Obama Says Legalizing Drugs is Worthy of Debate

[jefferson_dem]

Run time: 03:02 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB7AK76TF-k   Posted on YouTube: January 27, 2011 By YouTube Member: CopsSayLegalizeDrugs Views on YouTube: 313   Posted on DU: January 27, 2011 By DU Member: jefferson_dem Views on DU: 621

 
Obama: Drug Legalization 'Worth A Serious Debate'

WASHINGTON -- Drug legalization is an "entirely legitimate topic for debate," President Barack Obama said Thursday during his online YouTube town hall, in response to a question from a former deputy sheriff who has turned sour on the drug war.

In endorsing such a debate, Obama went further than any president has since the start of the war on drugs, which can be traced back at least to President Richard Nixon, but more realistically to the early 20th century, when the federal government began criminalizing drugs that had long been legal.

Obama, who said again toward the end of his answer that drug legalization is "worth a serious debate," lent legitimacy to a policy area that has long been relegated to the "unserious" corner of American political discourse.

His answer indicates an evolution in his administration's approach to the question of legalization. In the past, Obama has not treated the issue with the same respect.

In 2009, during a similar online event, the president paused to address the hundreds of questions that had been submitted regarding marijuana and drug policy. "Can I just interrupt, Jared, before you ask the next question, just to say that we -- we took votes about which questions were going to be asked and I think 3 million people voted," he said to aide Jared Bernstein. "I have to say that there was one question that was voted on that ranked fairly high, and that was whether legalizing marijuana would improve the economy -- (laughter) -- and job creation. And I don't know what this says about the online audience -- (laughter) -- but I just want -- I don't want people to think that -- this was a fairly popular question, we want to make sure that it was answered. The answer is no, I don't think that is a good strategy -- (laughter) -- to grow our economy in 2009."

<SNIP>

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/27/obama-drug-legalization-debate_n_815074.html

[Newest Reality]

1. The question then, is

how do you know, Mr. President, that it is not a good strategy for the economy when we are now seriously questioning the sustainability of our current model of energy consumption and wasteful overproduction, as well as its impact on our life ground and survival?

There are many viable reasons why hemp could be a productive crop for many purposes across-the-board. There are some entrenched industries that would find those implications threatening to their bottom-lines, (the new word for Sacred) as well. The history of hemp, (as well as the social implications and politics of cannabis) seem to support that.

[mwrguy]

2. At least he didn't smirk and slag it off this time.

I still don't like his stance on opposing decriminalization.

[GiveMeFreedom]

3. If it looks like

the masses are becoming restless towards their corporate overlords and want revenge for not sharing the wealth, then legalizing would be in their favor. Who ever heard of a bunch of crazy pot smokers running rampant in the streets?

[Fly by night]

4. I am planning to apply for a Presidential pardon for my federal medical cannabis conviction.

Later today, I will post an OP asking for help from interested DUers in that effort. To date, I believe no federal medical marijuana felon has ever been pardoned by any President.

Someone has to be the first. I'd dearly love it to be me.

Actually, what I would dearly love is for all prisoners of conscience in the medical cannabis arena to be pardoned en masse. If President Jimmy Carter could pardon all Vietnam era draft evaders who ran to Canada, President Obama can pardon all of us who decided not to run; but to stay here to fight for science, common sense and compassion -- and against senseless social control.

I applaud President Obama's remarks yesterday.

Stay tuned ....