Phelps and Obama -- Leading the Way Towards Legalizing Marijuana

You don't have to be a pothead to see that the writing is on the wall, that the end of pot prohibition is near.

Neither Barack Obama nor Michael Phelps is out in the streets protesting for the legalization of marijuana use, but let's face it, when the most gold medal winning human and the most popular president in decades both have cannabis use in their history, it's hard to argue that weed is bad for you and will f*ck you up.

To the contrary, when ultra-achievers have a record of inhaling, it turns the whole "evil marijuana" narrative upside down.

The massive coverage being given to Michael Phelps bong photo, the continued sponsorship by most of his sponsors, the election of confessed inhaler Barack Obama -- these add up to a change in the weather when it comes to the national conversation about marijuana criminalization.

Actually, Obama has advocated for the decriminalization of maryjane.

The mainstream media is totally ignoring it, but the buzz on twitter and in the blogosphere is growing. The hypocrisy, the bigotry and racism, the insane societal costs of criminalization are all adding up to the time being ripe for a major change in the archaic laws that Harry Anslinger, the nutcase from the 30's through 50's who sold the story of the "evils of marijuana" scared American into passing.

Now, one can easily argue that making ganja illegal exposes users to pushers selling harder drugs. One can argue that we are spending billions spying on, arresting, prosecuting and incarcerating mostly minority users and small-time dealers -- engaging in marijuana prohibition not unlike the alcohol prohibition that preceded the last great depression.

Some will argue that Phelps and Obama have set terrible examples by inhaling. But the truth is, it is far more terrible to destroy the lives of millions of mostly black and latino and teen smokers.

Maybe it's time. No. It is definitely time to re-visit marijuana laws. If weed was legalized and sold like alcohol and tobacco, we'd go from spending tens of billions on criminalizing it to creating an industry that would create at least a million jobs. Think about it. At least 40% of Americans have reported using marijuana. If just 5% of them were to use it legally on a regular to occasional basis, that would be 15 million users. The jobs created would entail growing, processing, packaging branding, advertising, retailing and then there would be those luscious state and even federal and municipal taxes. I can't imagine the industry being less than $3 billion a year, and probably, it would be a lot more, closer to $15-$20 billion.

Sure, states could maintain laws against it, but they would probably, to enjoy the taxes, quickly get on the Bong Bandwagon.

And if federal legislation included taxes that would help pay for the bailout and create a million or more jobs -- well, it's hard to imagine Barack-who-inhaled-Obama vetoing such a bill.

Frankly, it may start with opening up medical marijuana access, then decriminalization, like Massachusetts recently passed.

And Michael Phelps? Screw Kellogg's. I guarantee you the liquor, music and entertainment companies that will probably get into the business will jump to offer him hookah-tastic sponsorship offers.

Comments

[movecenter]

So many things are converging to a common point: it's time to legalize pot. The country is ready culturally, and we could use the money financially. Who can deny that legalized pharma drugs are far more destructive to the mind and body than pot?

At least let us get to the point where we don't have to take these degrading drug tests for employment. Feels like a violation of our civil liberties.

[Warren Holstein - Huffpost Blogger]

How convenient for a new unsubstantiated fear mongering study to come out at this fortuitous time.

Check it:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/warren-holstein/my-balls-or-my-bonghold-o_b_165674.html

[lletaa]

Wrigleys gum is also suspect in cancer, arthritis, gout, rabies and hangnails as alot of patients were found to have chewed doublemint previously.

[fumes]

~ MARIJUANA~

NEWS SO BIG IT NEEDS IT'S OWN PAGE

ya think?

[RossForChange]

Off course it's time for legalization, my friends!

I don't see how we CAN'T legalize with the knowledge we have.

Everyone watch this documentary, and tell your friends and family to watch it too:

http://blip.tv/file/1356143/

[tm68]

What about the under-achievers though, who do nothing BUT smoke pot and use that as their excuse to live a wasteful and wasted life? For those who indulge and don't go on to other, more serious, drug usage, there are just as many, if not more, who go on to abuse more dangerous drugs. This being said, I smoked a little as a teen- a high achieving teen. So, please don't attack me as someone who doesn't know. I'm just trying to look at both sides.

I will admit that legalizing it scares me a bit. What would that look like exactly? Would it suddenly be able to be purchased like a pack of cigs? How would it be regulated? As a parent, this would concern me for my now teenage children. Part of the reason it did not become a problem for me is because of limited access to it since it was illegal. I realize this is not the case in many areas- it's extremely abundant. I'm sure my son could get some way more easily than I could 25 years ago.

I guess I'm looking for a plan that pro-legalizers see as feasible.

[Paradym]

Maybe I can offer some perspectives to help you:

Underachievers are just that, and cannabis has nothing to do with it. They are also a small percentage of the population. Cannabis isn't the issue here, it's better, more stimulating education, more parental involvement, a better economy and feasible college education. Underachievers could just as easily abuse alcohol... and they already do.

There will always be those who go on to abuse more dangerous drugs. That has nothing to do with cannabis. If cannabis was legal and regulated, then users wouldn't have to visit illicit drug dealers who would try to sell them more addictive, and therefore more profitable, harder drugs. Ever had the liquor store clerk say to you, when you're purchasing a six-pack, "Hey, I got this Bacardi 151, here's a free sample for you to try."

Legalization could look EXACTLY like alcohol legalization. States control how it's sold, age verification is required, quality is controlled, etc.

Perhaps, when you were a child, there were lots of things with limited access, whereas now almost anything is available. But, many studies have shown that children have easier access to cannabis than to alcohol and tobacco, for exactly the reason that alcohol and tobacco are legal and controlled. Drug dealers don't check I.D.s.

[Paradym]

I'd like to add, as well, the complete insanity of the prohibition of industrial hemp. Although the same plant, it's a different strain, looks different, and has so little of the psychoactive element that you'd have to smoke an acre of it to get even the slightest sensation, other than a really bad headache. AND, you cannot grow industrial hemp and psychoactive marijuana anywhere near each other, or else you ruin both crops due to cross pollination.

Take a moment to look into the basic facts about industrial hemp and you will see that of all agriculture hemp has the most potential to deserve the title of a Miracle Plant. It could truly revive and revolutionize our economy.

[lletaa]

Well alot of my most successful friends smoke pot. You dont like to smoke pot but dont begrudge me for it. And feel safe. Pot has been around for along time and I think you would have seen some negative legitimate statistics by now. Fear alcoholics, there all over the place and they drive.

[jerryd]

Now multiply me by the million busted and it's such a waste of potential of what could have been.
Much better would be tax it at $25/ounce and use that money for health care. It would greatly reduce the harmful effects of alcohol it would greatly displace and save many lives. No one has ever died from overdosing on pot which makes it safer than water!!
And a great medicine for muscle, sleep, cramps, nausea, eye, periods, headaches problems among many other uses. And grows so fast with little input is a source of biofuel from marginal lands.
A very good replacement for cotton that doesn't destroy the land. Most of the founding fathers of the US grew it. If it was good enough for them it's good enough for me!!
So I hope Obama makes it legal at least for medical purposes soon to stop this wide ranging tragedy that stains are country.
.

[jerryd]

When I was 17 I was busted for 2 joints and got 1 yr in a halfway house, 3.5 yrs probation and 11.5 months on a chain gang. Because of this I lost my stereo repair business and learned there was no such thing as justice or security so I stopped working to get ahead and paid little taxes because I was taught they would just take anything I had away for no good reason.
This has cost the US over $1,000,000 I would have made in business has I been allowed to do the American dream and employed many people. But instead I bought a sailboat and went sailing. living on little I was able to earn working 1.month/yr enjoying myself.
But because of the gov fear of weed that's 1/20th the danger of alcohol, they lost out big time.
Now multiply me by the million busted and it's such a waste of potential of what could have been.
.

[lletaa]

jerryd, I hear you brother. I can`t believe why they hassle pot smokers. Yesterday a drunk killed a father and son walking on the sidewalk. At ocean beach, San Diego, there are 20 bars lining the street with cars convieniently parked right outside. Last year alcohol related accidents were in the hundred thousands. Kids on spring break drink themseleves sick and die. The one thing that could make a difference is crimanalized and banned. Go figure. We are being played by the liquior industry as they fund the myth propaganda. I hope that things change but I have been waiting since the sixties.

[Jeff Christen-Mitchell]

I'm in my fifth decade of constant cannabis. I know the bigotry, the pure hatred from ignorance, that has been directed at myself and millions. Michael Phelps has a lot to be proud of as a swimmer, not so much, as a man. He's one more kid who folded under pressure, and one more step backwards for truth and justice.

[PlaceboStudman]

The most difficult part of the fight for legalization (and taxation/r­egulation) of marijuana will be cutting the funding of groups like MADD and SADD who are now largely responsible for the "this is your brain on drugs" anti-drug propoganda. If we can find a way to cut their funding by The Christian Right lobbyists who want to demonize any and all forms of social evolution, then maybe we have a chance.

But those people are not open to being educated. They are much more interested in keeping their fear and hatred based campaign of disinformation because it keeps the money flowing into their pockets. I'm curious how much the corporate execs of MADD and SADD earn from their contributions from the anti-drug lobby

[Rob Kall - Huffpost Blogger]

Interesting. Is there documentation or do you have links to articles that go into detail about how fundamentalists are backing MADD and SADD?

[ditsylilg]

MA realized that the costs of prohibition were far more expensive than necessary and the savings to the state (police, judicial, prison) would free up the aforementioned to deal with criminality.

I believe the vote was a 70/30 split.