Mitt Romney's Crazy Comments on Medical Marijuana
The instant I write something suggesting that Romney wouldn't be any worse than Obama on medical marijuana, along comes Romney flipping out on a reporter for merely asking about it. The fun starts at 2:10:
So…Mitt Romney totally hates marijuana, but also doesn’t think it's important enough to be worth talking about. It's a horribly tone-deaf and idiotic thing to say in Colorado, where marijuana policy is a major issue and a legalization initiative is hitting the ballot the same day Romney is asking Coloradans for their votes. Language like that is also just perfect for alienating the Ron Paul crowd, whose support he desperately needs if he's going to get anywhere in the general election.
But just when you thought Romney was completely clueless on this, watch the end of the interview (at about 4:50) and you'll see him saying marijuana is a state issue that's irrelevant to his presidential campaign. Seriously? You wait until the interview is over to say something interesting about this?
A lot of people in Colorado and elsewhere would be very excited to think that Mitt Romney would leave marijuana policy up to the states. To even suggest such a thing is a very clever hedge that might work to earn some sympathy from libertarian-leaning republicans. But if you're gonna take that path, don't precede it by saying pot is a horrible gateway drug and insulting everyone by insisting the issue isn't even significant enough to discuss.
It really shouldn’t even be necessary to explain to a prominent politician that people ask questions because they care about the subject. It's just impossibly rude and stupid to mock anything any reasonable person asks you, especially when it has to do with a policy as deeply unpopular and controversial as the government's ongoing war on medical marijuana. If marijuana is important enough to arrest people for possessing, then it's important enough to discuss. And if it's important enough to discuss, then no politician who can't or won't discuss it intelligently is fit to hold public office.
It should soon become clear to Mitt Romney that he can't visit states like Colorado without taking questions about marijuana, and when that happens, he'd be very wise to tell us a lot less about how marijuana is a "gateway drug," and a lot more about how it's a state issue.
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(This article 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.)
DOUCHENOZZLE
OMG what a retard. What kind of moron does it take to elect a turd like him? The fact that he's even a player in this game is beyond belief. If for whatever fucked-up reason this asshole becomes president, then we're far, far, faaaar more fucked that we realize.
Wow
You used very colorful language in your comment, and even though I resent the rude behavior... I COULDN'T AGREE MORE!
Funny!
"OMG what a retard." LOL ~ exactly (verbatim) what went thru my head as I watched the clip. Too bad Obama's not much better...
Remember Obama at this stage last election?
Romney could flip on this issue at any time.He is capable of flipping on any issue at the drop of a hat.The thing is,he's a Mormon and Mormons are rabidly anti drug.Where the President of the US is concerned,there is no good choice.The drug war is on it's dying breath.These are the kinds of people that are providing the life support.Too bad ethical blindness isn't punishable by imprisonment equal to that that these people oversaw on their watch.These men are sociopaths.The lack of conscience is frightening.
Really? I am Mormon and favor
Really? I am Mormon and favor
The epitome of a fake big-grinned politician
Romney's sincerity at work: "Marijuana is such a horrible drug, a terrifying gateway to hell that is crucifying the lives of our children. Don't you reporters feel we should be discussing more important matters at this time, like the economy?"
Ron Paul!
Everyone should know that Ron Paul wants to end the federal war on drugs! this will leave the issue up to the states, please please look into Dr. Paul before you vote this year, i fear that we are coming to the end of the America that i know, not that it isnt grossly distorted already with the president right now creating a police state in our country
I also know that while i am coming out of college soon, i will be in debt until i die because of what the federal gov has done, we are currently 16 trillion dollars in debt with another 60 trillion in unbacked liabilities, these are things like the bailouts that the federal gov has handed out, that puts our debt at almost 80 trillion dollars,
Not only that but our dollar has almost no value to it anymore, its lost 98% of the value of the 1913 dollar, the year the federal reserve was created, we are on the verge of a massive economic crisis and this time the dollar will collapse,
Ron Paul has a plan to cut all of this uneccesary spending by the federal gov by cutting huge government bureaucracies, ending foreign aid, bringing our troops home, and ending the federal war on drugs, his "Plan to Restore America" cuts $1 trillion year one, this is what the country needs right now, i fear for my country and before anyone dismisses my concerns, please look into this issue, look at how much money we owe china right now, they could call on the US to repay anyday, this means they have a legal right to OUR assets, this SCARES me, foreign troops walking through our streets legally stealing everything that is ours, please look into some of these things, this election year is the most important we may ever see, the Republic is at stake
RON PAUL 2012!!!
The republic is already
The republic is already lost. Your past presidents made sure of that.
Yep
The United States and its original constitution as we hear all about in history books is long gone. It happened systematically in the period from 1913 to the 1970's; US citizens became property assets, federal income taxing was established, state legislatures lost much of their power, prohibition laws disguised as tax measures were instituted, and, eventually, FEDERAL CRIMINAL LAWS began to be established...
Ron Paul!
All the more reason to put Dr. Paul in office!! We must restore our republic, and getting Dr. Paul in office is the first step in doing this,
Romney and Obama Fear Marijuana Questions
Neither Romney nor Obama wish to address the greatest social policy failure since the prohibition of alcohol, so they trivialize marijuana prohibition at every opportunity.
So long as both candidates sidestep the issue in this lockstep fashion, they will neutralize marijuana as a campaign conflict. The technique is common to campaigns wherein pols want to avoid touchy subjects.
Political sidestepping only works until some sneaky questioner tosses out a banana peel. If the campaign of either candidate suffers when asked the right question about marijuana, usually one necessitating a specific response rather than a ho-hum reply about the dangers of drugs, it can make a candidate look ignorant and ill-prepared. If a question hurts candidates politically, the two major parties will start taking the questions more seriously.
In any case, the marijuana questions aren’t going away. Candidates are getting pelted with pot legalization wherever they go, a tribute to the power of the weed.
Giordano
Anytime he says "I'm tired of marijuana questions"
Rephrase it as a states rights question. Romney clearly said marijuana should be a states issue, so now we just need him to clearly reaffirm his support for that position and pressure him to promise to end federal raids if he is elected.
The president has no say in this issue
Just to note, I am a marijuana user and mostly agree with Rom. The fact is that Romney is correct in that this is a state issue and in truth, truly is not relevant to his potential presidency. It's up to the states to decide, not the federal government, just like many other social issues. Many pro-cannabis may not like him for his reaction to the question. However, there are huge issues going into this election and most of the country is truly not aware of the magnitude of the national debt crisis. I don't agree that he handled the question properly, but do agree that while these social issues are important to many people, they are only regarded in the crust of the pie. The president (whoever that may be after this election) has a lot of cleaning up to do. In the scope of problems in America, this is on the bottom of the list for Romney as well as Obama. People advocating for the medicinal use of marijuana or recreational use should consult their state officials. I understand that people want to know where each candidate stands on the issues, but this issue is irrelevant since the president has virtually no jurisdiction in this regard.
The president has all say in this issue!
JJLLMMNNAAL please stop either lying or making such obviously wrong statements. The president has absolute control over his/her Department of Justice appointees. He/She can choose to prosecute federal drug laws or not prosecute them. The president also has the power to pardon all drug offenders. I don't expect Romney, if he had the reason to be right on this subject, which he doesn't, to actually stand up and act because he is a chronic liar and flip flopper but there is 1 person running for president that is principled. His name is Ron Paul. You can believe what he says because he's been saying it for over 30 years. Romney changes his positions every couple of years so....
JOBS ??!! ECONOMY ???!!1.
JOBS ??!! ECONOMY ???!!
1. Legalize Pot, tax it and regulate it like alcohol = MEGA INCOME AND JOBS!!!!
2. Stop incarcerating Americans for smoking = TONS OF REVENUE SAVED ON JAILS, COURTS, ETC.
3. The more people smoke the less they drink = safer roads and less domestic violence
The President has no say in this issue
Just to note, I am a marijuana user and mostly agree with Rom. The fact is that Romney is correct in that this is a state issue and in truth, truly is not relevant to his potential presidency. It's up to the states to decide, not the federal government, just like many other social issues. Many pro-cannabis may not like him for his reaction to the question. However, there are huge issues going into this election and most of the country is truly not aware of the magnitude of the national debt crisis. I don't agree that he handled the question properly, but do agree that while these social issues are important to many people, they are only regarded in the crust of the pie. The president (whoever that may be after this election) has a lot of cleaning up to do. In the scope of problems in America, this is on the bottom of the list for Romney as well as Obama. People advocating for the medicinal use of marijuana or recreational use should consult their state officials. I understand that people want to know where each candidate stands on the issues, but this issue is irrelevant since the president has virtually no jurisdiction in this regard.
This is pure rubbish.
This is pure rubbish. Marijuana can't be a states only issue as long as there are federal laws prohibiting its use. It works great for the federal agents to have marijuana legal in some states and illegal federally. It gives them the perfect excuse to raid and steal property and leave the entire issue in a legal vacuum. While its good to focus on legalization at state levels it will never solve the real problem unless it leads to changes in federal law.
Romney is side stepping the question. He is leaving the "its a state issue" idea to get all the people on the fence about who they are voting for to think they might just have a chance at getting what they want if they vote for Romney. All I have to say to that is "yea right". He wouldn't leave the states alone just like Obama administration won't. Why? Federal LAW!!!
In 1988, after reviewing all
In 1988, after reviewing all scientific evidence brought forth in a lengthy lawsuit against the government’s prohibition of medical marijuana, the DEA’s own administrative law judge (Judge Francis Young) wrote: “MARIJUANA, IN ITS NATURAL FORM, IS ONE OF THE SAFEST THERAPEUTICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES KNOWN. IN STRICT MEDICAL TERMS, MARIJUANA IS SAFER THAN MANY FOODS WE COMMONLY CONSUME.” http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/show/109464
Anyone that wants marijuana is already getting it. Legalizing and regulating marijuana is not adding another harmful intoxicant to society, legalizing gives people the legal opportunity to make the SAFER CHOICE! Alcohol, tobacco, many Rx drugs, many over the counter drugs, even caffeine, aspirin and non-aspirin, can all be deadly and are well documented as being the direct cause of hundreds of thousands of deaths in the USA every year. http://www.saferchoice.org/content/view/24/53/
No person of any age, in all of recorded history, has ever died from marijuana, marijuana is nontoxic. Many have died from marijuana prohibition and tens of millions have been caged or otherwise seriously harmed. The US arrests someone on marijuana charge every 38 seconds. In 2010, 52.1% of the 1,638,846 total arrests for prohibition violations were for marijuana -- making a calculated total of 853,839. Would you rather have your kid locked up with killers and child molesters or would you prefer to do your own proper parenting? http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/Marijuana#Total
Watch this FL man that gets his marijuana from the Federal government destroy all the lies about marijuana consumers being lazy and unproductive. Watch him destroy all the lies about long term heavy marijuana use being harmful. Learn the truth about marijuana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvzX8aNwxgM
Listen to these high ranking narcotics officers expose the harms and waste of the drug war: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LayaGk0TMDc
The World Health Organization Documents Failure of U.S. Drug Policies - according to the world's leading substance abuse researchers, the US has the highest rates of marijuana and cocaine use. http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/90295/
Cannabis Reduces Infant Mortality: http://www.salem-news.com/articles/june272010/marijuana-infants-sc.php - The "cannabis" infants have a mortality rate almost half of what the "No drugs" infants have!
If you want to know how far the federal government will go to promote its mendacious anti-marijuana message read this:
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2000/03/31/magazines
Protestant, Catholic and Jewish Clergy Speak Out Against The War On Drugs:
http://www.csdp.org/news/news/clergydvd.htm
Free online book: The Emperor Wears No Clothes:
http://www.jackherer.com/chapter01.html
Here's a documentary about marijuana curing cancer. There are 7 parts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjhT9282-Tw
If you still doubt that marijuana is good medicine then kindly check out Granny Storm Crow's Amazing MMJ Reference List:
http://www.letfreedomgrow.com/cmu/GrannysList-Jan2011.pdf
It’s more like a library than a list!
MARIJUANA CURES CANCER:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/healthprofessional/page4
http://www.nowpublic.com/thc_marijuana_helps_cure_cancer_says_harvard_study
http://patients4medicalmarijuana.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/marijuana-cures-cancer-us-government-has-known-since-1974/
http://www.rawstory.com/rawreplay/2011/08/pbs-documentary-sheds-light-on-marijuanas-cancer-killing-properties/
Marijuana promotes brain cell growth by 40% and protects it from damage: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/10/051016083817.htm
Marijuana promotes healthy lungs: http://dailycollegian.com/2012/02/01/marijuana-health-claims-go-up-in-sm...
Marijuana when used by HIV patients Inhibits virus replication: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120320195252.htm
Mothers who use cannabis during pregnancy have healthier smarter kids: http://patients4medicalmarijuana.wordpress.com/2009/12/20/marijuana-cann...
Cutting our throats.......
Hemp is NOT marijuana. If 6% of the US (farmable) land was growing this biomass crop, it would provide ALL of the gas needed to run the country. Not to mention the tens of thousands of products that could be produced with hemp. Hemp has the longest, strongest, most durable natural fibre known to man. This is the reason why traditionally heavy-duty items such as rope, sails, flags, uniforms, paper for official documents and money were all made from hemp. The first President of the USA, George Washington, grew hemp. The second President, John Adams is quoted saying: "We shall, by and by, want a world of hemp more for our own consumption." And the third President, Thomas Jefferson, said: "The greatest service which can be rendered any country is to add a useful plant to its culture", and also: "Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth & protection of the country.
Fuck Hemp!
I'm tired of hearing about hippie industrial hemp shit. American lives are being ruined by the drug war. This issue is in a completely league and low priority at that.
3 layers of disagreement re sexual privilege
You say you believe homosexuals are born homosexuals, but what reason do you have for that belief? I don't see the evidence that humans are born with sexual preferences or any knowledge of sexual behavior. I don't think they choose their sexual preferences either, any more than they choose their tastes in anything else. Nobody says preference for, say, blondes is a voluntary choice, and nobody says it's inborn, either, as far as I know. Except for a few obviously inborn simple preferences like sweet over bitter taste, we don't know why people have the preferences they do for anything, let alone sex partners.
Then you seem to imply that if people were not born with a sexuality, that you would be in favor of depriving some of privileges in that regard. If sexuality is acquired during life, is that any more reason to deprive those who acquire one type of sexuality of privileges?
Finally, you imply that marriage is a privilege, and one that could possibly be bestowed on more persons than currently. I believe marriage is a custom, one that makes no sense as a same sex relationship, and that therefore calling persons of the same sex as married to each other changes marriage from a customary relationship recognized by law into a privilege conferred by law.
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