Obama Deals With the 'Dope' Question at Town Hall

[Don Davis]

http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=6676

[county worker]

1. I read what he said, and I have a question to those who are disappointed with him.

In an earlier post people told me the reason they want pot legalized is so they can get high without fear of reprisal. That's how I summarize it.

I am a clean and sober drug and alcohol abuser. It's been more than 20 years since I smoked pot.

The thing that was the hardest for me to deal with when I stopped was that I had to face life on it's terms. I could no longer anesthetize myself when ever life got too tough. Basically I had to "feel" the pain. I think that has made me stronger because I have faced most of my hardships and dealt with them in a positive way. They were divorce, depression, homelessness, bankruptcy, unemployment for long stretches and of course drug and alcohol dependence. I don't think I would be alive today if it weren't for my quiting getting high any way I could.

So I am not preaching but I think that a lot of people think there would be a lot of people who would be like I was before I quit if pot were legalized.

Just asking those who use pot and want it legal. Do you think there is any negative side to legalization? Will there be a bunch of people who are like I was and should quit but will die instead?

I don't like the idea of making criminals out of drug users but I also think you shouldn't use drugs either. I don't go along with the idea of recreational highs. But I don't want to tell others what to do. I won't take a side if the legalization becomes something to vote on.

[bemildred]

2. There is no doubt that whatever you do it will affect some people in a bad way.

The question in my mind is whether it is better to throw a bunch of people in jail or to let them work out their own destinies, good or bad; reserving criminal sanctions for people that do bad things to other people, and providing medical help for those that need it and want it. So it's not that drug abuse is good, it's whether criminal sanctions are the right solution to the problem. Like with booze. Booze is bad, prohibition was worse.

And good for you, by the way.

[county worker]

3. Here in CA we have Prop 36 which is for rehabilitation of first time offenders.

Instead of jail they go to offender treatment programs. I think that no drug user should go to jail. I think think there should be rehabilitation programs on a pay as you can basis. I am for decriminalizing all drug use.

[bemildred]

4. Pretty much, yeah. it's a medical problem, an educational problem.

I'm all for regulation, though.

[parasim]

5. With or without legal pot, there will always be drunks.

Not to dilute your personal victory over your vices, but whether pot is legalized or not won't change the fact people like to, and will always, alter their minds with some substance.

First of all, I disagree with your premise that people only want pot legalized so they can get high without getting busted. There are a number of reasons why pot should be legal.
Legalization of pot means legalization of hemp. Hemp has so many uses it's crazy that it was ever made illegal in the first place. Of course, it's not crazy to the pharmaceutical, petroleum, prison, textiles and agricultural industries.

But looking at it from the recreational aspect of it, since you really don't think people should use drugs (including alcohol, I assume) do you think that this country would be better off if alcohol was illegal?