1. Tracy | 03.26.09

I appreciated that President Obama took the question but I felt he didn’t give it serious consideration. I am someone who worked hard on the Obama campaign and voted for him. I support him and still think very favorably of him, but I think his answer to the marijuana question was not sufficient. I see why it was slightly humorous, but jokes aside, this is a serious question that requires a serious answer. Why are cigarettes and alcohol legal even though they are more damaging? It doesn’t make sense and I would like to hear him answer that instead of simply saying “No.”

For the record, I don’t even smoke marijuana. I did in my youth so I’m familiar with the drug, but as a parent of two children I try to set an example as a law abiding citizen. To me it isn’t worth the risk to smoke it illegally, but if it were legal I would see nothing wrong with indulging once in awhile just like people go to hookah bars for fun.

2. Jonny | 03.26.09

I believe if the question was worded differently the answer would have been different. Basically it doesn’t come down to marijuana saving our economy, that is ludacris. It comes down to many other reasons to legalize marijuana, one being taking away money from the drug cartels to quelch the violance, and reducing the “War On Drugs” spending. There are many reasons to legalize marijuana and the vast majority of the people who support legalization do not want it legalized so they can get their herb easier (it really is easy enough to get now, despite it being illegal), instead they want it legalized because of the many benefits it can provide out society. If you don’t believe me you should start by doing your OWN research on subject. Don’t be persuaded by people for or against it, make up your own mind after, and only after you’ve done YOUR research.

3. jl | 03.26.09

I’m an inveterate Obama fan - and I was put off by his blowing it of as a joke. So many posters on the subject indicates that it is NOT a joke!

4. Jon, CA | 03.26.09

All he had to do was give it the same respect ha gave all the other questions, instead he just shot it down without even reading one specific question and answering it. Keep running because you know your WRONG!!!! The American people will do as they please since our leaders refuse to address the issue due to the fact that the law is WRONG!!!!

5. C | 03.26.09

Wow, looks like he is willing to look at options outside the box…sigh…

http://www.DrugAZ.com

6. angel | 03.26.09

Marijuana could eliminate 78% of all prescription drugs in the US. How do you think his biggest campaign contributors would feel about that. it started with NIXON and has been the same sense.

7. Matt | 03.26.09

I personally was very disappointed in Obama for this. After his progressive, intelligent stances on issues such as stem cell research and federal funds going to hospitals in 3rd world countries that have abortion as an option, I had hopes that Obama would address this issue with poise and rationality. Instead, he turned it into a joke and gave no basis for his negative stance. Completely disappointing. My normally high respects for Obama slipped quite a bit today.

8. Lkampouris | 03.26.09

If we step back and look at marijuana without the first ‘oh no’ reaction one might see that. The Federal Government could place a $20/pack tax and i believe would in time make one heck of an inpact towards our budget that our former president left as part of his legacy.
Also growing hemp (yes it’s quite diferent then Marijuana) could highly impact paper and cloth, with immediate stopping of the use of all those toxic chemicals used in the paper industry.
Renewable resource that takes months to maturity rather than years. Much less enviromental impact as loggin trucks don’t harvest and allows Indian Respervations an opportuntiy to grow something that does not rely on rich soils, but will improve the soil over time.
Anyway this is something that could be a great benefit if we can get past our first reaction to just the mention of its name.

9. fro | 03.26.09

Forget about marijuana and think about the hemp industry. There is a whole industry out there which is and can thrive on non-smokable marijuana product (i.e. clothing, paper, fuel…). Think before you light. The marijuana/hemp industry could be a gold mine.

10. Neil McPherson | 03.26.09

Wow Messrs Cook & Orr is that still an issue for you? Say, compared with corruption. Do tell us you were just stirring or, as wk journlsists (40 years) say: beating up a story? Holy Monitor! No offense meant.

11. Boo Hoo | 03.26.09

So Harold and Kumar are disappointed, no big loss. But what’s the problem with legalizing pot?

12. Gregory G. Martz | 03.26.09

Dear President Obama,
With President Calderon and the “National action party” about to receive 1.4 billion dollars to help with Mexico’s “war on drugs”, and to fight the drug cartels, I must ask why? Who is getting the money? Nothing ever seems to change. When an 88 year old man from Arlington Washington spends 65 days in a Mexican jail without being charged, sleeping on a concrete floor, tells me that their criminal justice system could use some work before we throw huge sums of money their way. Their approach to fighting the cartels is to “kill them all, and let God sort it out”, seems to be very dangerous when the innocent citizens of Mexico get in the way. Mexico’s “social democratic party”, has proposed a bill to legalize drugs. Would this make the cartels irrelevant? Money better spent on education and social programs in Mexico? Now it seems that “the drug wars” have gravitated to Canada. Is the Canadian government going to be fighting it out on the streets of Vancouver with the drug gangs? Is there not another solution?
Thanks,
Greg

13. Joe | 03.26.09

To think that it could be a good strategy to improve the economy is naive at best but it is important to note that the president did not actually comment on whether or not marijuana should be legalized. I’d rather have heard that question put to him directly.

14. Sierra | 03.26.09

Hey, I think Obama is awesome no matter what. He definitely made the right call on legalizing marijuana

15. j.r,patrick | 03.26.09

legalization,monitoring, just as liquor,woulk save billions of dollars,
thousands of lives,by decrimilization, as well as greatly reducing the need for prison cells.
The current ” War ON Drugs” is a collosal failure in results and any leitimate and logical anallysis will demonstrate the lack of any positive results,as it relates to marijuana.

At this time os financial crisis, a logical revue will show the great cost, not to mention th e positive revenue from taxation.

16. Juddy B | 03.27.09

I too was disappointed with his response about legalizing pot…

why not pull the rug out from all the cartels and drug dealers and scum that ripping people off and making a shady living!

Alcohol and cigarette lobby is too strong!

Mary Jane, is better than both combined and everyone could even grow there own, freakin’ easy to do.

The war on drugs money and all the wasted police time and money should go towards clinics and rehab centers for those who get hooked, same way that you go to Alcoholics Anonymous if you can’t handle your drink..
What’s the difference…

As for cigarettes, I would never smoke it because of the fact that it’s made by a bunch of lying crocks who want to poison you !

The other benefit ofcourse is taxing it, but it would also destroy the image and life of those losers who make easy money selling it now..

Obama, come on, give it a chance dogg…

17. Juddy B | 03.27.09

Disapointment…another pharmacy advocate.

18. Kevin | 03.27.09

Mr. President I voted for you because you seemed more in touch with American People. If we had everyone in the U.S. vote on this issue I bet it would pass 75%+. Legalize Marijuana, produce & tax it! This will stop billions going OUT of the US to drug lords. Smoking marijuana is not a violent crime & causes 0 deaths. Millions of Americans use it on a daily basis. Our money is leaving the country because we have not changed this.. Americans are speaking out, just like we did when we voted for you. You laughing at the issue was a disapointment, was it because you know its not a bad drug and too embarrassed to talk about it because you too have used pot? And when you used pot do you think you should have been arrested for it? So much money wasted fighting against a plant that millions of Americans love. Look at the big picture on this. Would it help the government to make money from people buying marijuana? would it save money from arrest, food and shelter to people who sell and use it? would it stop sending money out of our country? Would it provide more jobs? Would more Americans be HAPPY? I think you should really think about this before laughing the subject off again.

19. JDTex | 03.27.09

“Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s”

20. Jose | 03.27.09

I heard the comment live and Obama stuck a knife in the online community who made it clear that they wanted marijuana decriminalized. This is the same community who voted him into power.

21. Richie | 03.27.09

Politics. Weighing down the boat with too issues can sink it. With all the other issues on his plate, making legalization an issue now would distract from necessary support.

If 7 years from now a popular movement makes it an issue that can affect elections, and congressmen get elected on a legalization platform, then the answer may be different. That’s the way it works. Remember, Obama’s campaign platforms were his economic, security and health reform issues — and that is exactly what he’s putting energy into.

22. David | 03.27.09

I wonder how can someone tell you that you cant have or enjoy something that grows naturally when many years ago before there were laws against it nobody had a problem with it

Another wards how can someone just tell you whats not good for the united states when its been here longer than people and laws

23. Nathan | 03.27.09

Lol, another wards. Spellin it like sounds, don’t smoke before you post there, bud. That said, I agree. Its natural, safer than alcohol, poison-free compared to tobacco; its ridiculous that it is so persecuted. Obama’s the most liberal president we’ve had in some time, but remember, the campaign to legalize marijuana has been going on for 40 or 50 years. It has been gaining momentum, but it will be a while yet before this nation is open minded enough to accept it.

24. bondo | 03.27.09

Honestly right now not much is working for the economy, what is the worst that could happen if marijuana was legalized? We would have a few hundred maybe thousand temporary job opportunities, horrible right? Alcohol was illegal then legalized and nothing devastating happened to the economy and alcohol causes more violence and deaths a year then marijuana. If anything bad does happen because of marijuana its usually because its illegal and citizens are trying to duck out of the way of the law. So legalized marijuana wouldn’t do anything but make a little bit of a stimulation for our suffering economy. President Obama making a joke out of this question doesn’t make much sense either,“I don’t know what this says about the online audience,” when he once abused cocaine and smoked marijuana in his past.

25. Suzette | 03.27.09

The marijuana question is complicated, and boy, I’m split 51-49 in favor of legalizing it. Woody Harrelson is an unappealing spokesperson, but the issue goes beyond personalities. And you bet, I’ve looked at the American Southwest and thought: we could totally solve our heroine-smuggling problem by planting poppies here. We already do a great job of growing our own weed. Dallas law officers confiscated acres and acres of pot farms–grown on govt owned land, a lot of it–last spring and summer.

But it’s still complicated because illegal drugs are big business, and if it looks like it might fail, you know, Geithner could take it over and run it himself.

26. Tommie Smith | 03.27.09

I suggest that you all read the Libertarian Party platform.
You’re all talking like Libertarians.
Why don’t you start acting like Libertarians?

27. Kevin | 03.27.09

Joe- How is it naive to think that saving several hundred thousand jobs per year, plus saving the $17 BILLION dollars that marijuana PERsecution costs us every year, would not be good for the economy?

More people working and paying taxes and less tax dollars going for persecution, means more for the economy, right? It probably takes that government-pharmaceutical-propaganda math to make it appear that those things would actually be worse for the economy.

The problem with this country is there are entirely too many ignorant people running around who have the privilege of voting.

28. DougChristian | 03.27.09

As good as the liberal arguments for legalization are (it’s not as harmful as alcohol, causing violence in every city in America and Mexico, enriching foreign terrorist groups, wasting money on prison and enforcement, losing out on tax revenue, missing opportunities for rehabilitation, racial injustice in enforcement, etc), the conservative/libertarian argument for legalization trumps them: It is not government’s job to enforce what choices I make and what I put into my body. GET OUT OF OUR PERSONAL LIVES!

Does Obama think he would have been better off if he had been arrested for pot in his youth?

And to answer it with such disrespect. I am done donating to Obama.

29. Vicki | 03.27.09

President Obama said he did not think legalizing marijuana would help the economy. That was what the web event was about. I don’t know what President Obama’s thoughts are on marijuana, but I know they will be extremely different from the hypocrite George Bush. In time he may change the laws so that marijuana users will not be prosecuted and thrown in jail as they are now. He is for practical methods to deal with issues.

30. DougChristian | 03.27.09

@Kevin

I think you’re a little off base. Economics is the only argument for prohibition. Pot can lower productivity, and it would replace a lot of more expensive pharmaceutical products. I don’t find it impossible to believe that legalization could actually lower GDP. However I think this is a bad way to look at economics, so I agree with you that those things would be better for us in general. And on every other front, it’s a no-brainer. (Gross Domestic Happiness > GDP)

31. tmc | 03.27.09

Someone said it perfectly. It was a direct question about being a WISE decision for growing the economy. He responded. Simple as that. I am not an economist, doctor, law enforcement official, or even a public servant for that matter so I can not even begin to think about the varibles of how legalization of MaryJane (nationwide) would effect the economy or how fast. All I know is that I am a lover of the sticky green and I hope they reconsider. Eitherway I find it said when peopel are disappointed or lose faith in the man simply because he does not stand where they do on their issues. Be reasonable about it. His views on pot for social use or even medical use were not asked. His answer was valid.

32. Blue | 03.27.09

Obama is not going to legalize marijuana when he is under fire from people all over the political spectrum. Wether he wants to or not, he is not going to. he has enough opposition from the right at this point he does not need more. Besides its a state issue. Federal drug laws, at least marijuana should be abolished but its simply not something thats not gonna happen. He is going to stop drug raids on marijuana however. Thats good enough. For now.

33. phathead | 03.27.09

let’s just vote on it! if the majority rules, then let the majority rule!

34. phathead | 03.27.09

I think we should just vote on it! If the majority rules, then let the majority rule!

35. Jose | 03.27.09

Marijuana will only affect productivity if you show up to work stoned. Unlike marijuana, alcohol can affect productivity the day after with a hang over even if you show up sober.

The war against marijuana is really a culture war. We all thought Obama was part of the new culture but we are wrong. He is too busy getting into a war with Afghanistan that will be his Viet Nam. Even Bush was smart enough to avoid a war he could not win.

36. Ftes | 03.27.09

Potheads are hilarious

37. matt | 03.28.09

We need to get guns off the streets, keep drugs away from our children and the number of prisoners in our jails.
The only reason street thugs have guns is because of the money to be made by selling drugs, and the fear of mandatory minimums. Take that away and they have to get a real job.
Kids can get drugs easier than alcohol. Why? Because alcohol is regulated, all adults can get it and there isn’t a pre-existing underground distribution system. A system that just sees children as another customer.
For every person we put in jail, we take a productive, potential taxpayer off out of society and use the taxes of 3 other individuals to pay for it. We need to reserve our prisons for those that present a proven material threat to society. Once released, having to identify themselves as felons greatly reduces job opportunities, reducing their productivity and making many dependent on government handouts.

38. deusXmchna | 03.28.09

I’m all for legalization. It doesn’t do me any good now (the stuff gives me splitting migraines)- but as a sufferer of a neurological chronic pain condition, at least easing up on research restrictions would yield some interesting new compounds that might eventually help me. The economic benefits are obvious.

I’m also a scientist- and anyone who thinks pot can/will replace 78% of all pharmaceuticals has been smoking too much of their own propaganda. spitting out nonsensical pot-doctrine turns off the masses, and makes them think twice about their position (translation: fanatical B.S. hurts the cause).

unfortunately I think Obama lacks the political capital right now to address the issue and pull it off- and if he tries and fails, that could be the end of the story. Maybe he can rack up a couple of wins and then go at it.

who knows. I don’t trust either side of the (R) & (D) aisle. two sides of the same corroded coin.

39. legalize now | 03.29.09

You guys just relax. He did the marijuana movement a great service. First of all, he brought it up and put it into the national dialogue. He did not have to answer that question because it (the issue) is a slippery slope with politicians. What he did do though was insert it into public debate. Do a goolge news search on “marijuana legalization” and see how many results you get just in the last two hours. Another thing, his attorney general has said that marijuana dispensaries will no longer be raided. This is a huge door open to states that want to pass medical marijuana laws but were afraid to do so out of fear of federal forces intervening. Obama has taken a very wise baby step. He cannot just say “Marijuana should be legal” and then poof, problem solved. This is going to take time. Nice job Obama.

40. deusXmchna | 03.30.09

“Another thing, his attorney general has said that marijuana dispensaries will no longer be raided”

it would seem he misspoke at best

http://cbs5.com/local/medical.marijuana.raid.2.968019.html

41. Bill Owen | 03.30.09

I’m in Canada where have somewhat more sensible drug laws, but the police still arrest people, mostly for growing it.

Obama made a joke out of the number one question he was asked, yes, that’s right, the number one question. You would think that the President of Democracy would have a more serious attitude toward a very serious question.

The war on drugs has destroyed the lives of millions of Americans and Canadians. This stupid, mindless, robotic war on drugs, has cost and continues to cost billions of dollars a year.

Obama is not interested in real change. That is obvious by his flippant childish attempt to make the question go away. Well, it’s not going away Obama, ending your war on a drug you used to smoke would save your nearly bankrupt country billions a years, 10’s of billions and it would nearly destroy the mafia and the Angels.

42. Alabama Jim | 03.30.09

Legalize Marijuana — The time has come. Cost Benefit Analysis in the sunshine — what does it tell you? Legalize Marijuana.

43. wonderfuk | 03.31.09

I stood in the cold to promote his campaign because I thought he was serious about change. how can he change anything when he’s just a pawn like the rest of them?? I hope a lot of Americans are as mad as I am about this. Did he actually say, “I don’t know what this says about the online audience” - yeah the same audience that helped you swing the vote you ungrateful pawn. He’s no different than the cronies he promised to get rid of. Obama, you lost my vote for 2012, I don’t care if you save the economy or if you think legalizing pot jeopardizes the intellectual status of our country, nobody gets to tell me what I put into my own body! I should have voted for McCain.

Oh and to Jimmy Ohr, do you think it’s funny too? What’s up with the Hey man… **** you opened with? You obviously agree with Obama. Let me ask you something, what’s your favorite drink? Great, now drink that, smoke your cigarette, take your prescription pills and say “hey man.” - that’s what it’s supposed to sound like.

44. wonderfuk | 03.31.09

“He did not have to answer that question because it (the issue) is a slippery slope with politicians.”

@legalize now - you don’t think him answering it had something to do with it being the most-asked question throughout the meeting? Explain to me how this helps the cause? In my opinion, it only proved that the ignorant resistance still flourishes. The people who applauded his response are the same people who won’t let gays marry, the same people who treated blacks like animals, the same people who killed Jesus. People who, for whatever reason, think their opinions are right regardless of facts and reality. Yet they stuff their faces with fast food, drink their scotch, take their prozac, smoke their cigarettes, and do all sorts of exponentially more harmful things than smoking a joint.

45. Vocal Citizen | 04.04.09

I wept profusely when President Obama was elected. I hadn’t cried like that in years! I believed he really HEARD the people of America during the campaign. Now that he’s President, he still hears us, he’s just not LISTENING.

Millions upon millions of blogs, tweets, articles, and other vocal citizens have railed against him for sarcastically dismissing the number one question on both his December Open Questions and this virtual town hall meeting.

What the President does not realize is by ignoring us, by mocking us, he’s fueling a fire that’s ready to burn out of control! Perhaps it’s a good thing. Maybe now, we can get Washington to listen.

So, fine, here it is: If you’re the least bit put off by President Obama’s insulting and UN-AMERICAN dismissal of our two-time top rated question regarding a sensible reform of our failed drug policies, write to the White House. FLOOD their inboxes. Demand to know why we are being ignored!

Our country should, once and for all, have a general election vote on whether or not to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis and its derivatives. It is our right to insist upon a general vote on the matter. Write to your congressmen and senators, demanding SOME of them introduce this idea to Washington.

Then, Pres. Obama’s political standing can be saved, and we may yet get the democracy we were promised during the campaign!

46. maria | 04.05.09

By legalizing mariguana it will lower the crime rates. Do you know that alot of people are in jail just for pot? Pot is not a crime. It’s helps people to relax. People who smoke pot are pretty laid back. You have other worse things in the world than to worry about than pot.

47. pot head | 04.06.09

Obama is blowing mines. if he makes weed legal then he would save money in the economy and drugs of the streets. I Tought he was gonna be the coolest president ever. if he makes marijuana legal he would make lots of money because half the world smokes marijuana

48. Jeremy | 04.11.09

Just think of the tax revenue, Mr. President. You wouldn’t even have to feel any kind of guilt or feeling of you cheated to save the american economy…..you would just be reversing a very big mistake made a good while ago. Trust me, everybody and their brother smokes weed; legal or not we will smoke…burn it, tear it out of the ground, do what you will but we will smoke…….why not profit from it?

49. cbake | 04.13.09

If he seriously thought about legalizing marijuana for a minute, or even a second, Obama would realize that it would be a great option to stimulate the economy, and create an immense amount of jobs all across america. Also, it would create more foreign trade and of course make the borders way more safe due to less drug trafficking. I don’t know what goes on through that man’s mind if he thinks that it is a bad idea..

50. Yung CEsa | 04.14.09

Legalize it!

51. nick | 04.23.09

i think we should keep writing to the preisdent to legalize marijuana to stop crime in the usa even if he gets mad about it in freedom of speach so let keep talking about it and they can say we can do a vote on it then weed will me legal or protest for it around the white house

52. nick | 04.23.09

we should legalize weed a.k.a marijuana because it will the bussiness be booming and keep asking and bugging him even that we want weed legal because it is freedom of speach and stuff so keep asking him and if that dont work protest at the white house and say WE WANT WEED LEGAL DONT FOR GET IT FREEDOM OF SPEACH and see what happends AND DONT GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

53. Timmy | 04.30.09

I give up!

54. jason cook | 05.05.09

legalize weed everbody likes smoking it.if you legalize weed you well get a lot of money.dont give up obama keep trying.

55. jeffery hines | 05.06.09

Yes Obama legalize marijuana. it makes millions of kids so much smarter and do better in school and look at the ratio from deaths in the US by alcahol and then look at the deaths in the US from pot its like 1000000:700…. yeah think about it Obama…. everyones counting on you. and it would give most of the money to the government and the community rather than all the gangbangers and thugs. it will also lower the rate in job losses and lay-offs.

56. Tim | 05.07.09

Second-hand cigarette smoke MIGHT kill me… after a few decades of constant intake. But second-hand pot smoke WILL get ME high, on the spot, against my will, negatively affecting my senses, and the senses of anyone else nearby, affecting my/our judgement with anything I/we might be doing, and that should NEVER be allowed. Therefore, pot should ALWAYS remain illegal… period. It’s pretty simple. End of debate.

57. Stephen Inness | 05.08.09

Honestly it is unfair and wrong for the government to even think they have the right to legalize it or not, it should never of been illegal in the first place and its sad that the president of our country isnt smart enough to understand that it has medical benifits, it expands the mind, it can be made into many many many many articles of clothing, backpacks, etc. It WILL stimulate the economy and if i have to die fighting to legalize it i will, it makes no sense that alcohol is legally consumed on a daily basis when all that DRUG does is make people stupider and more dissociated. its like the governement wants to keep us dumb, and of course tobacco is legal, which is almost more ****** up than the fact that marijuana is illegal. tobacco does nothing but kill people. honestly i could go on FOREVER about the benifits the people and the government would get by legalizing it, but dont worry if its not legal in a few years i will pearsonally make sure it does get legal with rallys, educating the masses, and just knocking some common sense into the humans who have NO RIGHT controling the country.

58. JJack | 05.09.09

I think its a travesty that he shrugs the idea off and just laughs about it. Thousands of people have died in Mexico due to drug cartels which we are financing in large part due to the illegal import of Cannabis. Seems to be a more serious topic than the President acknowledges it to be. The fact that it’s laughed about obviously reveals the nature of cannabis, it’s not something to fear. The murders it helps finance in Mexico is something to fear.

59. Bill | 05.14.09

The man that began our country on its way, and provided us with a solid foundation on wich to build and EXPAND, was a very adamant producer and supporter of cannabis. He help write the very text that our country was founded on, and that the goverment will never change. We are granted things as citizens, and they just take it away. At least George Washington knew what he was talking about on this subject. I think some formal education on the matter is critical to make an EDUCATED descision. Our community of supporters are getting very impatient, more so now after our hands have been biten, by the very mouth they’ve fed. Now our counterculture will continue growing,smoking,using,,benefitting,selling, and profitting from MARIJUANA…and we will, untill the end of time. Friends its time to rally, its time for a major movement, with some major backing. ( if we are to continue our war on ignorant laws ). Otherwise, shut up and smoke. nothing has changed and it doesnt seem like its all that important to the president. I wonder how many first time voters there were this year…I wonder how many people voted this time because it finally made sense, change is due. He himself already has proven change is possible, why not continue with youre campaign tag line, and change? We have been used and dimissed! Thanks pres. you give us no choice but to make our argument REAL to you people.
P.S—laughing at this was just a big slap in the face to ALOT of your supporters.

60. Alexis Lysek | 05.15.09

ok well i think that obama didnt think about legalizing marijuana hard eneough. and he shouldnt have made a joke about it that was just bogus as hell..i mean it will be a good way to boost the economy and also its good for medical purposes to so ppl would be getting the medicince that they would need. if you can legalize tobacco and alcohol then you should be able to legalize pot cuz pot isnt worse than tobacco or alcohol in fact tobacco and alcohol is actually worse for you and i know this for sure cuz i did alot of research on it so if those things can be legal than pot should be to…..i just think the president need to at least put it into consideration and put so hard thought into it..

61. upset | 05.16.09

My dad is 55 and in jail for weed. He is not a criminal. $3,500 for bail, 5,000 for his lawyer, and don’t know where or when the fines stop. We should riot like other countries because they are heard when enough people come together. (universal health care) Obama help us Please!!

62. Kathy | 05.22.09

I think Obama is worried what people will think.I dont think he realizies how making pot legal would stop and bring jobs and money for us as a nation. I have a back injury and I”m in pain all the time. I tried pot and never abused it. I dont smoke now because of drug testing at my work place and I do not understand how goin out and drinking is ok but to stay at home and smoke a joint is bad. Or better yet if you smoke a joint it leads you into other drugs. Did they ever think that a person who says that chances are never tried it. I think what a person does in there own home should be there business. I think Obama should have been more opened minded and not made it a joke. If the people want the law to pass why wouldnt he take that into count.

63. Kathy | 05.22.09

I was on a website that said if you dial 1-973-409-3274 and hit the pound key and vote yes to legalize pot and they get a million votes Obama will make it legal. I called and voted. Lets at least give it a try what could it hurt

64. wendy | 05.29.09

legalize it!!!!!!!!!

65. Just do it | 08.10.09

Where is the change? if it doesn’t harm anyone and produce money for the government, why not.

66. Jase | 09.01.09

I honestly don’t understand why he decided to make it a joke. He should legalize it. Looking at the statistics, marijuana is one of - if not the- safest drug. Alcohol can cause liver problems and smoking causes lung problems and cancer. 0 deaths have been recorded due to marijuana. The fact is, it should be legal. If you’re going to continue to keep marijuana illegal, you might as well as make sex and ************ illegal as well.

67. Linda Smith | 09.03.09

You need to look at actions and not words. Obama’s backers are all tied to Soros who want legalizing drugs. Check out his “open Society” and you will understand.

68. Luke Winstead | 09.28.09

Well, I’m glad he did take the time to accept questions because it’s better than just not listening, which is what truly bothers people. I personally DO believe that the legalization of Marijuana would be a plus to the country. Marijuana can be used for; Livestock bedding, nutritional support, essential oils, medicines, food, paper products, textiles, molded plastic, body care products, construction, livestock food, & last & far from least, fun. Stress relieving. My father (a Marijuana smoker for over 40 years) looks 20 years less of his age. He smoked tobacco for about 3 years, & then continued Marijuana use. His doctor diagnosed that the Marijuana was clearing his airways. In the Netherlands; all drugs are legal & they have almost NO problems. I believe it should be legal. In fact; in the Netherlands; they BANNED tobacco. What does that say?

69. john ridge | 11.13.09

I would like it if pot was legal but, economically speaking it makes no sense into legalizing it. It is just a negative extranality which would be over produced and over abused. It would relate to cigarettes and alcohol which to sum it all up increases the payments we have to do for health care to take care of those people who abuse those products and seek medical attention. So if pot was ever legalized it would be the equivalent to c2 drugs we carry at our pharmacies and would need a prescription, but it would be under the category of c1.

70. Aaron | 11.13.09

Yes how meny people die a year from useing weed? now ask the same question about something that is legail achool i proved my point