[Update! A slightly edited version of this commentary, entitled ‘If Obama can’t articulate his position on marijuana, why won’t he reconsider it?’, is is now online at The Hill.com’s Congress blog here. Please review and leave your feedback for members of Congress and their staff here.]
Regardless of one’s opinion of President Obama as a political figure, it is hard to deny his skill as an eloquent orator. So it is notable, even newsworthy, when the Commander-in-Chief is publicly at a loss for words.
Such was the case yesterday at a Presidential Town hall in Cannon Falls, Minnesota when a flustered, tongue-tied Obama attempted in vain to explain why his administration continues to oppose efforts to allow for the legal use of cannabis as a doctor-recommended medicine.
Confused? Perhaps this transcript will help to better articulate the President’s position:
Audience member: “If you can’t legalize marijuana, why can’t we just legalize medical marijuana, to help the people that need it?”
Obama: “Well, you know, a lot of states are making decisions about medical marijuana. As a controlled substance, the issue then is, you know, is it being prescribed by a doctor, as opposed to, you know — well — — I’ll — I’ll — I’ll — I’ll leave it at that.”
And leave it at that he did.
It is curious that President Obama — someone who is use to speaking extemporaneously in public — could not articulate one single legitimate reason (nor could his former Press Secretary) why his administration believes in continuing the federal ban on marijuana, including the use of medical marijuana for ill patients. Obama’s failure to communicate becomes even more surprising when one considers that within just the past few weeks, high-profile members of the Obama administration have publicly put forward several alleged ‘justifications’ for why the federal government ought to be in the business of denying medical marijuana to sick people.
For instance, the White House’s 2011 National Drug Control Strategy, released in July, devoted an entire section to rebuffing the notion of cannabis’ use as a legitimate therapy, stating:
Marijuana and other drugs are addictive and unsafe, especially for use by young people. Unfortunately, efforts to “medicalize” marijuana have widened the public acceptance and availability of the drug.
There is no substitute for the scientific approval process employed by the FDA. For a drug to be made available to the public as medicine, the FDA requires rigorous research followed by tests for safety and efficacy. Only then can a substance be classified as medicine and prescribed by qualified health care professionals to patients.
In the wake of state and local laws that permit distribution of “medical” marijuana, dozens of localities have been left to grapple with poorly written laws that bypass the FDA process and allow marijuana to be used as a so-called medicine. … Outside the context of federally approved research, the use and distribution of marijuana is prohibited in the United States.
In addition, less than one-month ago, Obama’s hand-picked DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart formally denied a nine-year-old petition calling on the agency to initiate hearings to reassess the present classification of marijuana as a schedule I controlled substance without any ‘accepted medical use in treatment.’ Leonhart’s justification, as stated in in the July 8, 2011 edition of the Federal Register:
[Cannabis possesses] a high potential for abuse; … no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States; … [and] lacks accepted safety for use under medical supervision. … [T]here are no adequate and well-controlled studies proving its efficacy; the drug is not accepted by qualified experts. … At this time, the known risks of marijuana use have not been shown to be outweighed by specific benefits in well-controlled clinical trials that scientifically evaluate safety and efficacy.
So if the Obama administration is willing to make such allegations in writing, then why is the President afraid to own up to and repeat these claims in public? Likely because he, like a majority of Americans, are aware that there isn’t a shred of scientific support for the administration’s ‘Flat Earth’ position.
So if the President of the United States can’t publicly articulate why we continue to arrest over one-half million Americans each year for possessing marijuana, then why are we as a nation continuing to engage in this destructive and illogical policy?
One look at the ONDCP report and you see what we’re up against and why Obama just wants to avoid the whole thing. The depth and elaborate complexity of the ONDCP prohibition belief system is daunting. These folks have been hard at work every day constructing their orthodoxy for decades. Unwinding them and our Federal government from the status quo has proven and will continue to prove nearly impossible.
With all that’s gone on, the politics have gotten much trickier, and for Obama, heading into an election year it’s better to say nothing either side can freak out about. National level politics often means allowing bad status quos to continue when the issue is a matter important to only millions as opposed to tens of millions of people. Even as polls show a pretty evenly divided country regarding legalization and majorities for “medical” use, it remains too easy to get tangled in political seaweed if a President tries wading in.
For example, the world of the FDA and medicine is a world of isolated compounds and labs, science, testing etc. The fact is that cannabis is used mainly as an unrefined plant creates all kinds of problems. It probably wouldn’t be so much that way if the plant wasn’t already loaded with so much cultural and thus political baggage. I imagine there are dozens of plants and herbs used in say, Chinese medicine that are quite potent and can easily be harmful to health if used improperly but they aren’t illegal. Until we get people in the Federal government to unwrap their minds from their rigid, inflexible “drugs are specific compounds in dosed pills” ideas, herbal pot is going to “tilt” their brains.
Same questions different state. Notice a pattern yet?
He is speechless because HE KNOWS THE TRUTH.
I have finally come around to the fact that Ron Paul is electable, and he is the only candidate from any party would would actually command the DEA to allow research into medical marijuana.
I will vote for Paul. Bye bye, BO!
He can’t tell the truth Fire his ass at the next election. He is a worthless leader that is all lip service. He isn’t for the people just the corporation. I have no respect for people like him who just lie their way through life. Follow the dam Constitution Obama and get your head out of your A**.
FDA you’ve been in the “business” of safe guarding consumers, yeah right, for over 100 years and you still remain quiet on this issue? Their is a word for industries such as yourselves. SELL OUTS! The same FDA that allows the use of Marinol? The same FDA that can’t seem to give anyone a straight answer on who it is exactly that they work for? The same FDA that allows the continuation of toxic pills to be administered to those seeking relief only to become addicted/degraded or die from the toxicity? WTF?! FDA you better start shaping up or the next thing you’ll know is the company that started out for the people, usually does, has evolved into a corporate safe, usually does, for certain industries that only aided in your demise from a once credible administration. If you cannot find it within yourselves to allow this beneficial commodity known as cannabis to be utilized then I’m afraid that everything that you’ve worked so hard to create will be in vain. Yes the issue of cannabis IS that big. It can make or it can break you. This could save the FDA and give you a chance to regain the consumers confidence in your abilities in safe guarding the consumers. You don’t think people will respect that?! From that point you could re-establish and re-invent completely. I guess what you have to ask yourself is, are you compliant with the way things are or are you going to re-instate the FDA to it’s once proud affiliation by proving that it does stand by it’s promise to those that it “supposedly” protects? Does this sound familiar? It should. You might say that you’re protecting us to this day, and I would agree to a point. Why doesn’t it feel like it then?
Don’t get me started on Leonhart. “I get paid to lie and guess what your tax dollars pay my salary and benefits thanks.” Are you serious!? This is who the president allows to speak for him in matters dear to his constituents? Their should be no wonder why some are upset with BHO. He can’t even speak for himself. He has everyone else DO it or WRITE it. The messenger is not only held accountable for his/her words/actions but for the words/actions of those that he/she professes/represents. Unlike the voter when he/she elects someone to represent them and is given the cold shoulder, from the top down it is solidified through acts of “self” interested fact analysis based on an unsubstantial foundation. If these words are misguided or misinformed then it should come as no surprise to the resistance that it faces. Personally, I do like BHO but I have to admit that I’m disappointed when it comes to the issue of cannabis and the “self interest” that is derived from no FACTS to which its illegality should be in question. I don’t believe in coincidence. Please Mr. President we can’t do this without you.
its wrong to lock ppl. up for marijuana no matter medical or not this has to change
Please..more apt..the man reads a good teleprompter…
The BS keeps stacking up. A plant that kills no one.
that is not addictive and can enhance the lives of millions who are suffering from illness and the effects of so called modern medicine. The greatest country on earth doesn’t give a damn about the dying
and suffering of its people and actively punishes them
with grotesque sentences. definition of capitalism, a society motivated by profits at the price human life.
when will be move past the ignorance and began to succeed to a more humanistic society. Medical marijuana will not solve all my health problems but it will enhance the quality of life to a point where I might become productive again, please get involved
free god plant of peace
It makes you wonder where his money is coming from and what those that provide that money are telling him to do about this issue. It goes without saying they do not want to see legal cannabis in any form.
Bubble gum has a high risk of abuse… there are no known scientific benefit to its use. However if used as prescribed will make you feel better. This administration is blind and in the land of the blind the one eyed man is King!
Beer and Whiskey sales would plummet, Pill Companies and the Police Agencies would have to be reassigned to other departments. The Feds are ADDICTED
Beer and Whiskey sales would plummet, Pill Companies and the Police Agencies would have to be reassigned to other departments. The Feds are ADDICTED to the enormous amount of money being paid to them just for saying no! I’m starting to feel like a broken record………..
first there is no such thing as “medical” marijuana there is only marijuana so for those who want medical marijuana legalized its not ever going to happen. how can you legalize something that does not exist, you cant so forget medical marijuana and legalize recreational marijuana because it actually exists
I wonder why?
I laughed out loud so hard for them saying the FDA has to go through rigorous research and so on first before saying something is healthy for us and yet they have allowed Corn Syrup as a sweetener, the single item to begin and affect most of our entire country’s obesity epidemic, Hydrogenated Oils as a fat, even though it causes 100,000 deaths a year it is so obscenely unhealthy for our bodies, and has labeled MSG as a “natural flavor” and allows its use as a “spice” or taste enhancer when it is a neurotoxin the practically tricks our mind in liking the food we’re eating and crave eating it more. I’m sorry, but the FDA does NOT go through intense research before allowing things through. And don’t even get me started on the IOM…
I am the person who asked this question in Cannon Falls, MN. I was in a car accident in 1999, leaving me in chronic pain, headaches everyday that make you cry. I like many other people in chronic pain think that we should have the option of medical marijuana, how much worse can it be for a person than prescribed opiates? That is why I tried to address this issue in hopes of getting more debates started. I can only hope if anything it gets the debate going in MN, and becomes legal in this state as it is in 13 other states, and then maybe we can get more states to legalize,and hopefully soon make marijuana completely legal all over the U.S. Marijuana is a much safer drug than alcohol, and has been proven to have medical qualities.
[Paul Armentano responds: Thank you for standing up and asking this important question in such a high profile public forum. Your question, and the President’s inarticulate response, further exposes to the masses the bankruptcy of the federal government’s prohibitive marijuana policies.]
Come on Obama, Sir! Do you know what a legend you will be if you legalize hemp growing, and medicinal cannabis as well? It is time, be progressive and get it done.
Listen people…I am proud of movements such as NORML and SAFER and so on. The views on marijuana finally is shifting and it is because of you guys. But I am on the verge to put an ultimatum to the government…
“If you do not want to even hear us, if you so bltantly ignore the science and continue with your warmongering ways, the consumers of the world will unite. We will BOYCOT the entire system, we will begin to grow faster than you can burn down, we will multiply faster than you can incarcerate. We will drop seeds in every garden, on every plain, and grow in every basement we can find. We do not support organized crime and we do not support your drug policy.
People of the world…it’s time to get revolutionary. It’s time to grow your own pot, stop purchasing completely. Make cell groups, support networks and slash 60% of the cartels income. Make it impossible for the government to shut us down. We know that Marijuana is not evil, we know it benefits the mind the soul and the body. We know that this plant can help us out of the economic struggles. We know that Marijuana can save the forests and feed the world. We know that we can grow our own medicine, harvest our own recreation.
We are the children of Earth, we are the advocates of liberty…we are those who will no longer sit idle and wait for political debate…we are Guerilla farmers of the world and we had enough.
There is nothing you can do to stop us, we are more than you and we are angry. It is no longer about a simple plant, it is about the misrepresentation of the people, it is the abuse of power, it is the enrichment of the greedy and creation of ignorance.
Your Propoganda falls on deaf ears and your strategy is failing. Soon and very soon there will be nothing you can do to stop us. We are One…We are Many…We are Free!
Why is this not in any other news outlet? You are just preaching to the choir.
[Paul Armentano responds: So is it your belief that NORML should not report on this? By discussing this on our blog we are bringing far greater attention to this matter. BTW, several mainstream media outlets, such as the Chicago Sun Times, have reported on this already.]
The DEA is the problem..CATCH 22..no scientific studies because the DEA refuses to let any studies be done. However there has been numerous studies done on cannabis all over the world and all have found no addiction problems, is the safest natural substance with no side effects, is not a gateway drug, the human body along with other mammals all have cannabis receptors..i could go on but we all know the facts. We all know where the problem lies, the DEA. They always bring up the protect the children crap…the only way to “protect the children” is to legalize and tax just like alcohol,,just sayin’…VOTE RON PAUL 2012
It’s funny to me that they say marijuana is highly addictive. Even if it is (which I strongly disagree), there are legal drugs like alcohol, cigarettes, and sleeping pills that are highly addictive and yet still legal! I don’t understand the hypocrisy!
Can you get Paul Krugman, a nobel prize winner, and Robert Reich to take up the subject of cannabis legalization? One step farther than Milton Friedman, and to be taken more seriously than Milton Fridman was, as Friedman was considered a libertarian rather than a democrat or liberal, to say the least. A lot of other birds need to chime in and chirp in support of Paul and Robert, and their support should be garnered beforehand for it to be properly orchestrated.
Obama is going to run unopposed in the primary. Register right now as a republican just to vote for Ron Paul in the republican primary. Then vote blue in the generals if you wish. It can’t hurt to have an anti-drug-war and anti-war candidate run against Obama to put the pressure on him, even if you would never vote for Paul in the generals.
“No substitute for the scientific approval process employed by the FDA” ??? Umm, marijuana has been used as medicine for over 2500 years- how long has the FDA been around?? The FDA is a US agency – marijuana has been in use World wide. I think history proves marijuana’s medicinal uses as well as it’s many industrial uses. The hemp plant was brought over from Europe and was instrumental in the growth of America as a country. Wake up Obama! Wake up Washington! We the People demand freedom of choice!!
I thought that Obama had an open mind but yet again lobbying wins.. I wonder if his political presidential run is funded by larger corporations like big pharmacy companies.. No medicinal value is a load of shit and he knows it that is why the man stuttered.. he knows about the medicinal patents and yet he still doesn’t want to hold up to the first black president and the first to regulate marijuana.. sad that we are being held back by a person who doesn’t want to be known to regulate marijuana.. I guess being black is more politically appealing..
Would someone please take a private plane and drop canabis seeds in every public waterway in every city. I would like to see some agency attempt to destroy them with the shrinking budgets and manpower.
well…I’ll…I’ll…I’ll…have to legalize it. There’s no reason not to. I’d smoke myself if it was legal.
Cannabis/”marijuana” is not a “DRUG”, thus it is not a surprise that the Obama administration as well as every administration other than Pres. jimmy Carter had difficulty explaining/justifying criminalization of a plant, with therapeutic, recreational, and safer use than current legally available “FDA Approved Drugs” (i.e. tobacco), and current legally available euphorics like alcohol.
Cannabis isn’t a drug, as a plant that grows naturally or is cultivated, however like many plants, as proven by US patents, cannabis can provide very effective drugs when processed in a lab. The President is in no position to explain pharmaceutical formulations of cannabis, nor is he able to explain why the plant itself is prohibited, as the plant itself is not a drug. It is an herb used for thousands of years, and made fictionally prohibitive only since 1937. No justification exists to continue prohibition as no just reason exists to banning it in the first place, let alone treat the plant as a drug.
It is yet one more facet of a broken government, it’s continuing pig-headedness about recognizing the obvious, solutions to what’s not right.
“Damn the torpedoes”, but that ship is not the enemy… admit they were wrong??? They should.
Is President Obama’s ignorance with regards to cannabis going to effect voters in 2012 – damn right it will.
In the Primary I’m voting Ron Paul… and when he wins the Republican nomination, I’m voting for him for President. Which is too bad, because other than his ignorance and lack of spine regarding cannabis, I think he is the Best president since Jimmy carter, and that says a lot from me!!!
He knows that what he says will be false,and he knows everyone else knows it to be false,so he doesn’t say it.
Well I’m thinking the canibis issue will become bigger in 2012 pres election. If one of the gop or ron paul starts talkin about it favorbly, obama going have some splaining to do on his stance.
Then we will see how elecquenly he speaks of it.
We need harm reduction legislation in every country on earth,better drug policy as soon as possible.
If the effects of the law are worse to society then the substance itself.
We need change.
Change must come from within, not from overseas.
We need to care about the less fortunate one’s in our community’s as well.
Law’s should be based on facts and research not on A drug free utopia that remains in some poorly informed legislators mind like for example Mr. Costa U.N. Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Director-General of the United Nations Office in Vienna (UNOV).
Prohibition will never work.
We should take action when law’s based on misinformation harm society.
“America is the best place in the world to live in”
“Europe is the best place in the world to live in”
” X is the best place in the world to live in”
This is not the case for the users and their friends and families who get affected by drug prohibition law’s.
The worst is that these law’s stigmatize the use of some substances, for example: Cannabinoïds, these can have great medicinal values and have far less side effects then the non organic remedies for allot of deceases and symptoms. In some cases even reducing the growth of cancer cells.
But who am I, to speak like a child prodigy,
I still experience it, this here is a struggle.
Nobody is laughing.
Start packing up Obama, because you are about to leave the White House on November 2012.
We are beginning to get official clarification of this term. A California judge has recently ruled that marijuana is not an agricultural crop. If you are at a candidate’s gathering, ask them this question:
The federal definition of marijuana is a 104 word tautology. Will you endorse this simple definition of marijuana which actually shows respect for our Constitution?
16. The term ‘marijuana’ means all parts
of the smoke produced by the combustion
of the plant Cannabis sativa L.
For more information, google Talking Points for the Peloton.
After seeing this, I really doubt Obama wants to keep medicinal marijuana banned. You gotta wonder what hidden pressures (such as pharmaceutical companies) Obama faces that push him to keep marijuana illegal despite his personal beliefs.
If they legalized it, are you aware of how hard that would hit the Federal Budget? Unfortunately the more they stock up on man power the more their shooting themselfs in the foot in the future. More job loss, more poverty. We need a compromise for adjustment. Thats where state rights should be involved. Those developments allow for the slow transition the goverment needs to make. There fighting for nothing but selfish reasons.
Ok,For one young people are already using it and have an extremely easy time getting it off the streets.Not approved for public use? I don’t think they got the memo,It’s already being used by the public.Yea that’s right,Million of people are using it…Second,Unsafe and addictive? they better be thinking about making alcohol illegal again….And last but not least,They always have some exscuse/reason for not looking at the laws close enough…For example,The war in iraq,Then it’s the us Economy(Which would be boosted,Even if only slightly by legalizing marijuana.).They always have some excuse,some reason and there always will be.Even if they have to make up new excuses to cover their asses.
You know what i think,I think the US is bringing in the illegal drugs and then bringing in both the profits from the drugs/Arrest fines and then reselling the drugs they seized.Call me crazy,but it’s definitely possible.
I think the Presidents next words were going to be… ” well you know, a drug dealer” lol but the ironic and funny part about it is doctors are like drug dealers with degrees.
The simple fact that cannabis has never been confirmed as a primary contributor to any overdose death should speak for itself. It’s totally congruent that its safety, in addition to its medical efficacy, is markedly more bewildering, and appeasing, than any other fact about cannabis — in my opinion.
If the medical marijuana patients were the Federal Government of the United States, Uncle Scam would of been dropping hoards of bombs on those violating their basic fundamental human rights of medical essentiality of use of a beneficial medicine to help ease their suffering from certain physical ailments.
YOU know I’ll-I’ll-I’ll-leave it at that the President has short term memory loss when it comes to marijuana. HE did’nt have enough time to spew out lies about MARIJUANA PROHIBITION and back up the 21ST CENTURY INQUISITORS. This time the cat got his tongue, but don’t give him a bone, give him a big bud to toke on so he can get back to reality. The only high potential for abuse is MARIJUANA PROHIBITION and DRACONIAN LAWS and the erosion of our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. President Obama, take a look on the other side of the fence and you will see that the grass is greener. The NEW GREEN INDUSTRY is here to help the American people get back to work. If the FDA is so rigorous at approving BIG PHARMA DRUGS, why are peoples lives being taken and hurt by side effects? In the name of science or greed.
America is addicted to WAR!!!
Pathetic. No wonder Obama is dropping in the polls. He was an outspoken supporter of drug law reform when running for office and now seems to be a tool of the DEA. No wonder he stammered when trying to answer this question. Let’s keep asking questions and keep him in the hot seat.
So many promises made… so many promises broken. Obama talked the talk, but he’s been tripping and falling on his face trying to walk the walk. Our president, a former cannabis user by his own admission, can’t even muster up the balls to answer a question as easy at that was. He’s so hung up on setting this good example that he refuses to tell the truth. Mr. President, WE KNOW the states are doing something about it. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?!?!?!!!
Can we un-elect him now? I want my vote back. 😛
I am not voting again for this man. Largely, because of this one issue. There is something wrong about his character. Either that, or he plays a good politician, with both sides of the spectrum. I first noticed it with his stance on same-sex marriage. Early on, he was for it. Then, would slowly back away from the issue, until it became more accepted in places like New York. I believe the same will happen with pot. Once over 50% of the U.S has medical marijuana, his opinion might start swaying the other way.
Paul, you nailed it. Thank you! If Obama had a shred of wisdom and back bone, he would stop this madness and insanity. They keep repeating the same steps over and over as if they are going to get a different result this time versus the last all while we pay for them to do this to us. It really makes you wonder who is running the country, or who is control. It has to be legalized, that is the only real solution. Jobs will come from this I truly believe.
Not that McLame would have been any better, but “How’s that hope & changey thing working out for you?”
Like I said before, he has more important things to focus on and If he was to focus on legalizing weed, it would take time away from his tasks. Just give it time, once the economy gets better and everything is back on track, he will start to focus on it.
marijuana is a really helpful in treatment, completely natural. Medical Marijuana is one of the ways to know whether it might be good for you.
Dear NORML,
Since Ron Paul is the only presidential hopeful that supports cannabis legalization, will you endorse him? He is our white knight!
[Editor’s note: NORML does not endorse presidential primary candidates from any political party. NORML does not endorse presidential candidates in general. The last time the organization endorsed a presidential candidate was Jimmy Carter in 1976 (as Governor of Georgia he publicly supported decriminalizing cannabis and claimed he would do the same if elected president. Which he did on August 2, 1977…).]
Dear People,
While our country continues to fall back into the 50’s, our leaders, the media, and gov regulators continue to blow huge smoke ring up our kiesters, while the truth about cannabis will never be discovered under fed clinical trials because they know they’ll loose their case against it! Last night a chest of mediacl tins of well documented pharmacopia plants was shown on antiques roadshow! From trash to treasure! Over a hundred yrs old. 288 to be exact! Cannabis was included! The first ever pharmacopia books from china (1000 yrs old) n our own country have pot listed the first as a medical plant! I can’t take their lies anymore! Pot should be legal n regulated! It is safer than asprin, soda, n and cheese burgers people! This is the single worst discrimination since gays, blacks, n womens right to vote! Wake up before we r all slaves again!
Money?
Our wayward government has cross the line into being an evil tyrant run government seeking profit at the cost of lives. Freedom and liberty are dead the movement we stop pushing for those things. Our government cares not for liberty or freedom, their interest lie in making every citizens a slave. You can be sheep if you want, this government will slaughter you just the same. The American Dream is a nightmare at the least. Corporations have more rights then any human being in this land of slavery.
People need to keep asking President Obama this/similar questions. The schedule 1 status for cannabis makes no sense. That’s why the president didn’t want to touch the issue. Locked into his current stance, he can’t even say he supports medical marijuana.
His Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has already spoken the words that President Obama doesn’t want to say. She says that there is too much money in marijuana prohibition to make it legal!!! The question I would now like for either of them to answer is exactly what money was she referring to! Perhaps it is the money that they get from Big Pharma, or maybe the income from private prisons that house so many thousands of marijuana users, or maybe it’s all the money they get when they fine people or confiscate their belongings when they get caught with marijuana… The list goes on and on… One thing is obvious (and extremely bothersome to anyone with a conscience) is that they are putting money before people.
@53 – Having lived through the 60s and 70s, I fondly remember President Carter! He is one of the best presidents this country has ever had. I’ve been very disappointed with every one of them since – to this day… NORML may not endorse Gary Johnson or Ron Paul but I think that most of not all NORML members like myself endorse them whole-heatedly!!! God knows what someone like Gingrich or Romney would do to people like us (peaceful cannabis consumers). Most likely get even tougher and even more brutal in the way we get treated by law enforcement and prison guards.
The Response Obama Wouldn’t Give: Medical Marijuana Question in Minnesota Monday:
http://weedpress.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/the-response-obama-wouldnt-give-medical-marijuana-question-in-minnesota-monday/
I find it both humorous and extremely maddening that our leaders continue to seek ways to boost our economy and create jobs and yet they completly reject the idea that legalizing and regulating marijuana could help in those area… Total friggin’ idiots (most of them)…
Definitely not voting for Obama. He’s proven to be nothing more than ANOTHER of the same kind of politician. People who vote for him next term are complete idiots– who probably believe the 2 parties we’ve had since the country was founded were Dems & Repubs
It’s time for 2 new political parties to take power away away from the “GOP Moral Majority” and the “Dems-we-represent-everyone-else”
BRILLIANT! Obama is a thinker. He will be thinking about this a lot now.
An example of activism:
Last week I went to a concert at the Mann Center in Philadelphia. (RTF and ZPZ) I went with 3 friends who all planned on drinking. I volunteered to be the designated driver as I don’t drink unless I have no weed…..
I was not familiar with the route from Media, PA to the concert but the other 3 were. I had been stoned all day having burned about 2 grams of Mex earlier in the day and now we shared 2 more joints. Of the 4 of us, me and this other guy smoked the most. His wife didn’t smoke at all, and the other guy drinks beer for breakfast. Get the picture?
HERE”S THE POINT: While I was driving I pointed out that “I am now living proof that driving under the influence of weed is A NON ISSUE”. When my friends all realized what I had said and and that I was backing up my words with my actions – FLAWLESS DRIVING WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF WEED – I reminded them that everything the government was telling them about DUI was ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT!
That’s not the end of it: The guy who drinks beer for breakfast, remember him? Well he’s one of those who thinks pot really does destroy braincells. In the middle of a conversation, he had his usual drunken brainfart, you know the type “Wait, what was I talking about man?” I then pointed out to him that HE WAS LIVING PROOF that BOOZE destroys brain cells and that I WAS AGAIN LIVING PROOF That pot certainly does NOT DESTROY BRAIN CELLS, it might even grow em.
He was speechless for the next hour………………..
Now THATS activism!!!
Now, ALL OF YOU – get off your asses, come out of the closet and do something similar!!!!
“Regardless of one’s opinion of President Obama as a political figure, it is hard to deny his skill as an eloquent orator.”
Ya! Well! Adolph was a great orator too – and frankly – don’t sound much different in the content of their speech.
“The FDA requires rigorous research followed by tests for safety and efficacy.”
Don’t make me laugh! We’ve been using cannabis for a medicine since the beginning of time. How’s that for a long term study? In fact the FDA has had the IND for as long – and – their brilliance still hasn’t shined through. Talk about dragging their paid off dumb ass feet.
“At this time, the known risks of marijuana use have not been shown to be outweighed by specific benefits in well-controlled clinical trials that scientifically evaluate safety and efficacy.”
Michelle Leonhart…They really ought to find a different job for her – she’s a total failure at this one. There are too many studies with positive results and applications that disprove her wacko statement – and – a every commission that disagrees as well. I think she’s hitting the bong too many times herself.
[Paul Armentano responds: Unfortunately, Michele Leonhart is doing precisely what her job expects and requires her to do, and that is the bigger problem.]
Aren’t we past the point where we can afford to prosecute victimless crimes??? We’re broke and we don’t have the money for this.
It seems that Barry O’pharma is having trouble saying what he really believes. With all those corporate donation$ ready to be thrown his way telling the truth is impossible. This shows (again) his total lack of leadership. He’s now proven to me that even though I’m scared of a Repube in the WH this Koch$#*&^@r has to go.
And THANK YOU Teresa Morrill!! You should run for mayor in Cannon Falls! I’ve been through there a few times to go fishing. Nice town!
Look! whether you believe in a higher source or not – God gave us a cannabinoid system [cannabis receptors] and the cannabis to go with it. Even if he didn’t it’s a damn good match. Frankly – God gave us a Sacrament – “hand off Lucifer!”
Obama sounds like he is the black male equivalent of Sarah Palin…LOL!
Stop expecting this guy to stand up and lead the herd the way you want him to. The President is not our leader….He is much more a pawn of the public and Cannabis prohibition must be supported by over 60% of the general public excluding libertarians (their ideas yield the same kind of market we have now except for the violence would be reduced on the market side-no production/distribution standards or tax levies). The people who support Ron Paul are included in this since he is a soft libertarian who would set the stage for strong libertarians to demolish our much needed public infrastructure and market regulations.
Wait until after Obama’s next election, after at least 1 state institutes a proper Cannabis production/distribution system and after multiple polls show over %60 average approval over the whole population.
CHILL OUT ALREADY
Paul, you absolutely amaze me with your brilliance in writing these articles . Another great job in presenting the truth to a bunch of liars .
[Paul Armentano responds: Thank you very much for such positive feedback.]
believe in the government they say, use the governments money and spend, how are we to trust them when on their own money they say IN GOD WE TRUST. now how can the government tell me that GOD made a mistake by putting marijuana on earth and they caught it. wow thats telling GOD off. our constitutional rights are being stepped on badly
He still out there. How many more states where are those I don’t know what’s on the online people’s minds.
You know just a few questions on the facts around all those news folks.
It seems that whoever becomes president and no matter what their intentions are that once they become part of the government machine they continue the rhetoric of the lobbyists and big companies that have bought their support. Nothing changes. We need to get rid of the people behind the president, the staff that remains from president to president. We should outlaw the buying of politicians. Politicians give lip service only to those with money and big companies have bottomless pockets.
I will say his name will be left blank at election time.
The last sentence of the 2nd paragraph of the Hill.com article has the word ‘medical’ repeated twice.
Just got a thank-you letter from St Jude for Children with cancer, and it hit me really hard because so many of these kids receive chemo, and radiation therapy. In the distance I kept hearing ex-drug Czar Barry McKaffrey’s statements to members of the Nurse’s Association in Hbg PA, that the Cannabis Plant has over 62 cannabiniods that can benefit the human body, and many of them can help fight cancer, plus over 300 other beneficial compounds. This Drug War, (War on People), has got to stop! This Insanity has got to stop!
President Barack “Hoover” Obama has a little difficulty defending the governments’ rabid anti-marijuana stance, only because the governments’ position is indefensible. That makes it almost impossible for even an erudite scholar to defend — the pretzel logic to argue pt A to pt B to pt C is beyond reality. No doubt BHO spent quite a few sessions in debate in law school — they are taught how to take the opposite position in any debate and put up an effective fight.
The President is going to mind the business of his base, the Haves, the Have-Mores, and the Almost-Have-It-Alls, the same as his predecessor, ‘The Village Idiot’. Never mind his somewhat ‘progressive’ talk these days — he’s just back into campaign mode again. Talk, and promises, mean nothing — just listen to the sweet honey he pours into our ears. Deja vu, all over again.
Thank-you EDITOR #53, first time I’ve seen what I’ve been saying for years, about Pres. Jimmy Carter. He in fact did legalize cannabis, along with home-brewed wine and beer, which due to oversight when Prohibition was lifted, making your own was still against the law.
I know because I was around 23 at the time, and remember the “moment Pres. Carter signed the act into law. What is a blur is how quickly another element of government intervened, an element I never exactly understood, whether the Justice Dept, the DEA, Congress, I never knew. Shows you how QUICKLY things can happen and change in Washington, when “special interests” intervene and use slight of hand magic to make things go away. They even have a way of making memories go away. Writing history… the governments role in defining reality. Redefining history, with the result being a sanitized, carefully abridged version of what we remember.
Pres. Obama prides himself on Pres. Reagan, sharing similarities. I guess the way Pres. Obama sees things, is yes, don’t take either side of the issue.
2012 Marks 75 years since Reefer Madness, and the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act.
Time for the Cannabis Spring 🙂
Obama is a warmongering puppet of the corporations that really run this country. I would vote for Ron Paul if they let him run. But they won’t. The elections are rigged, from start to finish. We Americans have problems facing the truth. We can’t admit to ourselves that our government is as corrupt as any Latin American banana republic of the 1970s. And why can’t we? After all, it was us who installed those governments, so we know exactly how to do it. We can’t admit to ourselves that our elections are as rigged as those of Iran. We also can’t admit to ourselves we live in a police state and also a country as aggressive to others as Nazi Germany. Our invasion of Iraq was pretty much a carbon-copy of the German invasion of Poland in 1939, complete with a manufactured pretext. We can’t admit this because too many of us still believe this nonsense that we live in the “greatest nation on Earth” and that this is a “free country”. If this is a free country, why is our president allowed to order the assassination of an American citizen with no trial? Why do we have secret prisons? Why are we carting off people to these secret prisons and refusing to allow them a trial? Why are we torturing people? Why do we have more people in prison that most dictatorships? Why do we jail people for possessing a flower? These are not things a free country does. We hung Nazis for those things after the Nuremburg Trials. A “great nation” does not behave in such a manner.
The reason we cannot admit these things to ourselves is because then we are faced with the thing we used to say of the Germans: “Why didn’t they stop Hitler?” Take for example Iran. The reason we think Iran will use a nuclear weapon the moment they build one is because that is precisely what we did. Twice. And we had two more ready to go had Japan not surrendered. If we build some sinister new weapon, we will certainly use it immediately—-and usually against people unable to defend themselves. We have become a monster. We are a totalitarian regime. They don’t have to build concentration camps when ghettoes will serve the same purpose. After all, the Nazis first used ghettoes before they built the camps. To our government, it’s a cost-saving measure to just stick to using ghettoes. Someone probably got a promotion for it. But we do have concentration camps—we call them private prisons. We once thought it a crime against humanity that German corporations profited from the Nazi concentration camps. But we have corporations that do the same thing and it’s considered good business.
So, when do we finally admit the truth to ourselves? That our elections are rigged, our government is wholly corrupt, we are the single biggest threat to world peace, we are far more likely to use a nuclear weapon (again) than anyone else, we imprison more people than most of the countries we hold up as so-called “tyrannies”, and that our justice system is as rigged and corrupt as the government which uses it to stock the concentration camps they do run. Who will admit these truths?
Why can’t he speak from his heart or from principles like Ron Paul? Why can’t he speak about how no medical marijuana makes us more free?
“Don Says: August 17th, 2011 at 9:10 am
His Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has already spoken the words that President Obama doesn’t want to say. She says that there is too much money in marijuana prohibition to make it legal!!!”
Don, please cite source/citation of this alleged quote.
Thanks!
I am truly at a miss here. I have had 19 TIA’s and 1 Major Stroke and my body and face are still completely fine. I had slight left leg weakness but now gone. I started using Marijuana because of the operations that some folks are going thru and the use of POT helped them. You can never tell that I suffered a stroke or 20 for that matter and yet we continue like dumb animals to say that marijuana is bad for you. I wish I could be in a commercial to show that this man has had 20 Strokes Can you tell? No well marijuana saved him. My mother and father are besides themselves over me getting better. It is all about money and the FDA no longer considering the fact that WE THE UNITED STATES USED TO GIVE THIS MEDICATION TO All BACK IN THE 1800’S TILL 19230 WHEN THE EVER DUMB Harry J. Anslinger DECIDED TO GO ON HIS I HATE MEXICANS AND I HATE BLACKS SO LET’S GET RID OF THIS PLANT. DUMBASS NOT KNOWING THAT IT WAS MEDICINE THE U.S WAS ALREADY USING.YET TODAY WE STILL CANNOT GET PASSED THE RACE ISSUE. WHY ARE THERE OVER 1 MILLION IN JAIL FOR SMOKING A JOINT? WHY ARE THEY ONLY BLACK WHEN WE ALREADY KNOW WHITES USE JUST AS MUCH.
c’mon we all know the score…They have to make interest!. Therefore individual “human liberty” is insignificant,because they (you) mean so much more in a cage…$48,000 a year,on the average.
the more you fuck up …the higher it raises their stock value!
“Ahh bt..btt- Th-Tha-that’s all, folks! ..”
Fool. He knows the next words out of his mouth would have been False…
and he knows the majority listening to his words would know they are False, also…
so, what does he do? Clams up and turns to the crowd whose nervous laughter
saves him – the very same programmed giggles elicited when someone says
they’ve seen a UFO…
Why in Cape Girardeau,Mo. is their a cop running around in different shops after bath salts and sythetics when there is alcohol and cigarettes still on shelves. They said it’s dangerous! Now their worried about people stockpiling them. Well this why any interference is deadly like prohibition. When will they learn that their the problem and the reason for its use on a global scale.
Vote the Bastard out!
If you won’t vote Republican leave it blank!
No more bullshit!
@90 – It has been several months since I read what Hillary had said about legalization and I can’t remember the source. On your behalf, I did a search and found this:
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/hillary-clinton-legalizing-drugs-not-likely-to-work
In this article, she refers to drugs in general and not marijuana specifically the way I remembered it… Of course, the original aricle I read could have mis-quoted or this one could be mis-quoting her. I don’t know for sure… For that reason, I probably shouldn’t say any more about it!
I don’t like every thing the president dose but bitch in about him will do no good until you vote house and senate to your liking.
@John Walters:
Here’s what you asked for:
Hillary makes asinine statement.
Its time for CHANGE and its not with Obama, Ron Paul 2012 He has my vote.
John Walters says:
August 18, 2011 6:25 a..m.
Don Says: August 17th, 2011 at 9:10 am
His Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has already spoken the words that President Obama doesn’t want to say. She says that there is too much money in marijuana prohibition to make it legal!!!”
Don, please cite source/citation of this alleged quote.
Thanks!
How about the source being hers and your mouth! What! Do you think – people don’t hear what you say. “Please site the source” – as if you didn’t know. Go hatch an alleged egg!
Paul Armentano responds: “Unfortunately, Michele Leonhart is doing precisely what her job expects and requires her to do, and that is the bigger problem.”
You’re absolutely correct – but – she takes “precisely” to new heights and meaning. Anybody can “over due” their job – but – Michelle has lost the meaning of humanity in “over doing” hers. Could we at least consider the merits of what she does?
i see the waves of revolt coming to the USA, whats happening in the middle east and europe will be coming this way. i believe that the now congress and senate should be abolished and start the government with new people who will reflect the will of the people and their constitution
[Editor’s note: Get a grip here as NORML’s efforts are directed to cannabis legalization…not world ‘revolt’ and abolishing governments.]
To all of you idiots who think Obama will do ANYTHING but the status quo when it comes to marijuana “STOP LYING TO YOURSELVES”!!! Obama is bought and paid for by the same people who want to continue to harass, arrest, prosecute and imprison people like you!!! The only candidate who wants to end the drug war is Ron Paul! If that is what you’d like a president to do for us, then you need to vote for him. Any other candidate suddenly claiming to be against the drug war is LYING TO YOU, AND HAS NO INTENTION OF ENDING THE DRUG WAR!!!
-Oz
We could let Obama realize that he will lose the liberal left vote to Ron Paul, because Ron Paul has the sense to realize the military budget needs severe cuts and that US goverenment could receive valuable and needed revenue from the taxation of marijuana while denying such huge amounts of money to criminal organizations such as the ones which are currently ravaging Mexico. Legalize marihuana and criminal gangs will lose 95% of their revenue source, and they will go bankrupt instead of a government which truly respects individual liberty.
Yet US Government has lost respect for individual liberty and human civil rights, and therefore is now threatened with extinction and collapse.
Such is the deserved fate of those who espouse hypocrisy.
The US risks losing everyuthing out of its love of greed and perceived need to suck up to capitalistic interests.
The issue of taxing the rich is not of any true concern to those of us who are more intereted in undoing ridiculous US legislation which is doing more harm than good.
It is sad that Obama may lose some of the critical left vote to a Republican such as Ron Paul, and such neglect of this critical support base in preference to seeking the vote of those who are not truly sensitive to bad laws, but rather vote on how sexy the latest campaign gibbersih sounded in spite of the common sense that the given campaign promises are as shallow as a mudpuddle.
We saw no massive military cuts in spending since Obama has assumed the presidency, but instead only acceleration of military spending and adventures while failing to abandon certain poicies created by Mr Bush by keeping Guantanamo open, accelerating usage of drones, and not standing up to the Republicans and insisting on cuts to military spending.
Both Obama’s strongest supporters and the Republicans recognize Obama’s critical weaknesses.We shold remind that the mice who smoke marihuana may actually be the needed friend that the US lion needs in order to survive.
Give them their civil rights nad allow them liberty and perhaps US liberty wuill also be preserved.
Presently, US Governemnt is actually bankrupt and in need of any help iit may obtain instead of making the beloved sons of America into criminals because we exercise our God given liberty to smoke what the hell we want in spite of the harrassment and abuse of John Law.
Could be a low turnout of the poor and massive turnout of the rich in 2012, since the poor will realize that neither side can help them, nor is willing to actually do what is needed…so why waste the time to vote. Either candidate will be a massive disappointment.
We need to observe what the Obama administration actually does, in spite of what is said in well orchestrated speeches.
People who hold seats of power are not always people who have power,just ask Obama!
To have any chance of making serious progress with reform/repeal of cannabis prohibition and the drug war, one has to deal the realities of the American political landscape. To the folks raging against Obama, he’s frustrating as hell but compared to what? No libertarian Republican who might do something more positive has any chance of being nominated, none at all. Ron Paul will never be the party nominee, ever. No likely Republican nominee is going to be even slightly open to legalization and far more likely to promote escalating the drug war. It’s Democrats-frustrating and disappointing but potential exists, compared to Republicans-corporate fascist law and order culture warriors who are more closely allied with prison for profit than most Democrats.
Voting Obama out for Romney or Perry on this issue is insane! Those guys get in and things will go backwards on this. Most Republicans, given a choice between libertarian legalization or pot is bad, pot is illegal, only Commie liberals smoke dope, throw’em in jail, choose to take the second position. We have only a choice between bad and horrendously bad.
Does anybody really think Romney or Perry or Bachman is more likely than Obama to end pot prohibition, seriously? It was Nixon who really upped the drug war in order to get those pot head anti war hippies tossed in jail. Reagan was the same way. The real power brokers of the party are NOT favorably inclined to our goal.
At least in a second term without re-election to worry about, Obama might start allowing things to move in the right direction and be more willing to talk about it. We’ve been working on him steadily, just the fact that he couldn’t bring himself to lie is real progress. Anybody think any of the Republicans will choke on lying about this? Or speak out in favor of legalization medical or otherwise?
President Obama is walking the tightrope of trying to get elected. On the one hand he knows from personal experience that marijuna is a benign herb. He doesn’t want to piss off the prohibitionists. He doesn’t want to piss of the millions of marijuana users. The problem with this is he ends up pleasing nobody. I like Ron Paul’s stand on the issue of drugs and wars. I am voting for Ron Paiul.
I’ll have to agree with David #104 !!!
Hopefully the sooner the better!
i consumed for 32 yrs.my job of 34 trs started drug testing an, being responsible, i stopped consuming. during the 32 yrs, i quit many times for different , personal reasons.it was my choice and, i had no problem doing it. altho, i missed it at times, i had no issue in ceasing. i dont see any way of addiction. and, i enjoy cannabis very much. i find it a utility as well as a bit of comfort after a tore up day in the shop or hell, on the good days as well.i dont find it a crutch at all. i would much rather consume cannabis then firewater. i come from a alcohol damaged family and, wont do that to my family. cannabis promots peace and contentment.i have a family that shows just that.
im writing this because i am hoping that we are not preaching to the quire..i tell people all the time to go to norml and learn about why we consume, as well as its benefits , before they decide yay or nay.those people need to know the kind of buzz that can be had from natures medicne according to its type. it allows my mind to ‘seem’ to slow down just a tad while promoting a feeling of well being.and,is motavating as well.i havent talked to one person that hasent told me that their creative side was opened after a couple tasty belts from the vaporizer.and, it doesnt take alot either. instead of us bitchin about the wrong,maybe we should infuse it with ALL the good the non users dont know…, try writing about your responsible comsumption and what it does for you.i have written letters to supposed important people with, no reasonable response.so, if this forum is not the quire hall, someone who was directed to this site may get an idea why we wish to consume cannabis. because it is enjoyable and much safer then anything else and, they wont get tired of reading the negative side.how else can they know cept if we all tell them. they may walk away sayin, that stuff isnt so baaadd, they should just legalize it and, wallaaa,another member for the green side…peace to you all..
To Mr. Obama:
Your war against your own citizens is as criminal as that of the Egyptian president’s. I hope to see you following in his footsteps. Effective sociopaths are charming manipulators with no shame or remorse.
Sincerely,
Sick people around the globe
RON PAUL FOR SOME REAL CHANGE!!!!!!!
People, the elections are rigged. You will remember my words when you see who they select to be president in 2012. Our elections are as false as those of Iran. The Iranian people had the courage to admit this to themselves, which is why they had demonstrations. We march to the polls are select the so-called “lesser of two evils”; i.e choose between two pre-selected puppets who will carry out the policies of their corporate and military puppetmasters. Wall Street and the Pentagon have a joint rulership. Eisenhower wanred us of this in his Farewell Address.
[Editor’s note: Please take your unfounded conspiracy theories elsewhere as US elections are not rigged and to compare the US to Iran is both stupid and anti-American. American’s have the politicians they elect….which can be a problem, because many Americans elect fools as their representatives…]
I think Obama was deliberately playing dumb to demonstrate that he doesn’t call the shots, especially when it comes to cannabis. It is not like he can say so out loud, so he has to communicate this in other ways. One way is to deliberately show that his handlers hasn’t told him what to say yet. I’ll bet they are p*ssed at him by now. He just “kind of, sort of” gave the whole thing away.
So, the government says “Marijuana has no medical use”.
Neither does beer, whiskey, or cigarettes (all of which one can demonstrate are addictive and cause poor health). Why does pot need to cure illness anyway? I like pot, just because, that is what works for me. Whiskey makes me ill and cigarettes make me nauseous. Since I first tried pot 26 years ago I haven’t used any other inebrient. Wouldn’t even consider something stronger–read hard drugs. People, plant seeds of freedom and grow pure love at home. Peace:)
CLAIM RELIGIOUS USE – That makes it a Constitutional issue. WHAT! You don’t believe in a higher source? Well! You’re on your own. Good luck. If you really want to know what the Genesist Faith is all about – “your very own Bible will explain it all in Genesis I:1 through Genesis III:24.” This Faith is already included in your religion whatever you have chosen it to be.
is anyone as tired as i am about Goverments hypocritical view of medical marijuana. how long do we the people have to put up being lied to everyday on this issue. folks it’s time for a march on our state capitals. hell it’s time to organize a march on washington. uncle sam isn’t listening. we can’t let them think that what their doing is exceptable.
Regarding #97: Thanks, Don for following up. Although we all love “Radical Russ” as well NORML, not a good source for what you are assigning Her Thighness, aka Hillary Cartoon. Indeed, were she to have said such a thing she would probably be correct and for the first time in my life (other than predicting Obambi would be a disaster as a candidate for POTUS) I would agree with her as I am among those opposing legalization (which only brings further government controls) and instead favor simple decriminalization. But she would be correct in saying that perhaps there is so much money in illegal “drugs” as well the potential of legalization/government regulation that the most simple, freedom loving answer to it all is decrimalization.
Thanks again for the link.
Yours In Freedom, I Remain:
John “Wonk” Walters
Keep playing that clip – it speaks volumes. If the answer is obvious why can’t he say it – if there is no good reason why can’t he just refuse to speak rather than getting in a mess. At least he has the decency to falter and stammer rather than spouting lies – that’s something anyway.
This guy is really getting weirder every day!
“Be wary of political leaders that embrace false doctrine”-Carl Sagan.
As soon as Obama took office the people who REALLY control things took him to an office and told him that marijuana is NOT to be legalized. End of story! They made it clear that they had put him in office and that they could take him out of office if he didn’t do what they wanted.
LMAO Sceintific approval by the FDA?! The FDA legalized Aspartame even though the science and nobel-scientists said “NO DON’T DO IT!” and we’re going to trust them with telling the truth about Marijuana? LMAO!
So sad that our great orator of a President is at a loss for words to defend his own inhumane and unjust policy of keeping the “safest therapeutically active substance” on Earth illegal. Maybe Obama didn’t get the memo: THC cures cancer! A United States government study proved it multiple times! So how’s that for an “accepted medical use?”
Obama on MMJ: “Well, you know, a lot of states are making decisions about medical marijuana. As a controlled substance, the issue then is, you know, is it being prescribed by a doctor, as opposed to, you know — well — – I’ll — I’ll — I’ll — I’ll leave it at that.”
Ron Paul on MMJ: “I would absolutely never use the Federal government to enforce the law against anyone using marijuana”
So who are you gonna vote for??
[Editor’s note: 1) THC does not cure cancer. To say it does is to exaggerate wildly based on the current science and can mislead people to make unfortunate health choices. 2) if you’re a single issue voter, then voting for a libertarian leaning Republican like Paul might be an option. However the problems are two fold here as Paul will never win the GOP nomination and/or the general election (he is too old and too radical) and single advocacy voting is foolish.
Would you vote for a pro cannabis candidate who wanted to also pollute the environment, or make war with others for no cause or issue orders for military rule just because they also support cannabis law reform? Is cannabis law reform the most important thing facing the nation? Even NORML knows that’s not true…
Isn’t the world a little too complicated and complex to decide who to vote just because you hope they support the one thing that you may obsess over?]
There just two choices at the national level of American politics. A Democrat or a Republican. No national level Republican, approved and backed by the real power brokers of the party and allowed to capture the nomination, is going change anything regarding pot prohibition or the drug war. NOTHING. PERIOD. The libertarians are small faction and will not prevail when push comes to shove. Ron Paul is old and perceived as a loose cannon by those that control the big money. He is already being pushed aside and ignored by them.
Don’t be frustrated so much by Obama as by the deep and extremely persistent stigma that remains so firmly attached to using cannabis and the idea of “getting high”. Legacy 19th century Christian core values of hard work and clear headed responsibility still pervade the mainstream of this country despite the legal alcohol use exception. Millions of Americans have been indoctrinated that any use of any substance other alcohol is suspect, and immoral. That’s changing but it remains deeply imbedded. The mainstream media adheres to it and nearly all politicians, being as risk averse as they are, simply aren’t willing to push against it.
Believe it or not, Obama represents the best hope for positive movement in the Executive there’s been since Jimmy Carter. If that makes your jaw drop, just consider who on the Republican side who has any chance of being the nominee could be counted upon to be better. Yeah, there isn’t one. Only two Republicans have come out for reform, Paul and Johnson. Neither one will be the nominee. Like, NO WAY EVER. So voting Republican in 2012, if this is your top issue is totally crazy, should the Republican win, watch out, they WILL NOT be our friend.
If you doubt that take a look at the committee chairs who have the power to move HR 2306 forward, Smith and Upton. They refuse to even consider it all. THAT is the real Republican position on the issue. Expect A LOT more of that if you vote against Obama.
[Editor’s note: While NORML is a non-partisan organization, your analysis of the current national politics is both accurate and tethered to reality. Well done!]
99.9% of all polititions are puppets for their lobbiests. VOTE RON PAUL the 1/10th of 1%
after Obamas new immigration policy, i see now that he’s in an election season, maybe he’d rather loose i toe at a time as it relates to the issue of immigration today. my point is Obama is if anyway as a decision maker. personally we may come to a reasonable conclusion on marijuana prohibition but not under Obama.
RON PAUL is the only person ruining for president who will actively try to remove federal prohibition of marijuana. Everyone should register republican and make this a reality in 2012!!!!!!
I remember when he was running for president and the issue of smoking pot came up..he said “i did it…and i inhaled…that was the point”. People cheered. We all thought that finally we would have a MAN who was everything Bush WASNT. Now to watch him stammer and choke when a YOUNG WOMAN asks him an HONEST QUESTION, and the WAY he did it (looked down, looked away) said WAY more than anything he actually said. Interpretattion-“folks, I ran on a campaign of CHANGE, and when I got in the White House, these rich crackers jumped me and let me know real fast how it was gonna be. So you see, folks, thanks for your vote, and I really enjoyed being the first black president…but to be honest, I really dont run the country…the special interests do. My nuts are in a jar”.
This one little thing shows me more than ANYTHING ELSE, EVER, that in order to set this country straight, its going to take a major overhaul in the way its run. Im sick of living in a country where the top one percent owns 99% of everything, and then being told how FREE i am…BULL SHIIIIIT!!!! If there is ANY country…and I mean ANY…that has BETTER living conditions, better quality of life, and more freedom for its citizens (and there are MANY) than ours, then its time to take down the flag and start calling ourselves something else…because where IM LIVING looks NOTHING like the place my family and ancestors shed blood (both their own and others)so that we could be FREE!!!
Obama (and yes I said Obama…not MR. President)…youre a fucking spineless CLONE of your predecessor. (Im so ashamed of my country i could vomit).
By the way..the crowd should have said “no, we ARENT leaving it at that”…or booed his ass until he either answered or left…that young lady that asked the question had more balls than the rest of the people there put together…
NORML editor: While i can understand your views and perhaps you are having a bit of a panic with the turmoil of todays uncertainty..stock market anxiety – Global rioting in the streets.
The fact remains that human beings(homo saphiens) Should not be in a cage for smoking a hemp plant that is as natural and beneficial as any other plant on this earth, that we have adapted to or that has adapted to us. Cannabis receptors withstanding.
What is going on here (with cannabis)is reflective of what is happening on a larger scale.. -Restricting Resources-Monopolising Resources-Patenting Resources- all for the huge gain of a select few and to the detriment of every body else on this planet.-
This is downright wrong and immoral and should not be restricted to party lines…
To be fair, Democrats have used the “marijuana card” to their favor,
Clinton with : “I smoked but i didn’t inhale” Obama’s “i inhaled but that was the point”. Nontheless…very effective and deliberate…Clinton got a lot of milage from that line during the early 90s with MTVs “Rock the Vote”.
However in reality, their wasn’t(isn’t) that much of a difference between the two “parties” I remember Bush junior and senior both promising to ‘outlaw abortions’ just another empty promise… to manipulate their right- wing constituency . Never happened.
MR. editor, per my comment #104,i figured that you would’ve known that at the center core of any revolt or abolishing of the govt along with the republican and democrat partys, it will be MARIJUANA. once the people of the united states get tired of the lies that keep coming out of washington, what do you suppose will happen, the people will never trust the govt again, the great united states will have a history of lies, this is why MARIJUANA has to be nothing but lies from the govt and will cont to be that way unitl the american people take control of our GOD givin rights along with our constitutional rights. GOD BLESSED MARIJUANA
[Editor’s note: Cannabis law reform is not part of any political revolutions or popular revolts in the US….how can it be when less than 15% of the population uses cannabis?]
I am think Ron Paul just might be the one, if this goverment dosen’t get in the way. No one wants to give Ron Paul a voice, this goverment is all over any one that is not Ron Paul.That women who won the straw poll, dosen’t have a chance. Never heard of her.Don’t want her. Some one with the voice to make a change in their goverment and so far no one is it, except Ron Paul!!! At least he has the ball to speak out against this nazi goverment.
[Editor’s note: Again, Ron Paul will not win the GOP nomination and could never win a general election in the United States. Also, he is too old to be an effective president. Cannabis law reformers should stop wasting their breath, time and money wrongly projecting Ron Paul as a viable GOP nominee or a general election presidential candidate.]
Jeanne, it also makes me wonder why Ron Paul somehow is our only choice for cannabis legalization. He is also a radical deregulator and privatizer, from what I understand.
Place a red nose over sized shoes and extra large trousers with suspenders on every politician.Encluding obama. This is where I stand on neurotic,parinoid ,sexually frustrated, warmongering bozos that run this country.{Into the ground}.
Hello Obama Admin ., Hello rON PaUUuL {!!} AUuHh !!@!!
first , did each Ron Paul supporter use capital letters
to express their despite for Obama , did 3 of them with
little letters typo and are there 4 dark skin tone with
fault tolerant about housing foreign effect associates
voting Clown Suit Porky Pig . , . as it seems to me om
Ron Paul campaign is dealing Capital letter bud , typo
bud and something interesting called dark housing bud .
[The cannabis equivalent seems to be support designed]
second , “Ma ri Jua na” is illegal . Queen Elizabeth in
the 15th Century tried “New World” bud and thought it’s
awful and began the term ‘loco weed’ and Banned It . 🙂
Cannabis is not banned by Elizabethan One Hundred Year
Counsel on Effects of Manna and Futural Recreate _\|/_
though , the [‘M word’] itself is illegal and banned so
“loco weed” won’t be prevalent as confused with manna ~
pot . , . known to us as cannabis . You cannot legally
procure nor retain possession of “M word” if you are a
citizen or visiting foreign illuminare as M Word itself
is illegal and not proper cannabis manna pot . _\|/_ /
third , did Obama offer the US Policy on Health will be
when offered by powers that being Shadow Confederacy ,.
denied as the role of those powers who want to control:
The White House Policy on Health , the United States @
Social Group.s {such as Skull and Bones} , n corporate
monies written in the Houghton Mifflin definition about
Pres i dent :@: valued counterfeit~ing acquisition seen
as a “failed attempt” known to ‘begin shadow control’ *
on a sense concerning Corporate Republic .|. as liberal
setting on Republican multi-ticket shows Ron Paul isn’t
Shadow Government Houghton Mifflin Counterfeit Republic
en ways he’s a decent liberal ‘independent’ though he’s
not accepted by Social Groups such as the false order :
Confederate Bureaucracy trying to ‘puppet’ Presidential
thought on Health such as who with ego thought they run
State Department Policy on Govern~A Control Republic~en
Domain on Thought to begin Monetary Fund~ing Shadow$ing
Actual State Department Role Provided Founding Fathers:
support to begin the actual proper provision and role :
Democratic Oath and State Accord Among Manna and Men .,
fourth , you people know Green Cross : medical cannabis
will be based on the West Coast Accord with medicinal :
Value to Begin Respect on Promise the Manna Plant may ~
be authorized by Powers Being Govern to naturopathic N
virtuous care by provider and the term ‘caregiver’ OK +
Green Smoke will be TriCameral Allotted Midwest Accord
cannabis not “m word” pre-rolled joints and legally @!
smoked “bong s” known as Cannabis Industry Procurement.
fifth {and I ask you allow this statement as written} :
Obama is the best hope for tea party and manna~pot and
we have option to try to allow Ron Paul to his whim to
try and be affected {sigh} about State Department with
setting about Shadow Govern and Control Confederacy .,.
OR you can allow Obama Admin to begin National Ethical
Basis to Promote His Available Power at Office and now
begin his actual mission with next International Money
and International Monetary Fund~ing US Health _\|/_ @!!
Regard to begin , not M Word , not Ron Paul AuUR{!!}Gh,
though cannabis ecology {2}:^!@!IMF[2*] known as ecom0n
and available with the Peace Afforded at Libya with the
Power of Peace and Newer Solace about IMF Director Anew
Free Thought to Begin Ecological Peace and CannabisLaw.
NORML . This will be all I want to say . Please allow
as written without conspiraty nor insult . Thanks Again
😀 🙂
Bryan ~ cannabis activist and Green Smoke _\|/_ / INDU2
I have to ask If President Obama has been sent legitimate documentation on the subject matter in question allowing for a qualified justification strategy?
well president obama…..i am tired of hearing your excuses, and lies too, about medical marijuana. your back stabbing has just cost you my vote, and many more from my friends and family. We have had enought of your leadership, if you can call it that,,,Bob77
Defend marijuana, he can’t even stop smoking those stinking cigeretts! He has alot more to defend, his next election, if he wants to stay President, if not good-by, don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out!!!!!!!!!!
Did everyone [it seems like most] have to actually try
to insult Obama Admin . The difference I see between:
Tea Party and Tea Partiers , is the Tea Party are now
ready for a change to new “form of government” and om
the Republican [Tea] Partiers seem more interested on
premise the insult of Obama~bashing makes some angry~
sounding on bud . Will this have been a good example
of the so called ‘ma ri jua na’ you want legal .|. Hm
if the powers and foundation of government supporting
Ron Paul as the effort similar to the way ‘compassion
was unfounded’ represent another Republican control ~
with powers of govern and bureaucrat swaying the mind
with those who would be “staunch support” to berate n
talk down the best President at Democracy in recent *
years . , . will the “verily continued” sense we are:
To Respect Races , Colors and Creeds and we all want
to be activist and protest minded at times though if
the IMF planned by Shadow Govern Republic begin Anew
Maximum PayOut for FEMA [Federal Emergency Management
Agency] for so called Acts of God and Global Warming
Payment . , . and the supposed ‘natural’ Virginia om
earthquake {shake} cracked the Interior of the D. C.
Washington Monument ,. what kind~a American “bashes”
the Ways of the Founding Fathers as Republic[en] om
thought to bother the Foundation of Peace and Manna
anyway . . . yer ways [buds] says you have to insult
Obama [Admin] . {sigh} I support cannabis ecology .,
Thanks and good luck to American Promise . Bryan (*)
If we all voted in the Republican Primary for Ron Paul, and then if he wins he could take the young and liberal votes away from Obama.
If we voted for Ron Paul in the Primary but Perry wins, then you can still vote for Obama in the general election as the lesser of two evils.
This idea and instructions on how to vote in the Republican Primary needs to be pushed on the internet.
1st, Editor, dont know who you are but stop talking like you know. you keep telling what is or isnt going to happen. You KNOW nothing… in actuality you only THINK you know. ex. who thought a dark skin man with a “muslim” name would actually be elected potus? NO ONE. so for real shut up. thanx
We all know the truth. Liars can be counted on to… LIE. Politicians, Lawyers, USA puppets who say things like GOD bless the USA… what about the world? what about the rest of the ppl of the world? no just the USA… self righteous pricks any & all of them. they lie about everything, food, freedom, faith, so-called schools which are in reality training facilities for the youths initiation & brain washing into the system of slavery… i mean freedom. where they are taught that those living here were savages & worth less than animals. you know what they did to them? one guess… LIE. “we just wanna live here in peace & harmony”… here have these blankets infected with smallpox & here have this whiskey so when we “come in peace” with our army & their rifles & itchy trigger fingers we can kill your babies & nearly cause your entire race to be EXTERMINATED & you cant even defend your homes, families, land & lives! to this day NEVER recovered, still on the crummiest land they were corralled into like cows & still plagued with rampant alcoholism. in essence they were totally destroyed as a race of people upon the earth. & now they are building walls to “keep” mexicans out after they took their lands ie TX, Cali, etc by war aka murder from the mexicans. its their homeland not lightskinned ppls who came in “search of religious freedom.” how can you be so oppressed that you flee willingly from it & then turn around & do it to those whose land you are a guest in?
What im saying is it’s not the potus it’s the system that has been in place & perfected over centuries of corruption, hypocrisy & TYRANNY. Your children are being programmed as robots to work their lives away for the system. Babylon has transcended time & continues on over & over again new & improved with each coming. learning from the successes & failures of the previous. all that matters is the system, you, you children, their children, their children & so on & so forth are no more than cogs in the machine.
So the true problem is us. or should i say the weak, naive, brainwashed, idiots who believed & passed on the lies to the next generations & were/are to egomaniacal to stop & think for themselves & realize that they were/ARE being used to power the machine.
they say heres our standards & give it a grand title… THE Declaration of Independence! they say this is how we will rule. & yet the very HEMP paper it was originally written on is illegal to produce today in the same country! they claim to be a country of morales… but deny the moral foundation they founded themselves on & try to seperate thrmselves from it. you know seperation of church & state BS… only to require presidents, politicians, & even witnesses to swear on the bible. but anyone who cares about the WORD & what it actually says. swearing on the WORD is blasphemy… & if you are seperated why swear by anything of JAH?
This plant that is apart of us, created creations, that literally have receptors in our brains that are activated by the ingestion of ganja is another instance of those in power abusing said power as all tyrants have & will continue to do as long as their slaves accept it. until ppl stand up together as a FREE & UNITED people & say WE WILL OVERCOME & BELIEVE IT… all we will ever say is what the next liar tells us to say.
like… yes we can.
the sad part is YES WE CAN. if we realized we actually DO hold the power. if we dont buy the shitty lives made up of the newest meaninless material distraction & DO NOT continue like dumbarses to keep up with the Joneses we could. We could hold them responsible. We could fire them if they dont do what they say. We could be FREE. but instead the majority accepts the lies & easy life of vanity & materialism, greed & envy. look at my new red/yellow/silver car isnt it cool, look at my clothes see the label im cool, check out my watch see how it sparkles its cool, check out my dinner reciept my plate of food cost 85$ because im cool. what you are is a misguided brainwashed child that has been Lied to & deceived into believing that the immaterial is the material. WAKE UP PEOPLE. Bob Marley tried to tell the world decades ago so why am i wasting my breathe. because…
WE the people should CARE. we should care about one another as we care for ourselves. WE should care if we’re being lied to, WE should care that NONVIOLENT PPL ARE BEING IMPRISONED BY CORRUPT MEN who only care about their power & their status & their money & their their their. i think we should all familiarize ourselves with the actions of The Good Samaritan & practice life in that way & see what happens… cant be worse than now.
How is it okay to steal ones freedom & cage them for interacting with NATURE? How is it okay to tell a “FREE” person what they can & can not put in THEIR bodies? How is it okay to destroy the lives of children & families over a NONLETHAL plant that grows from seed to “weed?” How can you live with yourself if you support those that practice such Freedom? HOW CAN YOU JUST CONTINUE TO SIT THERE IN FRONT OF YOUR SCREENS of glowing light? HOW can it be changed? Get UP Stand UP & Fight for YOUR RIGHTS-(Bob Marley) & stop being insane.(def. doing same thing over & over again & expecting different results-Einstein) If WE want change we have to make changes. the system is a joke, setup by the rich for the rich. setup to exist by the lives of the less fortunate. setup to hold you down & lift themselves up. think about this… if “our representatives” truly cared about us… why would they not insist on all having the same healthcare they do? answer is easy, they dont. stop believing that they are watching out for or over you. they are watching out for themselves. always have always will.
only way to overcome is to overcome. do not buy their gas do not buy their material nonsense do not listen to them at all… because
YOU CAN TRUST A LIAR… to be a liar.
OVERGROW the govt OVERGROW the world
& KNOW if we treat others as we want to be treated it can all change
[Editor’s note: If all this verbiage is supposed to be a defense of Rep. Paul possessing any chance at all to be elected president, you’ve wasted a lot words as you might as well wish for a leprechaun to get elected president. However, if the leprechaun was younger than Paul he might have a better chance of election.]
You know what. I think we should re-instate prohibition. I don’t like alcohol. Legalize pot and ban alcohol. You don’t even need fake science to prove it.