I think policing it costs too much. I would rather that money go towards veteran’s programs, or anything but incarcerating some pot head who was smoking in his own home reading my NORML posts.
The Goverment NEVER Gives Up Power (laws)
We The People give Up Freedom For Protection!
Untill we need protection from our protectors!!!
We need to stop them now!!!!! If their is still time????
Vote ALL the BUMS out!!! NOW!!!!
TY mp
Legalization should be up to the state. If Ron Paul had been elected instead of republicans or democrats it would be legal and it would be up to the states
u kno what we should do we should get someone that is in support of our cause to run for president like willie or someone that is widely know by the public at least there are some politicians on our side
i was snitched a few weeks ago from theses uneducated lowlife bastards all just because their low life idiots and want to see who can call the cops and be the most uneducated person in the neighborhood because i was suppose to buy some weed and now my dealer is mad are me i was given a warning but still this is why pot should be legal so that when other idiot low life rednecks want to start something like this it wont happen but then again they will those type of people will just find another thing to be bitching about all day long and it drives me nuts with those type of people MARIJUANA SHOULD BE LEGAL!
People are talking, there’s even a rumor (although I find it hard to believe) that marijuana will be legalized in Kansas on Jan. 01, 2010. This has got me thinking, if the government “regulates” marijuana does that mean there’s going to be more “additives” in marijuana like there is in tobacco. My grandfather told me there was a time when the tobacco was “pure”, he’d say “there wasn’t as much of this cancer goin around when I was a kid.” If so I say legalize it, even tax it but leave the regulation to the growers, and lets keep ours pure for the next generation, and all that follows.
Mr. Obama,
With all due respect you did admit you have smoked marijuana but have never been arrested for what the government has said for many years is illeagel. I don’t think the same laws would apply to the normal American citizen today.
I agree you were dumped on with the greatest downturn of our economy since 1930’s. But if leagalizing marijuana would help America today with the economy why not consider it? I would like to point out just a few pluses that could turn America back to “Buy American products once again” that could boost our economy!
1) The climate situation not only in America but accross the globe seems to be getting worse, we are cutting our trees and forest for paper products amongst other products at an alarming rate. Shipping most of these products over sea’s. Just think what growing Marijuana could do for the climate change we face today buy saving our forest and buying American products. “GO GREEN”!
2) Think of the small farmers across america that can’t afford fuel and depend on government subsedies to keep them afloat. If they we’re given the chance to grow American marijuana for products such as paper, oil from the seeds of marijuana for alternative fuel and other products not to mention the creation of jobs. Then ship most of these products over sea’s, what a boost for our economy.”GO GREEN”!
3) How much does the tax payers of America have to endure to pay to encarsarate the the thugs from the extended fingers of the drug cartels from other countries that are reaping our American tax dollars illegally getting rich and reaping havic not only on our country but destroying their own with brutal torture and murder not to mention the cost of the DEA, law enforcement officials, judicial systems, etc… just to try and stop these criminal actions that wouldn’t be encoureged if we buy American? “GO GREEN”!
4) Our health care system is almost if not alreday in shambles. This could be an alternitive medication versus the expensive medications that is cripplleing our health care system today.
From personal experience I’ve had 1 brain stroke, 2 brain anhureisms. I have anxiety amongst other medical conditions. Now I’ve been prescribed for life to take Valumes 3 times a day to keep me calm in order that I don’t have a recurring stroke or other medical conditions. I would prefer to have a choice to consume medical marijuana rather than have to buy medication not to mention the cost of seeking medical attention which my private insurance has been extensively charged high prices to help me. Now with the way the health care situation is going I’m afraid of being denied medical care and medication when I could try Marijuana as an alternative and save not only myself but other Americans a huge amount of money.
This is only 4 points out of very many that would help America today in my opinion.
You and our government have no choice but to listen to the Americans voice and consider some of the advantages that leagalizing marijuana would do for our echo system, health care, economy and country. I think I can speak for all Americans we want to see the bloodshed stop over Marijuana, we want to see poor Americans fined and called criminals just for consuming Marijuana stopped. Taxes on tobacco, alcahol & other legal substances helps state’s and government’s infrastructures, why can’t legal Marijuana do the same.
Mr. Obama please help or explain to me why some of the suggetions above wouldn’t help our country?
Regards,
A concerned American citizen.