State budgets are in crisis. Thousands are dead in Mexico and the cartel violence risks entering the

[GarbagemanLB]

U.S.

I fail to see how these issues aren't a 'priority'. The legalization of marijuana has direct and immediate implications in numerous problem areas right now.

You can disagree with legalization, but don't act as if there isn't a strong argument in favor of it beyond 'oh, those potheads just want to smoke without fear of being jailed'.

Not to mention the money saved by U.S. drug enforcement agents by allowing them to focus on the truly dangerous drugs and the implications of hemp legalization. Clearly legalization of marijuana won't end the cartels, but a big portion of their funding indeed comes from weed.

The problem with President Obama's remark is that it was dismissive of a serious argument that addresses serious problems many states and our federal government are facing today.

[wndycty]

1. Was LEGALIZATION made an issue during the campaign? Is it something Obama took a position on?

It is convenient to USE THE BUDGET CRISIS AND DRUG VIOLENCE as an excuse to legalize drugs but there are other solutions.

A major policy change, such as legalizing pot (WHICH I SUPPORT) is not going to happen without it being heavily discussed before it is even considered.

[terisan]

4. Uh I haven't seen much heavy discussion with the people yet on anything.

It was convenient to use the Budget Crisis as a means of transferring wealth to Wall Street supporters of a winning candidate.


The nation's interests are not limited to what a winning candidate took a position on in an election cycle

[pinto]

2. I favor decriminalization and legalization of pot, but a cartel question - isn't cocaine their

major product, drug-wise? iirc, I read a BBC report that had it 3 to 1 by weight, which is a huge difference, in both product and money.

What they're actually selling doesn't seem to get mentioned much in the press - focus is, *understandably*, the killings along the border towns and the cartel wars.

[redqueen]

3. deleted

[BeyondGeography]

5. I say eliminate the source

[FrenchieCat]

6. You think what is happening in Mexico is purely based on Marijuana?

Really? :wow:

[bcoylepa]

7. much more complicated

agreed - much more complicated than that - and lots of misinformation going round

here is pretty realistic article I think

http://open. salon.com/ blog/jan_ baumgartner/ 2009/03/25/ regarding_ mexico_biased_ news_half- truths_fuel_ paranoia

"Naturally, the handful of Mexican border towns, which are the areas experiencing the brunt of the wanton violence born of the illegal drug trade, have homicide rates that are not reflective of the country as a whole, but mirror the inflated numbers seen in the most violent U.S. cities and metropolitan areas.

We are told and indoctrinated to be “afraid of other” – to be fearful of the perceived unknown - Mexico, when in fact, we are far more likely to experience or witness a criminal act or be a victim of such in our own country."

[GarbagemanLB]

8. How does it feel not being able to read? It must be difficult for you.