The Politics of Marijuana

[phantom power]

It might not be an ideal situation, but I believe there is very little a presidential candidate could do that would be more effective at attracting more new voters than to come out for relaxing our marijuana laws. The easiest and most sensible way to do that is to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III or Schedule IV drug. Scientific studies, the American Medical Association, and even Nancy Pelosi have all recommended that the government acknowledge that smoked marijuana can have heath benefits and should not be classified as a Schedule I drug.

I don't want to get into the debate about health benefits or the social consequences; I just want to talk about the politics. I think we've gone beyond the tipping point to where it is a political winner to be against our current marijuana laws. There are tons of young voters (including most young people who don't use it) who cannot comprehend why recreational marijuana use is considered a major crime by the federal government. And they will be motivated to vote for a candidate who is willing to stop treating potsmokers as criminals. I think Ron Paul's popularity with young voters is mostly explained by his libertarian attitude toward marijuana.

It's nice to see the Obama administration say that they want to explore the medical uses of marijuana, and I have hope that they'll go much further in a second term when they don't have to worry about reelection. But the time to make an announcement is now, when they'll derive a political benefit from it. In fact, it would even reverse some damage that has resulted from the Justice Department's aggressive crackdown on medical marijuana dispensaries. The crackdown is worth of it's own diary because it's more complicated than it appears at first sight, but it has disenchanted a lot of potential Obama supporters. That harm can be undone very quickly and easily.

The Obama administration should signal that they are looking seriously at rescheduling marijuana as a Class III or IV drug, and they should do it soon.

http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2012/7/19/13330/4910

[mitchtv]

1. that might take some balls

That leaves out most Democrats

[phantom power]

5. It might, but mostly because the minority that opposes it would go apeshit.

And just generally demagogue the hell out of it like they always do. Still, it's a minority. I'm gaining just a bit of optimism, seeing Dems re-discovering that their opposition isn't invincible, and in fact may fold like a cheap table if you push back.

[tridim]

2. IMO is should be completely descheduled, just like thousands other herbal tonics and medications.

That's the true ballsy political move. It's also the correct move.

[musiclawyer]

3. All true bit it won't happen. The people need to force the issue

and they are See, COL, WA and OR

If even one of those measures pass, it blows up the war on drugs racket, So please donate. These measures will need the money to combat the lies. It has already started. See, LA times and Oregon.live articles from 7/17.... Different writers, different papers but virtually the same article. There are forces out there who have already bankrolled the tsunami of disinformation and propaganda underway

[stufl]

4. Mexican cartels receive 80% of their revenue from illegal mj.

Developing a policy that counters current trends would just make too much sense for Americans.

And, to the first responder that said common sense changes to bad laws will "take balls'...You are correct, sir.

[Comrade Grumpy]

7. Actually, I think the number is much smaller, more like 20%.

But still, legalizing marijuana would hurt the cartels, if not drive them out of business.

[felix_numinous]

6. Yes it would be good to see

President Obama decide that a change in his stance with marijuana would actually be a low risk political move. There are endless economic and political benefits in changing the laws regarding hemp and marijuana as a pre-election decision, while other changes to national drug policy that do not enable cartels and gangs to thrive could be saved for a second term project. If President Obama implemented a sane drug policy in this country, it would greatly add to his legacy. I don't think it would be that hard to do either. (I would recommend this if I were his political advisor )

It is so hard to tell whether he is truly against decriminalization, or that he is being advised not to change his stance for political reasons, and during the election season. Somehow I see him as someone who may have smoked 'in the old days' but now is taking a hardcore stance after becoming a father (personally).

Plus the administration has to stop listening to the lobbyists who want the drug war to continue and listen to the American people.

[Patiod]

8. The Prison Industry would fight this like hell

Including the guards' unions. We need to keep those prisons full.

[electedface]

9. Tax Marijuana and Reduce the Federal Deficit

Estimates show that marijuana is America’s number one cash crop. However, marijuana remains untaxed. This is a new source of income for our nation, an income we desperately need.

Over 500 of the nation’s top economic professors have shared their opinion in supporting the removing the prohibition and imposing the taxation and regulation of marijuana as a way to slow the federal deficit.

Ending marijuana prohibition would save the US $7.7 BILLION annually. That is nearly as much as Congress’ proposed Budget Control Act. Think of the jobs it would create, the court time I would save and the jail space it would free up for actual criminals.

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