Obama: Marijuana Legalization Not Good For The Economy

Concurrence

I'd have to agree with James here on this matter. Another thing that could also potentially occur with the legalization is the chance that pot would become an American cash crop, opening up thousands of jobs in that field, something that I'm certain would not be greatly opposed in the current job market. People already make bank by growing it illegally on a minimal budget, which results in phenomenal profits for the people currently involved - were the size of the growing stations increased exponetially, logically, so would profits, resulting in another economic boom in that particular field. This, combined with the billions of DEA dollars freed up, would make up a huge amount of money that could most certainly go to projects that need the money. If we are all frank with ourselves, we would realize that the DEA busts of anything involving marijuana are usually highly ineffectual. Yes, they may seize thousands of pounds of the plant, but, as widely grow as marijuana is, that is really nothing more than a single piece of straw in a large, every growing haystack.

L. Nelson of TX @ Nov 02, 2009 21:11:31 PM

"Growing" the Economy

I have to respectfully disagree with Pres. Obama on this....among other things. No, the legalization of marijuana itself would not have a significantly dramatic effect on our economy immediately. Decriminalizing it would release thousands of people in our penal system who are there for possession w/o intent to sale, because no matter if it is legalized,those that were sent to prison for selling were put in for selling a controlled substance. Legalizing it would benefit the economy immediately indirectly by freeing up billions of dollars a year for a then unneeded D.E.A. marijuana enforcement task-force. This boost in money that once funded the opposition of marijuana, could then be put to good use, i don't know, say trying to pull this country out of the deficit that we happen to be in at the moment. Also, the growth of marijuana has other benefits not just medicinal or recreational. I know this has been hashed and rehashed but,decrease in crime, the agricultural benefits, monetary, wall street, Import/Export, and many others, would help more than it would hinder. Yes, it will be difficult to make it happen. Yes, it would cost a Ton of money to get it moving afterwards, but, would not the long term benefits outweigh the short term costs? Are we not supposed to be a logical, civilized society, immune to irrational fears and superstitions? So why is it we cannot let go of our irrationalities? Look at the long term benefits and weigh the consequences of it out against them? Legalization and decriminalization should be instituted now, while we still have the options and chances to try and improve our economy, our life styles, and, most of all, ourselves? I say give something a chance to work before you debunk it and say that it Won't when you Won't even try?

James Abbott of TX @ Oct 29, 2009 20:51:18 PM

"Growing" the Economy

I have to respectfully disagree with Pres. Obama on this....among other things. No, the legalization of marijuana itself would not have a significantly dramatic effect on our economy immediately. Decriminalizing it would release thousands of people in our penal system who are there for possession w/o intent to sale, because no matter if it is legalized,those that were sent to prison for selling were put in for selling a controlled substance. Legalizing it would benefit the economy immediately indirectly by freeing up billions of dollars a year for a then unneeded D.E.A. marijuana enforcement task-force. This boost in money that once funded the opposition of marijuana, could then be put to good use, i don't know, say trying to pull this country out of the deficit that we happen to be in at the moment. Also, the growth of marijuana has other benefits not just medicinal or recreational. I know this has been hashed and rehashed but,decrease in crime, the agricultural benefits, monetary, wall street, Import/Export, and many others, would help more than it would hinder. Yes, it will be difficult to make it happen. Yes, it would cost a Ton of money to get it moving afterwards, but, would not the long term benefits outweigh the short term costs? Are we not supposed to be a logical, civilized society, immune to irrational fears and superstitions? So why is it we cannot let go of our irrationalities? Look at the long term benefits and weigh the consequences of it out against them? Legalization and decriminalization should be instituted now, while we still have the options and chances to try and improve our economy, our life styles, and, most of all, ourselves? I say give something a chance to work before you debunk it and say that it Won't when you Won't even try?

James Abbott of TX @ Oct 28, 2009 17:33:20 PM

Im back

i fully agree with the posts below they have said everything that i havent it is perfect im glad to see that there are supporters out there like seriouisly what happens when you smoke pot you get high eat cheetos watch south park and fall asleep whats wrong with that not to mention its not addictive like alcohol and tobacco wich cause physical addictions along with all the designer drugs such as oxycotin hmmm thats just heroin in a damn pill like c'mon they will regulate and distribute heroin in a nice little coated pill but they wont distribute the beautiful plant we all know to be marijuana. Its been here before we came along for all we know the dinosaurs were getting stoned munchin on the plants...mankind is f**king retarded end of story

IVXX of PA @ Oct 28, 2009 00:34:04 AM

Give It a Try

In my opinion, the legalization of marijuana would not only boost the economy but would also force the release of those imprisoned for the possesion of the drug; therefore lowering the amount of taxes americans pay to keep those people imprisoned. If Obama wants a change, he needs to wake up. Alcohol is the cause of hundreds of thousands of deaths each year - along with tobacco. How many people die from smoking/using marijuana?? If anything the legalization of marijuana would help out for the simple fact that people would buy a lot more food. ha! Obama, don't say it won't help out because it has never been put into action; how would you know if it would help or not? I believe that it is absolutely ludacris that the United States will regulate alcohol and tobacco but will not even give marijuana a chance. Mr. President, you need to rethink this issue with great thought because marijuana is natural and for the most part harmless.

Ryan Clark of VA @ Oct 27, 2009 23:25:26 PM

Legalize That SHIT!!!!!

pot is great. it makes everything better. hungry happy sleepy. thats all i have to say.

jeff of WV @ Oct 27, 2009 21:00:48 PM

LEGALIZE

i think obamas opinion is a bad one. It is clearly true that our economy will rise if they legalize and tax marijuana. Like half of the US uses marijuana.

420AllDay of WA @ Oct 27, 2009 02:27:30 AM

Legal

Marijuana should be legal because unlike alcohol & ciggerattes it does not kill you, alcohol & weed have the same effect except you cant smoke yourself to death

megan of LA @ Oct 26, 2009 11:52:21 AM