I don't want weed legalization to be a part of President Obama's legacy

[ecstatic]

I don't have a problem with marijuana being legalized, and I would definitely prefer for it to be decriminalized, but I just don't want the first black president of this country to be the one to do it. It would be a Chris Rock joke come true. Weed smokers and friends should work hard for the Dems, and in 2016, the next dem president can do it. Leave President Obama alone on this issue. Thanks!

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

1. Yes, many people should be imprisoned for nothing to protect your sensibilities

[ecstatic]

5. well, I did say it should be decriminalized

But all the legalize and tax BS in the midst of our greatest recession in recent history is a bad idea, IMO.

[JuniperLea]

9. So, you're willing to pass up all the tax revenue

The Weed can, and most certainly would provide? That doesn't make any sense at all.

[ecstatic]

13. Yes, I am. Besides, it would be illegal again by 2012

And we'd be saying hi to Palin/Jindal if President Obama listens to some of you.

[AndyTiedye]

25. Our State is Going Bust. We Need the Tax Revenue!

[JuniperLea]

26. What utter bullshit

That is a pretty large leap of no logic whatsoever. A Palin/Jindal ticket would insure ANY Dem the White House! Absurd! You must be on The Weed! :rofl:

[Romulox]

Centrist argues for the status quo. World is shocked! nt

[smoogatz]

2. What the hell does Obama's race have to do with it?

It's common sense, good policy and long overdue--I don't give a damn who does it, as long as it gets done.

[ecstatic]

10. Unfortunately, stereotypes exist

and such a move would feed into it. I say, quietly decriminalize it and let the next president legalize/tax.

[empyreanisles]

17. Exactly. For most people here it is a non-issue.

But outside of DU, negative perceptions of blacks persist (lazy, weed smoking, drug dealing) and Obama cannot be seen as passing legislation to help out "his people".

I know its dumb and racist, but you'd be surprised how many non-blacks, even those that may have voted for Obama, are going to have that thought in the back of their minds.

[JuniperLea]

27. You're right, it is dumb and racist

So shame the fuck on you for furthering the idiotic meme!

[smoogatz]

20. What, white people don't smoke weed?

I'm not aware of any particular stereotype that links blacks and pot-smoking. Anyway, it's likely to be a state-by-state process--what the Feds can do is quit trying to force states to pass and enforce draconian drug laws.

[Captain Hilts]

3. I don't think his being black has anything to do with it. Canada is fine with decriminalization for

possession.

[Dawgs]

4. It's a GREAT idea that would be praised throughout history.

But, since you're sensitive...

:shrug:

[Richardo]

11. Only on Planet Stoner

It's political poison in this puritan country.

[cbc5g]

12. You haven't been following the polls then

[Dawgs]

29. I'm sure they said the same thing after the repeal of prohibition.

Legalization of marijuana has very little to do with stoners. But, you probably already know that.

:eyes:

[JuniperLea]

6. It's not a presidential issue anyway

It is up to the states to decide. Saying that the Fed Gov should support the individual state's decision when in conflict with Fed laws should hold for everything, not just The Weed.

Besides, wtf? If this is something he decides to do, it's his prerogative. I don't see how it is anything more than state business, though. I'd like to see him shut down funding for Reagan's "War on Drugs" though. Never worked, never will. The money is better spent elsewhere.

[Bjorn Against]

38. Actually the President does have lots of power on the issue, the DEA and ONDCP are federal agencies.

[JuniperLea]

41. The Prez doesn't make laws

Congress does.

[Bjorn Against]

43. True, but the President does have some influence over Congress and even more over federal agencies.

While he can't make Congress vote his way there is no doubt that if the President wants Congress to do something it will at the very least get a hearing.

More important than his influence over Congress however is his influence over federal agencies like the DEA and the ONDCP, the executive branch has an enormous say in how these agencies do their jobs and if Obama wanted to ask them to make marijuana their lowest priority he could do so without having to go through Congress.

On edit: A post below reminded me of the best thing he could do which would not require Congressional approval, he could ask for marijuana to be rescheduled as a schedule III drug. In fact considering the fact that he does support medical marijuana it seems absolutely senseless for him to keep it at schedule I when he acknowledges it has medical benefits.

[avaistheone1]

7. What about the principle of the greater good?

[Richardo]

8. After he tackles the really important things, he can look at that.

That makes it about #372 on the priority list.

[tridim]

14. He could direct his people to reschedule it to Schedule III

and then leave decrim/legalization up to the states like it should be.

I doubt that rescheduling would cause much of a political problem. Cannabis is currently mis-scheduled by strict definition. It does have a current medical use and it doesn't have a high potential for abuse because it's not physically addictive.

[iamthebandfanman]

15. wow racist much? ur the one making a connection to his race. n/t

[ecstatic]

16. Nope. Just not oblivious to social consequences like some people

seem to be.

[empyreanisles]

19. Again, I agree 100% with you.

The people on DU are cool, but we blacks have to deal with whites in the general population who hold varying degrees of prejudices. Anything "bad" that Obama does they see is a reflection on all blacks. Its bullshit, but that's how it works.

Its going to take many years to change attitudes.

[smoogatz]

21. The wingnuts and racists already hate him.

Everybody else supports him, at least for now. I don't see how his stand on pot decriminalization is any more politically risky for him than national healthcare, say.

[JuniperLea]

36. You mean those shallow and petty social consequences...

That should be put in their place and ignored for the greater good of mankind? Those consequences?

[ecstatic]

37. If you notice, back when it was candidate Clinton

She had to go out of her way to sound tough and combat stereotypes about women being weak, unable to be strong leaders. It's just the nature of the world we live in. I believe marijuana will be legalized at some point, just hopefully by the next president or only after 8 years of getting other things done.

[JuniperLea]

42. Oh, no she didn't

That is how she is, she is tough as any man, as valuable as any man, as professional as any man, as powerful as any man, and she holds a very powerful office once held only by men.

It's only the nature of shallow thinkers, and you would be wise to not be one of them.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

18. a huge number of black men should be thrown in prison, to avoid a few jokes by comedians

[juajen]

22. I am 68 years old, and I need for it to be legalized.

I have neuropathy in both hands and in my feet from diabetes, and marijuana helps it considerably. Of course, it is illegal here in LA, even for medical purposes. I could even grow it if it were legal.

BTW, I don't believe race has a thing to do with it. I'm caucasion and know a lot of pot smokers. People don't fit into molds, you know.

[FrenchieCat]

24. The question that the President answered had nothing to do with medical marijuana.

So far folks are clamoring that this President legalize all marijuana to help the economy, close down wall street, institute a gigantic government ran health care in one single swoop, end all wars, and invite Chavez over for a sleep over. In other words, folks want a socialist for a President, and they choose to ignore that this is not who was elected.

[JuniperLea]

33. Hear hear!

I saw that racist comment too. I would have hoped that so-called liberals and Democrats would realize that the mold has been fully broken, and we need to stop referring to it in a way that somehow legitimizes the idea.

[harun]

23. President doesn't make laws, Congress does.

[stevietheman]

28. It's about dismantling the war on drugs, or prohibition, if you will...

and if Obama is smart, he'll let the states do it, and just not enforce federal law.

[tabbycat31]

30. how about decriminalizing it at the federal level

then leaving it up to the states

[zulchzulu]

31. Legalizing marijuana would be one of many things to make Obama a great president

If some halfwit wants to point out JUST legalizing pot as a legacy over what I think he will hopefully do a lot more than that, so be it.

Making marijuana legal makes absolute sense from a financial, social, medical and entertainment standpoint. If New Orleans or San Francisco had legal pot, those cities would thrive!

It's time.

[ecstatic]

32. Only if everything else is passed... maybe in his 8th year

I still would prefer for the next president to do it though.

[JuniperLea]

34. And all the people who need it for medical reasons can just suffer

Damn them all to hell anyway...

:eyes:

We may never have another truly great president like this one. We should all be hoping he'll do all he can in the eight years he WILL spend in office.

Allowing people to continue suffering for such a shallow reason is something this president would never do... and you should really be ashamed of yourself for being so petty and shallow... seriously.

WTF? Do you work for Big Pharma, or what?

[Cleita]

35. It would give him a legacy as an enlightened Presidency like Lincoln

freeing the slaves. I don't think there would be a war over it either.

[Hansel]

39. I wouldn't mind a more sensible drug policy that involves decriminalization though. n/t

[backscatter712]

40. I think that's why Obama said what he said.

As much as he's working to get the DEA and the drug warriors to chill out, and as much as he might want to legalize, as President, he can't say it.

The freeptards are giving him enough grief already - this just gives them ammunition.

Support for legalization is growing. IIRC, Nate Silver of fivethirtyeight.com predicted legalization would take place when a supermajority of the population, 60%, favored legalization.