Obama administration hazy on marijuana policy
The president has displayed remarkable political acuity in his dismissal of the legalization of marijuana as ridiculous, while leaving the issue open for later debate.
Taimur Gibson
Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: Opinion
In response to a question taken at a town hall meeting regarding marijuana legalization, President Barack Obama was quick to say, "No, I don't think that [legalization] is a good strategy to grow our economy."
Many people were disappointed by his reaction, as Obama did not offer any counter-arguments and completely ignored the potential medical and social benefits of ending the prohibition on marijuana.
Yes, some who wish to see marijuana legalized use it for recreational purposes, but the other benefits cannot be ignored. Cannabis is known to ease pain disorders, including the side-effects cancer patients experience throughout treatment.
In addition to this, legalization would strike an enormous blow to organized crime, free up the overflowing prison system and reduce violence along the Mexican-American border.
Our president is a very smart man; it is hard to believe that he has not seen these potential benefits. Why, then, did Obama not acknowledge any of these arguments for legalization? Why did he dismiss the question so quickly?
The answers to these questions may lie in the actions of his predecessors. Particularly, let's take a look at Abraham Lincoln, whom Obama has been compared to at great length.
Lincoln, the great emancipator, had to employ the political tactic of misdirection: the process of obscuring one's true beliefs through rhetoric. At the time, his progressive views on race were not acceptable to the majority of America, and it would have been political suicide to publically announce his opposition to slavery.
In the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates, Lincoln was quoted as saying, "I have no purpose to introduce political and social equality between the white and black races."
At first, this may seem unbelievable, but think about it: If Lincoln had outright established his commitment to social equality he would not have been politically viable and would never have been elected. He had to hide his true beliefs in order to save the Union from the impending disaster of the Civil War.
Many people were disappointed by his reaction, as Obama did not offer any counter-arguments and completely ignored the potential medical and social benefits of ending the prohibition on marijuana.
Yes, some who wish to see marijuana legalized use it for recreational purposes, but the other benefits cannot be ignored. Cannabis is known to ease pain disorders, including the side-effects cancer patients experience throughout treatment.
In addition to this, legalization would strike an enormous blow to organized crime, free up the overflowing prison system and reduce violence along the Mexican-American border.
Our president is a very smart man; it is hard to believe that he has not seen these potential benefits. Why, then, did Obama not acknowledge any of these arguments for legalization? Why did he dismiss the question so quickly?
The answers to these questions may lie in the actions of his predecessors. Particularly, let's take a look at Abraham Lincoln, whom Obama has been compared to at great length.
Lincoln, the great emancipator, had to employ the political tactic of misdirection: the process of obscuring one's true beliefs through rhetoric. At the time, his progressive views on race were not acceptable to the majority of America, and it would have been political suicide to publically announce his opposition to slavery.
In the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates, Lincoln was quoted as saying, "I have no purpose to introduce political and social equality between the white and black races."
At first, this may seem unbelievable, but think about it: If Lincoln had outright established his commitment to social equality he would not have been politically viable and would never have been elected. He had to hide his true beliefs in order to save the Union from the impending disaster of the Civil War.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 9
mason2012
mason2012
posted 4/23/09 @ 4:57 PM EST
The effect legalized marijuana would have on the cultivation of industrial hemp which is now prohibited must be considered . If marijuana were legal hemp would also be legal. (Continued…)
Stoney
posted 4/24/09 @ 6:51 PM EST
I think that they estimated that California alone would make 1 billion dollars a year just by taxing it.
Rusty
posted 4/25/09 @ 12:03 PM EST
I am rare in that I am a conservative who is not opposed to this. I believe that if people choose to use this plant for its various industrial uses, it would be beneficial. (Continued…)
Champion of the Free Market
posted 4/27/09 @ 1:05 AM EST
"Why should their [sic] be consequences for it though?"
Mr. Gibson, I don't believe you read Rusty's post correctly. He was referring to the inherent consequences that result from the use of marijuana, such as the increased risk of schizophrenia due to marijuana's effect on dopamine receptors in the brain. (Continued…)
Chandelier made of raspberries
posted 4/27/09 @ 10:47 AM EST
Look to the Bible, look to Genesis, man. God made ALL the greens...
Taimur Gibson
posted 4/27/09 @ 7:00 PM EST
Wow I am making typos everywhere. "Why should there* be consequences" is what I meant.
Rusty: yes I did misinterpret your post. I thought you were referring to legal consequences. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 4/30/09 @ 12:01 PM EST
Please people, step away from the bong and let that smoke in your head clear out.
D^mn hippies.
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