President Obama responded to the most popular question (or, the eighty most popular questions) on YouTube.com’s “Ask Obama” forum regarding the debate on drug legalization in America. Despite being the most popular question and gaining four times the support of any other non-drug war question, the YouTube moderator didn’t ask the question until #15. The President’s response is a lot of platitudes about treatment, reducing demand, and reallocating resources, despite the Obama administration’s budget that puts twice the resources toward law enforcement than to treatment. At its core, however, it retains the premise that responsible adult marijuana consumers must be persuaded by our government, through drug tests, drug courts, forced rehab, and incarceration, into not consuming cannabis.
President Obama’s Drug War Answer
Mr. President, we’re never going to stop smoking marijuana. Never. American demand for cannabis is here to stay. You can let criminals control that market or you can do the sensible thing and begin regulating it.
Of course he wasn’t going to give a “real” answer. He had that planed when they told him it was number one yesterday. Oh well vote him out and vote in somebody with the BALSS to change.
Thank you Mr. President for letting us all know that you do not intend to change what the people want changed. You have lost my vote for re-election and we will not stop fighting for what we believe is right.This just proves government is NOT for the people!
The only thing a politician can be trusted to do is talk out both sides of his/her mouth.
Thanks for the posts that are addressing this. Well done – much appreciated.
I think we all know, who isn’t being reelected, Obama is just another bush with a slicker tongue, and you can be sure as hell im not voting for him.
The government won’t allow marijuana to be legal because marijuana makes people think. They don’t want you thinking to hard. Then you realize how screwed we are by our own government. That is my belief. The citizens will rebel against corruption because we thought about it while we were high.
He avoided the whole question if u ask me. We didnt ask about rehab or lowering demand or drug courts, we asked a simple question an u dodged it so im votin you out, an Gary Johnson in Cuz he wants to talk about it
Gary Johnson 2012 Nuff said
President Bush Lite, same we can believe in.
The long story short is that our movement to legalize marijuana will always fall on deaf ears until we start showing these politicians how serious we are by boycotting all companies that benefit from the criminalization of marijuana.
We also have to show the government how legalizing weed will create jobs and boost the economy faster and longer by using the hemp aspects of marijuana – the nonintoxicating properties – as an alternative to corn for ethanol, use hemp for paper and well, you know the rest. Hemp is a plant that can be used for VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING!
if we can unite a group of cannibis friendly accountants that understand the national and global economies, we WILL SUCCEED!
Politicians care about VOTES, MONEY, EVERYTHING ELSE, AND THEN PEOPLE! Obama has no idea what the real numbers are as far as how many VOTERS smoke. We need to find a way to show him.
I stand behind this. I’ll never quit. I’ll fight whatever battles I have to.
There is no doubt about it. He is a one term president if he feels THAT MIND CONTROL WILL CHANGE US ALL. If he feels that way then we need to make his cigarettes and booze illegal as well. I WILL NOT VOTE FOR HIM AGAIN. HE HAS LIED AND I REALLY THINK THAT THIS “WAR ON CANNABIS” IS A SMOKE SCREEN TO OBTAIN YOUR WEAPONS.
i watched this live and it was so lame. I almost expected him to say ‘havent you people seen reefer madness?’.
Bravo Russ! Responsible cannabis consumption is the NORML moto, and it is a choice that should be respected.
did anyone realy expect anything different? in 2012 he will play to us like he means to do something again, then when he has his job he will laugh at those foilish enough to put him there
I want every single person that enjoys an adult beverage on the weekends to go to drug counseling as well then!!! The issue, as usual, has been avoided once again. The American People will NEVER stop smoking because it’s the only reason we can cope with all of the BS that comes out of government!!! President Obama, I can’t wait until you’re not president so you can actually say what’s on your mind. Good day to you sir!
Unprofessional. Obama’s “opinion” matters more than facts.
i am one of the many american who have been forced into probation,drug treatment,and drug court i never had anything on my record till now i was arrested for a piece of pot weighting 0.1 grams now i have to go to drug rehab for 6 months and have to report to probation and take urine test twice a week there and one more at rehab for a total of three test a week this is by far unfare to treat american people like hard criminal just for making an adult choice to smoke a natural herb
sounds like bull if i ever heard
President Obama: Pro-Prohibition. He can make sure to not count on my vote.
ive had enough. He is a liar, and not worthy of me listening to him. I won’t vote for Obama in 2012 and I hate the fact that he speaks like were all the idiots and he is the teacher. I declare revolution!
I listened and I heard a bunch of ways to get around the topic without hitting the core. I am not sure what kind of America Obama lives in, but what he is saying is fantasy.
I like that he says it is up for some serious debate. It’s progress from laughing at it and dismissing it.
I think he needs to look at public sentiment as not something his regime needs to “change” but something to respect.
He is ignoring some key facts. I myself am not for full legalization. Just pot.
We are all pissed off and nowhere to go.
The same BS as always, what a surprise. At least he didn’t laugh at us this time and too bad his actions don’t follow his words.
Very unsurprising response from the President. He should explain why he is not in favor of legalization, that would be a true response, whether or not I agree with his position. To say the legalization of cannabis is legitimate for debate and then to refuse to debate the issue and move on to the tired “treatment vs punishment” charade reveals the truth, it is not a legitimate topic for debate to this white house.
Well, I think it’s safe to say that Obama won’t be getting re-elected, seeing how he didn’t even consider what *the people* wanted (legalization of pot – or at least discussing it). Obama’s only chance of getting re-elected was just destroyed. If he doesn’t have pot-heads on his side, what does he have left? A bunch of clueless idiots?
At least he did say it was time for a debate about it. I’m crossing my fingers that DEA gets a nice budget cut from the republicans.
This is it. I am completely fed up with the feds (no pun intended) Being grandpa jones. Between a failed drug policy and a declining dollar and unemployment, What else is there here for me or you to stay? It’s time I say goodbye America. I will be looking into a more civilized and reasonable country to reside in. when more people start leaving the country in mass amounts and all is left is Illegals, I guarantee you will revise drug prohibition. I am looking for a ticket to Amsterdam and on craigslist for a place to live. This steered me into the “straight and narrow” Mr. Obama..
With an economy gripped with an overwhelmingly diminishing budget, the president suggests we spend more money sending pot heads to rehab, when marijuana has been scientifically proven to have absolutely 0 physical dependency.
Back to the old trick of lumping marijuana with drugs when talking about negatives. This is so that naive people’s beliefs that cannabis is a narcotic are reinforced. “I don’t believe in legalizing DRUGS”. -we don’t either, we want marijuana legalized, keep your DRUGS.
Next question needs to be: The AMA requested that marijuana be removed from the schedule one list of narcotics in 2006. It seems the rest of the voters agree that cannabis is not a narcotic. Why is this?
I can’t believe he talked about the elephant in the room, I’m floored.
Obama is your average politician. For one the LEAP member asked a question about all drugs, not specifically marijuana in which aside from Congressman Ron Paul no other politician has said yes lets regulate all drugs!
It was a good question that was asked but we already know where Obama stands politically on the war on drugs issue. Just on the marijuana question alone he has laughed about it before. It’s not a surprise that he wasn’t going to favor regulation of all drugs.
If the war on drugs policy is going to change I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for Obama to be the one to do it. He also knows that he is up for re-election in which he as a politician can’t afford to say something that could frighten voters away. He didn’t get elected by saying he was going to change the drug laws.
If it’s for a change in our drug policy on all drugs as well as wanting a smaller Government with less spending then Ron Paul would be the politician to support if he ran in 2012.
You voted for him, this is what you get.
The President’s response is a lot of platitudes about treatment, reducing demand, and reallocating resources, despite the Obama administration’s budget that puts twice the resources toward law enforcement than to treatment.
*** TRUTH ***
I.E., Skirt the ISSUE as BEST as Possible & MOVE ON!!!
Don’t worry, “obama ‘z CROOKED” WILL SAVE US!!!
With his Same ‘ol “Business ~as~USUAL”!
Say it isn’t SO!!!
I DARE YOU!!!
Perhaps some of us do not feel we need to be ‘treated’, any more than you feel you need to be treated for wanting to have a beer or a glass of wine from time to time.
NORML, how about organizing a march on Washington on 4/20??
The only thing these politicians understand and respect is the bottom line. Either tell them how you feel about their stance on marijuana legalization in the voting booth, or don’t even bother trying to speak to them.
Gary Johnson 2012
Lost my vote. Bye-Bama.
Im tired of these people going out into public and saying I’m for marijuana, I’m for this and I’m for that, and yet when they get voted in, then turn their backs on us thinking where bad ,but reality is they are allowing companies to kill more than a million people a year. And yet, you wonder why murders, rapist, child molesters ( priest), kidnapers to get away. In my city, ( Kansas City), you have a 60% chance of geting away with murder, but have a chance to get arrested for consuming marijuana in 38 seconds. It’s time to Raise protest, Demand Government change, And Increase Pot growth by 200%. If that dosen’t work, then I’ll pull out my last resort. ANARCHY!
I am a few short weeks away from 21 years old and I am already starting to lose hope for marijuana being legalized. I see posts from people who were my age back in the 70’s and they thought ‘Hey this will be legal in the next five years, what’s the big deal?!’ But now i am starting to realize maybe no one will ever have the balls to legalize marijuana. One of the safest forms of enjoyable recreation known to mankind the last 10,000 years and we are scared to legalize it. Mr. President, what are you afraid of? What great damages will this country see if you let someone smoke a bowl?
I read the news today oh’boy> If marijuana smokers weren’t so mellow, governmental policy just might be toppled, along with all of the corrupt cronies of the Prez. Mister President you lost my vote, my wife’s vote, and my two kids vote. “I can only hope my votes count” KISS MY dairy air OSAMA OBAMA
Two years ago, the President laughed at the quesiton.
Today, he addressed it by saying, among other things, that we need to find ways to dis-empower the cartels (I’m paraphrasing).
Most readers on this site would agree (?) that a KEY way to hurt the cartels would be to allow ordinary Americans to grow a little marijuana in their own back yards.
This response today is not where we want to end up, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Its amusing that you people would expect him to just come out and say “Spark this doobie we’re legalizing!”
At least he addressed drugs as the health issue that they are, how many other presidents have said that?
Baby steps.
You guys voted for the WRONG question. You have to ask him a specific strategic question that corners him in and also set the bar very low and yet achieve something VERY significant. This is the question you have to ask in order to do this:
According to testimony from the head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics to the Senate in 1937 “the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races” it “makes darkies think they are as good as whites” Today we know marijuana is safer than alcohol, can you have the courage to say this outdated law is wrong?
I like the fact that you think you have the right to tell another adult what he/she can or cannot do with his/her time. If cigarettes and alcohol are legal it only makes sense to legalize something that actually helps people!
he had my vote for change Now it is just more of the same. Vote his ass out because I see no change. Same shit different day
How do you get your voice heard in a country that clearly doesnt care what you have to say
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
Remember being ignored?
Remember being laughed at two years ago?
Do you see the fighting and debating becoming more widespread every month?
Then we win.
[Russ responds: I don’t know what cheers me up more: that you posted this or that you’re “Conservative Christian” posting this. Thanks for excellent perspective… Then we win!]
Mr. President, if you are against legalization of cannabis, then I am against you. How’s that for straight talk? Try it sometime. You are evidently in favor of maintaining the government-sponsored black market, and also in favor of continuing the oppressive and unjust policy of cannabis prohibition. These policies are antithetical to the concept of a free society, and as a supporter of these policies you are not worthy of the office you hold.
I and many like me will work to see that you do not get a second term.
DONT U IDIOTS SEE HE’S AN ILLUMINATI PUPPET HE WONT DO ANYTHING..THEY ALL KNOW HOW WEED WILL HELP US THEY DONT WANT TO DO IT…THEY ARE NOT STUPID THEY KNOW ITS MEDICINE, IT WILL LOWER CRIME RATTE, CREATE JOBS, MAKE MONEY
THE ILLUMINATI PLANS TO BANKRUPT AMERICA AND REDUCE THE POPULATION!!
[Russ responds: But will the Illuminati take away our CAPS LOCK keys?]
To all who think he dodged the question. He did not! He answered it. He is against legalization and thinks all drugs are a public health problem. He thinks that he needs to change American minds about drugs. That includes cannabis! His comments about rehab, drug courts, and changing public sentiment are the solutions he is proposing to change the war on drugs and to fix the drug problem…he thinks drug users -even cannabis – have a problem that needs fixing. That is his stance and that is what he thinks.
He is wrong though, responsible cannabis users should be free to consume. Science, logic, the constitution, and even God are in our favor.
The question was about legalization of all drugs, which is just about as shitty a question you can pick because it lumps cannabis in with other more dangerous drugs.
I mean, seriously, WTF! What an asshole moderator! WTF did you think the President was going to say! He could have jumped in with something specific on cannabis.
I mean, really, if the question was about legalization of ONLY cannabis, you might have gotten an answer that was more committal. The moderator mentioned Prop. 19, but the LEAP guy mentioned All Drugs. Prop. 19 was Not about All Drugs.
I am not a member of NORML to advocate All Drugs be legalized all at once! Get that through your fuckin head!
Cannabis should be legalized first, and then once you have the market for hard drugs separated from soft drugs like cannabis and hashish, then do the research and see if legalization of hard drugs still needs to be done.
Way to fuckin’ go! Just give Obama the softball question so he can totally avoid the legalization of cannabis issue.
If you had polled California voters on legalization of all drugs, you wouldn’t have had nearly the polling numbers as high as you had for ONLY the legalization of cannabis.
How fuckin stupid can you get! Piss me the fuck off!
[Paul Armentano responds: “I am not a member of NORML to advocate All Drugs be legalized all at once! Get that through your fuckin head!”
The question the moderator posed to the President was asked by LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition), not NORML. LEAP’s focus is on all illicit drugs, unlike NORML’s focus which is cannabis specific. NORML would have preferred that the question chosen was one focused specifically on cannabis, but that was not the case. The question chosen was, in fact, the most popular question of the poll.]
I, like so many others, was fooled by Obama as he ran for president. Now, it is clear that he has no intention of doing what “We the People” want. I really hope that we get the chance to vote for Gary Johnson in the next election. At this point, I’ll vote for anyone except for Obama. I’m so mad at him I think I’d vote for Charles Manson before he’ll ever get my vote again!
>>
He also knows that he is up for re-election in which he as a politician can’t afford to say something that could frighten voters away.
>>
If there is no progress on re-regulation of cannabis, I am frightened away.. sorry about his luck.
Obama has until the election to get something done or at the very least, plant the seed to get action.
My vote?, I only get one but I can influence others to vote for my choice based on policy differences.
Most people I know in my world are fine with full legalization of cannabis.. Those same people are not really ok to have all drugs legal, just cannabis. This shows me that the public perception and education is growing in favor of legal regulation and taxation of pot.
Legalization will not start with the federal government no matter who sits in the oval office. There’s no button that the president can press to legalize marijuana. It will start with the states, and the movement to legalize is well underway.
You almost have to feel bad for Obama at this point, I mean it’s pretty obvious he’s not getting re-elected and he’s dealing with a lot of very angry people. But this answer is just hilarious, I don’t even think there was an answer to the question in his quote. It was like a smorgasboard of non-linear statements that went nowhere and everyone who has now listened to it is dumber as a result. I would’ve appreciated just an honest answer, if you agree with a portion of drug legalization such as marijuana then just say so. If you don’t then fine, BUT SAY SOMETHING. I’m sorry Barack but I don’t think you could lost anymore votes if you tried, some honesty and candor at this point would be nice….
Well, I’ve been partaking for 35 years now and I will partake for another 35 years or longer. I watched it live and I believe the whole thing was rehearsed yesterday. He danced around the question like Fred Astaire, only not near as graceful. His answer, IMHO, was “I don’t want to be re-elected.”
Vote for Gary Johnson, a man with a mission.
Congressman Ron Paul or Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson are the ONLY Presidential candidates
that will not stand in the way of marijuana legalization.
I am TIRED of hearing about Obama, he is NOT a liberty person.
Well thats that. I guess we will have to wait until we vote him out in 2012. I really did expected this kind of answer from him. But its always nice to have hope. Our government still owns OUR bodies. I don’t see them giving them back to us anytime soon.
Oops I ment to say I did expect this kind of answer not expected.
Of course he’s not going to say anything one way or the other.
He’s going to get flak whichever direction he chooses, and the only one that appears safe is the same one the gov’t has been honoring since, prohibition.
Obama’s not going to do anything about it. Wait for the intolerant generation to die out, then we have to start again. Keep gaining support, and everyone needs to keep their chin up.
In 2009, I spent 66 days in jail, for possessing 3 grams of weed in Jan 2007. I then did 16 months of parole, and I’m 7 months into probation, which doesnt end until July 6, 2012.
It costs an average of $23,500 for a person to enter a jail as an inmate. Add the cost of the police wages, court resources, paperwork, fingerprint ink, EVERYTHING, and Connecticut EASILY spent over $50,000 to prosecute me for a $25 bag of pot.
I was arrested in my own home, the upstairs neighbors called the cops when they smelled our pot.
ALL THAT MONEY SPENT TO KEEP ONE PERSON FROM USING POT.
Obama will not be getting my vote and shame on him for being too spineless to have an honest open talk. That’s cowardice and irresponsible.
figures that another public figure doesnt have the balls to actually take the time and look at the FUCKING issue instead of his old school small minded views. and to think i actually voted for you, i myself deserve to be shot for that choice
Why haven’t we organizes a HUGE protest yet? The government is obviously extremely corrupt. We need to take a more noticeable approach and get the media involved.
You all hit him with the wrong question. Forget legalizing and costs of prohibition. Medical cannabis should be the question. I don’t give a rat’s ass about costs or money saved. People are dying because governments are responding the pharmaceutical companies’ worries that they’ll lose money. Pathetic.
For those of you saying we need to get him out and elect someone better….. he’s a politician. No one who will ever be elected will vote for the legalization of a substance which could change the entire system.
Gary Johnson 2012
I watched this today along with everyone i know that supports the hemp industry…and i agree with pretty much all of you…it was another big let down. When are people going to realize that people pushing for marijuana to be legal aren’t doing so just for the sole purpose of smoking it……sure that’s a good enough reason lol, but people are misguided into thinking it’s the ONLY reason….someone tried to argue legalization cons to me the other day….and one of her comments was this..”think about it..do you really want all those potheads wandering around high in public..walking past schools and such?” my response to her was…”well..1.) they do it already…2.) wtf does a school have to do with people wandering around? 3.)if you can’t think for yourself and must go off of things the media is feeding you, you need to get your news from the people who are telling you the truth and not spoon feeding you scare tactics.” Prop. 19 made it to a votable platform….it’s only a matter of time before people get sick of being lied to and start to stand as one for the cause….so i say to you Hemp Nation…roll em up and keep pushing forward…our time is comming and when it gets here..there will be a cloud of smoke able to be seen from every corner of the earth….
RON PAUL FOR PREZ!!!!!!!
Ok first we need to keep fighting meth coke and herion and other hard drugs that kill people every day just because there useing it as for marijuana or even shrooms they both come from the earth natually u cant stop them from growing ever we need a leader who understands this and realizes that u cant stop the drugs from being made as long as there is some dude in a trailer cookin meth a guy in afghanaistan growing poppys or the farmers in columbia growing cocoa leaves the only way to stop these drugs is to get people to stop useing them not by force cause it doesnt work but by helping them and not treating them as criminals. new decade new hope
Brian, don’t you mean bush dark? Not lite? Lol, ok all joking aside. He definitely avoided the question or maybe refused to fully understand what was being asked. By putting people in rehab for marijuana is a gross waste of time and resources. Like bob saget said, “marijuana is not a drug. I used to suck dick for coke. Have you ever sucked dick for marijuana?” Maybe you don’t have to legalize it, but at least decriminalize it and put your resources toward the problem drugs.
Obama est-il un homme juste,vat-il enfin arrêter tous ces malheurs ou continuer à fovoriser cette guerre contre les hommes (car la drogue est toujours là )et les hommes payent et meurts encore et encore(Obama aidez nous vous seul pouvez nous sauver)arrêtez cette guerre contre les drogues et surtout contre le cannabis.Les Etats Unnis d’Amérique doivent montrer l’exemple,pour la paix,on ne veus pas la paix en faisant la guerre aux drogues.
same ole same ole… did anybody really think a real answer was coming … get real!! we voted him in we can vote him out (big deal) nothing is ever going to change the minds of these political morons!! the next president will have the same mind set… cops, prisons, incarcerations, killings at the borders and the american beat goes on…(business as usual)
Obama alors est un petit homme sans avenir pour améliorer nos qualité de vie à chacun (faite la guerre mais pas l’amour )
Why is it we let people tell us what to do and just bitch about it to one another, we all agree we want change but everyone stays inside and types how they feel rather then going out and showing it. 30 yers ago there would be thousands of people outside the white house after hearing about possibility of losing your weapoins and telling you you cant have a plant in your possession. Where are OUR rights. WE run this country not you.
Gotta love how they ansewered the number one question about regulating drugs in general and not one of the other 99 top questions as a way to beat around the pot. Aside from that i thought they were doing this by a vote??? That said why only one question from the top 100…. OH THATS RIGHT This is a government for the Government by the politicians… makes sence now.
No surprise! He is as ignorant as the rest! I say use use our 2nd constitutional right and pick up arms against this monarchy! That is why we have it isn’t it! Truth will prevail over ignorance!
If this were happening in Kenya.How long would it take to be legal there?
Everyone should boycott alcohol, cigarettes, and gambling until cannabis is legal. If we could convince the many, many people that use cannabis to do this, it would surely hurt the taxes the government collects on these already legal drugs. Legalizing the use and small scale cultivation of cannabis for adults would likely cause a decline in illegal drug trades and associated activities. It’s past time that we move forward on this.
This was expected. He will NOT get my vote. If we are tired of the LEFT and the RIGHT as Americans.. Then don’t vote for them. Simple. Find Candidates that fit your beliefs and views. Time for REAL CHANGE.
GARY JOHNSON for PRESIDENT 2012. Make sure you vote him in on the Party Ticket (Primary Ticket) Elections. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU DO NOT SIT HOME. REGISTER. VOTE. CHANGE THIS CORRUPTION CANDIDATE BY CANDIDATE.
On the other hand…
Two years ago he laughed the question off.
Last year he ignored it.
This year… he actually took the question seriously enough to answer it.
Even though we don’t like the answer he gave us, I still think that the fact that we got an answer this time is progress. Not much progress, sure, but still…
When the hell will Americans wake up and realize their country was never meant for them, freedom has always been an illusion.
we have to get a stoner in the whitehouse
Beginning to smell like revolution!
The Reformation.”
Genesis the Faith
“If one individual believes…it’s a religion. If two individuals believe…it’s a religion. If that number of individuals is increased to infinity…it’s a religion.”…
[Russ cuts in: Thank you for your continued plastering of dozens of paragraphs in support of your religious beliefs. It seems regardless of topic, you visit our boards to flood them with novel-length treatises on “Genesists”. Please keep it brief and on topic in the future so as not to distract from the ongoing conversations. Thank you.]
Dear: Mr President.
Do the letters F.O. mean anything to you?”
@ 32
Gary Johnson is also a viable candidate should he choose to run and Dr. Paul sits out.
Time for Gary Johnson in 2012. Register. Vote. CHANGE.
And why did yall vote for him in the first place? The only change he made was him being the first black president. He has done nothing but spend spend spend and has not accomplished anything. Oh wait…he did triple the national debt.
In the absence of law all men are free.
The President didn’t even come close to answering the question. He compared the question to putting on ur seatbelt. One day the government will see what marijuana can do for us the people and our country.
I think that we are looking in the wrong places. This is kind of like finding the root of the Kennedy assassination.
Ask a simple question and answer it even though it will have levels of complexity. ‘Who benefited?’
Well, yes law enforcement does benefit, but their jobs can just as well be maintained by actual regulation and compliance enforcement.
Private prisons benefit, but their vacancy can be filled and maintained with the ‘cross-hairs’ on violent crimes and criminals. (There are plenty of unsolved crimes as a result of the WoD to fill the void)
Rehabilitation centers definitely benefit the way sentencing is structured, but there is ever growing addictions to harder drugs and more new drugs being discovered and distributed ever generation.
So, I guess my point is start thinking in this manor and you shine the spot light on the real root of the WoD and stop focusing on the ripples.
So, I ask again, Who benefited? My general answer is that the War on Drugs is a means to an end.
My specific answer is more speculation, but we are starting to look in the right direction.
I think that it all just breaks down to a system that funnels money into a ruling government that hovers above our Constitution all while maintaining profits to stuff the pockets of certain individuals behind the scenes and ensure the advancement of an all powerful oppressing government that continues creating secret war, energy, and technology advancements.
A system so scary, powerful, and out of American citizens view that we would not even know who to uprise against to gain back our freedom and would essentially engulf ourselves and our visible government, there fore creating national instability and a prime time for a new regime to step in and overthrow our freedom.
The regime, whether some elitist government or a new form of government, would have control of all our defense systems and military at their disposal which would essentially be more devastating than our own history when we wiped out the American Indians with new gun warfare technology.
(This is only my opinion, but that’s coming from someone who believes in Alien contact here in Earth and secret government space travel programs, ie, NASA is a cover)… so take it for what is worth. Formulate you own opinion based on this model of thought!
He is just starting to ramp up his reelection campaign. You didn’t REALLY think he was going to say anything that might hurt those chances did you? Seriously? Politics period. I really thought that he would bring change in my lifetime,but this talk was two steps backward. Unless he changes and quick, he won’t be getting my vote.
Roller skates anyone to skate past the issue ?
I am the biggest fool I truly trusted this guy.
I knew it though before he ever opened his lips.
God Help us All…
Personally – “I don’t need a response from the President.” I’m quite indifferent to his meaningless B.S. All I expect [with great passion], as a citizen of America, is that he “keep his word,” and keep his Justice Department, Drug Czar, and Director of the DEA – “in line” – if that’s at all possible. If [they] can’t follow orders [insubordination] – why in the hell should we? I completely understand that two wrongs do not make a right – but – let’s face it! what’s good for the goose, is good for the gander. We the People would be ecstatic to see him arrest and prosecute his very own law breakers – right down to the cop on the beat. But then – I totally understand that he is only the tail on the dog {and I fully mean “dog” in the dirtiest sense.
Isn’t it ironic that the first President of color supports a law that is based on racism. It is enforced with racial bias. By supporting this law you support the idea that criminal gangs can better regulate, control and distribute this valuable commodity. Are you really that stupid?
How is this a public health issue if it’s not harmful to one’s health? The LEAP guy should have specifically mentioned marijuana. Why did so many people vote for a vague question?
Maybe the guy knows not to out step his bounds. Additionally, fast legalization would cause significant disruption to the economy and political unrest from the social conservative crowd. He has to play his cards right just to get anything done at all. He must appease many many different interests. I really don’t think this guy has anything against pot users, and drug users in general for that matter
Gary Johnon for President .. 2012
how long does it take to get a mod to look at your posts so they get posted… I mean I just repeated 3 posts.. Now I look like an idiot.. jeez
Another day goes by, another day government brushes we the people aside with its word play and lies.
Nothing new to see here, move along.
Sorry to tell you all, government ISNT going to change. Whether it be its spending habits or its veiw of the drug war. You’ll just get twisted words engineered to futher support them not WE THE PEOPLE !
The day is very close when our debt will be bigger than our GDP. Even then they will sell everything to to keep the war on drugs alive.
Another corporate fraud. Are you surprised?
I am on the bottom, I feel as though there is no hope. I can’t believe that my family who has had many veterans, who have both survived and died for this country, are betrayed by our goverments lies and bs everyday. The day will come and for those who are sided with the goverment today who do nothing but let things keep going this way I truly feel sorry.
obama is a dousche…. that is all
It saddens me, but I am not surprised, that we did not get a real answer other then ” I do not believe in legalization.”. This is a fight that we will win we just need to keep fighting and continue to change laws one state at a time. Eventually to support will be so overwhelming that the people in Washington will have no ground to stand on.
Rehab for poeple who have done nothing wrong, and have nothing wrong with them. Fish heads and rice anyone?
There is something completely sinister about cannabis prohibition. Screw health care- I want my right to grow my own medicine thanks!!
When are we going to stop this non-sense? Making something illegal, doesn’t make it unavailable.
Anti-drug people have so much time, money, and effort going towards the War on Drugs, they must be thinking ‘why stop now?’ and that is the truth. It takes more than changing the law. You have to take away peoples jobs everywhere in turn for legalization. Obama knows that, wouldn’t you know he probably gets paid for not addressing the marijuana issue Americans are facing.
damn obama…that’s the best bs you can pull out yer ass? you just really don’t know how to answer that question do you? i agree with the last thing said…Americans will not stop smoking pot, even if you make the penalties more harsh, it will still be consumed. It hurts that they all know criminals really do control the market, and yet, they continue to let it happen. Wake up and smell the delicious, nearly harmless ganja! For all of our sakes.
Thanks for voting him in, people of America…
I had to put my rubber boots on because the sh!t was getting deep! that was a bunch of uncoordinated,rambling,talking head hogwash! sounded like Nixon when he created the drug war. propaganda and when he was confronted by the ineffectiveness of the so called drug war he went into a rambling boring rant about treatment and reducing demand or some sh!t. the half breed muslim is like howdy doody.
I’ll not be persuaded.
Holy Smokes. More of the Kool-Aid being consumed. Why do we have to be “Streeing to the straight and narrow?” That’s not anyone’s decision to make for myself. It’s only to reduce our natural rights to life, liberty, and freedom. The abuse will continue. A failed policy that has become the weapon of choice against the people of America. God Bless America.
The Rev.sLeezy
Gary Johnson, 2012. Go Tea Pot Party!
One thing about Ron Paul is that he wants to remove the drug laws from the Federal level and leave it up to the states on drug regulation. If a state wants to allow or ban marijuana or any other drug it should be up to them, not the Government It should also be up to the states on how the drugs are to be regulated. I don’t think most states will sell cocaine over the counter. We can’t even buy percocets over the counter. They are treated as prescription drugs. If cocaine was to ever be regulated it might just be given as a prescription to drug addicts from the doctors if they have no intentions of quitting.
When it comes to marijuana the more approriate way to go about selling that drug to the public is by treating it like we treat our alcohol laws. You need to be 21 and have ID to purchase the pot in a store.
When they asked Obama the question posted by the leap officer about all drugs being regulated another question should have been asked. When Obama answered that question the interviewer should have also follwed up by asking Obama what he thinks specifically of marijuana being regulated like alcohol as a lot of questions asked had to do specifically with legalization of marijuana.
ECHO’S through the centuries!!! LET ME SMOKE MY PIPE IN PEACE!!! Are we finally begining to understand why CRAZY HORSE was so pissed off at this same old wolf in sheeps clothing (there is no freedom or liberty) if you think I’m wrong look the two words up in the dictionary.HUM
Can anyone tell me why the questions didn’t get censored like mine. My question was no different than some of the other top 100. In fact my question got 245 thumbs up.
Here is my take on his response. He never mentioned the word marijuana. He is trying to play the center politically because Congress has moved way to the right wing wacko side. If he wants to get anything done between now and the next election he will not do anything that will make him sound even remotely like a liberal.I don’t think the man is stupid, but also agree he doesn’t take the issue as seriously as he should. They need to wrap this whole pohibition issue around Nixon, he’s the one that made things so bad.
Fuck him. I’m with Ben. Fuck this country. I’m outta here.
When will people learn how truly insignificant they really are? I feel like people minds have been brainwashed by MTV. The government has more important things to worry about than growing pot. Like explaining to the millions of people that our world doesnt revolve around the sun it revolves around oil. Now were running out of oil and in a few years your all going to be sitting around with your thumbs up your ass wondering what the hell happened and waiting for immaculate one to come down from the heavens and save you. Your ipods and newest cell phone wont be worth a damn when you cant go to a grocery store to buy food because your money is just paper and worth nothing.
That is the most stupid response I have ever heard from him. It explains very much about his character and his administration.
He really sucked.
When will people learn how truly insignificant they really are? I feel like people minds have been brainwashed by MTV. The government has more important things to worry about than growing pot. Like explaining to the millions of people that our world doesnt revolve around the sun it revolves around oil. Now were running out of oil and in a few years your all going to be sitting around with your thumbs up your ass wondering what the hell happened and waiting for immaculate one to come down from the heavens and save you. Your ipods and newest cell phone wont be worth a damn when you cant go to a grocery store to buy food because your money is just paper and worth nothing. I suggest you start learning some survival skills and how to grow food, not just pot. do the opposite from what the government wants you to do. Grow all the pot you want and don’t wait for legalization.
What gets me, is the revenue the government could bring in by legalization, and often wonder if they are that blind to a financial opportunity.What hope does that give to Americans when current government chooses to withdrawl from a question, rather than stepping outside of his “box” and try something new. Seriously, I am pretty sure the subject of legalizing marijuana has been sought out over and over again, what could leagalization really hurt? Never know if we never get the chance to try…We as Americans have come extremely far with the lessons of life..lets get back to basics and farm our country, grow our crops and create jobs to manufacture quality, useful products.What is really stopping government? Stepping off my soap box..
The government benefits from pot begin illegal, they are somehow involved with the drug lords. I don’t know how but I need to go smoke more weed and find a relation between the two.
RON PAUL has introduced multiple pieces of legislation dealing with legalizing/decriminalizing drugs, and has co-sponsored legislation other “reps” have introduced.
HE IS THE REAL DEAL
RON PAUL 2012
For REAL change
[Editor’s note: Ron Paul 2012? Ron Paul is too old to be president and has no chance of winning the GOP nomination. Why get folks jacked for a candidate who can never win the presidency?]
As the saying goes, “Chains we can believe in.”
So where do we go now?
We can only complain for so long and try getting our point across to idiots and deaf ears for so long. It seems as if our fight is pointless.
I think we need to all unite and participate in nationwide activism so people can hear US first hand.
Exactly ^^^
A president alone can’t make marijuana legal. I myself support completely legalizing marijuana. The DEA needs to acknowledge marijuana is not a hallucinogen, and it souldn’t be in the same class as LSD!
Ron Paul is only 73. McCain was 72 when he ran. Reagan was 69. He’s a lot sharper menatlly at 73 than Reagan was. If he doesn’t run, it won’t be because he or the public thinks he’s too old……………….
@ the editor
With that kind of attitude, you’re going to keep your blog going and not help the cause.
Typical liberal. Keep voting for the wrong people, then complain when they lie to you.
Wow I interviewed the next President of the United States, Gary Johnson! I am a lefty and I will vote for Gary.
Could someone help Obama pull his head from his ass? If you can’t answer the top questions from the AMERICAN people you don’t belong in office.
we’re never going to just disappear, it’s never gonna change, and we wont go down without a fight, we are the people and the people are here to stay “make the most of the Indian hemp seed, and sow it everywhere”- George Washington
Russ Belville – Normal
Thank you for your concern. I realize that there are many readers who simply do not believe in God and, understandably so, skip right past the Faiths posts. I also realize that there are many religious readers who might take issue with God’s approval of cannabis – in fact – have changed their Bible to now read “fruits and vegetables” instead of “the green herb.” Russ, we only direct the reformation of the Faith to those who “do believe in God and the Sacrament.” It is not our intent to plaster the board with dozens of paragraphs, or to distract any reader – rather, to give those who do believe in the Faith a posture of “religious use and defense” to rely on. Thank you again for your comment and concern – message received.
Let’s be smart. If President Obama wants to legalize marijuana, yet also win another term, his best bet is to wait until after the 2012 election. Welcome to the real world, where lots of folks are still brainwashed into thinking pot is dangerous and evil, including many independents that Obama can’t win re-election without. If he blatantly said that he was in favor of legalization at this time, it might sweep him right out of office before he can accomplish that goal. We’ve waited this long. We can wait another measly year. Stop pressuring the President to say exactly what you want him to, regardless of how detrimental it is to the country and his career. Unless, of course, you’d rather try to get a Republican president to decriminalize marijuana. Good luck with that! And remember: as much as we all enjoy the green, legalizing pot is NOT the most pressing thing on the president’s agenda. For most users, pot is a luxury item, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But we should stop acting like it’s the most important thing in the world, or else we really will just come off as desperate, out of touch drug addicts.
Also, congress can take action on this, too. It’s not all on President Obama. If congress sends a bill to his desk that legalizes pot, that gives him political cover to sign it. So, either lobby your representatives and senators, or wait til 2012. Do the work necessary to help the country take that last step towards that change. Don’t just fancifully believe we’re already there. You will be disappointed every time if you dream rather than act, or count on any single politician to get this done all by themselves.
First Obama is a guy trying to quit nicotine. To him, everybody is an addict who needs treatment because HE is. From his perspective, there is no acceptable and safe level of cigarette smoking. So as far as he’s concerned that goes for all drugs, (except alcohol for some reason)
Pot isn’t going to get legalized until Congress starts seeing big money coming their way from pro legalize lobbyists and corporate donors. Politicians only care about money and their job.
The way on drugs is big business for career government workers and some of them are even true believers. As long as their jobs are tied to drug war money from congress they are going to fight hard to keep it going.The only war to beat that is with huge bucks to Congress, they mark the rules and control the money.
We still appear to be a fringe minority to those in DC. Activists can scream facts and reality in DC all day every day, but if they aren’t spreading fat checks around, NOBODY will pay any attention in DC.
It’s this simple, ending federal prohibition must be bought.
Instead of risking potential arrest, fines, jail time, *MONEY*, … why don’t people just stop smoking pot? Is the addiction that strong? I mean, when you smoke pot, you have absolutely no idea what you’re smoking – unless you grow the weed yourself – which is a small minority of pot smokers. Do you really trust the product coming from somebody who is breaking the law? The only thing you know about the person that sells you the pot is that they’re technically a “criminal” who gets paid on the *weight* of the product. They can be putting all kinds of crap you don’t know about just to increase their profit margin. As far as I know, there is no nutritional label on the pot that tells you exactly what’s in it. Even if you do get it from your “friends”, somebody got it from the drug dealers.
In short, instead of risking your job, fines, jail time, hard earned *MONEY* … why don’t people work on getting that “high” naturally? I get my high naturally – I’m sure you can too if you really try. If you can’t, you’re just addicted to an illegal drug.
Legalization is a separate issue – I support it fully. If people want to spend money for the “high” they can’t get through their own natural ability (meaning – free), than they should at least do it safely. As long as it is illegal, you really have no ideal what you’re putting in your body. Drug dealers are criminal whose been known to put cigarette products, tea leaves, … just to increase the weight of the pot. Remember, they’re already breaking the law – they don’t give a crap about your health.
His answer is good…he suggests that drugs should be dealt with as a “public health problem”…which also suggests that the Criminal Justice System doesn’t work for? this issue …more or less, he supports decriminalization, by suggesting drug treatment programs instead of incarcerations. That means, he IS on the 420 side. BUT, he is a politician, so he has to be careful with what he says. He can’t openly say he supports decriminalization in so few words…otherwise he won’t get elected next term. And the good stuff ONLY happens on the second term.
[Paul Armentano responds: The mainstream media also finds significance in the President’s response, as indicative of the CBS News slant, LA Times coverage, etc: http://www.drugwarrant.com/2011/01/cbs-news-obama-drugs-should-be-treated-as-a-public-health-problem/.%5D
im sick and life for me is a short list i just hope i can help vote obama out free the weed
his political party will not allow him to be in favor of legalization – neither would any republican be allowed by their party, by the way.
I’m guessing a large chunk of the voters for Obama were actually people hoping he was not such a servant to his party – but alas, that is impossible. Once again, as with every election, we are faced with the lesser of two evils.
This site may want to consider slowing down their dumping on Obama. When people see it they automatically think the alternative is to vote republican: but republicans aren’t going to behave any differently on this issue. At least with democrats some of our tax dollars go to our poor people, instead of all of it going to Haliburton.
#141 is spot on. Perhaps we should try to tap in to the musicians and actors that use pot and seem to have lots of money. The only problem is that their position kind of puts them above prohibition laws. Such a thing would be a lot more successful if organizations like NORML had a solid plan in place, with each step having a clear price tag.
@143 Kat – You could be right… My first reaction was to get mad at his answer but we have to be realistic about the kind of world we live in and perhaps his answer was the best he could give under the current circumstances.
Still, it’s really hard to trust him at this point… He seems to have changed from what we all expected prior to helping him get elected. So, I’m really hoping that we get better choices in the next election – like Gary Johnson!!!
@142 Holy Kudla – You ask “why don’t people just stop smoking pot? Is the addiction that strong? ” The simple answer is that it makes life more enjoyable! I like it a lot. Liking something is not the same as being addicted to it. I have stopped smoking for long periods of time. Sometimes it was because I didn’t have any. Sometimes it was because I felt like I needed a break from it. Sometimes it was because I needed to pass a pee test for a job… I never felt any withdrawal symptoms of any kind. I go back to smoking it because I like it – no other reason and getting high naturally must be wonderful for that 1 in a million people that can actually do it; I can’t! Smoking a good sativa strain makes me feel better and enjoy life more than anything else I’ve experienced thus far with the exception of falling in love with my wife. I suspect that winning the lottery could compare favorably… Barring that, it enhances the enjoyment I experince in my life.
I absolutely agree that getting your pot from an illegal dealer is risky business. That’s part of the reason I’d love for it to be legalized. I’d be ever so much happier if I could go to a legal store and get quality product and choices. So, unless you’re a medical marijuana patient, the best way to get your pot is to grow it yourself or know someone who does…
Russ Belville – NORML
At CDXX Communion, and sleeping on your comment, of “religious opinion” I have come to this conclusion:
“Everybody is entitled to my opinion.”
Anyone who shares the Faiths opinion are welcomed, and can be heard at: genesisthefaith@earthlink.net
#141 Someone is getting a fat pocket keeping it illegal.Otherwise it would be legal but legal or not im not quiting smoking 420 errr day, an Gary johnson 2012 he wont Bullshit us, from what ive googled about him n seen.
Well… Willie Nelson taking out Barry-ack …and putting it to song….
appropriate, I think
or we could get David Allen Coe and be mean about it
An all i want to do is grow 2-3 plants when spring comes for my use NOT be a seller.
Gary Johnson 2012. One Big Ass Mistake America indeed…
Why the fuck do we even have re-Elections! UGH! Lets just get one term presidents for 7 year terms. This “re-election” bs is that: Bullshit.
nothing but propagandic gibberish. treatment,programs, some other nonsense. that was the biggest bunch of crap the talking head has come up with. the muslim with no birth certificate has spoken. apparently he was programmed for the question from the LEAP guy. I am sick of our government,they dont listen to the people ! we need to ramp up the movement with more calls to elected officias and donate to norml and MPP.
America,the land of corruption,half truths,and slathering propaganda. that what happens when you get a muslim with no balls or birth certificate.
It’s too late for this time (I feel bad), but what about our next opportunity.
Maybe we should start talking about what our next question/comment should be.
I suggest we try for a very specific idea, that would require a small governmental change and encourage a direct answer.
For instance, asking Obama if it isn’t time to examine why cannabis is a schedule 1 drug.
Is there a way we can organize to get a focused question asked and what would be a good question?
Obama is a master of propaganda. He didnt even address cannabis specifically. He just lumped it into the evil category of “drugs.” What a phony. Paul/Nader 2012!!!!
Come one people!! The question that was aked to Obama was about legalizing ALL drugs! WTF, let’s use our heads and focus on strictly Marijuana Legalization. By focusing on legalizing all drugs we have lost this fight before we have begun. Baby steps people, baby steps!
[Paul Armentano responds: As I noted previously, the question the moderator posed to the President was asked by LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition), not NORML. LEAP’s focus is on all illicit drugs, unlike NORML’s focus which is cannabis specific. NORML would have preferred that the question chosen was one focused specifically on cannabis, but that was not the case. The question chosen was, in fact, the most popular question of the poll.]
Trying to get a politician to talk about marijuana legalization is like a parent talking to your children about sex. some people have a very hard time with these subjects. we need to keep the subject on the front page. talk about marijuana everyplace and opportunity you have in a public place.., ask the question to people you see. “If marijuana was legal tomorrow when you saw the news would you run out to smoke it?” most people who answer would probably say no. ask the question and keep asking like when you were a kid and were told no all the time, you kept asking. smoke ’em if you got ’em.
like the freak bros used to say ” Dope will get you through times of no money better than money will get you thru times of no dope”.
“The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.”
— Dante Alighieri (Inferno)
Maybe we need to get t-shirts with the above printed on them? Subtle, yet it shows we are educated. The quote doesn’t just apply to this cause, and I think people would be more willing to wear it without fear. When someone asks about the quote, we can choose to educated them.
We need to educate people to win them over.
President Obama on Thursday called drug legalization “an entirely legitimate topic for debate,” but quickly added “I am not in favor of legalization.” my response is simply, Put Up or Shut Up Mr. President! The debate you claim is “an entirely legitimate topic for debate,” is long over due. We the People have been a…sking this Government to give us this debate and debate this issue like reasonable human beings. The government’s response has “shocked the sense of fair play,” they have openly lied and mis-informed the general public for since 1937. Mr. President we want this debate! We dare you to set this in motion and since you clearly stated, “not in favor of legalization”, you and your party should put up or shut up and defend Prohibition. We the People will bring it on, set the ground, we’ll debate who ever you send. All we ask is that it be live and transparent to the public.
Cannabis should be made legal, this country is going to hell in a handbasket and cannabis would save our country. This greedy goverment will not allow us to smoke what we want, yet they smoke ciggarttes and drink themsevles to death. WE WANT A CHOICE!!!
In this twisted country, the fed would rather Dr’s put patients on Narcotics for pain relief, and have us become addicted in the true sense of the word — than to allow us to grow our own medicine in the form of a weed that has been around … AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE AROUND … for thousands of years – and that’s just the Medical Marijuana side of the coin – They would ALSO PREFER THAT PEOPLE DRINK ALCOHOL, BECAUSE IS NUMBS YOUR SENSES, MAKES YOU A PASSIVE COMPLIANT GOV PANSIE – RATHER THAN ALLOW Marijuana to become legal BECAUSE IT OPENS YOUR MIND and allows you to see the OBVIOUS CORRUPTION within the US Government framework – it’s time that FOR THE PEOPLE and BY THE PEOPLE ACTUALLY MEANT JUST THAT – IF THE PEOPLE WANT POT, THEY WILL HAVE IT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, SO WHY NOT JUST MAKE IT LEGAL FOR ADULTS, GET THE REVENUES RATHER THAN THE MULE JOCKEYS IN MEXICO ????????? OR IS THE ALCOHOL INDUSTRY GOING TO LOSE TOO MUCH MONEY IF THAT HAPPENS?
Hell, their customers die either behind the wheel or in the hospital any way – so what’s the difference… rednecks should stop drinking, and start puffin or eating weed any way …
To Holly…potheads don’t quit smoking because they don’t believe in allowing their freedom to be infringed upon by unjust, nonsensical laws. Would you be willing to give up something you enjoy if the government made it illegal for no good reason? You can’t OD on pot. It isn’t carcinogenic. It doesn’t lead to dangerous driving. It doesn’t rot the liver. It’s a form of life. In all honesty, the government doesn’t have much right to criminalize it. Your argument about not being able to trust “criminals” who get paid on “weight” is actually on argument in favor of legalization, as that would do a lot to remove the criminal element. That said, most pot dealers are decent, perfectly normal human beings who actually can be trusted.
I completely agree with Kat. I honestly believe President Obama favors decriminalization. One reason I believe this is because he advocated for it before he became President. However, as others have said, he is a politician. Well, not only a politician…he is now the President of the United States.
He can’t talk like a former Senator from Chicago, he has too much on the line (such as 2012). I firmly believe that this is the best answer we were going to get from a President that is up for re-election in two years.
If you are looking for real “change” in our nation’s drug policies, it isn’t going to be in his first term, and if he isn’t elected for a second term, it DEFINITELY isn’t going to come from a Republican White House (HINT: Obama WILL be the front-runner for the Democratic Party in 2012).
So lighten up and smoke a joint, because we know he supports decriminalization, but it’s just not going to happen within his first term, plain and simple. Will it happen in his second term (if he makes it there)? I cannot say for sure, but the chances are MUCH higher (no pun intended).
Lastly, he called for a debate on the issue and said it was a legitimate topic to discuss and the mainstream media went crazy. Guess what the mainstream media is best at? Reaching millions of eyeballs and persuading people to think a certain way. Times are changing, believe me. As I said, chill out and smoke a joint because this isn’t going to happen overnight. The LAST thing you should do is give up because you can’t read between the lines and/or because you want change to happen overnight. It doesn’t work that way (unfortunately).
What else do expect from a war criminal? You can’t a drunk to act sober.
I propose a new question for our president.
Mr Obama, in your recent ask Obama forum you responded to a question about our nations drug policy and marijuana prohibition with “We have to think more of drugs as a public health problem, like smoking, drunk driving, wearing seat belts.” I couldn’t help but notice you compared the negatives of marijuana use with that of alcohol and tobacco. Since alcohol and tobacco use are both “health problems” like marijuana use, don’t you think our government should take a hard look at the scheduling and prohibition of alcohol and tobacco.
I would love to see the backpedaling that would come from that question.
#139 Travis.
Let’s be smart? Sorry buddy, but smart isn’t voting for politicians who might do something their 2nd term, but letting them conduct their 1st term NOT in the best interest of the republic, but in the best interest of their reelection bid.
Unacceptable. YOU need to smarten up.
I wonder where you find yourself in Life
I noticed President Obama was wearing nice shoes, who made them shoes?
His response this year was better in that he admitted it was a legitimate topic to debate…
But his ‘Answer’ was horribly weak and referred to the=at LEAP member’s question which was about ALL drugs, and we know damn well neither he or anyone else is going to go for that just yet.
IF ever, despite the annoying little detail/reality = that we’ll likely never completely eliminate the demand for any drug – unless we legalize, regulate a Drug that is “Universally Acknowledged/Accepted” to be – without any doubt BETTER (& cheaper,etc.) than a particular drug…
Even then we might eliminate the demand for a drug to almost zero – only to find some people wanting to use the older/inferior drug, due to some sense of nostalgia OR maybe a desire to indulge in a reminiscent experience.
And the president’s popularity was back above 50% (even with all the “economic uncertainty”, and whatnot and he had to go and ‘piss in the Wheaties'(so to speak) of his liberal/libertarian base & youth supporters… AGAIN!
Talk about ‘WTF moments, What the heck is he thinking? /e headdesk, /e headdesk, /e headdesk
I knew he was going to respond like this. I’m especially frustrated with his 2-faced views on medical pot. 1 of the reasons I voted for him was BECAUSE he claimed he was interested in looking at, and paying attention to, the medical science being done throughout the world, (with the exception of the U.S.) on pot.
And I was hopeful when he instructed our AG, Eric Holder, to stop persecuting-and-prosecuting medical marijuana patients, physicians, and providers, who were compliant with their respective state med pot programs.
But, for some reason the President’s and Mr. Holder’s words have fallen on deaf ears — the DEA raids have continued here in California, with the Feds wasting their time and our tax dollars, pursuing these cases in court, which, BTW, generally end up being dismissed, thrown out of court, or ruling AGAINST the Feds!
It was too bad that the question was for ALL drugs, and not more specific to marijuana. Legalization of all drugs is way too scary for the mass populace, and I doubt if that will EVER happen in this country (unlike Portugal, where any-and-all “drugs” are legal, and they truly DO spend their dollars treating drug abuse as a health problem, NOT a law-and-order problem).
I’m a 61-yr old Californian, who’s smoked pot daily since 1967, and been a pot advocate for over 40 years — I have a med pot scrip, and I grow my own medicine, along with hundreds of other people in my region. I advocated for, but never really believed, I’d see legalization in my lifetime… I thought Obama would be the one to fix this mess…
I’ve made excuses for him, like the fact that he has to work with both sides of the aisle, trying not to piss off anyone in particular, but his “non” actions, and his choice of policy-and-personnel have ended my thoughts that he’ll be the “President of change” I was hoping he’d be. His words at YouTube were the same tired, stale, rhetoric we’ve been hearing for years — it almost hurt to hear him talk like that (I had such faith in him to do the right thing…). He seemed almost oblivious to the expensive, bloated, and non-winnable War on Drugs. Disappointed? Yes. Defeated? NO!
I’ll continue my pot advocacy, as well as my political advocacy. And I agree with those who think Ron Paul is too old for the next election. We need someone a bit younger, someone Obama’s age — the younger segment of the Baby Boomers (b. 1946-1964). Pay attention to what’s going on, stay engaged in the political process, and keep speaking your “voice.”
Stay High and Peace!
@158 jackattack: You’re completely rediculous! If I were President and you dared to say such things to me, not only would I keep it illegal just to spite you, I’d be sure one of my swat teams visited you ASAP!
Like it or not, President Obama may just be our best chance to finally get cannabis decriminalized. I have to agree with other commenters that voting in a republican to replace him (Gary Johnson being the one exception that I’m aware of) is probably not a good thing for our cause!
Obama’s response makes one point clear: NOW is the time to start the campaign for Nader. If the tens of millions of legalization advocates in the US give their support to Nader, there’s no way we could continue to be ignored by Democrats and Republicans. STOP VOTING FOR PARTIES THAT DON’T SUPPORT LEGALIZATION. If we all do this, then the Democrats will have to address this issue seriously, as we will be taking away a serious popular base from them. The more support Nader gets, the more support is drawn from both parties who have always said “I’d vote for Nader, but he’d never win.” We can make the change if we act NOW.
NORML, LEAP, Just Say Now: START THE CAMPAIGN FOR NADER NOW!
[Editor’s note: Nader? Others suggest Ron Paul? Get real…these presidential wannabee failures are both too old and not electable by either party, or the general public.]
#171 (Brian)
With all due respect, this is American Politics and this is how it is. It isn’t going to change and it’s not just President Obama.
I agree with Travis. It seems a lot of people are used to instant gratification. I want it, I get it…NOW. Trust me, I used to think this way too (and I am not trying to say this is your position), but in general…the world just doesn’t work that way (not in most instances anyway). Too many “pro-Cannabis activists” expect things to happen overnight, and then when they don’t, they whine and give up. As I said before, that’s the last thing that needs to happen, or change will take even longer.
Why don’t you ask NORML how long they’ve been fighting this fight? They never gave up in the midst of many disappointments, but look at what they/we are achieving now. If you go back ten years, it’d be a whole different story.
Thanks NORML! We couldn’t have done it without you!
In conclusion, change is generally a slow process. ESPECIALLY when we are talking about the War on Drugs. So if you aren’t in it for the long run, I can only expect you to be disappointed.
Go GOP: Gary Johnson 2012!
Unfortunately Obama is the same corporate fascist status quo supporter as Bush with a little more health care thrown in, same wars.
I can understand the disappointment with Obama, but I also agree with those who are pointing out that there are very powerful forces that need to be overcome. Obama has said it’s worth debating. Get your chops up and start debating. It’s not so much Obama that stands in our way, but the people who want users put in jail. Obama’s approach is definately a baby step to where we want to be. If anyone thinks getting rid of Obama will help legalization, they’re kidding themselves.
Don’t forget, we’re still considered to be on the fringe, but we’re making inroads into the mainstream, where everything seems to be decided, like it or not.
The word that comes out his mouth TRANSPARENCY dealing with the masses of people in our country could be tossed around as CIVILIAN TRANSPARENCY or the POLITICAL TRANSPARENCY. The latter TRANSPARENCY is what he is dealing with POLITICAL . He is the BIG CHEESE of the political side while the question came about marijuana, all he did was just blow smoke up our asses instead of a laugh. I hope it was some good bud. He is under the control of the PROHIBITIONISTS.
Response to editor’s note, comment #176
Such fatalist attitudes from a group seeking reform makes me feel pessimistic about any advocacy movement seeking to overturn the status quo. Lack of support behind a single candidate to unify the legalization movement is one of the reasons for its failure to produce non-incremental change so far. If this note speaks on behalf of the philosophy of NORML as a whole, then I question the ability for this leading group to coordinate the different strains of this movement into coherent action. Coordination is key, and attacking the issue purely from a legislative angle is misguided.
Why isn’t there more communication across all groups? Why can’t you turn away from traditional partisan politics and embrace a third party candidate? This is how political lines are redrawn, debate becomes public, and change takes place.
On an unrelated note, why is this issue only being attacked from a legislative angle? Why is there no support for district level court cases to try the validity of criminalization on fourth amendment grounds?; similar to Roe v. Wade, Lawrence v. Texas, etc. No attempt thus far has been made to question the state’s interest in trumping the individual’s interest concerning marijuana use.
Maybe Nader is old (but i wouldn’t go as far as “unelectable”). But younger generations have not been able to put forth new independent candidates who exist outside of the traditional two party system. If not Nader, then there needs to be a discussion now, of who.
[Editor’s note: Has a single issue candidate ever become president? Why would any mature and/or sane person vote for a single-issue candidate for president when presidents are responsible for hundreds of important issues–most self-evidently more important than reforming cannabis laws.
NORML is realistic, are you? NORML is grounded in day-n-day out politics in all 50 states and DC, are you?
If you think that Ralph Nader, who is the bane of mainstream Democrats for cutting into Gore’s vote count in 2000 (swinging the election for Bush), and is hated by Republican voters in general can be elected president, you’re not tethered to today’s politics (did you notice the results of the last election? Ralph Nader?).
You can be unrealistic and overly idealistic, if that works for you, but, after 40 years, NORML does not suffer fools about what is politically achievable and what is not regarding cannabis law reform.
NORML has never been partisan. There have been numerous constitutional and class action lawsuit challenges since 1970, some launched by NORML, others by the ACLU.
Who are potential presidential candidates that support cannabis law reform? Currently, the only candidate is Gary Johnson. Will NORML support his political aspirations? It already has. Will the organization support other candidates who’re viable that favor reform? Yes.]
disappointing but expected …
Man this Lemon Skunk from Oregon is tight. Well cut, cured. I dare you to grind it and roll it, not gonna happen…thank god i got it, all this shit is hard to deal with
Everyone needs to send the cost of one sack to NORML, cash is king. Save your seeds, hide your weed.
Let me Reiterate….
This was expected. He will NOT get my vote. If we are tired of the LEFT and the RIGHT as Americans.. Then don’t vote for them. Simple. Find Candidates that fit your beliefs and views. Time for REAL CHANGE.
GARY JOHNSON for PRESIDENT 2012. Make sure you vote him in on the Party Ticket (Primary Ticket) Elections. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU DO NOT SIT HOME. REGISTER. VOTE. CHANGE THIS CORRUPTION CANDIDATE BY CANDIDATE.
A man can pick up a gun and shoot someone over seas, but a man cant pick up a pipe and light it up to relieve his stress to relieve pain to relieve whatever ales them, with something green in it. Nixon and every other president after him has been nothing but a thorn in every caring Americans balls. The fact that Obama stated he dosen’t support that already throws that dipshit off my democratic vote, and I’m pretty sure if he keeps up his blasphemy of lies and broken promises to every american that he wont be looking at a second term he’s broke trust with me and I’m sure he’s broke trust with a lot more people than just myself. How can you fix a 4.3 trillion dollar debt when you’re sending innocent people to jail for a plant that grows from the ground. Yet alcohol is one of the most if not the most deadliest drug of all. How about Obama open his damn eyes to the world more than just medicare, etc. There’s no room for a guy who has yet to make me smile since being elected and put in office as our President. But instead he wants to allow alcohol to still be around and legal as ever, to pierce the lips of everyone even under 21 years old and they dont know what harm it does. I think he needs a reeducation on the benefits, the structure, the legitimate facts on why marijuana should be legal. Kentucky’s big law enforcement guy is nothing but a prude guy who can’t open his eyes to the real world but would rather cut down the green to fill his pockets, AS LONG AS HE GETS HIS PAYCHECK. God bless all the ignorant people who get severely mad about marijuana when they dont know anything about it. Yet people go to schools preaching how it harms you, how it “kills” you. Well in my defense life kills you, once your born your dead, end of story. Who is a guy with a badge to tell someone they cant enjoy themselves. Yes restrictions should be implemented but not prosecution over smoking something that gets you buzzed for 30mins-a couple hours. I think Obama needs to watch the whole Penn & Teller: War on Drugs Bullshit. They have their facts straight and so should president Obama, I mean if a Harvard Medical Doctor could make his sons last couple of years better because he wasn’t taking bullshit medication that didn’t have any working elements to it or make him nauseated constantly, but when his son smoked nothing pained him he wasn’t throwing up anymore. Where’s the harm in that, where’s the so called “kill” in that where’s anything remotely bad in that. Exactly, to make someones life more miserable they keep it under being illegal thanks to the Lumber Companies (dont say you dont), Doctors (some support it, most would rather have their patients die so they can make their money through half ass medications). They want us dead and they dont even care. How is that for such a nice nation. Once was Free But now we couldn’t even define the word freedom anymore. Ever since the war on drugs started this nation has indeed been screwed royally, and we cant do much about it because we have people paying people under the table we have people so blind on the subject, we have so many people that just dont know the actual facts about something so helpful so useful that we have been able to make hemp-o-line, that can power cars. But no we got to run the world dry on everything. Congrats President Obama, I hope you read this, you have successfully lost my vote and pissed a bunch of people off because of your statement and proceedings on trying to avoid talking about that subject. You are indeed blind to the subject. *PENN & TELL: WAR ON DRUGS*
@ 142 You are a bit out of touch. Don’t comment on things you yourself claim that you haven’t experienced. Not all cannabis smokers are addicts, most of them are not! Use reason please! If you chewed gum everyday for 10 years, you’d be “psychologically” addicted to that too. Humans are habit forming creatures about almost everything we do.
You talk about a natural high…please…you don’t think cannabis users work out, play sports, play on professional sports teams? You think we live in a bubble? We have experienced natural highs. We have all lived life, just like you. You sit there in judgement, telling us what to try so we won’t smoke anymore, and that we are addicts. Get off your high horse, and stop listening to lies about cannabis users not being normal people. We are normal just like everyone else, with hopes, dreams, plans for the future, carreers and jobs. Your comment is insulting and reeks of ignorance.
And yes we know what is in cannabis, its a dried plant. It would be a waste of money and no one would buy from the person who would mess with the buds.I have never seen someone who deals cannabis carry a gun or try to do anything that would harm a buyer. Maybe some do, but I haven’t seen it. You don’t buy broken up plant, you buy buds that are intact so you know nothing has been added for weight. I mean common, don’t take about a world and lifestyle you obviously haven’t seen.
I have an idea!
Build a website for the sole purpose of Politicians past histories, who contributes money to them and if they are for or against things like marijuana but never mention their political party affiliation, ever.
We would be able to “weed” out the undesirables without having to listen to their campaign lies.
And in just a few election cycles, we could put the fear of us back into politics.
It would force Politicians to be transparent and not hide behind party politics.
Can’t anyone out there do this?
Come on, brainiacs get it together!
I give you the sword, now use it!!!
Gather and March at local town halls, county courthouses, and State Capitols 420. Don’t quit make sure everyone votes for a more pointed q about marijuana next time. Learn from it and carry on accordingly.
We the citizens of this country need to contact both state and federally elected leaders on this subject. Senator Patrick Leahy(D-Vermont) is the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, which is where S.Bill 714 proposed by Jim Webb(D-Virginia),is at(as far as I know). This bill re-examines the Criminal Justice System, including laws reguarding Marijuana. There are elected officials in both the House and Senate who want the laws on marijuana changed(in favor of making marijuana legal). Hell even Evangelical Pat Robertson sees nothing wrong with someone posessing a few ounces. When someone who is as far right as Pat Robertson is, it is in our favor. If bill S.714 passes the House and Senate, I can almost assure people President Obama would sign it into law.
What would likely happen if he said what we all want to hear. There would be a defening Republican backlash and persicuting pot smokers would once again be job #1. Congress makes the laws not the President. If Obama’s for it the Republicans are going to be against it. That’s not an insult, the Republicans unlike the Democrats understand what being the opposition means. Do you really want to get ALL the politico’s (Rep and Dem) attention. Change the slogan on the poster from YES WE CANNABIS, to RE-ELECTION IS NOT IM MY VOCABULARY.
There’s not a damned thing wrong with our system of government – it’s the people “in it” that’s the problem. If we elect idiots – we get an idiotic government. So! – if we are going to cast blame – let’s cast blame where it belongs. “We met the enemy – and the enemy was us.” While we are at it – we can get real! “We live by the Golden Rule – He who has the gold rules.” He who makes the gold ain’t going to give the income up. Don’t you think that they are making the money as illegally as anyone.”
Argue if you will – but – there are as many Republicans that toke as Democrats, as many religious as non-religious, as many adults as kids, and most likely, as many politicians as the public. So! who is kidding who? Ya! we have a terrible habit of kidding ourselves – but – WTF we can do something about that immediately.
In Obama’s memoir, Dreams of My Father, he alludes to the fact that he smoked pot when he was growing up in Hawaii. His hypocrisy on this issue is jaw-dropping. I also agree with an earlier post to the effect that we should be clear we are talking only about cannabis being legalized, not cocaine and all the rest. At the federal level, the number one issue should be removing cannabis from the list of Schedule 1 narcotics. Does anyone know what’s going on with Rep. Barney Frank’s bill to accomplish this? How can we start a major push for this? With budgetary issues so prominent, it should not be difficult to pose the argument that the current monomaniacal law enforcement approach is too costly. What about a major campaign? Events in several cities, a news conference in D.C., distinguished spokespersons like Ms. Druyan and so forth.
@190- Its called ontheissues.org… google any name of politician gov, house, senate, etc followed by “on the issues and you will get a record of all issues from abortion to drug reform. The site even gives a NORML rating for some politicians on drug reform. It lists the party affiliated, but I have not idea why you think that shouldn’t be listed. Here is Obama’s for example…
http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/barack_obama.htm
1. BECAUSE they are fighting a ‘war’ against drugs AND DRUG USERS, (citizens) we have EVERY RIGHT TO FIGHT BACK, IN SELF DEFENCE. IMHO, we will win only AFTER we start shooting back IN SELF DEFENCE.
wasn’t it JOHN F KENEDY who said; (aprox.) “if you prevent peacefull change, you guarantee violent change.” ?
2. soon the USA will look like egypt does now, if the gov’t. keeps violating the will of the people.
3. @ #52 and #161; legalization of ONLY cannabis, versus legalization of All Drugs.
legalization of ONLY cannabis;
(A) will not work, (see amsterdam, there’s still plenty of ‘hard drug’ dealers and plenty of addicts stealing / doing prostitution)
(B) will not keep canabis-only people safe from pigs; (if they smell pot, they can stop you, and search you for other drugs, beat you for non- conpliance, plant evidence, etc.), and
(C) will not stop the ever-growing police state, which is the REAL THREAT to ‘the american way of life’, NOT ‘ARABS and MUSLIMS’, half way around the world.
(D) is totally rediculus; you are going to demand that the gov’t gives back SOME SMALL FRACTION of your constitutional rights that they should never have STOLEN in the first place ?? why fight for a fraction ??
DEMAND ALL RIGHTS BE RESTORED !!
DEMAND THAT ALL LAWS THAT VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION ARE NULL AND VOID !!
DEMAND THE CONSTITUTION BE FOLLOWED FROM NOW ON !!
(E) the fact that the ‘legalization of all-drugs question’ was the most popular question of the poll, shows we are READY FOR IT, NOW, AND NO BABY STEPS ARE NEEDED !!
that’s why prop 19 failed, rediculus BABY STEPS, and over-regulation, instead of FULL legalization !!
alcohol was NOT legalized by BABY STEPS !!
I’m affraid violance is the only answer. Controlled violance like in Egypt. The only thing a bully understands is a good ass whipping. Talking does no good at all. We need serious demonstrations to show the ass holes we mean buisness. Wish it wasn’t like that but that’s life in a democracy, believe it or not. I’m 52 and history proves it.
[Editor’s note: Violence is NEVER the answer to solve a public policy problem.
The ‘bully’ is us in that ‘we the people’ continue to elect anti-Cannabis candidates. Rather than be violent and cede the high moral ground to the government, reformers en mass need to get involved in their liberation by being actively involved in local, state and federal politics. When citizens elect pro-reform candidates, reforms generally happen soon after–all without raising a fist in anger and committing war against one’s brothers in arms.
Power to the peaceful.]
You have obviously never been sent to prison for growing your own medicine like me. I’m ready to hit the streets. I didn’t sighn up for the drug war but l was a P.O.W. of this war. I have the scars from it. I’m ready to give back some pain. I’ve been financially devestated by this war. If peacefull actions worked, it would have been legal long ago. Ron Paul, is he telling the truth or is he pulling the shit over our eyes like that stinking Obama. I’d like to stick a baskett ball up Obama’s ass! ( l only get this mad when l think of what l’ve been through with this F’n drug war ). Voting is the ideal way, but a lot of elections have taken place in my 52 years of life. Hope for the best but be ready for the worst!
[Editor’s note: Two wrongs don’t make a right.]
THIS is the kind of hardline attitude I want to see more of in our movement! Looks like it’s time for another donation.
NORML is awesome for getting people excited and mobilized, but there’s a little too much 1960s optimism and not enough hardline approaches.
Look, intellectually we are in the right. We all know that. Morally we’re not doing anything wrong. Socially we’re not hurting anyone. We all know that.
But you know– look at the gay community. They didn’t improve their situation by saying “hey, being gay doesn’t hurt anybody…” no, they said “we’re here/we’re queer/get used to it” and that is the sort of attitude we need to adopt. This is our lifestyle choice and they have no business trying to stop us.
As one fellow said on Prop 19’s facebook page: putting marijuana users in drug rehab IS the same as sending gay people to straight camp. It doesn’t work, it won’t work, it can’t work. Time to get over it and leave us the hell alone.
Also, while NORML disagrees with what I’m about to say, there is only so much you can push any group of people before they push back. You can hate the cartels for all the collateral damage they cause, but they really ARE our anti-drug war soldiers… even if they are mercenaries just out to make money off of us. You can only push a minority group so far before you start getting a violent reaction.
I agree with EDITOR, Violence can never come into the equation. It is the antihesis of what we are about. Civil rights come through time and legislation. Send your money to NORML…It will help. Help the only organization that has been fighting this fight for 40 years. Send them the money for one sack, and we can keep pushing forward. Save your seeds, hide your weed
“we’re never going to stop smoking marijuana”, well, until you die of throat cancer like Bob Marley & George Harrison did of course: that will stop you. Vaporisers & edibles are expensive, granted, but it’s worth it.
# 190 has a good idea.
“If Not Now, When?”
http://www.truth-out.org/mohamed-elbaradei-if-not-now-when67255
When the president sleeps and dreams, i wonder
I am convinced that Obama refuses to free the slaves, he has nice shoes, and when he is buried next to nixon, he will be easily be forgotten.
While I can totally sympathize with the anger and frustration some of you are feeling, violence is definately not the answer!!! Anyone who commits violence because of marijuana is going to set our movement back about 70 years. The police and politicians will see it as a further excuse to use force and violence against us. Please everyone, stay peaceful and try to change the system by educating people and helping vote out the prohibitionists.
Re:202. Cartels aren’t anybody’s soldiers, they’re killers. And the “collateral damage” (God how I wish we could ban that filthy phrase! It would make Camus and Orwell, to say nothing of the late Carl Sagan, puke!) Shane dismisses are human lives. We should turn the violence in Mexico into an argument for loosening the shackles on Americans who want to cultivate.
@ # 199;
I’m affraid violance is the only answer. Controlled violance like in Egypt. The only thing a bully understands is a good ass whipping. Talking does no good at all. Wish it wasn’t like that.
[Editor’s note: Violence is NEVER the answer…
…’we the people’ continue to elect anti-Cannabis candidates.
..elect pro-reform candidates…
——–
there are ONLY 2 CHOICES;
1. VIOLENCE (which you are against)
2. THIRD PARTIES (which you have spoken against MANY, MANY times, see # 183 above)
the ‘pro-reform candidates’ are GREEN and LIBERTARIAN. (i like green WAY MORE than lib., read their platform)
the dummies(D) and repugnants(R) will never do it, unless FORCED by one of the 2 choices.
@ # 183; [Editor’s note: Q; Has a single issue candidate ever become president?
A; -that is TOTALLY IRREVELANT TO THIS DISCUSSION-
ALL SOCIAL PROGRESS; women’s right to vote, child labor laws, OSHA, the 40-hr. workweek, ‘the new deal’, ending slavery, social security, etc. ALWAYS START AS THIRD PARTY IDEAS.
-name one that hasn’t, you can’t, there are none.
we need the CHANGE a third party brings, even if it does not ‘win’, we don’t need to elect a ‘PRO-POT’ PRESIDENT, who gives us NO CHANGE.
WE HAVE ALLREADY ELECTED 2 PRO-POT PRESIDENTS; carter and kenya (obama), and an ex- (?) coke-head (gWb) WHAT GOOD DID THAT DO US ? none. did they legalize it ? no.
[Editor’s note: Ralph Nader, swinging the election for Bush.
funny that so many people belive things that NEVER HAPPENED.
bush lost the vote, in spite of his obvious cheating (election fraud, with the help of jeb)
THAT’S WHY THEY HAD TO STOP COUNTING the VOTES !
-then, the 5 (republican) supremes HIS DADDY PUT THERE, GAVE IT TO HIM.
AND if nader wasn’t there, the result would be the same.
see what happened in egypt ??
they called out the ARMY,
AND THE ARMY SIDED WITH THE PEOPLE,
-NOT WITH THE POLICE !
Quote from 171 by Brian
Let’s be smart? Sorry buddy, but smart isn’t voting for politicians who might do something their 2nd term, but letting them conduct their 1st term NOT in the best interest of the republic, but in the best interest of their reelection bid.
Unacceptable. YOU need to smarten up.
So Brian: you’re saying it’s smarter to not vote at all? Because you never know exactly what any president will (or will be able) to do before electing them, and any president is a lot more likely to do controversial things in their second term.
You don’t seem to have paid much attention to the point of my post. Namely, that it’s smarter and best for not just President Obama, but also the country, for him not to say anything FOX news and the 24 hour news cycle can use to scare away voters. It takes time to get something like marijuana legalization passed. Even if Obama spent every moment on pot legalization, he wouldn’t be able to do it before the end of his first term. If he doesn’t get a second term, and ANY Republican with a decent shot at the 2012 nomination gets elected instead, our chances at any action on legalization at all over the next FOUR years, at least, diminish greatly.
Would you rather wait another year or so, or another four years or so? Which option is smarter?
It’s easy to say “unacceptable”, because things aren’t as easy and idealized as you want them to be, and because it makes you feel good to act like you know your way around politics better than a president who has proven he knows both how to campaign and how to get results. The fact remains that the route President Obama is taking could actually work, while your naive alternative cannot.
PS: All this “third party” stuff…
For most people, it’s not so much that they WON’T support a third party. It’s that they won’t just support whatever third party suddenly springs up. Honestly, if third parties want to be seen as a credible alternative, it’s their own responsibility to achieve a high enough level of visibility and political acumen. There just don’t seem to be any decent third parties at the moment.
The only way way for real change to happen is with a paradigm shift. We must understand that most of the corporations we support with our dollars everyday are benefiting from and supporting the war on drugs(people). And a “boycott” implies their inferior/toxic products are worth anything. Its all in the packaging/advertising don’t you know.
We must be “above the(ir) influence”
Seed the world!
Know who you give your money to.
I have a question, where will the Rosaparks jail wing be built?
id like to see the population changes in states that may legalize . the states economy as well.i dont see obama doin it… i see the states eventually , individually. he may roll it off on that.i cant see it being done all at once……seems they may do a test state or two.an drag it out for friggen ever.cause many, many people want to use cannabis in freedom and would be willin to go move…..heh.
thanks norml for providing a space for people who enjoy cannabis as well as, those who look for information about its use. it enhances many peoples lives and, those who dont use it need to know those things an hopefully gain much needed support from our state reps. peace to you all…
I now understand the big deal behind keeping it illegal. Do you understand the amount of people that would be saved from horrible ailments like Cancer? The government would never tell you we cured Cancer with marijuana. They want to keep pharmaceutical companies fat with all that money they make. When you can buy a pill here for 60 dollars a shot but in Canada get the same pill for 3 bucks. It is very simple to see who and where the president lies in this situation. With the money folks. I have a terrible disease but with the use of marijuana i feel no longer as if i am on my last days on earth. We need to fight this injustice. I know i will and will be using my buds in continuation of my health.Peace to all of you.
163 Ann
If ya like T-shirts how about
“SHIT OR
GET OFF
THE POT”
on comment 211 the gentleman advocated violence ,the editor said violence is never the answer. we got our independence from great britain with war. and the north and south fought the civil war for civil rights. we fought mexico also. it works occasionally but not often. we will never change our government to a cannabis friendly mode through discussion.
Its amazing how he can speak about it for 3 minutes and say absolutely nothing in direct response to the question. President fail.
Disappointed with Obama…should have known politicians are too spineless to stand up to this issue.
@#203 POT NERO “well, until you die of throat cancer like Bob Marley & George Harrison did of course: that will stop you.” C’mon man, your on Norml’s blog and that supposes that you are a cannabis consumer and supporter and you spout misinformation like that!? You of all people should know that cannabis consumers have lower instances of head and neck cancers even amongst non-smokers. Also Bob Marley did not die of throat cancer he died of cancer that developed on his toe. Do your research, get informed, and stop speaking about things you know nothing about. If all cannabis activists were as educated as you we’d never get this thing legalized. Unfuckingbelievable!!!
Sorry, my above reply was meant for #204 Toby.
My apologies POT NERO.
Some of you aren’t aknowledging the fact that Poloitians almost never answer a question with yes or no, especially a with a sensative subject. If you read between the lines, and listen closely, he gives a hint that he supports changing federal laws on marijuana.
@ # 213; Travis; It takes time to get something like marijuana legalization passed. Even if Obama spent every moment on pot legalization, he wouldn’t be able to do it before the end of his first term.
1. prohibition is blatantlty unconststutional.
2. prohibition is racist and discriminatory.
3. prohibition was based on lies, and requires continued lies, to cover the previous lies.
4. prohibition violates the ‘quality data act’.
therefore, it could be ended in 10 minutes, with an executive order,
IF THAT’S WHAT HE WANTED TO DO.
-HE DOESN’T WANT TO.
@ # 214 Travis; There just don’t seem to be any decent third parties at the moment.
look up the GREEN PARTY, it has been on the ballot in all 50 states for many years, is 100 % pro-cannabis, and has many other good things on their platform. (like health care and a living wage for workers)
@ # 214 Travis; Honestly, if third parties want to be seen as a credible alternative, it’s their own responsibility to achieve a high enough level of visibility.
all major media are money hungry whores,
and if they let a third party buy even $10,000 of ad time, the major parties would threaten to pull MILLIONS of dollars of ads.
ross perot, a millionaire, was unable to buy ad time at ANY price.
the ‘2 party system’ and the major media are on the same ‘team’. (the big money team)
THAT IS EXACTLY WHY WE NEED A THIRD PARTY; THEY ARE NOT PART OF THE TOTALLY CONTROLLED SYSTEM.
power ALWAYS CORRUPTS.
corruption ALWAYS grows over time.
you CAN’T VOTE AWAY CORRUPTION,
when the corrupt COUNT THE VOTES,
and electronic machines switch your vote.
I voted for Obama. He will not get a second vote from me.
I think the main problem is there are so many people who do smoke pot behind the scenes, but vote it down because of the stigma that comes with being associated with pot.
It’s High Time for a 100 Million Marijuana March, because that’s how many people there probably are that are in favor of full legalization. Time to Rally. If there was the biggest smoke-in ever in Washington, what would they do, arrest everybody?
228 Fireweed
100 million is a conservative number. Just by the polls it’s 50% in favor of full legalization – out of 308 million population. If you extract minors [small children} the number should increase drastically. You’re absolutely right – it’s absolutely time – without delay – to show prohibs [not tell them] – “We mean business!” The word is “Dharna.”
WE THE PEOPLE NEED TO HOLD A RALLY IN DC ON 4/20/2011 . IF JOHN STEWART HAD A BIG TURNOUT, JUST IMAGINE WHAT THE 420 COMMUNITY COULD ACCOMPLISH. JUST THE SHEER NUMBER OF PEOPLE WOULD SPEAK VOLUMES. NORML SHOULD TRY AND HELP MAKE THIS HAPPEN!
[Editor’s note: 1) Congress is not in session the third week of April, so any mass gatherings in favor of cannabis law reform in the nation’s capital are symbolically protesting to no one 2) The week of April 20th the city of Denver is hosting the 40th annual national NORML conference.]
quote from GREEN MAN:
1. prohibition is blatantlty unconststutional.
2. prohibition is racist and discriminatory.
3. prohibition was based on lies, and requires continued lies, to cover the previous lies.
4. prohibition violates the ‘quality data act’.
1. I agree that keeping pot illegal is probably unconstitutional. The Supreme Court is more suited to
acting on that than President Obama. There are other issues to worry about besides marijuana. I doubt President Obama (or any other president) would be willing to throw their chances at re-election away to solve an issue that, while possibly on the agenda, is not near the top of the agenda. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to legalize pot. It just means he doesn’t want it to be the last thing he does before being voted out of office. I think the country is better off for President Obama’s stewardship and I do not support him wasting his chances of re-election on this single issue.
2. Racist? It’s illegal to smoke pot no matter what color or ethnicity you are. Perhaps some races get persecuted and busted more, but that is a law enforcement issue. The laws are not written to say that some groups can consume marijuana while others cannot. Let’s not muddy the issue with this kind of drivel. This isn’t about racism. Every single person I know who has been busted is white. Everyone suffers because of pot being illegal, not just some races.
3. It is largely based on lies. What’s your point? How is that a relevant response to my post? Did I say the argument for why pot is illegal was a sound one? Don’t think so.
4. Then, once again, it is the Supreme Court’s duty to take up cases pertaining to that.
from GREEN MAN:
look up the GREEN PARTY, it has been on the ballot in all 50 states for many years, is 100 % pro-cannabis, and has many other good things on their platform. (like health care and a living wage for workers)
I’ve heard of the Green Party, I just have never heard of them actually winning an election, or accomplishing much of anything. I am not going to support a party that has zero chance of winning. I am not going to hand the election to Republicans that way. I’m glad the Green Party is pro-cannabis, but that is not the only thing I care about, and it doesn’t matter if they never win. I don’t claim to know exactly how they can reach voters better, but if they have been around for such a long time, they should be figuring it out for themselves by now. Instead, they seem to be spinning their wheels.
from GREEN MAN:
ross perot, a millionaire, was unable to buy ad time at ANY price.
That’s funny, because I remember seeing Ross Perot ads, as well as the lengthy broadcast he bought himself, which featured many different forms of charts explaining his positions. He still lost because not enough people considered him to be a credible candidate.
WTF!!!! Who is this guy asking about ALL drugs??? We talking about cannabis here, not LSD, Who picked this guy to ask the wrong fucking question? NORML, im sorry, you should have been the one asking the right question.
Im down with Machete, we should find the list of all these companies and boycott them all.
O.K. Genesis – You’ve convinced me!
Although I am a “strong believer” of separation of church and state, government has far over-stepped its bounds to prohibit a Sacrament. Not only that – but – prohibs have defied the Constitution of this great land with the mendacity only evil can match.
I am a Catholic. I guess that would make me a Catholic Genesist. I respect all Sacraments.
Rebel with a Cause.
Los Angeles Colony
I too am unhappy with the President’s response. Nevertheless; his election has made so much possible. That is, we can now begin to make these changes ourselves. Vote Obama out? With what???!! Who would replace Obama to our favor? Sarah Palin? Huchabee? These people would have us in concentration camps for holding pro-legalization views. A better strategy I believe is to get better control over State governments. Put the federal government more on the spot with increased liberalization.
Travis – I agree with you that pot should be legalized. I made that abundantly clear in my post. Here is my direct quote – “Legalization is a separate issue – I support it fully.” The danger of buying pot illegally outweighs any moral issues presented by the anti pot people. You should read the full post before you respond.
But I still pose the most obvious question which no one has yet to answered. Why in the world would you risk smoking something that carries with it potential fine, jail time, job loss, money, … if you didn’t have to? Meaning, if you can achieve the same feeling through legal means, why would you do it illegally? With all due respect, I don’t buy that worn out argument that pot smokers “don’t believe in allowing their freedom to be infringed upon by unjust, nonsensical law”. There are about 1 zillion nonsensical unjust law in the books that you can pick on. Stem cell, deportation of hard working immigrants, gay marriage, insider trading, corporate bonuses, hedge fund cheaters, … the list goes on. Than there’s poverty, human trafficking, child abuse, elderly abuse, child labor, Taliban treatment of women, … all issues that are much more important than your right to smoke a joint. So why are you so compassionate about this one? Trust me – you’re fighting for this cause because you want to smoke a joint. You know it, I know it, and everyone knows it. So just own up to it. I agree with you that pot should be legalized. But it really would not be that important to you if you can achieve the same high through other means. Common sense … really.
Don – I agree with you 100%. The risk of buying from an illegal dealer is a reason enough to legalize pot. But realistically, how many people grow their own pot? Even if they get it from a “friend”, where did their “friend” get it from? So the argument that should be presented to Obama is that it is simply too dangerous to keep pot illegal. Lord knows what people are *really* smoking. They think they’re smoking pot – but what did the “dealer” put in to increase the weight for a higher profit margin? Nobody knows …
As far as only 1 in a million being able “enjoy” life without smoking pot – you know well as I that 1 in a million is a fabricated number to justify your addiction. There are plenty of people who are ecstatic about their life without purchasing an illegal substance. People do yoga, they eat good food, travel, have sex, hang out with good friends, find a soul mate, they ski, go dancing, play sports, read a good book, enjoy opera, movies … the list goes on – and the list is extremely large. Honestly, I think people smoke pot because it’s an easy way to “enjoy” life without putting in all that much effort. You just stick it in your mouth and puff. No skill required – anybody can do it. Frankly, it’s nothing to be proud of. It’s not like you learned a new skill – like playing a piano – for instance.
@ # 232; Racist? It’s illegal to smoke pot no matter what color or ethnicity you are. Let’s not muddy the issue with this kind of drivel.
and it is illegal for millionaires to sleep under bridges, or on park benches, just like it is for the homeless. the law is the same for all.
but millionaires don’t need to, so they never get arrested for it. just the homeless do.
rich whites can get just as high on prescription drugs as poor blacks can on crack rocks, and they don’t get arrested and jailed for it, do they ? no. not even if they CAUSE a car accident, prescription drugs are no cause for police concern. but if a black is at fault in a car accident, the first thing they will do is search for drugs.
the majority of pot users are white, the majority of pot prisioners are black / hispanic. this is very well documented.
and when it was passed, in 1936, the majority of pot users were ex-slave blacks they wanted a way to keep power over, and mexicans they didn’t want ‘taking our jobs’. and in california, there was a law making opium illegal FOR CHINESE, ONLY. prohibition initially was like a ‘jim crow’ law.
@ # 232; It is largely based on lies. What’s your point?
It is 100 % based on lies.
the point is, if it was only passed by way of deliberate deception, (lies) the legal term for that is FRAUD, and therefore; THE LAW IS INSTANTLY INVALID, THE MOMENT IT IS PASSED.
(just like a contract for murder is INSTANTLY INVALID, the moment it is signed)
if they had said: we have this new plan; ‘drug prohibition’, and it will never work, will cost many, many $$ millions, and will make the problem 100 times worse, destroy respect for police, shred the constitution, increase police corruption, etc.,
there would be NO WAY IT WOULD PASS, therefore; THE LAW IS ALLREADY INVALID, IT JUST NEEDS TO BE OFFICIALLY ACKNOWLEDGED AS SUCH, WITH AN EXECUTIVE ORDER.
@ # 232; third party; I am not going to support a party that has zero chance of winning.
(that’s a self-fufilling prophecy; with no support, of course, there is no chance)
the 2-party system has spent millions $$, telling you not to ‘throw your vote away’, on a third party.
WHY ?? THIRD PARTIES ARE WHAT THEY FEAR !!
-and when you vote ‘realistically’, for the lesser of 2 evils, that really IS ‘throwing it away’.
@ # 232; ross perot, a millionaire, was unable to buy ad time at ANY price.
That’s funny, because I remember seeing Ross Perot ads, as well as the lengthy broadcast he bought himself, which featured many different forms of charts explaining his positions.
YES !! HE EXPLAINED HIMSELF SO CLEARLY, SO SUCINCTLY, SO HONESTLY, LIKE WE HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE, THAT HIS SUPPORT WAS GROWING VERY NICELY, and BUILDING MOMENTUM,
-AND THAT SCARED THE SHIT OUT OF THEM !!
SO THEY -not only- STOPPED SELLING HIM AIRTIME,
they also RETURNED HIS MONEY FOR WHAT HE HAD ALLREADY BOUGHT, BUT HADN’T YET USED,
AND KEPT HIM OUT OF THE DEBATES, even though a MAJORITY of those polled, of both parties, wanted him there.
the lengthy broadcast ended up being his last one, and it was still very early in the campaign.
@237 Holly Kudla: I think you misunderstood what I said in my post. I never said only one in a million couldn’t enjoy life without smoking pot! I said: ” I go back to smoking it because I like it – no other reason and getting high naturally must be wonderful for that 1 in a million people that can actually do it”. I think there is a difference between enjoying life and being naturally high. You’re right that I just chose that number though; just to make my point…
That said, you’re right about getting high not being something that anyone should be proud of. I’m not proud of it but I enjoy it and there is nothing wrong with that. I am proud that I am not one of the close-minded people who insist on keeping the archaic and often brutal laws the way they are; like David Albo, a Virginia representative. He clearly stated that he has no interest in decriminalizing marijuana… Yeah – some representative he is! I am proud and confident that I am doing the right thing by trying to help get it legalized; or at least decriminalized.
By the way, I’m an ex-marine and received an honorable discharge. I also am learning to speak Japanese since I care for my Okinawan Mother in Law. I also continue to study mathematics, physics, and love space science and nature documentarys. Yes, all this and more from someone who enjoys smoking pot!
238 green @ #232; third party; “I’m not going to support a party that has zero chance of winning.”
Maybe that’s why the last place team in any sport is in last place. Good thing the Tea Party doesn’t agree with that line of thought. We stand up for what we believe in – and – we’re willing to fall where we stand. By the way – Ross Peroit was threatened by an undisclosed element, to disrupt his daughter’s wedding and/or more. But- you’re pretty much on the money. Keep up the good posts.
Rebel
Genesis
Los Angeles Colony
wouldent it be easier to go out and protest or march for it , everyone blogs and comments but to this day the only real protest have been old footage of the 60,s . you get a million people all marching on capital hill and there wont be a single news station who isnt airing it out there , informing the people , even the networks who oppose it will have to air it , good old fastion marches , bring on the hoses and dogs and rubber bullets , do what we have to do .
Don – no, I did not misunderstood what you said. Every single person out there has in them the ability to get high without the assistance of illegal substance. It just takes a little effort. But in our instant gratification society, most of us tend to take the easy way out. And there is nothing easier than smoking a joint. Absolutely no skill required except an ability to inhale. That being said, I got nothing against you getting high if it makes you feel better. I also like the fact that you don’t buy it illegally – because, as you know, if you buy it illegally – not only do you put your health at risk because you really don’t know what the drug dealers have put in your pot – but you’re directly supporting the drug cartel. That means you would be directly responsible for creating the underground drug world in the inner cities that is keeping the disadvantaged segments of our society in a place where they really should not be.
In short – legalization is absolutely critical and I believe if you can explain to Obama, as well as the population as a whole that :
A) by keeping pot illegal, we’re forcing the pot smokers to purchase the drugs illegally. That means no oversight, no nutritional label on the product, no FDA regulations … that means nobody really knows what the heck they’re smoking. Only thing they know about the pot they’re smoking is that it came from a “criminal” who is trying to make a profit by doing something that is still technically “illegal”. Think about that … Do you really think they’re concerned about your health?
B) by keeping pot illegal, we’re creating an illegal drug underworld where 13 year old inner city youths are hired as a runner to deliver pot to local frat parties and universities. In short, pot smokers with their illegal purchases are directly contributing to the juvenile delinquency in our inner cities.
Nothing good can come from keeping pot illegal. We have to legalize it – we simply have no other option.
Also, I’m impressed with all your achievements. But imagine what you could’ve done if you didn’t smoke pot. You’d probably have 2 or 3 nobel prizes by now. As an ex pot smoker – I know for a fact that smoking pot makes you not care about lots of things in life. It really does feel good. But trust me – you can achieve the same high through other means …
But if you have to smoke pot – please – either grow your own or make 100% sure that it came from a safe source. For medical pot smokers, you should be fine.
What did you expect from a man who has broken every campaign promise he made?
Isn’t it ironic? He continues to this day to support a policy that ruins peoples lives for the same things he has admitted doing in his past.
He’s just another smooth talking politician, hypocrite that”s only focused on his own agenda.
i pledge my self in every way i will shoot my self in the head to show the world im willing to give my life my welth and honor to the people of the usa to legalize cannabis we the people are one we say we want it legal i say we over turn the gov we the people need to stand as one and take back are people in 15 years tx will only be 250 years old read rick parry gov of tx read his book i would vot for rick parry if he makes it legal i say we the peopl should just say its leagal and smoke on streets and in front of polica what will thay do but us all in jail i have ms and im dieing i can not work nor im a usefull for any thing but as my last stand i will show the world we can be free to choose to live a life with cannabis growing in are back yards all year round free to smoke free to sell free to buy my name is david harper i make a stand here and suport with my life a solder of cannabis ask of me and i will come or just try to keep me from smoking 420 cannabis for life come and but me in jail my voice is loud i am human i am me i invoke my god given right of free will
so many things to say read the book
fed up by rick perry
252,253 David Harper
Please David – reconsider your will. Far better to use your voice to shoot the prohibs in their empty heads than to turn your gun on yourself. I doubt if they have any concern for a martyr. There are already too many soldiers of cannabis [including dogs] that have died at the hands of the evil army. They will all answer to God. Please David – reconsider. Your life is more important to us than it is to evil doers.
I agree that keeping pot illegal is criminal. It forces the pot smokers to obtain the pot illegally – which results in pot smokers directly supporting the drug cartels and causing all sorts of havoc in our society by supporting the oppression of the inner city youths. A single pot smokers maybe responsible for the murder of some innocent inner city youth trying to make a living by delivering pot. It’s the illegality of the drug that is causing this havoc.
That being said – with all the injustice in this world – oppression of females by the Talibans, legalize rapes and “mercy killing” of females in some arab worlds, child prostitution, child sex trafficking, child labor by Nikes and other bit corporations for the sake of profit, racism, white supremist butchering of the minorities, … YOU want to give up your life for the right to smoke a joint?
Let’s get real. I agree with the other posters. Your life will be better served by supporting our cause to legalize pot as a live person. There’s nothing you can do when dead.
I have read a lot of these comments and a lot of them I agree with but the biggest ones are the ones calling for some kind of march. My thought is that the government just does not know how many of us there is. I agree in the idea of a march on 4/20 but not just in DC I think it should be at the capitol building in every state… Just think about it!
I agree with much of david harper’s comment. I also believe that as taxpaying citizens, we should never have to “ask” our government for anything, but simply demand it. I don’t even smoke pot anymore (not in 15-20 years) but I believe in legalization. Marijuana users are not “criminals”. To waste $10’s of billions yearly to arrest, kidnap, convict & illegally imprison drug users, THAT is criminal. Especially considering that we were never consulted about drug laws. I wish that millions of people would just start smoking pot openly & when arrested, refuse to show up for court. Tie up so much manpower/money in tracking down millions of “criminals”, that the government would have to choose between bankruptcy (or massive tax increases for police/court funding) or legalization. If they chose the 1st option, increase taxes by $100’s of billions, on an already overburdened population, simply to waste it on imprisoning 10’s of millions of non-violent pot smokers, there would be a revolt.