Obama: Drug Legalization is "An Entirely Legitimate Topic for Debate"

[divinechaosTHC]

Crap, he was pro-pot durning the campaign, he was asked this question before and u always get this BS answer. It's sad man, he sold his soul.

[mesponer]

dangerous like smoking? isnt he a smoker?!!....

the video asked a loaded question, about legalization and the cost of the war on drugs etc. He answered the question by saying "no not in f avor of legalization, the cost of the war on drugs is worth debating.".. the rest was grey talking...

[Zephippz]

i think its ironic that our best chance for legalization may be to vote for the far right in 2012 (as in borderline libertarian.)

i promise you if ron paul or gary johnson runs for president im voting republican. Those two are true believers of personal freedom.

ill take obama over palin any day though.

[TheReapersSon]

@Zephippz

You said this 8 months ago; looks like you got your wish. Both Ron Paul & Gary Johnson are both running for president. They both have more integrity and fortitude for their beliefs than Obama could ever think was possible. While I don't agree on some of their stances, I wouldn't hesitate to pick either of them over Obama - and it would probably be Ron Paul foremost.

[decayedmatter]

This is what all you tools get for voting Democrat rather than independent. Now we are stuck with this tool till next election, watch all you morons vote the next democrat who tricks you with his words of change. You will probably all be too paranoid of "Throwing your vote away" by not voting in the two party system. This world is sad and all you liberal potheads need to smarten up and vote for a real candidate that will make REAL changes. Stop being lulled by silver tongued politicians that LIE

[kendo512]

He contradicted himself in his first sentence. First he says he's not in favour of legalization, then right after says that drug abuse should be dealt with as a health problem. Well that's exactly right, it should be treated as a health problem, we shouldn't even be throwing drug users in jail. Therefore legalization and regulation is the obvious answer to the problem. You can't classify drug addicts as criminals AND sick people.

[Praying4tidalWaves]

His grin at the beginning pisses me off so much. I work 5 days a week and pay my taxes but i can't smoke a joint legally. and when people like me ask him a serious question he's still got the ear to ear grin of a bold faced liar.

[brydawgg]

Loook at all the dislikes hahahahahhahahhahahah!!!!!!!!!­ you suck obama

[SkullKingXL420]

YEAH SO MUCH FOR CHANGE>>>this dude is a total phony. How dare you laugh or plainly disregard the seriousness of this question???. And the fact is that this LYING, MANIPULATIVE AND CORRUPT government we have has only road the sh*t out this long by spending Billions of hard earned american tax dollars on launching completely biased propaganda stating that drugs like marijuana will "KILL YOU" or quote "MAKE YOU INSANE"

[The3rdPlateau]

I still really don't like how he immediately laughs, or at least begins grinning wildly, as soon as the question is brought up. You can tell just based on that, that this is an issue he doesn't entirely take seriously. This is an extraordinarily serious issue, and the least important of its implications is the legal ability of people to get high. Sure, people should be allowed to smoke if they want to without legal repercussions AND without necessarily being "drug abusers" in need of help...

[The3rdPlateau]

@The3rdPlateau ...but even so, this is a very far-reaching issue with implications in all corners of our society and it needs to be addressed, yesterday.

[1Mrbudgood]

you wont be jailed for not wearing you seat belt

[UKstylee]

How many wars can the US start but not finish causing untold suffering?

[killerdynam0]

worthless response, sorry.

[remnow]

what's sick... is people I thought were sorta nutty like Jesse Ventura / Ron Paul ect... have all said it needs to be legalized/taxed.... Fuck this answer and him, lost a vote he had last time

[13Jiveturkey]

Very sad that my parent's voted for him because of my judgment. Terrible answer hopefully he realizes what he said later.

[judderwocky]

the word cannabis actually comes from the Hebrew Cannon (often derogatorily referred to as the 'Old Testament') Kaneh-Bosm, translated "fragrant cane", was adopted later into the Scythian language as "Cannabis" ... the plant was used as a part of the anointing oil used topically to the High Priest in certain rituals.

[judderwocky]

I hate how arrogant and over confident he is. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on ME. I will NOT VOTE for him again. He has sold out every liberal cause that got him elected and he is proven that I cannot trust him with my precious vote. Patients don't have time for political posturing. They are suffering now.

[shibbyguy420]

what i don't get is that the majority of Americans are Christian, so you would think that they would believe that God put cannabis on this planet. wtf?????? Make a plant that God gave to us illegal?

[cjdoy]

what a douche!

[sniggity]

If the general public were more in favor of legalization, then he would be for it as well. These politicians are nothing more than snake oil salesmen who tell people what they want to hear. Sorry, they tell THE MAJORITY what they want to hear.

[kingsmind]

Take any introductory economics or finance class and you will learn there only one feasible way to reduce demand for a commodity: increase the price. Of course, in order to do this, the government would have to control the price, which requires it to be legalized. As it is illegal, the government has no control over marijuana sale and supply. Obama says he doesn't support legalization, but wants to reduce demand. He is contradicting himself.

[brydawgg]

Fuck you obama drugs are nothing but a problem you fuck if crack was legal i wouldn't smoke it would you?

[Sunchaser240]

the said legalization of all drugs well hell no don't want crack and coke and meth legal among others ...... I was under the impression that the question was supposed to be about legalization of marijuana .....

[joby92]

@Sunchaser240 all drugs should be legalized, we shouldn't discriminate and focus solely on cannabis. for as long as drugs are illegal, they will remain on the unregulated, violent black market and ppl will abuse them at a higher rate than if they could responsibly use it under great care and moderation under a legalized, regulated policy. also, in general, i don't like how the gov't has the audacity to tell you what is/isn't healthy for you (think post-9/11 toxic fumes at Ground Zero)

[crashtestkarma]

Maybe they don't want recreational marijuana legal because it's effect (as we know) is a mellow one. Clearly they prefer a country full of beer-swilling violent types that will support wars and police-state rule.....Again, state-by-state ballot initiative is the only way to change things, the vast majority of politicians are useless.

[bengman79]

So the presidents' stance is that drugs are a "public health problem" and the government needs to "shrink demand" for drugs by "changing peoples attitudes". They will be changing attitudes and "steering them into the straight and narrow" with the threat of drug courts and incarceration. Nice. I'm glad our government knows whats best for us!

[katmarucha]

His answer is good...he suggests that drugs should be dealt with as a "public health problem"...which also suggests that the Criminal Justice doesn't work for this issue ...more or less, he supports decriminalization, by suggesting drug treatment programs instead of incarcerations. That means, he IS on the 420 side. BUT, he is a politician, so he has to be careful with what he says. He can't openly say he supports decriminalization in so few words...otherwise he won't get elected next term.

[420NewZealand]

"When it comes to the topic of legalization I am not in favor of answering your question."

[SpartanJon1337]

Mr.President, I would just like to say, every time you laugh at, ignore, or dodge our question, you are losing the trust of the people of this nation. I will not vote for someone who ignores me.

[scooterunderwood]

Did he say drugs were a public health problem like smoking or not wearing your seatbelt? Why arrest people?

[ReformKyCannabis]

I dont think its politically correct to arrest and possibly shoot cannabis consumers at all. Nor does the majority of this nation. Ask anyone "do you think the drug war is working? and "should a drug consumers be killed hunted and shot at"? I would say the majority of people would say no, so politically he is on the wrong side of this issue like most in DC, but that how they have been for years on every issue we face. healthcare has been debated since the 60s, yet we still can get a good policy

[NZartfuldando]

Pretty poor, open ended question if you ask me. 

[CaptainCloudshine]

That is like shrinking the demand of a homosexuality, it is something that doesn't need to be changed but realized it is part of the human being and society!

[pureadrenalin07]

I asked Obama a question about cannabis and Youtube censored it. I got the message: This submission has been removed because people believe it is inappropriate.

That's funny because 245 people like the question and only 10 disliked it.

[burgerkingmurders]

This was a pretty damn fair answer for a President

[pureadrenalin07]

What a puppet. He didn't even answer the question. That's twice now .

Future Presidents are not going to be able too skirt this question much longer. So my advice to any future Presidential candidate is to be prepared, because this is not going away. We will not be laughed at or be ridiculed by being the online audience anymore.

[wagdcw1]

its all too funny hearing obama talk now compard when he was on campain. his words on video was he said medical cannabis should be between dr

and patient also science before politics and cannabis laws should be

looked at. I knew somthing was up when obama nominated michell leonart

as DEA. THINK ABOUT IT this lady was the leftover senior anti cannabis

fighter from the bush war on pot.The cannabis smokers can take him out of

office just as fast as we have put him in there.

[CarbenZero]

Thanks for not listening to the American public once again Mr. President, its obvious you are not paying much attention to what the people think is a real big issue in the US. Incarceration has done nothing but ruin the lives of many people and continue to clog up our prisons with 1 time non violent drug offenders, whos lives are ruined once it happens since theres no way to help them after.

[jppuertorico85]

Ok...smoking marijuana is not a public health issue, the govt needs to leave people the hell alone about what they do, don't treat them like criminals OR patients.

[visine14]

We have a black president enforcing a racist law! LEGALIZE CANNABIS

[jppuertorico85]

@visine14 Absolutely, as a black person I'm very disappointed that he doesn't see how the drug war is just an excuse to incarcerate minorities.

[AllStarBugler]

@jppuertorico85 The prohibition of canabis was founded on a racist lie. I asked Obama "Why do you support it?" No reply. Cannabis prohibition is a masterpiece in the art of brainwashing. Its a fucking crime that its illegal in the 1st place!

[s0lidstateguy]

SMUG FUCK

[xzur69]

i dont know if i should like or dislike, the video was done nicely props ilikeathemicah on quality but thumbs way down on yet another "Duck and Cover" from the govt.

[LegaliseJayelle]

@ozzyogkush - I totally agree with your comments. If anything Obama sounds just like the UK government - working to try and persuade people not to take drugs, instead of looking at the possibility of legalising them, via a tax and regulate system. Very disappointing!!!

[ftrain65]

im sure he will change his tune come election year...

[dougmcvay]

The fact President Obama called drug legalization a legitimate topic for political debate is a huge victory. For decades now, politicians have avoided the topic while demagogues have attacked anyone who dared even suggest we discuss policy reforms. President Obama's comment, brief and mild though it was, gives reformers a chance which we have long sought, to make drug policy reform and legalization legitimate topics for national discussion.

[ASB8193]

Another politically dodged question. Stop being scared of saying yes to legalization. You can tell that he wants to say yes but he won't because he's scared of losing the election. All he does is ramble on, and on......

[earthgirlful]

@SkullKingXL420 You are beneath contempt spewing such hateful and disrepectful rhetoric about the presient of the United States. Your vocabulary definately puts you in the category of illiterate racist and therefore your remarks have no legitimate validity.

[crashtestkarma]

Forget the damned politicians, they're too cowardly to risk their political capital to legalize marijuana. Politicians only care about what lobbyists pay them to care about, and MJ ain't on the list.....The only way we'll ever see legalization is to end-run the useless politicians ways by ballot iniative...Take it directly to the voters....Nice presentation from the retired policeman though....

[AllaboutTheDiesel]

they are gonna take forever to legalize because they have to make sure they will make money on it .... and they don't wanna legalize because then they will look like idiots for lying for so long to us . weed is good - meth , cocaine , pills , alcohol are the devil !!!!!

[FoRMisawesome]

I'm going to buy marijuana whether it's legal or not, and I'm sure millions of people agree with me. If the government refuses to listen to us, the violence will only escalate. Please, Senators and Representatives, end the bloodshed.

[ainemacdermot]

Ok, so overgrow coast to coast, vote YES for legalization in every state, and bring up cannabis issues online and in the media at every opportunity. Got it? We WILL have that conversation in public. And we will not feel ashamed or apologize or hide our cannabis use. Be above-board, not underworld.

[anwar296]

Pause at 2:54 and you know that mofo still hits the blunt now and then. Damn hypocrite.

[Scuba4Steve]

Straight and narrow? Some of us like to smoke just like we like to drink. We aren't evil.

[shayneyos52]

Looks like everyone the only ones who will be able to reform drug laws are the people, we need to educate more people to the truth, THE MORE EDUCATED THE MORE WE WILL BE LIKELY TO REFORM JUST LIKE CALIFORNIA ALMOST LEGALIZED, 2012 is the date of when we can officialy legalize but we need more educated!!! WE WILL HAVE DRUG REFORM JUST EDUCATE ABOUT THE TRUTHS WE WILL WIN!!!!

[reallynaked]

This was rubbish. Ridiculous... the top 100 questions regard the drug war and this answer was just crap, not good enough. Don't vote for him when he ignores serious issues like this, time and time again. Maintaining any kind of prohibition is only a step backwards.

[sandman5776]

If it's worth a serious debate, when do we get to actually have one.

[fdmendez]

In other words, we should just increase drug addiction treatment (which would make the companies behind addiction treatment rich). He may not have physically laughed at us, but his dismissal to our legitimate "right" to get high has the same effect.

[Lordoftheflyfilms]

His smile tells me he doesnt want to burn out stoners votes on the reelection, but knows legalization will sink him with the older vote.

[Peeete26]

And of course first he had to laugh again...

[nt109]

@Peeete26

Of course he laughs. Apparently he finds it amusing that thousands of non-violent 'offenders' are locked in jail right now because of a god given plant . Since when is it the right of anyone to treat people like cattle just to line the coffers of bureaucratic leeches, police, prison guards, drug enforcement lobbies, big pharma, etc. All the shit big pharma peddles every day with side effects that can literally kill and people go to jail because of a non-toxic plant? what a crock ...

[nt109]

"Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded."

- Abe Lincoln.

Those in the movement won't give up. The gays had to fight for their rights we wont stop until victory is at hand.

[iraqikid5000]

Open letter to Mr.Obama: you ran on a platform of "change"! Our nation sees more of the same old crap! You had a chance to encourage us & fullfill "change" helping to get our nation out of debt. You laughed @ a question millions feel is the answer! Laugh @ this: prgressives & young people have now turned their back on you! Change? No need now to plan for a re-election! Decriminalize, tax & regulate you HYPOCRITE!

[MsArtGeek]

Of course he didn't take a firm stance. Dude still has to get re-elected in 2012 to even have a hope of taking on anything like that. I think it's a 1 in 5 chance at best that he will (assuming he gets re-elected, which I actually think he's got a decent shot at), but he may also be waiting for the states to lead the way. Get to promoting and voting on your state ballot initiatives!

[choomanfoo]

China has recently been in negotiation with a number of countries, asking them to replace the Dollar with the Chinese Yuan as their reserve currency. This, when it happens, will remove the US's ability to keep printing cash to cover the trillions it costs to fund prohibition. It'll bring true freedom but the transition period will be as hectic as a slasher movie. It never had to be this way; we should have learned our lesson from studying the mayhem that alcohol prohibition wreaked on us.

[TheClaygooding]

A non answer with an impossible goal of reducing demand.

Just throw more money at it. Continue the incarceration,add more rehab.



[mihow23]

I have lost all faith in Obama, I have lost respect, at least this time he didn't just laugh. 

[iraqikid5000]

Obama takes everything as a joke.. this is the first black president and last black president. Obama used to smoke cigerettes and he smoke weed before too. I dont know why he takes it as a joke because its serious.

[buggfire]

the best thing all the intelligent people can do for our community and future is NOT vote for this man again! and try to convince the ignorant masses that he is not a viable candidate for reelection. and if you didn't vote for him at all, the latter of my statement is more of your concern.

[MsArtGeek]

@buggfire Sorry, but if that means voting in one of the GOPers, I won't do it.

[buggfire]

@MsArtGeek just vote for someone with a legalization drug policy. don't be prejudiced against some arbitrary label, be compassionate and use the intellect to make progress instead of for which colorful animal you like the most....

[Masteryodasherb]

He pretty much gave a neutral answer by talking in a circle.

[visine14]

The video played to obama was made so that he didn't have to answer a direct question about Cannabis.

[omegaill]

Do it!

[ozzyogkush]

His answer was meaningless. He doesn't support legalization and even though it's a legitimate topic for debate, he won't change his mind. He believes people who do drugs should be 'helped' by rehab - he doesn't believe that drug use and abuse are separate issues; nor that people can use a drug responsibly. He still believes punishment of dealers will work, and that going after the cartels militarily or through law enforcement will get his result.

[ozzyogkush]

...Why is it that he can take intelligent positions on almost every other topic, but this one he drops the ball through the floor?

[Jadaco]

@ozzyogkush Because even though he calls it, "worthy of serious debate" he doesn't actually take it seriously. It's written off as "pot heads want legal pot." By contrast, FDR didn't say, "haha, um, so yeah, everybody go get boozed up and oh this might help the economy." It's just not being taken seriously, people (including the President) treat it like a joke and ultimately fall back into the political safety net of leaving the prohibition in place.

[TheRealDVairsoft]

@ozzyogkush you may think that, but have you ever thought that maybe he cannot express what he really thinks because he is one of the most powerful individuals in the world. he has to say what is politically correct.