Obama, Medical Marijuana and the RNC
Posted on Thu May 15, 2008 at 12:06:41 AM EST
Tags: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton 2008 (all tags)
The marijuana reform groups think Barack Obama is going to help them. Here's his latest interview out today on the topic. When asked if he would stop the federal raids on pot dispensaries in states that have legalized marijuana:
“I would because I think our federal agents have better things to do, like catching criminals and
preventing terrorism.The way I want to approach the issue of medical marijuana is to base it on science. And if there is sound science that supports the use of medical marijuana and if it is controlled and prescribed in a way that other medicine is prescribed, then it’s something we should consider.” (James Pitkin, > “Six Minutes With Barack,” Willamette Week, 5/14/08)(my emphasis)
Of course, the science is there, the science is sound and has been for years. All he's promising is more studies and to think about it. [More...]
He's no more progressive on this issue than Hillary. Bill Richardson at least forced it through the N.M. legislature and mandated the state come up with plans to license dispensaries. He didn't care that it was politically risky, he said "So what if it's politically risky?"
New Mexico’s legislation stands to improve on Colorado’s law in at least one important way. The New Mexican law charges its state health department with establishing distribution centers — or dispensaries — where patients can obtain medical marijuana. These centers will be regulated by the Department of Health and distribute this product in secure, on-site facilities.
Obama has said with respect to prosecuting doctors who prescribe it, it's not high on his list of priorities. I understand wishful thinking, but Obama's position on marijuana give me no confidence he'll do anything about it other than toss it around for a few years like a hot potato while telling advocates it's being studied.
In November, before Oregon, which has a medical pot law (not to mention the country's own assisted suicide law) and its voters became so important in the campaign, he said:
When a voter asked Obama if he was for the legalization of medical marijuana, Obama said that he wasn't in favor of legalization without scientific evidence and tight controls. Citing his mother who died from cancer young, Obama compared marijuana to morphine saying there was little difference between the two.
"My attitude is if the science and the doctors suggest that the best palliative care and the way to relieve pain and suffering is medical marijuana then that's something I'm open to because there's no difference between that and morphine when it comes to just giving people relief from pain,” Obama said. “But I want to do it under strict guidelines. I want it prescribed in the same way that other painkillers or palliative drugs are prescribed.”
But he added that he was concerned that the reasons for the use of marijuana would grow and create a "slippery slope."
And on punishing doctors who prescribe pot, in March, 2008 he said:
I would not punish doctors if it's prescribed in a way that is appropriate. That may require some changes in federal law. I will tell you that...the likelihood of that being real high on my list is not likely.
Of course, the Republican National Committee is trumping his half-hearted support and using it to convince Republicans and Independents he doesn't understand the law and is too inexperienced to be President.
“Barack Obama’s pledge to stop Executive agencies from implementing laws passed by Congress raises serious doubts about his understanding of what the job of the President of the United States actually is. His refusal to enforce the law reveals that Barack Obama doesn’t have the experience necessary to do the job of President, or that he fundamentally lacks the judgment to carry out the most basic functions of the Executive Branch. What other laws would Barack Obama direct federal agents not to enforce?”
The RNC attack goes downhill from there.
More on Obama and marijuana reform here and on decriminalization or legalization of recreational pot here. On a 125,000 member doctor's group calling for legislative reform because the science shows the benefit, go here.
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