Will Obama "legalize it" ?

[Smith_3]

What do you think?

[slackmaster]

1. No, only Congress can do that

And they won't.

Presidents don't write laws.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

11. Medical marijuana will be first. I predict that will happen within the next 5 years.

Legalizing for recreational use will take longer. Basically, it won't happen until the racist Greatest generation dies off.

[democraticmuslim]

22. Legalize

The hurt themselves in trying legalize pot. They should not have tried to go after tobacco first. It would have been easier to legalize pot first then to after the tobacco industry. That way it would give people a choice and they would choose Pot because the taxes would be less because the health risks are less. The tobacco companies could have transitioned to pot with little effort. Tobbacco would then be replaced for the most part by pot and the world would be healthier.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

24. That's a great idea you have there!

Have the tobacco industry take over marijuana production. It's brilliant! I never thought of that.

[Warren DeMontague]

27. Erm, tobacco is still legal. nt

[RoadRage]

51. Is this really a priority?

I'm all for not running around and enforcing the rounding up of a few pot smokers..

But, I also think that if a Dem is elected, there are quite a few more important issues at hand that need to be dealt with first..

Legalize Civil Unions
Clean up the Economy
Get the fuck out of Iraq

Things like that!

[dysfunctional press]

52. what the heck are you talking about exactly?

:shrug:

a lot of the people who smoke tobacco have absolutely no interest in smoking pot. they both have pretty much the opposite effect of each other on body & mind. some people LIKE the way tobacco&nicotine affect them, and have no interest in the effect of pot.

[spindoctor]

39. Wish more people would remember that...

...when they listen to "presedential promises" ;)

[Hippo_Tron]

49. True, but he can order the DEA and the Justice Department to not crack down on it

Particularly medical marijuana, which is legal on the state level.

[slackmaster]

63. Maybe so - That disparity between state and federal law is a train wreck, isn't it?

It's been a real clusterfuck here in Cali.

The San Diego County supervisors are the ONLY county out (of 58) that are not cooperating with the state law. But the city of San Diego is.

Go figure.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Kucinich would

actually, it would result in new tax revenue, and give farmers in states like KY an alternative to tobacco.

[TheUniverse]

16. As long as Kucinich is still in the race on Feb 5th, I will be voting for him

I wont compromise my beliefs on voting on someone "acceptable" like Clinton or Obama until the general election. I wish other people would also.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

18. He's got my vote

just like he had in 2004. Strength through peace.

[RaleighNCDUer]

20. It's already KY's #1 cash crop.

Tennessee, too.

That should read "legal alternative".

[Le Taz Hot]

45. California's too

but we're not supposed to know about it so, shhhhh. :yoiks:

[MethuenProgressive]

3. Karl? Is that you?

:puke:

[H2O Man]

28. I think so. n/t

[TahitiNut]

61. An acolyte at least.

:eyes:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. I hope so.

I'll start bringing it up as soon as he wins the general election.

[TornadoTN]

5. No, but decriminalization would be a step in the right direction

I don't think legalization would pass muster right now, but decriminalization might. If it's presented in the right manner and all of the facts are laid out, it's got a chance.

[krabigirl]

6. nope.

[Bright Eyes]

7. I don't think any of the candidates will.

With the exception of batshit crazy Ron Paul.

[Kucinich4America]

17. This is actually one of the areas where Paul is NOT batshit crazy

It's time to end the corporatist-created prohibition of the cannabis plant in all of its forms. Industrial, medicinal, AND recreational. And for the record, I haven't taken a hit in about 8 years, but I'll never change my mind about legalization.

[killbotfactory]

8. He will at least lay off the medical marijuana users

When a voter asked Obama if he was for the legalization of medical marijuana, Obama said that he wasn't in favor of legalization without scientific evidence and tight controls. Citing his mother who died from cancer young, Obama compared marijuana to morphine saying there was little difference between the two.

"My attitude is if the science and the doctors suggest that the best palliative care and the way to relieve pain and suffering is medical marijuana then that's something I'm open to because there's no difference between that and morphine when it comes to just giving people relief from pain,” Obama said. “But I want to do it under strict guidelines. I want it prescribed in the same way that other painkillers or palliative drugs are prescribed.”

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/11/25/479649.aspx

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

38. I hope he said that wrong, or someone misheard him. . .

Cuz if not, he sounded like a royal dumbass.

[Der Blaue Engel]

44. Yikes, I was just going to say that

No different from morphine??? :wtf:

[killbotfactory]

47. I think he was referring to it's pain-killing effect

Yes, that's exactly what he was referring to:

"I'm open to because there's no difference between that and morphine when it comes to just giving people relief from pain"

It was in the posted quote, how could you miss it?

[Der Blaue Engel]

67. Why are you responding to me with such condescension?

I notice you didn't respond at all to the first person who expressed the same sentiment I did.

And if you think there's no difference betweeen pot and morphine for "it's pain-killing effect" I suggest you stay away from the morphine.

[spanone]

9. i would hope so, but there are so many REAL issues. like upholding the constitution....

[TheUniverse]

10. Probably not.

The prison industrial complex seems to have power over both parties.

[Warren DeMontague]

12. Anyone who thinks that $40 Billion a year we spend trying to keep Willie Nelson from smoking it

is a worthwhile deal has been smoking something far more harmful than pot.

[Richard Steele]

13. No. nm

[Rageneau]

14. Gravel would. Ron Paul would.

Which means three (marginal) candidates would. That's a new record.

[Warren DeMontague]

15. Be about fucking time, if he did. Legalize it, tax it, and help pay off the stupid debt.

At least it's something that we still make in this country.

[DinahMoeHum]

19. At the very least, let farmers here grow its legal cousin, HEMP.

Hemp can be used as a fiber, a food (the hempseeds, meal and oil - high in omega-3s)and as a source of biofuel - and you get several crops in a year.

[Warren DeMontague]

25. That, too. But the bottom line is, there is no reason why people shouldn't be able to recreationally

smoke pot. It's safer than alcohol, people don't overdose on it, a DEA judge called it one of the most "pharmacologically benign substances known to man". It's just a fucking JOKE that we waste all this time fighting what could be, for my state of California, an equivalent revenue source to the wine industry.

And I say that as someone who hasn't smoked pot in years. The drug war is a joke, and I'm tired of my tax dollars paying for it.

[Alexander]

21. For medicinal purposes, yes. And he'll de-prioritize it and focus on treatment.

Not exactly what I want, but I understand we need to take baby steps if we're eventually going to get there.

[goodgd_yall]

23. No way

What made you even think that was a possibility?

[Warren DeMontague]

26. Maybe because it's well past time someone stood up to the idiocy of pot criminalization?

:shrug:

[goodgd_yall]

32. I'm responding

to a OP that I'm rather suspicious about. I don't disagree with what you say. But I don't think Obama will legalize it, in truth. He will support medical use of marijuana though. I hope we can get rid of the heavy-handed Federal stance on that one.

[Warren DeMontague]

33. I understand where you're coming from.

I think it's a measure of just how out-of-touch some folks are that they think they're tossing a little kryptonite grenade just by bringing the subject up. Fact is, people are tired of the drug war and they are tired of wasting tax dollars on it.

[goodgd_yall]

35. Oops---edit

I meant to say "get rid of the heavy-handed Federal stance" on medical marijuana.

[debbierlus]

57. Ah, there is the rub! Change without change.

But, in fairness, America gets the politicians it deserves. Unfortunately.

[onehandle]

29. No. Of course not.

No candidate with a chance "legalize it."

Why do I find your question somewhat racist?

[Lance_Boyle]

42. racist? christ.

if you find the OP to be "racist," I'd less-than-respectfully suggest that you're looking way too hard for any reason to feign offense. That's nonsense. Stop it.

[B Calm]

30. I've been waiting going on 40 years. I wouldn't hold my breath!

[begin_within]

31. But you'll get more mileage per puff if you do.

[Bonobo]

34. Nice gotcha, "Mr Smith". nt

[Freddie Stubbs]

36. More importantly, would Congress?

:shrug:

[negativenihil]

37. honestly...

aren't there more pressing issues right now? like iraq? the economy?

I'm sorry, but i am all for legalization, but imo there are far larger and more pressing issues that need to be taken care of before legalization.

[Hippo_Tron]

50. Felony convictions for nonviolent drug crimes ruin peoples' lives

It's very difficult to get a decent job when you have a felony conviction on your record. This is part of the cycle of poverty and I think it is a very pressing issue.

[Zywiec]

40. How does a president legalize anything?

Maybe this will help you out. I know the education system in our country is lacking

[slackmaster]

43. Maybe he could just light one up in front of a "joint session" of Congress

:smoke:

[Xenotime]

41. He should

[Le Taz Hot]

46. No but I'd appreciate it if

whatever Democrat gets into the White House they would stop the Feds from coming into states that have approved MM and closing down the damned clinics.

[milkyway]

48. Yes, VP Gravel will be pushing hard for it.

[dysfunctional press]

54. you win- you've obviously been smoking more & better weed than us all.

combined.

[SammyWinstonJack]

53. What should be legalized is industrial hemp. Good for the environment.

Good for an alternative energy source and good for much of what ails us.

[JDPriestly]

55. Edwards stated that he will respect state law in enforcing marijuana laws.

That was his comment on medical marijuana.

I seriously doubt that any candidate will legalize marijuana unless there is a very broad grassroots movement supporting legalization. Most Americans do not use marijuana, do not wish to use marijuana and do not want their children using marijuana, so I don't think there will be a grassroots movement to legalize it in the foreseeable future.

[SammyWinstonJack]

58. If it is ever legalized then what happens to the drug testing employers do

for employment and the random testing of employees for marijuana?

[debbierlus]

59. Are you kidding me? I know so many people who used it at one time or other

So, give me a break. No one wants to ADMIT that use or have used it. Certainly, many people don't do it consistently, but it is the ULTIMATE hypocrisy to believe alcohol is fine to be legal but pot is somehow different.

[SammyWinstonJack]

62. I'm willing too bet that more people use than don't. Who is gonna admit it?

What with drug testing and random drug testing, for employment. :shrug:

[debbierlus]

56. No, Mr. Big Change wouldn't do such a sensible thing, wouldn't want to piss off big pharm

He is a corporatist. There is no way he would make a sensible pain reliever & sustainable agricultural product legal!

[SammyWinstonJack]

65. Not only piss of big pharm but the prison industrial complex as well.

Gotta keep that cheap prison labor intact. :argh:

[hiphopnation]

60. let's focus on ending the brutal war

getting health care coverage for those that need it most, balancing the budget and creating jobs, getting run-away outsourcing in check, improving the conditions of our inner cities, properly funding education starting at the pre-school level, attend to our aging infrastructure, weaning ourselves off of foreign oil, and other things...

*deep breath*

before we entertain the college dorm pipe dreams, k?

welcome to DU :hi:

[yardwork]

64. I would hope that the next president has more important things to do.

Medical marijuana should be legal of course, but that's not the president's job, and there are bigger issues facing us right now - like universal health care, the state of the planet, the war in Iraq...

[Warren DeMontague]

66. We spend $40 Billion a year on a drug war aimed PRIMARILY at pot smoking.

Our prisons are busting at the seams with non-violent drug offenders.

All of this, of course, is predicated on a fundamentally flawed, anti-freedom idea; the idea that what a consenting adult, one who is not harming or endangering anyone else, does with his or her own body or bloodstream is any of the government's business- particularly as it pertains to a relatively benign pharmacological agent like THC...

Meanwhile, the "war on terror" has only continued the assault on civil liberties that began with the "drug war". Wonder where the 4th amendment went? Ask the drug warriors.

State of the planet? Sanity around industrial hemp would help.

Universal Health Care? Legal, taxed marijuana combined with the $40 Billion savings from the idiotic drug war could go a long way towards funding a SPHC system..

and so on.

It IS a "bigger issue".