Obama: No on decriminalization

[Harry J Asslinger]

“Much is being asked of our generation,” a doctoral student named Steve told the president at a town hall event in Maryland. “So, when are our economic perspectives going to be addressed? For example, when is the war on drugs in society going to be abandoned and be replaced by a more sophisticated and cost effective program of rehabilitation such as the one in Portugal?”

“I have stated repeatedly — and it’s actually reflected in our most recent statement by our office of drug policy — that we need to have an approach that emphasizes prevention, treatment, a public health model for reducing drug use in our country,” Obama said. “We’ve got to put more resources into that. We can’t simply focus on interdiction because, frankly, no matter how good of a job we’re doing when it comes to an interdiction approach, if there is high demand in this country for drugs, we are going to continue to see not only drug use but also the violence associated with the drug trade.”

After several minutes of explaining U.S. efforts to help Mexico fight transnational drug dealers, the president got to the point.

“Just to make sure that I’m actually answering your question, am I willing to pursue a decriminalization strategy as an approach? No.”

Video and attendant text here:

http://www.rawstory.com/rawreplay/2011/07/obama-says-hes-not-willing-to-end-the-drug-war/


It is the same rhetoric from the last town hall on Youtube: public health, prevention, treatment; not just interdiction. The total disregard of prohibition being the root cause of drug trade related violence, and of Portugal's success with their decrim is a shame. Money is ill spent on prevention (actually, money always goes to waste on "prevention" consisting entirely of propaganda) and treatment when the policy of the state is primarily to stigmatize, criminalize and arrest addicts.

[DainBramaged]

1. blindly follow where many men have failed before....

prosecute the pot smokers, let the war criminals go free.

[HillbillyBob]

2. So we are gonna waste yet more billions on shit that don't work

agencies that suck $$$, piratized prisons, and rent-a-pig guards from Whackhut(sic)...

[Ezlivin]

3. No hope for change

And he has no hope for my vote.

[slay]

4. One more thing to add to my list of why I think Obama is a horrible president

and not in line with progressive - or even Democrat - values AT ALL! marijuana helps MANY people - they like it - what an uncaring asshole!

[theaocp]

5. Hey, outsiders are cool.

I (Obama) am an insider. I'm the establishment.

Clear enough for y'all?

[iscooterliberally]

6. Too bad Jimmy Carter didn't get a second term.

The DEA most likely would have been toast. There's a documentary out called Square Grouper about marijuana smugglers in South Florida back in the late 70s. The DEA had to trump up a bunch of charges against the smugglers to justify their existence. The Controlled Substance Act needs to be repealed in its entirety. The DEA has so much power now that if they decided that nitrogen was a dangerous substance, we would all need amnesty just for breathing. Our national anthem is a lie. The star spangled banner no longer waives over the land of the free.

[immoderate]

7. Kickin'

Me? I just saw Jack.

Undercurrents always provide openings for humor. At the same time, I recognize that stupid on a national level, does not bode well for civilization.

Can't say I don't know Jack.

--imm

[Blue Owl]

8. Well that's very Republickin of him

:grr:

[RainDog]

9. people who smoke cannabis aren't generally violent - it's the policy that creates the violence

the up is down world of DEA-think just makes no sense anymore in light of other examples. it just doesn't.

it is bad policy that needs to end.

the WoD creates the violence, not the substance - so, which is worse - the substance or the policy toward it?

[NikRik]

10. Iam curious about the true reason for Obama's anti pot stand ?

Iam wondering if becasue he is the first Africian/Americian President that if he was to strongly support legalazation of pot ,if the repugs would use it against him.Not just one of many things they will try and get him on rather make this a focal point of a President who hides behind a moderate cloak all te while support far left causes!For the sake of causes he believes much more the reason why our prisons are filled with black Americians,mostly very young. Its a odd way to go about supporting a policy .Yet it also maybe brilliant,in the sense that free thinkers amoung us would never expect a elected politician to support such a common sense law that can raise millions for our hospitals ,schools and work traning programs Hmmm I just wonder !

[Harry J Asslinger]

11. I have wondered that myself.

He filled proponents for cannabis legalization (and those advocating for drug policy reform) with hope for change, which is reflected in the multitude of questions he has received, and how often they have reached the top. He seems to always assume the middle. He did as Bush and nominated Leonhart as DEA Administrator, and his DOJ went back on the Odgen Memo. Crack to powder disparities were reduced from 100:1 to 18:1 and made retroactive.

He has not exactly escalated the WOD (at least on citizens) but he has not relaxed it, either. Perhaps a second term will tell if Obama holds this "center" position in earnest, or if he is worried about backlash. He states his support for decriminalization of marijuana (2004) here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQr9ezr8UeA&feature=related

[millych3]

12. That Doesn't Make Obama Bad or Illiberal

It's not a big deal either, I think.
Ending DOMA and DADT are enough to put him in the good books of most liberals, I think.

[RainDog]

13. really?

it doesn't undermine him to lie and claim there is no medical benefit to cannabis when studies indicate this is a lie?

it doesn't undermine him to be okay with imprisoning people for possession of something that is less harmful than alcohol - for ruining lives by continued support of this policy?

it doesn't undermine him to allow the DEA to go forward to reschedule cannabis if it is produced by big pharma but try to keep it illegal for the avg citizen?

it IS a big fucking deal. it is about the MOST BASIC RIGHT TO PRIVACY. it is about not having your home confiscated if you grow cannabis for a spouse with cancer - or being forced to spend time in prison for the same - which has just recently happened.

cannabis prohibition is directly tied to racism in this nation and THAT is what Obama is upholding - RACIST LAW.

the issue of medical cannabis is directly tied to human rights for the GBLT community because of the ravages of AIDS among them while Obama's hero, Reagan, said he didn't give a shit about them.

Obama is a huge disappointment. He lacks any moral courage, it seems to me. He'll be sure to retire with a lot of money so he doesn't really seem to give a shit about anyone who might die of cancer because research is truncated b/c of stupid prohibition, or people who suffer through MS who might be able to halt the progress of their disease with cannabis.

More people voted for medical marijuana to be legal in the state of CA than voted for Bill Clinton at that time.

think about that one for a while.

it's a big fucking deal.

[Harry J Asslinger]

14. +1000

There is nothing to add to that post.

[NikRik]

15. I agree Obama a big disappointment .....

he is a coward when it comes to doing what is right.Its all politics all the time.I feel for our Africian Americian brothers and sisters that their first President has turned out to be such a dud !
NikRik