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Obama: Pot Users In Washington And Colorado Not A 'Top Priority'
President Barack Obama said prosecuting pot users in states that have legalized the drug won't be a top priority for his administration.
"We've got bigger fish to fry," Obama told ABC News' Barbara Walters. "It would not make sense for us to see a top priority as going after recreational users in states that have determined that it's legal."
Last month, voters in Colorado and Washington legalized recreational pot use for adults, though marijuana remains illegal under federal law.
The Obama administration suggested last week that it was considering plans to undermine the voter initiatives. In his interview with Walters, Obama did not say whether his administration would go after producers and suppliers of marijuana in those states. The administration has cracked down extensively on the medical marijuana industry in California, despite its legality under state law there.
A slim majority of Americans want the Department of Justice to leave pot smokers alone in the states where the drug has been legalized, according to a HuffPost/YouGov poll.
Obama himself smoked pot as a youngster in Hawaii, where he and his high school pals called themselves the Choom Gang.
"There are a bunch of things I did that I regret when I was a kid," he told Walters. "My attitude is, substance abuse generally is not good for our kids, not good for our society."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/14/obama-pot-washington-colorado_n_2299512.html
"We've got bigger fish to fry," Obama told ABC News' Barbara Walters. "It would not make sense for us to see a top priority as going after recreational users in states that have determined that it's legal."
Last month, voters in Colorado and Washington legalized recreational pot use for adults, though marijuana remains illegal under federal law.
The Obama administration suggested last week that it was considering plans to undermine the voter initiatives. In his interview with Walters, Obama did not say whether his administration would go after producers and suppliers of marijuana in those states. The administration has cracked down extensively on the medical marijuana industry in California, despite its legality under state law there.
A slim majority of Americans want the Department of Justice to leave pot smokers alone in the states where the drug has been legalized, according to a HuffPost/YouGov poll.
Obama himself smoked pot as a youngster in Hawaii, where he and his high school pals called themselves the Choom Gang.
"There are a bunch of things I did that I regret when I was a kid," he told Walters. "My attitude is, substance abuse generally is not good for our kids, not good for our society."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/14/obama-pot-washington-colorado_n_2299512.html
"Another thing that I don't agree with is your presumption that decriminalization or legalization would significantly increase use and/or abuse of marijuana. I don't think the legalization of the drug would make it that much more attractive."
I agree ....... I sit on the fence with the entire situation, because admittedly, I've never used pot, and know very little about it, scientifically. I've read the horror stories about it being a gateway drug, whether they are true or not. I do think Mike's statement is correct, though, because there are a lot of people, already, using it today and I don't see that changing; those that want to try it/use it are going to, whether it's legal or not. I don't think legalization is going to create a free for all, with everyone making a mad dash to get their share before it sells out. In fact, I can see a some people thinking it's not such a big deal, if it's legal, because they won't be "getting away with something".
I don't know if I agree with it, but I can see an argument for legalizing and regulating it, and collecting much needed taxes from the sales, so long as age limits are in place, such as with alcohol. One thing that bothers me, though is that the dealers would not be put out of business; they'd just move on to dealing in stronger, more dangerous drugs.
I agree ....... I sit on the fence with the entire situation, because admittedly, I've never used pot, and know very little about it, scientifically. I've read the horror stories about it being a gateway drug, whether they are true or not. I do think Mike's statement is correct, though, because there are a lot of people, already, using it today and I don't see that changing; those that want to try it/use it are going to, whether it's legal or not. I don't think legalization is going to create a free for all, with everyone making a mad dash to get their share before it sells out. In fact, I can see a some people thinking it's not such a big deal, if it's legal, because they won't be "getting away with something".
I don't know if I agree with it, but I can see an argument for legalizing and regulating it, and collecting much needed taxes from the sales, so long as age limits are in place, such as with alcohol. One thing that bothers me, though is that the dealers would not be put out of business; they'd just move on to dealing in stronger, more dangerous drugs.
"I appreciate the exchange of information. I've said before that I'll stay out of the conversation but these posts on the subject keep being made. Then, I just can't help myself. I compulsively post. Something for me to work on. "
You keep saying you'll stay our of it, and you and I have agreed to disagree, then yes, you need to ignore this discussion.
But that won't stop people posting about it, and my response was directed at NG not you. You had no need to reply.
BTW: I do hope you understand that many of us feel like you do, that we've experienced many things in our lives, but we feel just as strongly that marijuana use in and of itself, is not harmful to society.
It still seems so strange to me to outlaw a plant. It's a plant, simple and natural.
You keep saying you'll stay our of it, and you and I have agreed to disagree, then yes, you need to ignore this discussion.
But that won't stop people posting about it, and my response was directed at NG not you. You had no need to reply.
BTW: I do hope you understand that many of us feel like you do, that we've experienced many things in our lives, but we feel just as strongly that marijuana use in and of itself, is not harmful to society.
It still seems so strange to me to outlaw a plant. It's a plant, simple and natural.
Okay, you win.
Mike
Mike
As much information that is 'thrown' at me, I feel as I feel. I'm not young and I'm not old. I have a pretty good instinct about what is hurful and what is good. I've seen a lot and experienced a lot. My experience and own life tells me that pot is not a good thing for our society to be so 'okay' with. I'm not okay with it. I'm also not okay with alcohol usage to get buzzed. I don't have any control over that. But if it ever comes my way to vote on legalization of marijauna, my opinion is firm. Maybe I won't have control over legalization of marijauna either but until then, my opinion--- no matter what is thrown back for why it is wrong, well. It's just my opinion.
I think that the person who really gets through to me is our beloved Adgal who has the same goals that I do but wants to decriminalize it.
I appreciate the exchange of information. I've said before that I'll stay out of the conversation but these posts on the subject keep being made. Then, I just can't help myself. I compulsively post. Something for me to work on.
I think that the person who really gets through to me is our beloved Adgal who has the same goals that I do but wants to decriminalize it.
I appreciate the exchange of information. I've said before that I'll stay out of the conversation but these posts on the subject keep being made. Then, I just can't help myself. I compulsively post. Something for me to work on.
Everything has the potential to be dangerous.
You can actually die from drinking too much water.
Pot is not a highly addictive drug and that doesn't even address the complex issue of what "addiction" really is. There are different types of addiction. The vast majority of people who try marijuana do not become addicted. I believe that even your linked site - which, by the way, I don't find extremely credible - states that only 9% of those people who've used marijuana become "addicted".
I always hate anecdotal evidence because it is generally very limited. I do have to say, however, that my experience has been that many self actualized and very successful and highly functioning individuals occasionally smoke marijuana for recreational use. I cannot think of one person who was destroyed by smoking marijuana. I can't say the same thing about alcohol, cocaine, heroin or prescription pain medications. I have known way too many of those. In my experience pot has not been the destructive or disruptive force that you seem to believe it is. And as to long lasting cognitive impairment I simply haven't seen any evidence of that either.
Another thing that I don't agree with is your presumption that decriminalization or legalization would significantly increase use and/or abuse of marijuana. I don't think the legalization of the drug would make it that much more attractive. I really think that your instinct to protect your children is obscuring your judgment on this issue. I think you will have much more influence on the choices your children make than will the legal status of any drugs or substances.
While I honestly don't know anyone that says pot tastes good either eaten or smoked. :>) )
From that statement it is very clear that you really don't know a lot of pot smokers.
I honestly don't believe that decriminalization or legalization of pot is nearly the threat that you believe it to be. I think there are so many much more threatening issues ahead of us that pot doesn't really merit this much discussion. But, that's just another man's opinion of moonlight.
Mike
You can actually die from drinking too much water.
Pot is not a highly addictive drug and that doesn't even address the complex issue of what "addiction" really is. There are different types of addiction. The vast majority of people who try marijuana do not become addicted. I believe that even your linked site - which, by the way, I don't find extremely credible - states that only 9% of those people who've used marijuana become "addicted".
I always hate anecdotal evidence because it is generally very limited. I do have to say, however, that my experience has been that many self actualized and very successful and highly functioning individuals occasionally smoke marijuana for recreational use. I cannot think of one person who was destroyed by smoking marijuana. I can't say the same thing about alcohol, cocaine, heroin or prescription pain medications. I have known way too many of those. In my experience pot has not been the destructive or disruptive force that you seem to believe it is. And as to long lasting cognitive impairment I simply haven't seen any evidence of that either.
Another thing that I don't agree with is your presumption that decriminalization or legalization would significantly increase use and/or abuse of marijuana. I don't think the legalization of the drug would make it that much more attractive. I really think that your instinct to protect your children is obscuring your judgment on this issue. I think you will have much more influence on the choices your children make than will the legal status of any drugs or substances.
While I honestly don't know anyone that says pot tastes good either eaten or smoked. :>) )
From that statement it is very clear that you really don't know a lot of pot smokers.
I honestly don't believe that decriminalization or legalization of pot is nearly the threat that you believe it to be. I think there are so many much more threatening issues ahead of us that pot doesn't really merit this much discussion. But, that's just another man's opinion of moonlight.
Mike
Ha, didn't mean to single you out. But trust me, I know of the dangers of alcohol abuse. Abuse of any sort is horrible.
I'm not a big drinker though . . . however, when I was pregnant, I loved to have ONE NON alcholic beer. I liked the way it tasted.
(one of the differences between pot and alcohol. You can have a few sips of a drink and enjoy the flavor without trying to get buzzed. While I honestly don't know anyone that says pot tastes good either eaten or smoked. :>) )
I'm not a big drinker though . . . however, when I was pregnant, I loved to have ONE NON alcholic beer. I liked the way it tasted.
(one of the differences between pot and alcohol. You can have a few sips of a drink and enjoy the flavor without trying to get buzzed. While I honestly don't know anyone that says pot tastes good either eaten or smoked. :>) )
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