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President Obama: What Is So Funny About Taxing And Regulating Marijuana?
Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:34:32  By: Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director
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Speaking live moments ago President Barack Obama pledged “to open up the White House to the American people.”

Well, to some of the American people that is.

As for those tens of millions of you who believe that cannabis should be legally regulated like alcohol — and the tens of thousands of you who voted to make this subject the most popular question in today’s online Presidential Town Hall — well, your voice doesn’t really matter.

Asked this morning whether he “would … support the bill currently going through the California legislation to legalize and tax marijuana, boosting the economy and reducing drug cartel related violence,” the President responded with derision.

“There was one question that was voted on that ranked fairly high and that was whether legalizing marijuana would improve the economy and job creation, and I don’t know what this says about the online audience,” he laughed.

“The answer is no, I don’t think that [is] a good strategy.”

Obama’s cynical rebuff was short-sighted and disrespectful to a large percentage of his supporters. After all, was it not this very same “online audience” that donated heavily to Obama’s Presidential campaign and ultimately carried him to the White House?

Second, as I’ve written previously in The Hill and elsewhere, the overwhelming popularity of the marijuana law reform issue — as manifested in this and in similar forums — illustrates that there is a significant, vocal, and identifiable segment of our society that wants to see an end to America’s archaic and overly punitive marijuana laws.

The Obama administration should be embracing this constituency, not mocking it.

Third, will somebody please ask the President: “What is it that you think is so funny about the subject of marijuana law reform?”

Since 1965, police have arrested over 20 million Americans for violating marijuana laws, yet nearly 90 percent of teenagers say that pot is “very easy” or “fairly easy” to obtain. That’s funny?

According to this very administration, there is an unprecedented level of violence occurring at the Mexico/US border — much of which is allegedly caused by the trafficking of marijuana to the United States by drug cartels. America’s stringent enforcement of pot prohibition, which artificially inflates black market pot prices and ensures that only criminal enterprises will be involved in the production and sale of this commodity, is helping to fuel this violence. Wow, funny stuff!

Finally, two recent polls indicate that a strong majority of regional voters support ending marijuana prohibition and treating the drug’s sale, use, and distribution like alcohol. A February 2009 Zogby telephone poll reported that nearly six out of ten of voters on the west coast think that cannabis should be “taxed and legally regulated like alcohol and cigarettes.” A just-released California Field Poll reports similar results, finding that 58 percent of statewide votes believe that regulations for cannabis should be the same or less strict than those for alcohol.

Does the President really think that all of these voters are worthy of his ridicule?

Let the White House laugh for now, but the public knows that this issue is no laughing matter. This week alone, legislators in Illinois, Minnesota, and New Hampshire voted to legalize the use of marijuana for authorized individuals. Politicians in three additional states heard testimony this week in favor of eliminating criminal penalties for all adults who possess and use cannabis. And lawmakers in Massachusetts and California are now debating legally regulating marijuana outright.

The American public is ready and willing to engage in a serious and objective political debate regarding the merits of legalizing the use of cannabis by adults. And all over this nation, whether Capitol Hill wants to acknowledge it or not, they are engaging in this debate as we speak.

Sorry Obama, this time the joke’s on you.

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Cannabischarlie said:
hey, dont knock President Obama for this, clearly at the end of the article it mentions "listen to obama"

if the DEA decides to go AGAINST the president, he is not necessarily powerless to stop it, but he isnt a czar either.

I do hope he speaks out on this, so that the mentality WONT be that he is a flip flopper.

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Neuron said:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/03/26/obama-marijuana-is-not-a-good-strategy-to-spur-economy/#more-45366

In terms of thinking politically; I agree with Obama's decision. 40% of the country(right wing nuts) already hate his guts and want the president to fail. Legalizing cannabis would kill the support of a lot of those traditional folks. And I think it would kill Obama's chances of getting re-elected in 2012. What's more important, legalizing cannabis or having Obama for 8 years?


However, although there are less controversial ways to generate revenue. It seems completely moronic not to legalize cannabis. However; cops need to make their quotas and continue to instill the fear of drugs upon the impressionable young minds of our society.

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Cannabischarlie said:
I do hope he speaks out on this, so that the mentality WONT be that he is a flip flopper.

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Rocker232 said:
Obama is a joke.

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citricacidx said:

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Rocker232 said:
It amazes me how a man who won on "change" hasn't the slightest pair of balls. The nation is in a shit hole right, you have to make some choices that are going to be controversial. FDR walked all over the constitution in order to save the economy, why is Obama so afraid? He needs to stop worrying about his second term and worry about the present.

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lysergicide said:
legalization and taxation of marijuana not only stimulates the economy but also takes away a certain amount of power from gangs in big cities. a lot of their "income" is based off of prostitution and drug sales, and we all know how easy it is to get weed. take that factor out, and all of a sudden you're looking at a stimulated economy, slightly less crime, and slightly less powerful gangs.

fuck, i should have ran for president or some shit

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Neuron said:

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Rocker232 said:
It amazes me how a man who won on "change" hasn't the slightest pair of balls. The nation is in a shit hole right, you have to make some choices that are going to be controversial. FDR walked all over the constitution in order to save the economy, why is Obama so afraid? He needs to stop worrying about his second term and worry about the present.

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I understand what you are saying. Why is Obama so afraid? Let's not forget he is still the first african-american president of the United States. There have already been a number of assassination attempts on him. Legalizing marijuana WOULD generate a lot of revenue for our country; but it would also make some old fashioned "goody two shoed" Christians flaming mad.

The *last* thing we need right now, is to have the country completely divided, and you know it would be. The many brains of the people of the United States, and the government are brainwashed themselves in thinking drugs are bad.

Yet for them; alcohol and cigarettes are perfectly acceptable. I feel that it would take a while before society becomes more accepting towards this argument, and I don't think now is the right time.

If Obama legalized cannabis; he would gain a lot of credit on the Shroomery, but would lose substantial credibility among the rest of the population. The people who think like us are a tiny pool compared to the rest of the American population.

Anyways; gotta get back to studying for midterms.

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Neuron said:
People are also pretty quick to size up politicians and think  "If you've seen one, you've seen them all". I will let Obama play the game of politics, because he's out best shot at reclaiming our country.

A good politician is a strategic one. Okay, so if he did legalize cannabis then cannabis would be legal for 4 years. Then comes 2012; he obviously won't be re-elected by the majority; and we'll have some moronic republican like Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, or Jindal running for president.

Haven't you had enough bullshit from Bush? In my honest opinion, we need a smart president for as long as possible to rebuild America. We're hanging my a thin hair people, let's cut the guy some slack.

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Kada said:
President Roosevelt ended alcohol prohibition in 1933 as part of his economic stimulus package, bringing more jobs and tax revenue. Didn't he do this the first few weeks in office? Seemed to work out just fine for him, and seemed to help the economy. I don't know why they can't learn from history.

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uber_aj said:
i was disappointed by that as well, but we know the guy used to smoke, we know he (at the very least) stalled DEA raids on clinics, we've heard him say he favors decriminalization but not legalization in the past, and Clinton seems to be realizing that the Mexico conflict is caused by our loving demand for drugs.

they're not taking us seriously yet, but they know they're about to get into a fight. we'll win this shit, just not today.

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Rocker232 said:
Obama needs some balls.

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Neuron said:
People are also pretty quick to size up politicians and think  "If you've seen one, you've seen them all". I will let Obama play the game of politics, because he's out best shot at reclaiming our country.

A good politician is a strategic one. Okay, so if he did legalize cannabis then cannabis would be legal for 4 years. Then comes 2012; he obviously won't be re-elected by the majority; and we'll have some moronic republican like Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, or Jindal running for president.

Haven't you had enough bullshit from Bush? In my honest opinion, we need a smart president for as long as possible to rebuild America. We're hanging my a thin hair people, let's cut the guy some slack.

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Prisoner#1 said:

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Rocker232 said:
Obama needs some balls.

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incorrect, the american people need so balls

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uber_aj said:
you guys give up so fucking easily, its pathetic. we are making progress, period. did any of you honestly expect Obama to answer the qeustion, "Yes, I think legalization is a great idea, I'll go get on that right now!"

thats fucking stupid and unrealistic. the only thing that matters is that we have pressed the issue, forced it to be addressed, and now we are making mainstream news. CNN used the term Prohibition for fucks sake. that wouldn't have happened even a year ago. conservative news outlets are discussing the benefits of legalization. Glenn fucking Beck supports it. two states are pushing legislation to not just decriminalize, but legalize it.

the last 6 months has been outstanding for our cause, but Obama, a brand new black president 3 months into his first term isn't agreeing with legalization so you all freak out and say shit like, "Fuck my life," and "Fuck Obama," etc.

Christ, use your brains.

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unretarded said:
Protests have failed

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Prisoner#1 said:
I started more than a year ago telling everyone to
reconsider voting for him because he's no different than the
nutsack that just left office

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sleepy said:
i haven't noticed anyone mention this, but he merely said its not a good economic decision.  and i agree.  it would be a lie to legalize it for economic reasons. thats like saying, "its bad, but we need money, so we'll do it."  but its not bad.  yall are being too hard on barak, hes doing a great job so far, give him some time.

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Neuron said:
I was pleasantly surprised to see Obama even discuss this matter. I believe that everything will fall into place.

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Kada said:
He slammed on us all and our compentancy. He laughed and called us all idiots on live air. He lied and made it all a joke. It was proven to work in 1933 with alcohol, but he ignoes that because he was told to im sure. HE IS A PUPPET.

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sleepy said:
everything i've read has been positive, have you got any links?

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SlashOZ said:
California will legalize marijuana and tax it.

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Obama, of course, will never legalize weed federally. He will, however, allow states the option to legalize the plant for personal use like the aforementioned issue in California.

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He wants to win the next election and states rights

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Neuron said:
People are also pretty quick to size up politicians and think  "If you've seen one, you've seen them all". I will let Obama play the game of politics, because he's out best shot at reclaiming our country.

A good politician is a strategic one. Okay, so if he did legalize cannabis then cannabis would be legal for 4 years. Then comes 2012; he obviously won't be re-elected by the majority; and we'll have some moronic republican like Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, or Jindal running for president.

Haven't you had enough bullshit from Bush? In my honest opinion, we need a smart president for as long as possible to rebuild America. We're hanging my a thin hair people, let's cut the guy some slack.

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citricacidx said:
I'd love to see change, that's why I voted for Ron Paul

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Cannabischarlie said:
Obama though, I feel is about one of the Smartest presidents we have ever had.

Legalizing Marijuana and taxing it, etc, is NOT going to magically save the economy.

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unretarded said:
There is more money to be had by busting the clinics and cleaning out the safe and bank accounts ,than possible from taxing it.

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