US Representative and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) today reiterated her support for the legalization of medical cannabis and called for congressional efforts to recognize the plant’s therapeutic efficacy.
Speaking to Raw Story, Rep. Pelosi said, “I have long supported efforts in Congress to advocate federal policies that recognize the scientific research and clinical research demonstrating the medical benefits of medicinal marijuana, that respects the wishes of the states in providing relief to ill individuals, and that prevents the federal government from acting to harm the safe access to medicinal marijuana provided under state law.”
“I’ve been very clear on the subject of medical marijuana over time,” she said, “in committee and on the floor as leader.”
Pelosi told Raw Story and other bloggers in attendance at the round table that she believed congress should take action on the issue. Speaking to this point she stated, “I think that it would be really important to do that [address medical marijuana in congress]. It would be hard for anyone to agree with the fact that someone who has HIV/AIDS or has cancer and they find relief from pain in medicinal marijuana that should be something that should be a priority to raid on the part of the Justice Department. Going along with that, we need to address some of the penalties for any non-violent crime that are out there.”
With prominent Democrats such as Representative Pelosi, Chicago Mayor and former Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel, New York Governor Cuomo, and the Democratic Parties in a growing number of states getting behind marijuana law reform, you have to wonder how long until President Obama realizes his drug policy has fallen out of touch with not just the electorate, but his own party.
You can read more in-depth coverage of the blogger roundtable, along with comments from other legislators on the marijuana issue, by clicking here.
Yea RIGHT!!! BS. If I want to smoke to calm down or for any reason I should be able. Even for just pure relaxation. I don’t like booze. Or beer. Or wine.
It does not matter if Pelosi supports congressional action on mmj,,the Republican’ts are too busy trying to make sure Obama isn’t re-elected and the Demowon’ts are too busy kissing unions and corporate asses.
PS: Johnson/Gray support in the polls will force both parties to defend their “drug war” on national television,,for the first time ever.
Remember folks, it’s an election year…
I am a republican and support total legalization, so please don’t generalize general….
I have legitimate reasons for using MMJ and I have also been smoking it recreationally for 25 years. I don’t see how it is anyone’s business that I have been using something for 25 years that has caused me no harm. How many 25 year drinkers and smokers are now in the cemetary? You won’t find any who are there for pot.
This can only hurt the image of cannabis. This woman is a pathetic disgrace.
It’s great that the Dem leadership is starting to warm up to sensible marijuana law reform, rather than embracing prohibition wholesale. They realize that sensible drug policy is a winning issue with their base. Particularly young people that have liberal attitudes about cannabis, and minorities that are disproportionately arrested for possession.
GOOD PAGE
When Pelosi had the power to act on this issue, she passed. When Pelosi had the chance to co-sponsor HR-1983, she passed.
It’s only when she is approaching another election that Pelosi suddenly wishes she could vote to ease Prohibition. Don’t believe her. When the 2012 vote is in her rear view mirror, she’s going to forget this issue again.
She smokes killer with Obama
In other words she and her richass husband are investing in sativex usa.
Its a bunch of bull Pelosi was in charge for 4 years she did jack and squat for marijuana reform. She had plenty time to bring forth legislation. Just like the rest of the politicians she only thing she cares about is . If you think the dems are our on marijuana’s side you are sadly mistaken. We cant rely on empty promises from the political class, reform is and will come from the people. Our best chance is for reform though education.
It’s not a matter of Obama not understanding the issue. The reason why Pelosi (House Democrat) is coming out on this is because Obama has no control over the DEA: the DEA is part of the permanent government and untouchable; she is coming out on behalf of the President. As per Clay’s comment, Obama cannot afford to take on the DEA by himself in light of his issues – that is a major rattlesnake nest to root out; it would require all of any President’s political resources to take them on.
I don’t believe her. Too many injustices going on in CA in regards to safe access. I am at the point to where I am done with words, “show me the money”, I hear you but I don’t see it. When I see the local officials backing safe access/regulation is when Mrs Nancy Pelosi will get my vote and support. How long has she been in DC representing CA, Prop 215 has been passed for a long time and I never see Nancy at any NORML or ASA events, I have seen other representatives there but not her.
this is just the begining. I suspect we will start to see a slow move by the democrats towards mmj leading up to the election. there are already rumors flying around the internet about how Obama will have an “Evolving position on it”
http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/1697067910001/chong-100-obama-will-legalize-marijuana-for-election/
i dont beleive her . she is a puppet. she was told to say that. like all the rest, if her mouth is moving sh e is lying. if she wasnt then how can she put so many things in place and not this.. i call bull sh*t
1984 doublespeak…they aren’t really arresting HIV and cancer patients in MMJ states right now.
They make it sound like they are going to reschedule, but if that was what these congressmen wanted, they would do it.
I agree with the comment about Gary Johnson…if every anti-prohibitionist started supporting him, the conversation would start.
I hardly believe anything that woman says. And how convenient she is saying this so close to an election. this is all political
Right,Pftt..does Congress even matter anymore?.when all our Laws are being done (written and signed}during our holiday break’s?… when we are eating turkey’s?
Bullshit!
Since when has she ever been pro cannabis for medical (B.S) This women is not our friend and she will pulling the same stunt this President we have now did. She is lie’s out her mouth. She knows Her boy wont win this time. They are trying ever thing to getting us to vote for
them. They are Dogs
Somewhere in my papers, I have a response letter from Pelosi where she says that she can never support any weakening of the pot laws because far to many lives have been ruined by addictive/illegal drugs to justify making it legal, even if it is able to help some people.
Please note that she never said that she supports legalization. She only says that it should be taken to congress. She is scum, like all of the politicians.
LIAR LIAR….PANTSUIT ON FIRE. !!!
I just became a fan of Nancy Pelosi!
I was a fan of Obama but that was before he got elected… I’d like to be his fan again but the clock is ticking. He is not getting my vote unless he comes out in favor of legalization prior to the election. I don’t trust him to do the right thing after it!
As for Romney, forget it! I think he has the potential to be the worst president ever!
That leaves Gary Johnson who, I’ve decided, will get my vote regardless of his chances of actually winning. In a perfect world he would have a much better chance than he does in this terribly imperfect one.
I’m in my 60’s now. Looking back, most of my friends who are dead have died from alcohol related tragedies. Meanwhile, the only influence marijuana has had on the our life’s I am aware of to help eliminate to pain associated with my grandmother’s glaucoma. Oh yea, it did get her arrested too, as she was picked up by campus police as reportedly approaching students trying to buy marijuana from them which in fact her doctor had advised to go to try to buy it.
This is the same person who got away with buying stocks in health insurance the day before the Affordable HealthCare Act was passed so don’t be fooled. She is saying this for her own benefit, not in any altruistic manner.
Obama laughed off the MJ issue. It’s time to laugh off Obama.
Noah, you are incorrect, the DEA answers to the Executive branch, as part of the DOJ. Where you get the idea that “permanent” government agencies are somehow “untouchable”, is just silly.
Another politician, another liar who cannot be trusted ( just like Obama ).
PS – She even looks like a liar & she’s doing it for her political re-election .
Nancy Pelosi is an odd character but I really don’t think she is a “puppet”. She more likely is a “puppeteer”; never misses a chance to talk down to someone. She’s poison, we can use better friends.
I don’t believe her. Should COULD have done something like GETTING IT OUT OF COMMITTEE when she was Speaker Of the House.
Great a crazy old fart is on our side
I dont believe any of washington B.S. Can we kick D.C. out of the union? It seems like a forien country anyway.
Harborside jst got served, let’s see if Pelosi joins the Mayor and other city officials in protest.
Thank you!
Despite her past (and I’m not ignoring it) this has to be a positive thing! I believe she, and hopefully many others, are finally starting to realize just how popular marijuana is in the American culture and is slowly changing her mind on the subject.
I could be naive, but I believe that when someone like her says anything positive about marijuana we should all support them instead of criticizing them… That, my friends, will probably help our cause more.
Pelosi & the Democrats had their chance when she was Speaker of the House. Obama has had multiple opportunities to make good on his campaign promises regarding the honoring of States Rights when it comes to Medical Cannabis. Obama is now effectively a dictator, made so by Congressional malfeasance & Executive Orders, so he has all the power he needs to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Schedules entirely if he so chooses.
If there isn’t forward populist movement for decriminalizing cannabis Federally by ‘our’ current crop of politicians well before the November elections, there is no compelling reason for voters to continue to support the incumbents.
Vote Green Party or Libertarian Party or “write-in” Ron Paul this November, and remind ‘our’ politicians that votes trump campaign cash.
Mabe if People would stick together and go to Federal Court with there Medical Marijuana Card and Sue the US Government they could make a Positive Change.. Instead of Insulting each other and Ms. Pelosi. How did the other 7 original People sue the Us Government and Win and they get theirs from the Us Government at the University of Mississippi…
You have to see a Solution to the Problem..
Doesn’t matter if you like Pelosi. I love hearing Pat Robinson speak up. Would you rather have Billy Graham speak & bring in more of the actual votes or Toker Tom. We have already mobilized our Base; Thomas Jefferson said: “ONLY when you have educated the mass. There is no other way” If you wish to use politics you have to love your enemies.
” How did the other 7 original People sue the Us Government and Win and they get theirs from the Us Government at the University of Mississippi…”
SORRY, Amy…that was then and now is now . There is no more justice in America .
education is the key
prohibition only makes us curious and fills the coffers of hate and descrimination
The first thing that congressmen and congresswomen learn on their first day of their first term is that THERES NO MONEY IN MAKING IT LEGAL.
I never thought this tottering old women made much of a bad guy, the way the Republicans portray her.
Too bad this is the same person who said we have to pass the bill to find out what’s in it, one of the singularly stupidest things ever said on this planet by a human being. However, on this count, she is absolutely correct. But then again, even a broken clock is exactly and precisely correct twice every day.
I wish legal drugs had such a record as a marijuana as a effective medicine going back thousands of years.
Which way is the wind blowing right now?
i abandoned marijuana use to hold a cdl for 20 years. whatever undiagnosed ailment i suffer from, the symptoms are aches pain and depression. finding myself on unemployment, i returned to marijuana use. the pain disappeared, i climbed on my bicycle, and 6 months later i had dropped 40lbs. now i am back in the semi truck , off marijuana , self medicating with booze and 50lbs overweight. what a shame to live in aworld with such archaic laws that propogate unnecessary pain and suffering.
What’s with the drug testing page on NORMLS site? Many times I use it for reference but now when I click on it the page can’t be found. Bummer, what’s up with that?
[Editor’s note: Drug testing is readily found here]