Obama Reiterates Support for Marijuana Legalization
As opposed to what was published at White House’s website, “The Administration steadfastly opposes legalization of marijuana…,” President Barack Obama breaks his silence and speaks about support for marijuana legalization.
In a documentary aired Sunday night, the eve of the informal Cannabis holiday on April 20, the president reiterated support for medicinal marijuana use and its decriminalization.
CNN Chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta, in his documentary entitled “Weed 3: The Marijuana Revolution,” asked Obama if he supported the Senate’s effort of recognizing medicinal cannabis benefits. He also asked if he (Obama) supported demoting cannabis from Schedule I (reserved for drugs without accepted medicinal use and with high potential for abuse) down to Schedule II (reserved for drugs with accepted medicinal use and with less potential for abuse).
Reportedly, the US president replied that he would have to look at the details, but that he was on record as saying that not only did he think carefully prescribed marijuana use might in fact be appropriate and that they should follow science versus the ideology on that matter. He added that he was also on record saying that the more they treated some of those issues related to drug abuse from a public health model and not just from a model of incarceration, the better off they were going to be.
By reiterating these things, it’s clear that the president has eased into floating his opinions on pot legalization, emphasizing on the science-based (and not on ideological) approach.
At the time of this news, medical marijuana is legal in 23 states and DC with recreational use legal in four states, while nine have pending legislation on the matter.
Americans are taking big leaps towards marijuana legalization (And who knows where all these would take the nation?).
Obama has spoken. [Who’s next?] Let your voice be heard by writing down your comment/s below or sharing this story with your circles.
Photo Credit: Marijuana Industry Group
yeah! I love you America….
surveys and research says that marijuana is causing less harm then alcohol and any other drug.
Marijuana should be legalized for medical purpose.
yes and it will be legalized for medical and recreational in 23 states in US.
God bless America! lol!
Canada too 😛