Obama Laughs Off Pot Legalization Talk at Town Hall Meeting

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It was extremely disappointing to witness Obama's reaction to the legalization issue. After he and his studio audience laughed, Obama said "I don't know what this says about the online community". Did he mean the same online community that was largely responsible for his election? Or is he merely referring to Americans; the vast majority of whom are part of this "online community". If Obama doesn't know what the question says about these two groups, then I dare say he has no business leading a country that is populated by people he doesn't know much about.
He finds the Drug War funny? How nice that he considers a war from which no one can mention any positive results funny. Billions of wasted taxes? Funny. Racial profiling? Funny. Creation of black markets responsilbe for funding terrorism and death? Funny. Jail packed to the gills with non-violent offenders? Funny. SWAT teams busting down the door of an old lady's house and killing her? Funny. Degradation of inner city youth and culture? Funny.
I've been told I have a sick sense of humor; apparently I have nothing on Obama and his studio audience. Y'all know I voted for him, but I never believed (hoped it though) he was any different than all the other Washington scum. Last night proves he floats at the top of the water like the rest of 'em.

Bob of NV 1:17PM March 27, 2009

Wow. This blog alone is making me change my ideas and belief in Obama.

Casey of FL 9:33AM March 27, 2009

Folks, I know many of you must be smoking something but there are much bigger issues to be VERY worried about:
The US deficit stood at $562 Billion the day Obama took office.
With the plans already inacted in just over 2 months, the deficit is 338% higher for 2010 or 1.9 Trillion.
For those of you who may not know, a Trillion is 1000 Billion or: $1,000,000,000,000.
For those of you who may not know, the deficit is what we spend that we do not have.
This amount of money spent equals $4371.00 for every man, woman and child in the US.
All this from the man who labled Bush as an "over-spender" and vowed to "examine every program to cut Government waste and spending". These figures come from the Congressional Budget Office and the US Census. Check for yourself.
THAT could buy a lot of weed.

Chris Petty of GA 11:11PM March 26, 2009

Amen, People wake up! If Pfizer could put there stamp on the leaf, it would be legal tomorrow. Do you really think Obama has your best interest in mind. Big money is the player now. Obama is but a puppet, and we all must lube up in their best interest. What's really sad is how we got here. America the great? How about America "Home of the people F'ed by their so called leaders." When will it stop?

Kurt of OK 7:07PM March 26, 2009

Obama has been changing his mind left in right about stem cell, abortion, and now this. For once could a president just be honest! But I guess that won't happen until we stop voting in the stupid republicans and democrats!!!!!!!!!!!!! You wan't to see this in VOTE FOR A THIRD PARTY!

Jonathan of CA 6:43PM March 26, 2009

Instead of asking Obama if he thinks Marijuana should be legalized, we ought to be asking him what entrenched powers have
forced him to change his position on the drug war and Marijuana legalization. It is clear from previous interviews that
he had a stance that was against the drug war, and certainly thought that somethingshould be done about it.
Now he has flipped to the side of laughing off the question making it seem ridiculous.
I am tired of my tax dollars fighting a losing battle and imprisoning people who have made a choice for themselves.
A choice that hurts no one. Well except those that fightin the drug war. Instead of using common sense to realize
the way to stop the killing in Mexico is legalization, he changes his stance to one of support to the law enforcement and prison industries.
Supporting the war on drugs is an obvious sell out to the prison, law enforcement, and pharmaceutical industries.
These are billion dollar industries that must maintain growth at all costs. Even to your own personal freedoms that he swears to protect.
Obama needs to come clean with the American people on why his stance has changed. Why does he support the death of innocent people in Mexico
for his own political gain? Is that the type of leader we want? Do we want a leader who cannot stand up to the entrenched powers
for what he knows himself to be right?
Why Mr. Obama have you betrayed your own personal beliefs for political gain?

greg of CA 6:32PM March 26, 2009

If we apply the Kübler-Ross Grief Cycle to Obama and the issue of marijuana legalization I'd say he's still in the denial phase. He still needs to pass through anger, bargaining, depression, and testing before he reaches acceptance.
I bet this is true for most politicians. We're probably a way off from national legalization but I suspect California or another state will beat them too it and act as a catalyst to end pot prohibition.

MIchael of CA 6:00PM March 26, 2009

mary jane...after all the lies and outright illegal actions by this man you calling him a "great man" is beyond reality.he said he would close gitmo..he lied. he said all bills coming across his desk would be carefully looked at with the 5 day rule...he lied...the gulf war...he lied...this list is almost endless.His stimulus pork package had the AIG bonuses in it..he lied.he said he would kick out the lobbyists...he writes exceptions for his buddies..another lie.he led the attack on article 3 section nine of the constitutuion...post facto rule...he lied.why is he the FIRST president not to release his birth or school records??because he lied...and this man will now pay attention to a victimless crime like marijuana....smoke another one fellow citizens and be ready for another holocaust

peter okeefe of NY 5:17PM March 26, 2009

Yes I agree that marijuana should be legalized. It would eliminate all of the wasteful spending for all the pot users in jail. A single location in North California Brought in over 1 million tax dollars in the first year. I think that it is a good idea. But Obama, the great man he is, is in office for the american people. He will make decissions based upon what he feels is more populary excepted be america. I think he beleives that just a little more than half of the people are against it. And by allowing pot to be legal all of the opposers would hold it against him. Putting more pressure on top of what's already there.

Casey of FL 4:47PM March 26, 2009

to polish his image with conservatives.
Don't blame him for blowing this off. The question, after all, was whether legalizing pot would "improve the economy". He COULD NOT say yes and make any case that it would "improve the economy".
I know there are a lot of people on the left who want this. But consider that Obama has already given medical marijuana a boost by AG Eric Holder announcing that the Feds will not continue trying to enforce federal pot laws against those participating in medical pot programs authorized in certain states by state laws.

Muser of NM 4:30PM March 26, 2009