Debate Question: Marijuana Decrim?

[appal_jack]

Toward the end of the debate, as I was getting sleepy, and also distracted by tending the wood stove (which is pretty far from my TV), the question about MJ decriminalization was asked. I think I heard Dodd support the idea (go Dodd: clearly winning the primary of ideas, even if his chances of winning votes/$$$ are less stellar) and Biden and Edwards (war-lovin' fools:grr:) support the status quo. But in-between, didn't Tim Russert ask for a show of hands on the subject?

Which of the candidates raised their hands in support of marijuana decriminalization? Any DU'ers watching more closely than I at that juncture? Thanks,

-app

:smoke:

[hfojvt]

1. I think he asked for a show of hands from those who oppose decriminalization

Not the finest moment for my candidate Edwards when he spoke up against it. I am not sure who else put their hand up against it.

[tridim]

2. I think they all raised their hands in support of locking up peaceful smokers.

Edwards' answer almost made me throw up.

"We have to set a good example for the kids!".. Now where's my bottle of Jack Daniels and my cigarettes? Swig, swig, swig. Smoke, smoke, smoke.. You getting all this kids? Stay away from the devil-weed though. :eyes:

[appal_jack]

3. thanks hfojvt & tridim!

Even if you are both the bearers of bad news, I appreciate you filling me in.

I have to second tridim's views on Edwards answers. It's one thing for Biden (who has been an avid drug warrior for a long time) to again unabashedly show his cards. But Edwards was Senator from a major tobacco producing state (which also happens to be my home state). Here in NC, our state Commissioner of Agriculture STILL PROMOTES TOBACCO SALES when traveling on international trade promotional trips. And yet Edwards actively opposed a simple harm-reduction measure that would save hundreds of billions of dollars, stop ruining peaceful citizens' lives, and NOT promote marijuana usage one bit. And he does all this while talking about two Americas, etc.

Here's my message to Edwards: the drug war is a big part of what keeps the two Americas so far apart. Wealthy coke-head m*th*f*ck*rs get to occupy the White House, while the poor get their lives ruined by counterproductive tangles with the criminal justice system. This is fucked-up. My support will go to candidates who dare to question this prison-industrial complex racket.

Edwards' talk of two Americas is nothin' but hot air.

-app

[Irishonly]

4. Why Isn't Medical Marijuana Ever Brought Up?

No one ever asks if people using pot for medical reasons should be persecuted by the federal government. Marijuana should have been made legal years ago. It seems to me the medicinal qualities of it should be addressed. It's kept many people in chemo from barfing up their toe nails.

[appal_jack]

5. word, Irishonly

To me, the legalization of medical mj is pure common sense. I came to this conclusion back in the late '80's when New York City's Pope of Dope was giving joints to AIDS patients (this was pre-AZT & other anti-retrovirals), who were then able to at least eat a little and reduce their pain. Seeing what medical mj can do for those fighting cancer, MS, lyme disease, and numerous other ailments ever since has only reinforced this view.

Endorsing the common sense of medical mj apparently takes more courage than any of the "top tier" Democratic candidates have. This is a crying shame.

As to last night's debate, I checked the NYT transcript (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/30/us/politics/30debate-transcript.html) and the question Timmy asked was "Is there anyone here who disagrees with Senator Dodd in decriminalization marijuana? " Only Edwards and Biden gave vocal answers (Biden's answer is noted as inaudible, but it clearly opposed Dodd's decrim stance). Unfortunately, the NYT transcript does not note any show of hands or nodding/headshaking)

-app

[penguin7]

6. Kucinich wants to decriminalize marijuana

We see the powerful influence of the trial lawyer lobby on Edwards with his stand against decriminalizing marijuana.

[Alexander]

7. Decrim: Dodd, Obama, Kucinich. Medical MJ: Hillary, Richardson.

Gravel wants to legalize it and sell it at liquor stores, but then he's polling so badly that they kept him out of the debate.

Edwards and Biden are drug warriors and against any sort of decriminalization.

Dodd scored points with me on this, and Edwards and Biden lost badly - I mean, Hillary is to the left of them on this issue!

[appal_jack]

8. wow, this is more positive than i dared hope

Very glad to hear that Obama at least favors decrim, and that Clinton & Richardson favor medical. Thanks Alexander!

Maybe 2008 (well 2009 really) will be a time for substantive change in the failed war on drugs policy.

While I'm still open to many of the candidates, Edwards & Biden lost any chance of getting my vote last night.

-app