Will The Presidency Lift Federal Prohibition?

Got some questions for those that are following marijuana laws more than myself.

How likely is it that Obama and Democrats work together to lift federal prohibition on marijuana? Do you think there will be much priority given to this by the House and Senate? I am aware of Barney Frank's bill, but really - is it likely we will see any major movement on this within the 1st two years of Obama's sitting?

Do you think that 13 medical marijuana states will ultimately send a message to the feds and will soften the federal laws at all? I hate to sound so bitter about my country, but I am at the point where the legalization of marijuana is close to the top of my priorities as far as selecting candidates for office. I know politicians promise the world in a golden cup to get elected, but are you confident enough in the Democratic party that you feel it is a possibility in your lifetime you will see marijuana legalized both in states and federally? Do you think Democrats have it in them to fight for you rights in this regard?

I know the government moves at a turtle's pace, but do YOU think we have enough concerned American voters to impact how fast the ball gets rolling on ANY true initiative to legalize pot?

it was wrong to make it ilegal any ways its unconstitutional

I think Obama will look at this from the perspective of how Marijuana laws disproportionately penalize people from the lower socieoeconimic parts of our society (black people). These are the people who get crap ass court appointed lawyers and do time for trivial shit like getting high. In that regard I think Obama has the presence of mind to arrive at the conclusion that marijuana prohibition is pointless. Legalization will equal political suicide so I think what you will see is federal law that recognizes medical marijuana and minimizes penalties for simple non-medical posession at the federal level. I also think he will reduce law enforcement subsidies for marijuana enforcement. This puts the burden of paying for enforcing the law and defining penalties at the state level with minimal federal support. Obama saves face as not being to soft on drugs and the states get to say "if the feds don't fund prohibition we are not going to enforce it". Everyone wins. Look for this to unevil circa late 2009 once the economic crisis is dealt with.

I'll give a nice clean and simple answer. No.

It's a non issue right now. Neither candidate had to talk about weed on the trail. Politicians almost always take the path of least resistance. So,..... no.



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I see it as this... even IF fed laws are reduced... that still doesn't immediatly effect state laws... and by the time that would happen, we'll be voting again IF it ever did happen... but like Cracker said... with the ecomomy goin to shit, war in iraq, bullshit oil prices we delt with and so on and so on... it's just not an issue that has priority written on it! It'll prolly just move at stoner speed!!

Thats my take on it... anything that sounds too good to be true, usually is! There's always catches!

Meanwhile Federal (Feral?) Politicians are exempt from drug tests!! So the ones making the decisions that affect everyone get to self medicate, but the poor bastard Joe Plumber submits before he can fix your faucet. Gawd do I LUV this country!!


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not only that they could tax it and still drive prices down, any ways has any one seen marlboro greens cant wait for them to come out hopfuly in my lifetime

skunkbud said:

not only that they could tax it and still drive prices down, any ways has any one seen marlboro greens cant wait for them to come out hopfuly in my lifetime

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Funny you should mention that . Back in the 70's I was just a kid and my Uncle worked for brown& Williamson tobacco Co. he told me they were all ready to roll an entire wing of assembly production for weed. It was very close to happening. Very. DAMMIT!!


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That would be awesome, but wouldnt mass production cut down on the quality of your mj 100's, better yet wouldnt other things get into youre reefer before harvesting such great quantities.It would be horrible in a way though because the corporate bastards would be all over it and make their margin on it and not even be smokers.
Alas the sad state of the world.

whish it would of

From StopTheDrugWar.com (posted Thu, 11/06/2008)




Obama has a lot on his plate so I don't think you can expect a lot of action on this issue at the federal level. However, if he fulfills his promise, that alone will be a big step forward.

This is how I think it will go down:
Obama puts some reasonable supreme court justices in place
Fed's raid a care clinic
High Times or some other advocacy group pays for a hell of a lawyer
The case goes infront of the supreme court
The supreme court decides in favor of state's rights on the issue and sets a precedent protecting care givers.

slackjack said:

This is how I think it will go down:
Obama puts some reasonable supreme court justices in place
Fed's raid a care clinic
High Times or some other advocacy group pays for a hell of a lawyer
The case goes infront of the supreme court
The supreme court decides in favor of state's rights on the issue and sets a precedent protecting care givers.

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Ok, what you say comes the closest to what I envision taking place, ultimately. But, let's say it falls down like this... will the Supreme Court be making a ruling for said state only, or will their decision guarantee protection for all states? I know this is all hypothetical anyway, but I live on hyptheticals.

Now then, do you think the Supreme Court would favor more restrictions on what constitutes a "true, deserving" medical marijuana patient? I mean, if they give in one sense, do you think they taketh in another sense?

NuteGreenwitch said:

Ok, what you say comes the closest to what I envision taking place, ultimately. But, let's say it falls down like this... will the Supreme Court be making a ruling for said state only, or will their decision guarantee protection for all states? I know this is all hypothetical anyway, but I live on hyptheticals.

Now then, do you think the Supreme Court would favor more restrictions on what constitutes a "true, deserving" medical marijuana patient? I mean, if they give in one sense, do you think they taketh in another sense?

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depends on how the case i believe. not positive. i guess it also depends on how the case is presented to. i may be wrong.

i think he will cut the fed raids as him helping the economy. Waits of funds

CrackerJax said:

I'll give a nice clean and simple answer. No.

It's a non issue right now. Neither candidate had to talk about weed on the trail. Politicians almost always take the path of least resistance. So,..... no.



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CrackerJax absolutely right. Obama isn't going to touch the issue of marijuana. I think we would be lucky if he did anything by the 3rd or 4th year. We have so much other shit going on with the country, that marijauan is probably the last thing on his mind. depending on what he decides to do with the economy we could only be waiting a few years, or nothing might happen durring his term.

LowRider82 said:

depends on how the case i believe. not positive. i guess it also depends on how the case is presented to. i may be wrong.

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Supreme court is the highest law in the land, once they decide on a topic thats it as long as it pertains to FEDERAL law. State supreme court decides in the case of state law. If the 2 bodies are in opposition the federal ruling wins the day ni theory. Of course states can opt no to change their laws so they are consistent with federal law which is largely a symolic gesture.

slackjack said:

This is how I think it will go down:
Obama puts some reasonable supreme court justices in place
Fed's raid a care clinic
High Times or some other advocacy group pays for a hell of a lawyer
The case goes infront of the supreme court
The supreme court decides in favor of state's rights on the issue and sets a precedent protecting care givers.

Click to expand...

No I don't think it will happen like this at all. Their is nothing to contest if the feds take a clinic because they are in compliance with FEDERAL law. The state may not like it but oh well. What is required is a directive from the executive level of the DEA to not enforce federal law in the cases of medical MJ in states where state law allows it. No one is going to actually change the federal laws because that is a very hot potato. It would be difficult to get re-elected inmost states when your opponent hammers you on being soft on crime because you voted to legalize dope.

I think everyone saying the economy will slow down the legalization of pot is dead wrong. First off we have an "open minded" president(elect). Second, I beleive that americas #1 cash crop for the past several years will figure into his plans. The money possible from not only regulating marijuana, but not having to dole out the millions and millions to fight it as well. You save and make more. Now knock off the bill for the millions of inmates rotting in jails and prisons. Coming from a economic standpoint and getting pressure from an evergrowing open minded community, i dont think it is a bullet he can afford to dodge. Trust me. Desperate times call for desperate measures. If you remember, alcohol prohibition was repealed only 4 years into the Great Depression(1933).

rebel1699 said:

I think everyone saying the economy will slow down the legalization of pot is dead wrong. First off we have an "open minded" president(elect). Second, I beleive that americas #1 cash crop for the past several years will figure into his plans. The money possible from not only regulating marijuana, but not having to dole out the millions and millions to fight it as well. You save and make more. Now knock off the bill for the millions of inmates rotting in jails and prisons. Coming from a economic standpoint and getting pressure from an evergrowing open minded community, i dont think it is a bullet he can afford to dodge. Trust me. Desperate times call for desperate measures. If you remember, alcohol prohibition was repealed only 4 years into the Great Depression(1933).

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First, I don't know if having an "open" mind is a positive thing. All it really means is you don't have your own foundational knowledge or judgment and can be easily swayed. Like say the millions of folks who voted for Obama without a whit of actual knowledge about him.
Secondly, weed is a LARGE cash crop only because it is illegal and can achieve profit rates of 5000%. I wonder what would be your reaction if Big Oil was able to knock down a paltry 1000-5000% as opposed to their now 8% (obscene amount right?).
Third, desperate measures will only hasten the demise of his Presidency, and I'm pretty sure he wants two terms. These are not desperate times .. yet. You have just been told that over and over again. And in keeping with your appeal of an open mind, you have taken the repeated message of doom and now accept it.

Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Yes, I can forsee that if all goes well in the first term, Obama may take a whack at decrimmin weed. Only if things are going swell will weed be an issue, not the other way around. However, I give the odds for a great first term at 3-1 against.
Maybe I will be pleasantly surprised, I'll keep an open mind .



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