UPDATE!!! UPDATE!!! UPDATE!!!
The HuffingtonPost.com, one of the most visited political websites in the world, has just posted a version of my commentary online here. Please post your feedback to the Post, and make it clear that marijuana law reform must be part of the ‘progressive’ agenda.
If you thought President Barack Obama’s mocking response to the question of whether “taxing and regulating cannabis would raise revenue and reduce prohibition-associated violence” couldn’t be any worse, just listen to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs stumble.
Kudos to the reporters who held the White House’s feet to the fire on this one. First, Gibbs is asked: “When the President said he doesn’t think that legalizing marijuana would give the economy a boost was he giving a political answer or an economic answer? Does he have numbers to back (his position) up?”
The pained expression on Gibbs’ face says it all as he mumbles that, in fact, he is aware of no economic analyses — as in zip, nada — that support the President’s dismissive position. Naturally, we have numerous credible economic reports proving just the opposite. Perhaps Mr. Gibbs would like to review them here, here, here, and here.
Minutes later, the White House Press Secretary appears even more desperate for a place to hide when a second reporter asked Gibbs to articulate the reasons why the President refuses to consider the issue. Gibbs’ response is priceless.
“Uh, he, he does not think that, uh, uh, that that is uh, uh, [pause] he opposes it, he doesn’t think that that’s the, the right plan for America.”
And there you have it. Wow. Such a vapid response wouldn’t cut it if Gibbs was a third-grader standing in front of his classroom, no less the Press Secretary to the White House!
Keep in mind, both Obama and his press secretary knew in advance that they were going to publicly respond the question of taxing and regulating cannabis. They had at least 24 hours to prepare an articulate, rational, and substantive response. And yet the best response they could come up with was snickers and “uh.”
Are the final days of marijuana prohibition upon us? It sure looks that way from here. But why not write the President and ask him yourself.
i’ll do something to help on april 20 , i promise, i dont know yet, but ill help a little bit
thanks
Mr President
To quote Gandhi “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” I see that we have progressed to the point of ridicule . I was hoping that in your administration we would see a “change “, I was hoping that we would not have to go to the next step and fight . This American is willing to fight for the right to consume Cannabis legally , without the FEAR OF MY GOVERNMENT. This fight is being fought daily by the thousands who grow Cannabis and the Millions who consume Cannabis peacefully. When the Government declares a “War on Drugs” , it is declaring War on it’s own citizens.
The Government can continue it’s war against the American people in this so called ” War on Drugs”; it can continue to waste millions of dollars; it can continue to ruin thousands of lives; OR it can have an honest debate on the issue of Re-Legalizing Cannabis and treat it the same as Alcohol.
You pledged “to open up the White House to the American people”. I’m one of the tens of millions of Americans who believe that cannabis should be legally regulated like alcohol. I’m also one of the tens of thousands of Americans who voted to make this subject the most popular question in your online Presidential Town Hall. I’m disappointed to learn that you believe that my voice doesn’t really matter.
ron paul is a joke
Oceans 14
what did this guy come to the press confrence high? haha
please post on main page http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2009/03/31/war-on-drugs-is-insane/
So. “President Obama does not think it is a good direction for the country”. Who elected him King of America?
The people are supposed to be the rulers here, not the President.
I’m not buying this, “poor Obama and the crappy hand he was delt with our country and it’s problems” you dont hover over the lake that is scandolous chicago politics..you HAVE TO swim thru it! Obama is a crook and needs to say what he has to to get his money and backing from special interest groups…FUCK GIBBS and all the rest of them! making our country and the presidency a JOKE just like the all the others!
The politicians or poli-tricksters will keep prohibition to support those industries and especially the police state and prison industrial complex and to keep the income streams flowing to those whose politics and sciences support the government. They have created numerous jobs especially law enforcement.There are over 20 million local,state, and federal employees and now the President wants to expand government? The system does not want anyone to profit from cannabis only their kind, they cannot permit anyone cultivating on their own because they have no CONTROL. I have said this before until they perfect biological controls to prevent anyone from cultivating cannabis, prohibition will continue.The White house is playing a dangerous game with the manner they discuss the topic, their credibilty and trust are on the line. Mr. Gibbs is just the messenger and knows exactly what he was doing for the sinister forces behind prohibition or he was giving his best Homer Simpson impression.
“When I was a kid I inhaled frequently. That was the point.” Obama
I’m actually quite surprised that this repulsive fraud-in-chief n.w.o. socialist tyrant didn’t attack and deride cannabis user for contributing to global warming and ecological deprivation with their “carbon emmisions”.
Well, I suppose all that teary-eyed “hope and change” bullshit you fucking liberals voted for has quickly transformed into FEAR & LOATHING…
Thank you 16 64 and 107 change is on the way, If we don’t screw it up.
CONGRESS MAKES THE LAW NOT THE PRESIDENT ! IT IS TRUE. Many who are posting to this site are not on our side, many are from law enforcement, others just want Obama to fail for their own reasons that have little to do with marijauna one way or the other.
How many of you really want to see a return to the Bush policies. Several on this page do….
Well, when he said he wasn’t aware of any economic analysis about marijuana, it was meant as a sarcastic gesture. The problem here is that no one takes the issue seriously.
No Ron Paul is not a joke. He’s one of very few politicians who have the balls to stand up against the theft of this country, and corporate interests.
But by all means, bite the hand that feeds you. See how far you get on your own.
What have you done Will? You are the joke.
Typical case of reefer madness:
Had Obama not inhaled when he was a kid, he would have answered THE question with upmost seriousness and said
YES
This marijuana makes one giggles for years thereafter and fogs the head: that’s why he said he didn’t think that was a good path for America to take. Damn weed !
So potent a plant on mind it controls and maintains its own ILLEGALITY
In these hard economic times I can say the only thing I haven’t tightened my budget dramatically for is marijuana. If my pot was taxed, I’d be happy to pay it because it would be damn near the only tax I’d be paying. I’ve slowed down on driving, I’ve stopped drinking, I’ve never smoked cigarettes, I’m not buying a car any time soon, or spending money on entertainment. I’m not contributing to the economy in any way for it to progress all because the government has scared me enough to stop spending the money I make. But I can never say goodbye to my lil’ sack of pot. Come on Obama, take advantage of me and the hundreds of thousands just like me. I’d be honored to roast a bowl if it helped the economy.
CNN has a poll running on their home page (right hand side about halfway down) to vote on the legalization and taxation of drugs. Keep this issue in the media! Go vote now!
http://www.cnn.com
# Gem Says:
March 31st, 2009 at 1:18 pm
So. “President Obama does not think it is a good direction for the country”. Who elected him King of America?
The people are supposed to be the rulers here, not the President.
RE:
Gem,
This American-History educational video comes to mind: 🙂
No More Kings!
“When the Colonies complained, the King said,’I don’t care.’ “
KEEP THE FIRE BURNING: Obama’s derisive remarks and Gibb’s bumbling stupidity over a very serious question have come to be a blessing in disguise. It has energized the Marijuana reform movement. As another poster on this site once said, Anger is one of the few emotions that leads to action. We need to continue our actions. Do not allow our struggle to be pushed to the back burner. NOW MORE THEN EVER we need to continue to push the media and our politicians to show them that we cannot be swept away. Continue to write your local governments and lets keep this fire burning strong.
Okay seriously, what is it going to take for the people to wake up and take back our nation.
It should be up to US how we spend our time and what we indulge in.
It should be up to US how we spend our money, not the feds taxing the daylights out of us for pork.
NORML march on DC anyone? We NEED TO ORGANIZE NOW.
WE NEED TO TAKE CONTROL BACK OF OUR COUNTRY.
“”Mr President
To quote Gandhi “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” I see that we have progressed to the point of ridicule . I was hoping that in your administration we would see a “change “, I was hoping that we would not have to go to the next step and fight . This American is willing to fight for the right to consume Cannabis legally , without the FEAR OF MY GOVERNMENT. This fight is being fought daily by the thousands who grow Cannabis and the Millions who consume Cannabis peacefully. When the Government declares a “War on Drugs” , it is declaring War on it’s own citizens.
The Government can continue it’s war against the American people in this so called ” War on Drugs”; it can continue to waste millions of dollars; it can continue to ruin thousands of lives; OR it can have an honest debate on the issue of Re-Legalizing Cannabis and treat it the same as Alcohol.
You pledged “to open up the White House to the American people”. I’m one of the tens of millions of Americans who believe that cannabis should be legally regulated like alcohol. I’m also one of the tens of thousands of Americans who voted to make this subject the most popular question in your online Presidential Town Hall. I’m disappointed to learn that you believe that my voice doesn’t really matter.””
Amen, let just keep fighting and keep making him sound ridiculous.
We all can send members of Congress and the President a rolling paper in the mail to get the message across that PROHIBITION IS A CANCER ON OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
I gotta say i have complete mixed feeling on this whoooolllllle topic. dont get me wrong here people i want marijuana legalized god do i want it legalized. but honestly as the first african american president to legalize pot, I think right then and their sara palin would jump out and go ITS MINE NOW, ALLL MINE!!!!!(the presidency)
But on the other side obama totaly bitched out on the question and i have to say i lost alot of respect for him on that. For a president who has taken office in a time where their are more crucial confilcts going on that need crucial responces i think its unfair to throw a political suicide topic on his back as well.
Also no one has seemed to mentioned the fact that the DEA went back on what the Atorney General said about not raiding medical marijuana despencieres which they did like a week after he said it. So although the media is talking about it more their really not focusing on the injustice and bullshit of it.
well thats most of what i needed to say keep writting letters will get it legalized
Doomstoned you moron at least the lesser of two evils got elected. If McCain were in power we wouldn’t even be talking or having a national debate about this issue.
I was told one of the major reasons that most of the Southern States don’t vote Yes on Medical MJ is because of the Baptist Press.. Which A LOT of the Southern State legislators read.. go to their site http://www.bpnews.net and do a search on Marijuana and all kinds of lies will come up… It would be nice if everyone that see a lie would email them and let them know
http://www.examiner.com/x-536-Civil-Liberties-Examiner~
y2009m3d30-Do-we-need-a-Johnny-Appleseed-for-marijuana
This as been mentioned a bunch of times here, and on other boards. Could be applied to hemp as well. Food for though…:)
To the commenters who can’t wait for the NORML adds to run. My fity dollar check to NORML just cleared, has yours’ been mailed?
Seriously! Ad time is expensive and the most effective spots, such as news, sports or PT movies are extremely costly and to be effective, need to run repetitively to make an impact.
Times are tough and no-one understands this better than I do on disability, but come on, help out. To get the adds out takes money…..
Unfortunately, this is a problem we have to fight at the state level. Maryland is already trying to pass a bill because the current one gives false judgement. Lets attack this at the grass roots. The president is nuthin but the new YOUNG MAFIA DON and Gibbs is his bitch. Save your state cause the country is gone.
If only we could get the big tobacco companies to embrace marijuana, instead of lobbying against it. They could buy the patent from the government and produce marijuana cigs. “Marlboro Greens”?? I wish. haha
#174: You make an excellent point. I just visited the site and came across stories such as this one here: http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=30124
There must be a way to stop the propigation of baseless lies such as the ones contained in this article. People need to understand that society will not collapse as we know it with the legalization of marijuana. For the most part it will go largely unnoticed by most of the American populace. Until the lies can be stopped and the truth spread to all American people this will remain a very uphill battle.
“Outfluence Says:
March 30th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
For this debate to go anywhere, someone needs to write an authoritative, academic study on the precise economic benefits of legalization and a proposed regulatory framework.”
Please, “Outfluence”: decriminalization, not “legalization”. Taxation, regulation, and “academia” are already the near death of the United States of America (aka Our Nation). We need LESS of all of these, not MORE. It is amazing how easliy and willingly American consumers of marijuana are ready to give away their freedom — total freedom — to smoke, possess, grow, transport, etc. marijuana and turn it over to an entity nearly as greedy & bad as the Mexican/American mob — government. Not funny, if one thinks about it…
Now THIS is funny:
“So how about it NORML?
I don’t see much of an economic plan on your website.
I think you’re missing a great opportunity to take advantage of the recession.
How about offering a $50,000 stipend towards a fellowship that would generate just this sort of document?”
Yeah, NORML — hire a dozen or so econimists or fund a fellowship. Like, what’s up, dudes?
EPF then maybe we will consider supporting you again !!!
End
Prohibition
First
Number 161, what Bush policies have changed exactly? We are still at war, in fact we have new wars now. We still have the economic policies of bailing out big whig rich and powerfuls rather than letting them fail for their mistakes. Obama refuses to investigate and prosecute any former Bush admins. And Obama’s cabinet is full of federal reserve bankers. Then this. What HAS changed exactly?
Outsource says that someone should write an “authoritative academic study on the precise economic benefits of legalization and a proposed regulatory framework.”
Here’s a good one
http://www.prohibitioncosts.org/
You’re Welcome
Here is my e-mail to the good ole baptist Press
Dear Sir, Madam,
I find it bizarre that your website would continue the insane pro prohibition propaganda. The alcohol prohibition started by the christian temperance movement and was deemed a failure and repealed soundly with the 21st amendment to our Constitution. $ years after that the country embarked on yet another prohibition, this time against a plant. After 72 years (Marihuana Tax Act of 1937) this colossal and falsehood based war on cannabis has cost our Nation over one trillion dollars in tax payer dollars. Since 1965 over 20 million human beings have been incarcerated for non-violent and victim less offenses. During this time Cannabis has become the largest cash crop in the Nation, thanks to narrow minded thinking and falsehoods spread by special interests.
Prohibition of cannabis, just as alcohol prohibition did in it’s day, is the number one reason for this growth. The numbers alone speak for themselves. Had there been a decrease in drug use, the numbers would have gone down. Because of the lies and pandering to special interests, such as the often corporate owned prisons, the correctional workers union and police unions, along with others who wish to push their views on the rest of us.
Your editorials continue to spread the same false hoods which make the 1936 film Reefer Madness such a hilarious montage of lies. Yet some in the prohibitionist’s movement have exactly that mentality and continue to spread the same lies as they have for over seven decades. More like 95 years, since El Paso passed a city ordinance in 1914 when cannabis was used to persecute Mexican migrant workers and “negro” jazz musicians. The racist origins of cannabis prohibition alone make a good argument for its repeal alone, but it appears that that part doesn’t bother many. What should bother every one is the idiotic message we are sending to our children. Currently both alcohol and cancerettes are legal for adults. Cannabis with known medical value is illegal, yet it is not addictive. There are no withdrawal symptoms such as from alcohol and cancerettes, it is not a gateway drug and there is no chance of dying from it. To claim cannabis is a gateway drug is equally as absurd as the notion that beer ultimately leads to hard liquor abuse. To continue the lies and special interest propaganda don’t do much for your credibility on the subject. More importantly, our youngsters will learn, either by experimentation or accounts from their peers that they had the wool pulled over their eyes. Morals, or ones ideas of morals can not be legislated, and sooner or later the truth will surface.
As far as medical Cannabis is concerned, the jury has been in for quite some time. There are currently numerous conditions successfully alleviated with a natural herb, without the side effects from chemical poisons. Here is the decision from a former federal Judge under the Reagan administration:
“In strict medical terms, marijuana is far safer than many foods we commonly consume… Marijuana in it’s natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within a supervised routine of medical care.”
-Drug Enforcement Administration, Chief Administrative Law Judge Francis Young,
NORML v DEA 1988
As far as medical cannabis is concerned the government is also lying. Clinical research in the US is severely restrained due to the current laws, yet much evidence exists today about the benefits of medicinal cannabis, so here are a few examples from NORML’s publication ‘Emerging Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids’.
Alzheimer’s disease. A review of recent scientific literature indicates that cannabinoid therapy may provide symptomatic relief to AD patients while also moderating progression. (References, Ramirez et al. 2005, the Journal of Neuroscience 25; Eubanks et al. 2006 Molecular Pharmaceutics; Hampson et al. 1998, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 95; Science News. June 11, 1998; and more)
ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Writing in the March 2004 issue of the journal ‘Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Other Motor Neuron Disorders’ Investigators at the California Pacific Medical Center reported that the administration of THC prior and after the onset of ALS symptoms staved disease progression and prolonged survival in laboratory animals compared to untreated control specimens.
Diabetes Mellitus. 8 references given
Dystonia. 7 references given
Fibromyalgia. 10 references given
Gliomas. 26 references given
Gastrointestinal Disorders. 12 references given
Hepatitis C. 15 references given
Hypertension. 17 references given
Incontinence. 5 references given
Multiple Sclerosis, 17 references given
Osteoporosis. 4 references given
Pruritis. 7 references given
Sleep Apnea. 4 references given
Tourette’s Syndrome. 7 references given
The aforementioned diseases are the new ones found where medical cannabis appears to be promising. Other diseases such as glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis, nausea, side effects from cancer treatment, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, eating disorders and depression, just to mention a few. As with any medicine the dosage must be controlled by a physician.
As far as President Obama’s joking about the issue has galvanized many of us and we will not cease until this travesty of a drug war and the continuing lies about the subject stop. The largest – currently illegal – cash crop is a definite possibility to boost the economy with jobs, tax revenue and 25 billion dollars in savings in the penal system. Currently the national average salary fro teachers is around 40K annually. Assuming a 60K cost, including matching taxes, etc, the savings of 25 billion in wasted money paid to the often privately owned and operated prisons could employ over 400,000 teachers nation wide. What kind of message are you sending to your children, when their teachers are cut back extra curricular activities curtailed, giving them more time to get into trouble, just to keep the lies and waste of money going?
I live in North Carolina and in this State alone the taxes and fees from medical cannabis would contribute over 77 million dollars from the sale and tax of medical cannabis alone. Add to that the savings in the health care system and income tax paid by those employed in the medical cannabis system is even greater. Don’t take my word, check the link below and you can get info for every State in the Nation.
As far as the war on drugs is concerned you may wish to check the interview with former Seattle Police Chief and career officer of over 40 years at the second link.
The third link will take you to Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.
The fourth link will direct you to NORML and its infinite data base. The final link will take you to the Shaffer Report, commissioned by republican President Richard Nixon and chaired by the republican Governor of Pennsylvania, Raymund Shaffer.
Medical Cannabis>>
http://www.marijuanalobby.org/States/demographics.php?id=1121&state=NORTH CAROLINA
Chief Stamper>> http://www.democracynow.org/2009/3/30/citing_failed_war_on_drugs_former
Law Enforcement
http://www.leap.cc/cms/index.php
NOR ML>>
http://norml.org
Shaffer Report>>
http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/duapip/pipmenu.htm
“THE COMMISSION’S ROLE
The Commission believes that the first step toward resolving the drug problem is to reconsider the present diagnosis of the ailment. The social response is presently a large part of the problem, one which is compounded with each unanticipated crisis. To break this cycle, it is necessary to refocus our attention on that behavior which carries the most serious social consequence. Preoccupation with the drugs themselves must be replaced by an understanding of the behavioral impact of drug use. We must deal directly with the ambivalence of our attitudes with respect to drugs, conforming our beliefs to reality and our conduct to our ideals. Only then will a coherent policy emerge, one which can withstand legitimate criticism, and one which will have a beneficial impact on the problem.
Promises which cannot be kept must not be made. The public must be apprised that disapproved drug use is part of a larger social pattern, and that all the money and effort that the American society can muster will never be able to deal effectively with this behavior if the problem continues to be defined as it is now. Drug policy making must take into account a wide range of social phenomena of which drug use is a small part, and institutional responses must be framed in the context of broader social roles. Unless present policy is redirected, we will perpetuate the same problems, tolerate the same social costs, and find ourselves as we do now, no further along the road to a more rational legal and social approach than we were in 1914.
The Commission has not attempted to devise utopian policy recommendations. Instead we have attempted primarily to formulate a policy-making process, one which includes all of the important variables and which separates various crucial issues. We have applied this process in order to provide a plan of action to be implemented immediately. But we would be remiss if we were only to propose recommendations for the present. The Commission feels that a coherent social policy requires a fundamental alteration of social attitudes toward drug use, and a willingness to embark on new courses when previous actions have failed.”
The Shaffer Commission Report of 1972 ends with these words. Had they been heeded in 72, rather than being ignored and the paranoia fed by the Pres Nixon and Later Reagan, Clinton and the Bushes we would be infinitely better off now. The pandering to special interest and continuation of spewing forth falsehoods has to stop.
Greg Williams
CNN Poll. Current results
Should drugs be legalized so they can be taxed?
Yes 60% 124024
No 40% 83570
Total Votes: 207594
John Walter’s Ghost
>>>”It is amazing how easliy and willingly American consumers of marijuana are ready to give away their freedom”
I am always surprised to see this argument. You would rather have our current prohibition (persecution) than be able to buy pot legally and pay taxes?
Besides. Our model has alway been the alcohol one. So, just as there are home brewers and wine makers, there will always be those that grow their own – paying no taxes.
Write your congresspeople and march on Washington.
Until we take collective public action, the ranting on this site is nothing more than intellectual masturbation.
So they don’t have any real reason behind not legalizing it? WTF is this, DARE all over again?? Just say NO! He handled himself like a jackass. WTF is so god damned funny? He doesn’t deserve his job if he can’t handle simple questions about marijuana without laughing. Wait… was he high or something? That might explain the giggles. “I can use it, I have used it, hell I’m using right now…. but you can’t…. HAHAHAHA.. Umm. ummm.”
The current Mexican drug war is because of failed and misdirected politics. Every death that happens because of this conflict will be on our anti-legalization supporting politicians hands. If we the people don’t act those deaths will be on our hands. It’s not about getting high it’s about responsibility and I’m no longer laughing. I wonder if Obama will laugh when this thing spills over to America and starts killing Americans? I wonder if they laughed at the “St. Valentines Day” massacre when booze was illegal? “LOL stupid boozies waNT
Left out “2 GET DRUNK”
If Ron Paul was running america
Weed would be legal
Inflation would not exist as our money would be backed by gold(currently it is backed by nothing)
We would not be 18 months into The Second Great Depression
The national Debt would not exist
You would not be working 5 out of every 8 hours to pay taxes.
No Ron Paul’s not a joke he just seems that way to Debt Slaves who’ve bought into the banker/corporate/governmental lies
Here is a thought. If every one sens a letter to their congressman/woman send the letter on 4-20. It is an easy date to remember and by every one mailing the same day, they arrive pretty much the same time. If you want to have a little fun, send your congress person an ounce of parsley – nothing illegal – and include that that baggie represents one ounce, and if it were legal in your State, it would contribute x amount in revenue to your State. Be polite but serious, as this is a serious aspect of our financial mess.
http://www.marijuanalobby.org/States/demographics.php?id=1121&state=NORTH CAROLINA this one gets you the money part…
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml gets you your reps address.
that baggie represents one ounce, and if it were legal in your State should read:
that baggie represents one ounceof medical cannabis, and if it were legal in your State….
Sorry, it’s been a long day
its official, the united states government is in a conspiracy with the drug cartels, we must take a stand overload the phone lines with us calling and saying enough is enough time to legalize marijuana, march on the steps of the capital building the white house, everywhere. theres more of us then there are of them, we can do it everybody who is with me.
Sounds like this dude’s right in line with Obama’s position. Obama’s not all about certainty on this issue, it’s uncertainty. He doesn’t know what the question says about the online audience. Just like this dude doesn’t know a damn thing.
No serious legislation from Obama until his second term is my prediction.
i dont get it at all… im so frustreted over this issue. hemp,cannabis,pot,mary j……..this stupid gov needs to look at the resorces that a god made plant will do for us !!!!!!!!!! F#@ken DUH !!!!! food,fuel,house’s,end world hunger with hemp seeds,if we resorted back to hemp it would save the planet. im sorry i voted for the dork!!!!!!!!!!!GOD i could go on and on about this subject…………………..see ya
Somebody should ask Obama if he had hypothetically been convicted of the marijuana crimes he committed in his youth if he thinks he would still have won the presidency.
Comment #174: Ray I e-mailed the Baptist Press and gave them a piece of my mind. You were right, they’ve got a real stack of lies on that web site. Obviously no one has put them in check to date or the members are just simply dumb to the real truthful facts about marijuana. Talk about the blind leading the blind, these people are politically going to wake up and loose their religion as a result of bad journalism.
mr Obama,
as someone who listened to your podcasts from the very beginning and has donated a few hundred bucks to your fledgling campaign, i feel i deserve a few minutes of your time.
I am truly sickened by Robert Gibbs answers performance today trying to smooth over your embarrassing remarks about the hot topic of cannabis legalization. this when the topic involves so many potential benefits to humanity and our one precious lives on earth truly makes me question why i convinced several to vote for you.
as a fellow university of chicago guy, it is hard for me to ignore the fact that you incorrectly surmised that legalization of cannabis wouldn’t help US out financially. did you forget about all the money wasted on the DEA? or the taxpayer dollars wasted since day 1 of the war on cannabis in 1937 jailing humans who have merely consumed the flowers of a plant? not to mention these inmates would otherwise be paying the US taxes! billions of dollars. yeah you are throwing around trillions of dollars but billions are not insignificant! did you learn any economics while teaching at the UofC?
mr obama lifting the cannabis prohibition will also allow americans to get back to cultivating industrial hemp. this is truly a green job economic initiative that will surely generate jobs and cash.
mr Obama, have you truly considered the millions of humans across the globe scarred by this plants prohibition. they made an educated choice to ingest, or facilitate ingesting, a plant. yet your government would have them, (THEN WHY NOT YOU!!!) criminals for life. imprisoning is not the answer we should focus on the truly addicted. get this wonderful plant out of the hands of “shadier” dealers (big parma included) who may be pushing the man-made drugs which really may cause someone harm in a very short period of time.
Now to the point of massively de-funding these drug cartels. 60% of some of these gangs profits are generated from cannabis sales alone. and then we send south of the borders our rapidly eroding U$ and our waste of metal guns? are you fucking kidding me. How is this not a NO-BRAINER.
STORM CONGRESS either april 20th or the july 4th million marijuana march on DC this year demanding international reform. MAKE every member of congress watch the UNION. Mr Obama do you comprehend how many millions of americans are going to inhale or ingest cannabis these days? Do you? Demand that CONGRESS LEGALIZE CANNABIS & HEMP NOW.
And if you do not mr Obama, i am afraid that you will be a one termer and mr Ron Paul will be our next president as he is truly progressive.
Screw alcohol, tobacco, paper, plastic & pharma….YES WE CANNABIS!