The public did it again. They voted drug policy issues to the top of the agenda on Obama's latest experiment in civic give-and-take.
In preparation for the first online Town Hall meeting offered by the Obama Administration, the public was invited Wednesday to submit questions which would be addressed the following morning, live and streaming on Whitehouse.gov.
The Administration should be applauded for opening lines of communication between the public and the halls of power, but a significant measure of that openness requires taking the communication seriously.
As was the case in three prior Open For Questions sessions on Change.gov (the transition website) and one round on Whitehouse.gov, the most popular issue, without doubt, was an across-the-board objection to the nation's drug policy and a request for the legalization of cannabis. And once again the question was dismissed with a kind of nervous humor.
The question did not simply "rank high" as Obama framed it (it was, in fact, #1), but was also voted the most significant question in four of the eleven predetermined categories (Jobs, Green Jobs and Energy, Budget, and Financial Stability) It garnered more points, by far, than the top questions in the Education, Health Care Reform, Home ownership, Veterans, Small Business, Auto Industry, and Retirement Security.
Gathering 7,924 votes, in the Budget category, participants agreed that this question encapsulated the most significant issue facing America today:
"With over 1 out of 30 Americans controlled by the penal system, why not legalize, control, and tax marijuana to change the failed war on drugs into a money making, money saving boost to the economy? Do we really need that many victimless criminals?"
By comparison, the next highest vote getter at 6,422, appearing in Health Care Reform was: "Why can we not have a universal health care system like many European countries, where people are treated based on needs, rather than financial resources?"
But cannabis was not far behind, even in this category, at # 2, with 5166 votes: "Why is marijuana still illegal? Cigarettes and alcohol are far more harmful, and with the taxes put on the legal distribution of marijuana the US could make millions"
In spite of the fact that there was no category for drug policy, participants were not thwarted in their attempts to make their views known with questions like these:
Top query in Jobs (7,487 votes): "What are your plans for the failing, "War on Drugs", that's sucking money from tax payers and putting non-violent people in prison longer than the violent criminals?"
Top query in Financial Stability (5,579 votes): "Would you support the bill currently going through the California legislation to legalize and tax marijuana, boosting the economy and reducing drug cartel related violence?"
Top query in Green Jobs and Energy (7,190 votes): "Will you consider decriminalizing the recreational/medical use of marijuana(hemp) so that the government can regulate it, tax it, put age limits on it, and create millions of new jobs and a multi-billion dollar industry right here in the U.S.?”
It has to be remembered that this was a spontaneous response to the opportunity to speak to power. The Town Hall was announced on Wednesday, March 25 and the voting closed the next morning just before the online meeting.
It also has to be asked why the Obama Administration does not appear willing to address the serious nature of this issue, which speaks to prison and sentencing reform, basic civil rights, constitutionality, access to medicine, as well as the creation of new sector of green economics generated from renewable hemp-based bio-fuels and plastics, building materials, paper, medicine, and fabric.
Given this consistent public inquiry, isn't it about time that we begin an in-depth, science-based national discourse on the subject of drug policy reform? How about starting by awarding it with its very own category on the White House agenda list.
A list of all questions, and their ranking, can be seen here: Open for Questions
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Comments
This question must be asked. By us all.
Why is this plant illegal? Make it legal. Stand up and say enough is enough. It is time. Legalize it!!
As you said, this "open question" period was really short so chances are that it was a spontaneous outpouring.
What I did notice on the President-Elect's Briefing Book site was that the first questions got the highest points as folks would simply look at the first page, vote and go on to another topic. So, whoever got their question in first, got the most votes. However, the topic is very well supported by everyone viewing it--it was not voted down.
It's the nervous laughter that gets me. The War on Drugs is a class war and has resulted in our violation of international standards of human rights with our justice system. It's damn serious, and we could turn this deficit into a bonus easily.
Yes, Mission, and I am calling the the Whitehouse tomorrow to tell them that Drug reform is no laughing matter.
Actually, O'Stephanie, if you do a search for marijuana, you will find that over 2,000 questions addressed that single issue. Obama's response (and the audience's laughter) reminded me of 4th graders reacting to a fart joke. Let's face it, people are just embarrassed at the mention of pot. But, at least they are beginning to talk about i.
He even says, "at the end of my FIRST term"(emphasis mine)
Nothing gonna happen until after he wins re-election.
If there is to be any change, the push needs to be removing the federal government from the process. At best if the issue could be redirected to the states the the battle could be won on a state by state battle. As it stands right now even when a state moves towards legalization the federal law is still looming which makes many state officials leery of making a change. The attitude is it does not matter what we do the federal justice department will void any state effort.
If the push was to remove the federal law and put it back into the states jurisdiction, the voters could bring pressure on the state which is more apt to listen than the federal. As it stand right now no congressman, senator or president believes this issue alone will cause them to loose an election. Since they believe taking a negative or no approach will not loose them any votes, they will not change.
This is the plan truth. Even though more democrats when polled are for decrimilization or legalization of marijuana, they will not vote against a democratic canidate for on this issue alone. So they have nothing to gain by making a change in the current program. Same is true with Republicans they have noting to loose by not changing so why put themselves out there politically?
Most people when educated on the effects of the war on drugs find it a total waste of money and a drain on our society, but those who wish to see a change have not offered a viable alternative.
He are the concerns and fears.
1. No parent wants to see their kids doing drugs, even if the same parents smoked marijuana in college or high school.
2. People are afraid of an increase in drug abuse if marijuana was legal.
3. Those who are working towards marijuana legalization are reluctant to separate themselves for other social drugs and therefor the average person is afraid if marijuana is legal so will heroin and crack because everyone is talking about the war on drugs not marijuana legalization.
Unless there is a clear and unified message that addresses the fears of John and Mary Public, it will take another 50 years because as long as John and Mary Public do not see the need for change democrats and republicans will not change.
Do you believe what you hear or what you see? Until I see something substantive my refrain will continue to be; Meet the new boss, same as the old boss...
Dakini, I hope its sooner rather than later.
BBE, thanks for the finger (always wanted to say that), but I hope your wrong about the inevitability of prohibition.
M todd, Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Green Party – at this point I don't care. I just want this madness to stop.
sg2292 Don't know what's with the DEA. They just don't want to give up their toys.
Thanks, Sao. He should also read all of the comments to Paul Armentano's article on the congressional blog, The Hill. They are extraordinary. I posted them here.
I admire your steadfast support of this issue and how you came to understand the issue so well.
And this deserved to be on the cover ;0)
He started laughing when the audience did, I'm not sure he meant to deliver it as a joke originally.
He's right that it wouldn't save the economy, and isn't "The Answer".
It would be a boon, maybe even 1-2% GDP growth, but that won't resolve the current situation.
He could have entirely ignored it...instead, he brought it up and now we (and tens of millions of other Americans) are having this conversation.
Over 40% of the public, nationwide, supports legalization. Nearly 2/3rds support Decriminalization of private use possesion. 80% support Medical Marijuana.
So, if all he does in the first term is knock it to Schedule II, we can at least get serious and credible large scale studies that will provide even more ammo for legalization arguments.
Keep being angry that he laughed it off...it means we're talking about it. ;)
This post garners the facts and makes the case with such intelligence and irrefutable logic, it makes my brain quiver with delight. I love reading good writers and basking in the reflections of the brilliant minds in Open Salon. This has been like manna from heaven for someone who was beginning to think those commercials about TV turning our minds to mush define our culture and society.
Thanks for opening this discussion and taking off some of the blinders regarding a President who seems to have more style than substance. Nervous laughter is hard to control. I have the same problem. However, when I'm onstage acting in a play, it doesn't matter what the audience laughs at, I'm not allowed to laugh unless it's in the script.
As we all saw on Leno when the President made a joke about Special Olympics, which he heard from me about (I have been working with people with developmental disabilities for over 21 years and just wanted to let him know that they tend to bowl very well, usually getting score of 150 or better), the Commander in Chief is no comedian; laughing with the audience is not in the script.
He has to be as measured and deliberate in his dialog as an actor, even more so because his statements can change the world. So, I don't buy that he laughed because of the audience. I do buy that he is being careful of being on the wrong side of the de-criminalization of marijauna issue because he's intent on getting re-elected.
But, as for as us REAL liberals are concerned, he plopped himself right down on the WRONG side of this issue by not taking it seriously and summarily dismissing it given, as this post so elegantly states, the number of questions posed to him about this very real and important national issue.
Marc, you are right about those stats, and on the coasts there is even a higher percentage of those in favor of outright legalization. Frankly, I believe we have reached the tipping point. The battle isn't over, my any means, and those who would hold prohibition in place are not ready to cave, but yes, at least we are finally talking about it.
Ghost, M todd also made some good points about marketing the message in a comment to one of my other posts. Yes, the legalization of all drugs is a sticky point, but I have come to actually agree with LEAP (law enforcement against prohibition) that this must be the ultimate goal. I'll say is once again. Legalization is regulation. Regulation is law and order. Prohibition drives behavior underground, and makes it invisible and impossible to regulate. Prohibition is a free-for-all.
FrogTown Diva – you make me blush! And your comments about OS are right on. I am very grateful to this site, not only for the opportunity to write and reach out, but to be the beneficiary of so many great minds and compassionate hearts.