Democratic Presidential Candidates All Support Medical Marijuana
It's about time Barack Obama took the right position on a drug policy issue. Last night he concurred with the other democratic presidential hopefuls that the federal medical marijuana raids must stop:
Still, Obama's gutlessness would hardly alienate him from a Democratic Congress that remains enslaved by the drug war status quo. Really, if all democratic candidates agree with ending the medical marijuana raids, why the hell are democrats continually blocking the Hinchey Amendment, which does exactly that?
I just asked MPP's Aaron Houston this question, and he says it's a lot easier for the President to define DOJ's priorities than it is to get every single Democrat to sign onto something that many believe could hurt them politically. This may explain why Hinchey didn't do better this year under a democratically-controlled Congress. Since the democrats see a strong chance of reclaiming the White House, they have little incentive to take even minor political risks over an issue that could be resolved administratively in January '09.
That's a long wait for patients and providers that continue to live in fear of the DEA, but with Hinchey on pace to pass in 2027, January '09 feels like a fine time to bring this madness to an end.
(This blog post was published by StoptheDrugWar.org's lobbying arm, the Drug Reform Coordination Network, which also shares the cost of maintaining this web site. DRCNet Foundation takes no positions on candidates for public office, in compliance with section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and does not pay for reporting that could be interpreted or misinterpreted as doing so.)
MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE — In his first public statement on the subject, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama pledged to end medical marijuana raids in the 12 states that have medical marijuana laws Tuesday at a campaign event during a Nashua Pride minor league baseball game.I remain unimpressed with Obama, however. He promises "change" yet openly laments the "political capital" it would cost to repair a no-brainer racial justice issue like the crack powder sentencing disparity. Arguably the worst on drug policy among the democratic contenders, Obama's stance on medical marijuana could easily be dismissed as a political rather than a compassionate stance.
Obama's pledge came as a response to a question from Nashua resident and Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana volunteer Scott Turner, who asked the senator what he would do to stop the federal government from putting seriously ill people like Turner in prison in states where medical marijuana is legal.
"I would not have the Justice Department prosecuting and raiding medical marijuana users," Obama said. "It's not a good use of our resources." [MPP]
Still, Obama's gutlessness would hardly alienate him from a Democratic Congress that remains enslaved by the drug war status quo. Really, if all democratic candidates agree with ending the medical marijuana raids, why the hell are democrats continually blocking the Hinchey Amendment, which does exactly that?
I just asked MPP's Aaron Houston this question, and he says it's a lot easier for the President to define DOJ's priorities than it is to get every single Democrat to sign onto something that many believe could hurt them politically. This may explain why Hinchey didn't do better this year under a democratically-controlled Congress. Since the democrats see a strong chance of reclaiming the White House, they have little incentive to take even minor political risks over an issue that could be resolved administratively in January '09.
That's a long wait for patients and providers that continue to live in fear of the DEA, but with Hinchey on pace to pass in 2027, January '09 feels like a fine time to bring this madness to an end.
(This blog post was published by StoptheDrugWar.org's lobbying arm, the Drug Reform Coordination Network, which also shares the cost of maintaining this web site. DRCNet Foundation takes no positions on candidates for public office, in compliance with section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and does not pay for reporting that could be interpreted or misinterpreted as doing so.)
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obama/drug war
Here we go again. Today, 08/27, Obama said that New Orleans would be a top priority of his administration. He stated that he would set up a DEA office in nola to deal with the crime issue there . I thought they already had one . If his answer to "crime" is to expand and inflate the DEA , then the drug war status quo must be fine by Mr. Obama. Presidential candidates must be held to account for their positions concerning the drug war. This " don`t ask , don`t tell" crap is what helps to keep it going. Dennis Kucinich and Paul Brown seem to be the only two candidates with the balls to confront it.
Kucinich08!
I am voting for that guy if he makes it.He is the best bet next to Ron Paul or Mike Gravel.Mike Gravels got the balls,trust me.Ron might not due to many reasons.
Oh and **** Obama,he's a snake.
He just wanted to gain points, he is to much of a wuss to confront and follow through.Sucks to cuz I think it would be cool to finally get a non white or non male President and I am white as a blanket.
**** Obama? **** You, You're ignorant.
seriously... bagging on Obama just because you think he's a "wuss" is disgusting. have you even taken any time to learn about and understand his viewpoints on other subjets? He already is following through on some of his other projects so calling him a snake is completely uncalled for and unnecessary. if you ask me, you're the snake who knows close to nothing on the subject.
Forget the Frontrunners
Hillary, Obama, and Edwards are all just in it to win it. They are republican-lights, trying to get the popular vote. We need change. Push for Chris Dodd; he is for the decriminalization of marijuana and he is solid on all his other issues. He's in it to lead the country. Hillary took more money from special interest groups than any other candidate. Who do you think she's going to take care of if she gets in office? All of the frontrunners are so unclear on their issues. Don't let the media pick our next president and don't put another one of these do-nothing fools in the White House.
Hi, all
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now. Keep it up!
And according to this article, I totally agree with your opinion, but only this time! :)
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