CNN hosted an interview with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday which featured democratically elected questions courtesy of the popular website Digg.com. Unsurprisingly, one of the top questions was about marijuana policy reform. Here is her response (itâs the 3rd question):
Obviously, Pelosi is very supportive of medical marijuana and despite her pessimism about achieving full-scale legalization, she didnât actually say she opposed it. Ideologically, Iâd have to say this was pretty good coming from the Speaker of the House. But, as Paul Armentano points out, Pelosiâs advice to supporters of medical marijuana just doesnât add up. She laments Congressâ intransigence on the issue and encourages constituents to contact their representatives, as though this is all just a matter of showing politicians where the people stand.
Alas, we kinda tried that already. Public support for medical marijuana has been overwhelming for a long time. Reformers are 9-1 when it comes to passing state-level medical marijuana laws at the ballot box. State legislatures in Hawaii, New Mexico and Rhode Island have passed laws to protect patients, drawing praise from constituents. The only memorable instance of a politician being damaged for his position on medical marijuana involved Bob Barr, who lost his House seat following attacks for opposing medical marijuana. Heâs come around since then.
What, other than legalizing medical marijuana in a dozen states, could the people possibly do to show the politicians in Washington, D.C. that weâre serious about this? You want us to go legalize medical marijuana everywhere else in America? Weâll do it. You want more research proving that it works? Let us know when youâre done reading what weâve already given you, and weâll gladly send the rest. Worried about the message to young people? Teenage use is down in states with medical marijuana laws.
You see, our feet are tired. Our throats are hoarse. Our keyboards are cracking, our sharpies are dry and weâre almost out of posterboard. With all of that in mind, Nancy Pelosi, since you do agree with us and youâre the Speaker of House now, we were hoping there might be something else you could do.
Obviously, Pelosi is very supportive of medical marijuana and despite her pessimism about achieving full-scale legalization, she didnât actually say she opposed it. Ideologically, Iâd have to say this was pretty good coming from the Speaker of the House. But, as Paul Armentano points out, Pelosiâs advice to supporters of medical marijuana just doesnât add up. She laments Congressâ intransigence on the issue and encourages constituents to contact their representatives, as though this is all just a matter of showing politicians where the people stand.
Alas, we kinda tried that already. Public support for medical marijuana has been overwhelming for a long time. Reformers are 9-1 when it comes to passing state-level medical marijuana laws at the ballot box. State legislatures in Hawaii, New Mexico and Rhode Island have passed laws to protect patients, drawing praise from constituents. The only memorable instance of a politician being damaged for his position on medical marijuana involved Bob Barr, who lost his House seat following attacks for opposing medical marijuana. Heâs come around since then.
What, other than legalizing medical marijuana in a dozen states, could the people possibly do to show the politicians in Washington, D.C. that weâre serious about this? You want us to go legalize medical marijuana everywhere else in America? Weâll do it. You want more research proving that it works? Let us know when youâre done reading what weâve already given you, and weâll gladly send the rest. Worried about the message to young people? Teenage use is down in states with medical marijuana laws.
You see, our feet are tired. Our throats are hoarse. Our keyboards are cracking, our sharpies are dry and weâre almost out of posterboard. With all of that in mind, Nancy Pelosi, since you do agree with us and youâre the Speaker of House now, we were hoping there might be something else you could do.
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