Obama opposes pot legalization

[Sutter Kane]

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama had some fun with at least one question at his online town hall, saying he doesn't think legalizing marijuana is a good strategy for turning around the economy.

Obama told the audience Thursday that one of the most popular questions was whether legalization of the illicit drug would help pull the nation out of the recession. The president jokingly said: "I don't know what this says about the online audience."

In a serious response, he said he didn't think that was a good economic policy.

:dsp:

And here's Obama with some more Doublespeak on legalization in 2004
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I was not impressed with his cabinet picks or Tim Geitner. As a marijuana enthusiast this angers me. Obama is turning out to be just another slick talking politico. Get ready for the total collapse of the U.S. economy within 4 years. We will resemble a state like Zimbabwe with inflation in the trillions.

[levil666]

He didn't openly oppose it Sutter, just said he didn't think it would help the economy grow (which is bullshit.) However, I wonder what his stance is on legalizing to cut down on border crime :hmmm:. Also, couldn't see the video 'cause the comp is slow and such. Thanks for posting this.

[ReD]

he didn't think it would help the economy grow (which is bullshit.)

All that needs to be said and this coming from someone whose never touched the stuff.

[The Tall Man]

correct me if im wrong but didn't he say before that he was interested in the legalization of pot? i mean hell this was one of the reasons i voted for him. I want my pot...legally that is...

[OtepFan616]

:mecry:

[3/6]

:mad:

[Get Some]

who cares? if its legal or illegal people who smoke weed are going to do it regardless...so in reality it doesn't matter.

[3/6]

who cares? if its legal or illegal people who smoke weed are going to do it regardless...so in reality it doesn't matter.

sure it matters, they're soooo many uses for chronic.

u can use Hemp for anything... more importantly hemp Oil as a fuel..its a renewable resource...cars that run on hemp...we'll never run out

[Doc Awesome]

sure it matters

u can use Hemp for anything... more importantly hemp Oil as a fuel..its a renewable resource...cars that run on hemp...we'll never run out

And the state can tax it help build roads and schools, we can get cleaner weed without the worry of getting something laced, our jails would be a bit more empty with less marijuana offenders.

There's a lot to take into account when legalizing Marijuana not just letting someone use it or not.

[3/6]

And the state can tax it help build roads and schools, we can get cleaner weed without the worry of getting something laced, our jails would be a bit more empty with less marijuana offenders.

There's a lot to take into account when legalizing Marijuana not just letting someone use it or not.

:coolbeer:

[Get Some]

so you guys are telling me that you would buy weed to help state revenue and other issues rather then smoking it? i honestly find that hard to believe considering you're all part of a group on UHM entitled "uhm stoners"

[IKickAssForTheLord]

Don't you say anythin' 'bout the UHM Stoners :shakefist:

[3/6]

so you guys are telling me that you would buy weed to help state revenue and other issues rather then smoking it? i honestly find that hard to believe considering you're all part of a group on UHM entitled "uhm stoners"

:scratch:

if the government sells it like cigarettes what do u think were gonna do with it??? save it?? of course we'll smoke it

[scaryperry]

sounds like someone needs to read "Blazing A Trail to Legalization"

[levil666]

:spit:

[3/6]

Blazing a Trail to Legalization

Since Cannabis was outlawed nearly a hundred years ago, there has been constant controversy about the products of the cannabis variety such as hemp and their rolls as alternate resources. Even Webster's Dictionary offers alternate definitions of cannabis: 1. the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa and 2. any of the various parts of the plant from which hashish, marijuana, bhang, and similar mildly euphorogenic and hallucinogenic drugs are prepared (2009).


Some see marijuana as a serious issue in the war on drugs, harmful in many aspects to society and a gateway drug for today's youth. For others, the campaign for legalization is promoted on the platform that hemp is a solution to the problems we are facing with our dwindling supply of natural resources. Unfortunately, there is a stigma that overshadows the potential profit and other benefits that this plant has to offer.


The lacking presence of renewable resources has dominated our headlines for years, although the possibility of hemp as an alternative has been far overlooked by many. The uses and potential products from hemp are endless, ranging from plastics and construction materials to medicinal capabilities. Hemp has also been cultivated for millennia as an effective source for strong textiles and clothing, which are still commonly found in the modern market today. Market analysts have recognized and named hemp as one of the leading crops with the potential of becoming the next billion dollar industry. However, despite hemp's multiple capacities, manufacturers are limited due to heavy restrictions placed on the cultivation of the crop in the United States (Small).


Canada has taken strides in the past century to promote the development of experimental hemp farms by granting licenses to farmers. The experimental project has produced high yields with great success, although the progress State side has ceased as politicians continue to debate the impact of the planting of cannabis. In Washington, bills upon bills regarding the issue of hemp legalization have seen the inside of the house but have yet to pass through. There have been minor advances within state legislatures including Hawaii which holds the only American experimental plot. One of the major problems in bill processing is addressing the issue of the true definition of cannabis and its cultivars (Datwyler 371-375).


What is hemp and how is it different from marijuana? Tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, levels in marijuana and hemp vary and are, in fact, what defines their differences. THC levels in hemp are typically around .3% whereas marijuana holds a potency of 5-10%. Organically, hemp is a mildly-euphoric substance and has no effect as a fibrous product. Yet the difficulty to enforce the ban on the growth of marijuana would only increase with the propagation of hemp. The current marijuana law which prohibits the importation, distribution and manufacturing of cannabis in all its forms, and until this law is changed on state and federal levels, the perceived future for hemp production is dire.


:happydance:

[Sutter Kane]

so you guys are telling me that you would buy weed to help state revenue and other issues rather then smoking it? i honestly find that hard to believe considering you're all part of a group on UHM entitled "uhm stoners"

What else would you do with weed you buy other than smoke it?

I just don't like that Obama is playing with my emotions on this issue. Either be for it or against it, none of this pandering and flip flopping. I question his motives.

btw good post 3 6

[levil666]

Damn, boy's a scholar in herbology :D

[scaryperry]

so you guys are telling me that you would buy weed to help state revenue and other issues rather then smoking it? i honestly find that hard to believe considering you're all part of a group on UHM entitled "uhm stoners"

no i will smoke it AND help state revenue and other issues while getting high :smoking4:

[Get Some]

in my opinion i could be wrong, but none of you want pot to be legalized other then then benefits of smoking it

[3/6]

in my opinion i could be wrong, but none of you want pot to be legalized other then then benefits of smoking it

lol are you serious???
i live in MI, worse economy in the US..anything to boost this shitty economy, im for it :yes:

[levil666]

in my opinion i could be wrong, but none of you want pot to be legalized other then then benefits of smoking it

Not true. Smoking it legally is one of the perks. My major concern is reducing border related crime. We have a ton of kidnappings and other instnaces that are directly related to the cartels. Legalization of a substance less hazardous in the long term than the effects of alcohol and nicotine just seems logical to me.

[Get Some]

well if u want to reduce border crime why dont we just legalize every drug out there that would probably do the job

[Sutter Kane]

decriminalization is the only sane drug policy. I don't understand how opponents of legalization don't see the parallels between the mafia bootleggers and the cartels of Mexico. Prohibition just doesn't work.

Mexico tried to legalize ALL drugs at one point. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,193616,00.html

The violence there has a lot of people saying F&cK it, might as well deal with it as a public health issue rather then a criminal one.

[levil666]

well if u want to reduce border crime why dont we just legalize every drug out there that would probably do the job

Doesn't work so well. Right now, the biggest drug problem for the US is meth, and it is manufactured domestically. If they were to cut pot out of the equation, then it would drastically cut down on cartel revenue, since while most drug users may indulge in marijuana, not all marijuana users are going to dabble in cocaine or heroine. While decriminalization would be a good thing, if it were to be legalized, then the gov could actually regulate it, sell it at a cheaper price (imagine, 20 bucks for 20 doobies, much less than the cost of what it would take for you to do that yourself.) Also, since it is so cheap, 95% of the cost to the consumer would be reflective of the taxes. All in all, just by legalizing pot, it drastically reduce many of our domestic problems. :smokin2:

[Sutter Kane]

Every city needs a Hamsterdamme like in the third season of The Wire.:yes:

[Get Some]

you can make that argument for any drug...imagine buying an 8ball of cocaine for this amount rather then paying this much for it illegally...and it will be reflective of the taxes and reduce a shit load of more crime then legalizzing marijuana

[3/6]

Doesn't work so well. Right now, the biggest drug problem for the US is meth, and it is manufactured domestically. If they were to cut pot out of the equation, then it would drastically cut down on cartel revenue, since while most drug users may indulge in marijuana, not all marijuana users are going to dabble in cocaine or heroine. While decriminalization would be a good thing, if it were to be legalized, then the gov could actually regulate it, sell it at a cheaper price (imagine, 20 bucks for 20 doobies, much less than the cost of what it would take for you to do that yourself.) Also, since it is so cheap, 95% of the cost to the consumer would be reflective of the taxes. All in all, just by legalizing pot, it drastically reduce many of our domestic problems. :smokin2:

well said
:rockin:

[Doc Awesome]

in my opinion i could be wrong, but none of you want pot to be legalized other then then benefits of smoking it

Nope you're wrong, at least on my front. I care very much about education and the city I live in. The extra taxes that can be brought from pot will help out greatly.

Will it help our economy? No, not in a big way, but it will help and it also shows that the government is thinking in a different direction other than spend, spend, spend.

You don't want weed legalized and we've given you plenty of pros where are your cons? Change my mind. You can put your hands over your ears and shake your head while saying "no, no, no, no.", but it ain't making your argument any better.

[levil666]

you can make that argument for any drug...imagine buying an 8ball of cocaine for this amount rather then paying this much for it illegally...and it will be reflective of the taxes and reduce a shit load of more crime then legalizzing marijuana

Sure you can make that arguement, but then again you are forgetting about the rehab costs that are going to go hand in hand with the legalization of a hard drug (*note* marijuana is not addictive) not to mention the fact that there will be a rise in overdoses. Whereas, with marijuana, you have to smoke your own weight to o.d. *edit* on the note of lowering crime, you would probably see a rise, since a stimulant like cocaine causes people to act irrationally.

levil :downlow: 3/6

[IKickAssForTheLord]

I want in this :hi5:

[Doc Awesome]

It'll also sure as hell help those that need medical Marijuana that can't travel to Cali.

[levil666]

Doesn't matter as long as there is federal laws. They raid the cannibis clubs from time to time. Needs to be left up to the states.

[Get Some]

i'm sorry i just find it so hard to believe that everyone wants it legalized for more reasons then just being able to smoke it legally

[Revenant]

honestly , as someone who doesn't smoke, i don't necessarily see why it's such a huge deal for it to become legal, if smoking and alcohol, two potentially harmful and one that already can alters one state of being into a stupor if they consume too much, couldn't we just add pot, apply some of the same laws that follow alcohol, DUI, etc. but frankly there are so many places you can attack this from on either side of the debate so I'm just gonna assume this debate will keep raging on for a good while.

[strtfghtr]

I don't smoke and I think it should be legalized and taxed the shit out of...just like tobacco...which I also don't smoke.

It doesnt hurt anyone else so who gives a shit what other people do to themselves

[H78]

I think marijuana is better for younger folks if it's illegal than if it's legal.

Why did you first try pot? To experiment and to do something adventurous. I'd much rather my kid be adventurous by smoking weed than I would having it legal (and thus taking half of its appeal away) and having my kid try something like cocaine.

That's not to say he/she might not try cocaine anyways, but I honestly believe, from personal experience, that when a lot of kids get over their weed kick, they just go back to making more sound decisions. Some will move on to other things, but a lot of kids will not. If weed is legal, that sense of adventure is gone, and before you know it something else harder will take its place.

That all said, I wouldn't be pissed if weed was legal. It'd be a great source of tax revenue. Price an 1/8th at $20 a bag and tag on a 50% tax. That'd be $10 for every 1/8th of weed sold.

[3/6]

first time i smoked weed was in 6th grade...my friend stole 2 joints from his mom. we went to our schools play ground. i did it just cause i thought it would make me laugh, little did i know.
we rode our bikes up to the city park..i went to jump a ramp. landed, my cahined poped and i ran into a tree.
i got up saying "dude, i didnt feel anything"

the rest is history :smokin2:

[levil666]

I think marijuana is better for younger folks if it's illegal than if it's legal.
Then we put an age gap on it like alcohol and cigarettes, and they still haven't lost their appeal.


That all said, I wouldn't be pissed if weed was legal. It'd be a great source of tax revenue. Price an 1/8th at $20 a bag and tag on a 50% tax. That'd be $10 for every 1/8th of weed sold.

:nono:
That better be an 1/8 of chron you're talking about for 30 buck...

[Lemmywinks]

I haven't smoked pot in over 3 years but believe it should be legal and taxed which would help the economy. Plus people when they are really stoned are fun to make fun of.

[cmurdur]

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[Revenant]

That all said, I wouldn't be pissed if weed was legal. It'd be a great source of tax revenue. Price an 1/8th at $20 a bag and tag on a 50% tax. That'd be $10 for every 1/8th of weed sold.

Not to mention the ripple effect when Frito Lay starts breaking profit records when
Funyun and doritos sales go through the roof.

[3/6]

Not to mention the ripple effect when Frito Lay starts breaking profit records when
Funyun and doritos sales go through the roof.

FUNYUNS :rocker:

see, its a win win deal :D..like a Pyramid scam that works..everyone benefits :D

[IamCorvus]

Not to mention the ripple effect when Frito Lay starts breaking profit records when
Funyun and doritos sales go through the roof.


:lol2:

[scaryperry]

You don't want weed legalized and we've given you plenty of pros where are your cons? Change my mind. You can put your hands over your ears and shake your head while saying "no, no, no, no.", but it ain't making your argument any better.

:appl:


Not to mention the ripple effect when Frito Lay starts breaking profit records when
Funyun and doritos sales go through the roof.

:lol2: id def contribute

[UzumakiW]

Obama just pwned the stoners of this country :mhehe:

Obama's way of saying 'STONER BASHING TIME'

But in all seriousness, I don't give a damn whether they legalize it or not, I'm still not going back to it.

I can see where people could argue that it will boost the economy. It does make sense. However, either way, I don't really care.

Those god damn hippies better stay away from me, though :mad:

[Shreds_of_Flesh]

:mhehe:

[Lemmywinks]

Am/Pm's and late night fast food joints would sure as hell profit.

[UzumakiW]

Denny's :rockin:

[slimeisacharacter]

Denny's :rockin:

Gotta love places with menus you can point to pictures of what you want and get your whole order at 3AM.

[Broken Skull]

Gotta love places with menus you can point to pictures of what you want and get your whole order at 3AM.

:lol:

[UzumakiW]

Grand Slam mofoz :rockin:

[Rust In Peace]

Gotta love places with menus you can point to pictures of what you want and get your whole order at 3AM.

Hahaha agreed, I hate walking into a fast food joint baked trying to order something. I feel like I'm making no sense at all (which I probably dont)

[//Neon_Maniac//]

You know what's awesome after taking in some trees?


Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

http://www.furyblog.com/pics/coolface1.jpg

[OtepFan616]

When I am high, Haha well all the time, Cheese sticks are the shit. Lol. Obama has Made me ask myself y I voted for him....

[Dr. Phibes]

Obama has Made me ask myself y I voted for him....

Seriously, this is the issue that makes you ask yourself why you voted for him?

[OtepFan616]

Yes yes it is. :bored: :itsok:

[Sutter Kane]

When I am high, Haha well all the time, Cheese sticks are the shit. Lol. Obama has Made me ask myself y I voted for him....

I like him but he seems to be scaling back on a lot of shit he sold us on the campaign trail. Look at his speeches about Darfur and how he was gonna handle that situation head on but now you don't hear a peep from him now. And his Treasury Secretary is a dummy. His actions and words do not inspire much confidence in me right now.

[UzumakiW]

I like him but he seems to be scaling back on a lot of shit he sold us on the campaign trail.

Honestly does not surprise me one bit.

[Sutter Kane]

Yeah a politician going back on his promises :freaked:
Shocker

[NIZ08]

All I know about reading this is that is America really ready for the legalization of weed? I like the positives that some of you said and they are amazing positives, but I think we will be seeing a lot more of the negative aspect if Obama decides to legalize weed. I don't want to sound pessimistic at all and I apologize if I do, but I don't think we are ready for the legalization of weed. If he ever does come to the decision or future presidents come to the decision of it, I just hope that those who know the positives about marijuana will be the helping hands in making it into a helpful source for us. Because there are A LOT of idiots here in America that could ruin it for those who prefer to use it as a helpful source instead of abusing it more than it is now. Some people will just want legalization just to smoke more over thinking of great ways to make it a helpful source in the US and worldwide.

[levil666]

One thing to remember NIZ08: PEOPLE ARE STUPID.

An indvidual may be intelligent, but people are always going to use and abuse to excess. The only difference is that if you have it legal, and people use it all the time, you'll find that a lot of people just sit at home and play video games while eating snackies. Even using in excess, there won't be permanent damage. Eventually, the novelty would wear off, and people would not be so inclined to habitual use, because sitting around being stoned retarded does get old after a while. Another positive is that after stopping use, your lungs coungh up the resin that clings to your ariolas, leaving virtually little damage, unlike cigarette smoke which permanantly damages your lungs, and your brain clears up the film that develops over the years, unlike the retardation inflicted by alcohol abuse. Virtually, there is very little reasoning for it to be illegal, and an answer to your question; yes America is ready for this to be legalized. It was originally made illegal not because it was harmful, but as a means to deport migrant workers (since smoking mota was extremely popular to the migrant farming help) and the fact that its versatility beats out the tobacco companies, since tobacco is so limited in its uses, and it is a high maintenance crop. When it comes down to brass tacks, the legislation against marijuana really has no footing for being illegal, and it would seriously help us (as I have already stated) as a country in so many ways to actually have it legalized. This statement by Obama is bullshit posturing for some political means unseen by the us, the American people.

[Dr. Phibes]

Yeah a politician going back on his promises :freaked:
Shocker

Yeah, it really surprised me.

How old are you?

[Luris Blear]

Obama can not wave a pen and legalize the drug.

This kind of measure would need to be passed through the House and Senate before he even had the chance to sign or veto the approval.

Those who watched the 2004 elections might want to recall how even the blue states had a hard time getting their populations to vote for medical marijuana. Now imagine the Federal government deciding that it could be legal for the entire country, as well as for recreational use. They will spend the first few months swimming through angry faxes and letters between the office door and their desk. Then a huge target will be painted on their backs come next election.

"Seven year old Ellen Worthington died at the hands of an intoxicated driver. Driver X was not drunk. He was high on legally available marijuana when his car broadsided Ellen's SUV, killing her instantly. (dramatic pause) Senator Phil McCracken voted in favor of legalizing marijuana. Vote him out of office before another little girl gets killed. Paid for by Amanda Hugginkiss For Senate 2012."

It won't be good news for our eternally appointed pantheon of 425 demigods if they sign a bill to legalize. Sorry.

[Sutter Kane]

Yeah, it really surprised me.

How old are you?

I was being sarcastic....

[WarBeast]

Obama can not wave a pen and legalize the drug.

This kind of measure would need to be passed through the House and Senate before he even had the chance to sign or veto the approval.

Those who watched the 2004 elections might want to recall how even the blue states had a hard time getting their populations to vote for medical marijuana. Now imagine the Federal government deciding that it could be legal for the entire country, as well as for recreational use. They will spend the first few months swimming through angry faxes and letters between the office door and their desk. Then a huge target will be painted on their backs come next election.

"Seven year old Ellen Worthington died at the hands of an intoxicated driver. Driver X was not drunk. He was high on legally available marijuana when his car broadsided Ellen's SUV, killing her instantly. (dramatic pause) Senator Phil McCracken voted in favor of legalizing marijuana. Vote him out of office before another little girl gets killed. Paid for by Amanda Hugginkiss For Senate 2012."

It won't be good news for our eternally appointed pantheon of 425 demigods if they sign a bill to legalize. Sorry.

You got a finger on the pulse of washington with this issue, bro.... :nod: ... sad but true...

[Grendel]

:dsp:

And here's Obama with some more Doublespeak on legalization in 2004
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wQr9ezr8UeA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wQr9ezr8UeA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>It's pretty clear that he was talking about addressing issues of enforcement and criminal penalty, not trying to sweettalk his way into courting the NORML vote. Far from "doublespeak" he was crystal clear on the point of not supporting legalization.

correct me if im wrong but didn't he say before that he was interested in the legalization of pot? i mean hell this was one of the reasons i voted for him. I want my pot...legally that is...The administration is looking to end federal raids on medical marijuana distributors that comply with the relevant state's law; a far cry from legalizing pot.

[Dr. Phibes]

I was being sarcastic....

I was too, Pal. Just playing around. Politicians are liars by trade. Kinda crosses party lines, eh?

[Sutter Kane]

It's pretty clear that he was talking about addressing issues of enforcement and criminal penalty, not trying to sweettalk his way into courting the NORML vote. Far from "doublespeak" he was crystal clear on the point of not supporting legalization.
The administration is looking to end federal raids on medical marijuana distributors that comply with the relevant state's law; a far cry from legalizing pot.

I felt he pandered to the pot supporters but he is now letting the issue die (among other things). Glad to hear that feds aren't gonna focus on raids but that isn't enough.

"I think we need to rethink and decriminalize our marijuana laws but I am not
Somebody who believes in legalization." - Obama

If that isn't Doublespeak then I don't know what is. A far cry from "Crystal Clear."

[Grendel]

"I think we need to rethink and decriminalize our marijuana laws but I am not Somebody who believes in legalization." - Obama[/B]

If that isn't Doublespeak then I don't know what is. A far cry from "Crystal Clear."Speaking extemporaneously, he started to say "decriminalize," immediately saw how that statement could be taken and emphatically stated his position against marijuana legalization. One must look at his entire response, which was about the strategy of the "war on drugs" as a whole.

[Sutter Kane]

One can be an apologist for Obama, hell I voted for him. I'm just saying "I was before it before I was against it" is playing real thin. He didn't come out and support decriminalization but neither did he oppose it and I would say he used the issue (like others) to his advantage.

I'm just saying, it doesn't make me feel good about how things are going down. Don't get me stared bout' GM Comrade.

[Grendel]

One can be an apologist for Obama, hell I voted for him. I'm just saying "I was before it before I was against it" is playing real thin. He didn't come out and support decriminalization but neither did he oppose it and I would say he used the issue (like others) to his advantage.

I'm just saying, it doesn't make me feel good about how things are going down. Don't get me stared bout' GM Comrade.Not to beat a dead horse, but I'm not sure how much more opposed one can get than "I don't support legalization."

The point is not to serve as apologist; frankly he's done plenty of things I disagree with: dropping the ball with the banks, not splitting from Bush on assertions of state secrets in various legal proceedings, etc. I just don't see much place to find fault here, specifically.

[bloodletskeleton]

that bitch! :mad: