Why hasn't Obama legalized hemp?

[Kleptocracy]

Just curious what you think are the reasons the fraud hasn't even mentioned it, seen as how criminalizing hemp is one of the most ridiculous laws in place in America today?

[melancholeric]

Because that decision wouldn't probably be particularly loved by the general population?

[Kleptocracy]

Did you hear that on Fox news? Why do you think that?

[Oso Mocoso]

Just curious what you think are the reasons the fraud hasn't even mentioned it, seen as how criminalizing hemp is one of the most ridiculous laws in place in America today?

Because in most of America, that would be political suicide. There would be no chance of getting something like that through Congress anyway.

[Kleptocracy]

Because in most of America, that would be political suicide. There would be no chance of getting something like that through Congress anyway.

"Political suicide" That one's straight out of Fox. Legalizing hemp would not be political suicide. He's president for another 3 years for a start, a simple explanation to the stupider half of America about how it would aid the economy and stop Americans having to buy products made of hemp that was grown abroad rather than on American soil and explaining that the only thing you get from smoking hemp is a headache and even the rednecks would have no argument against legalizing the stuff.

Why don't you think it would get through congress?

[fripping]

can you say "no re-election"?

[Kleptocracy]

can you say "no re-election"?

Because he legalized hemp? :stupid:

[fripping]

Because he legalized hemp? :stupid:

habeeb it!

[agroupofhookers]

Further, no one cares in the political arenas. There are far more 'important' issues to deal with. Nevermind they're repressing significant progress!

[Kleptocracy]

habeeb it!

Americans are well known to be politically stupid, but they are not totally retarded that they would refuse to vote for somebody on the basis that they legalized hemp. Economic impact included legalizing hemp (as well as marijuana) would be vote winners.

[Oso Mocoso]

"Political suicide" That one's straight out of Fox. Legalizing hemp would not be political suicide.

Well, there's a reason Fox News is the country's most popular news network by a large margin.


He's president for another 3 years for a start, a simple explanation to the stupider half of America about how it would aid the economy and stop Americans having to buy products made of hemp that was grown abroad rather than on American soil and explaining that the only thing you get from smoking hemp is a headache and even the rednecks would have no argument against legalizing the stuff.

Obviously this is important to you personally, and I have nothing against it either but most people in the country either (like me) don't care about this or oppose it.


Why don't you think it would get through congress?

Same reason it's illegal - powerful cotton lobby and strong opposition from American farmers. Also, stigma from association with U.S. drug culture.

[Kleptocracy]

Well, there's a reason Fox News is the country's most popular news network by a large margin.

Yeah, corporate funding.



Obviously this is important to you personally, and I have nothing against it either but most people in the country either (like me) don't care about this or oppose it.

It's not personally important to me, it just makes sense.

Exactly, people don't oppose it, which is why it wouldn't be "political suicide". It would boost the economy which is why it would make sense politically for him to legalize it.




Same reason it's illegal - powerful cotton lobby and strong opposition from American farmers. Also, stigma from association with U.S. drug culture.

Actually American farmers want it legalized so they can grow it.

[agroupofhookers]

even the rednecks would have no argument against legalizing the stuff.

All rednecks, that I know, smoke weed. How do people arrive at the thought rednecks are against against marijuana?. Most of them smoke meth too.

With my brother (ISTP) offroading once, met a guy in a tiny 2wd pickup with about five people in it, hopelessly stuck, so my brother offers: "I'll help ya out if you know where I can get some smoke." (Rednecks have the BOMB connections. Like $20 for an ounce of outdoor sinsemilla)

Response:
"whatcha mean? ...like weed? yea sure call that black fella."
"well this aint my cell phone, it's JO's and I dunno if Jo wants me to use his cell phone."
and so on.

Point: Rednecks want everything to be legal.

[Kleptocracy]

All rednecks, that I know, smoke weed. I don't understand where people get this view of rednecks as against marijuana. Most of them smoke meth too.

With my brother (ISTP) offroading once, met a guy in a tiny 2wd pickup with about five people in it, hopelessly stuck, so my brother offers: "I'll help ya out if you know where I can get some smoke." (Rednecks have the BOMB connections. Like $20 for an ounce of outdoor sinsemilla)

Response:
"whatcha mean? like weed? yea sure call that black fella."
"well this aint my cell phone, it's JO's and I dunno if Jo wants me to use his cell phone."
and so on.

Point: Rednecks want everything to be legal.

I don't think a single example is good enough to make a point about redneck mentalities. Rednecks are generally right wing, watch a lot of Fox news and think whatever it tells them to think.

[agroupofhookers]

I don't think a single example is good enough to make a point about redneck mentalities. Rednecks are generally right wing, watch a lot of Fox news and think whatever it tells them to think.

I don't think that many generalities fosters an open mind.

Further, that was just supposed to be a funny story. We asked because they always know.

[Kleptocracy]

I don't think that many generalities fosters an open mind.

Oh the irony...


Further, that was just supposed to be a funny story. We asked because they always know.

Fair enough but I know people who smoke weed that don't think it should be legalized.

[bass_n_treble]

I don't get it--I had shoes made out of hemp. I bought them in a store. The feds didn't chase me.

Are you talking about decriminalizing marijuana?

EDIT: He has ascended to the office of President, not son of God.

To those who think that Obama hasn't done anything significant in office, tell me one president in the last 30 years that has... might be thinking for a while.

[Kleptocracy]

I don't get it--I had shoes made out of hemp. I bought them in a store. The feds didn't chase me.

Are you talking about decriminalizing marijuana?

No, that's another thing Obama and his corporate friends are fucking us over on but I'm talking about growing hemp which comes with the same punishment as growing marijuana. The shoes you bought weren't grown in America, at least not legally.


EDIT: He has ascended to the office of President, not son of God.

To those who think that Obama hasn't done anything significant in office, tell me one president in the last 30 years that has... might be thinking for a while.

I'm not saying any have, it's just that people actually believe this one is genuinely trying to.

[bass_n_treble]

No, that's another thing Obama and his corporate friends are fucking us over on but I'm talking about growing hemp which comes with the same punishment as growing marijuana. The shoes you bought weren't grown in America, at least not legally.

Yeah, because Obama is singlehandedly responsible for that law. :rolleyes2:

Ridiculous.

Why don't you do something proactive, like write a congressman or make a petition? It will at least distract you long enough so that you won't notice nothing is going to change.

[Kleptocracy]

Yeah, because Obama is singlehandedly responsible for that law. :rolleyes2:

Ridiculous.

Why don't you do something proactive, like write a congressman or make a petition? It will at least distract you long enough so that you won't notice nothing is going to change.

I didn't say he is, I'm saying he's not going to change it because he is a fraud but people still believe him.

Writing a congressman wont change anything, people do it all the time.

My problem is that people like you actually believe he's trying to do what's right for you, which is dumb.

[C.J.Woolf]

Writing a congressman wont change anything, people do it all the time.
A wingnut minority have a disproportionate influence on politics because they do write their congressmen.

When you write him/her, mention that the War on Drugs doesn't work, it's been a social disaster, and it's a money pit.

[Kleptocracy]

A wingnut minority have a disproportionate influence on politics because they do write their congressmen.

When you write him/her, mention that the War on Drugs doesn't work, it's been a social disaster, and it's a money pit.


http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/open_for_questions_round_2_response/

Will you consider legalizing cannabis/marijuana/hemp so that the government can regulate it, tax it, put age limits on it, and create millions of new jobs and create a multi-billion dollar industry right here in the U.S.?”—DJ C, Chicago, IL

Open for Questions Response, 12/15/08: “President-elect Obama is not in favor of the legalization of marijuana.”

[MacGuffin]

Why can't potheads just be straight for once that they wanna get high without getting busted for it?

"Why isn't hemp legalized"... lmao.

[Kleptocracy]

Why can't potheads just be straight for once that they wanna get high without getting busted for it?

"Why isn't hemp legalized"... lmao.

Hemp doesn't get you high...

[MacGuffin]

Hemp doesn't get you high...
Exactly. So tell us what you really want and stop hiding behind hemp legalization.

[Kleptocracy]

Exactly. So tell us what you really want and stop hiding behind hemp legalization.

I'm not hiding behind anything. I've already said marijuana should be legalized too but that's a different subject. This subject is about hemp and why Obama wont legalize it.

Also, I'm not affected by hemp or marijuana laws other than that they burn a hole in my pocket.

[jyakulis]

Fine I want to get high.

That doesn't change the fact that I think hemp should be legalized even if they don't legalize marijuana.

Hemp is a great rotation crop kind of what farmers use soy beans now for to restore nitrogen to the soil. It grows anywhere and it has a weed like root structure that breaks up and aerates soil.

Henry Ford actually made a plastic car frame out of hemp fiber reinforced organic plastic. Which can be seen here, and actually had a better impact strength than steel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxlj6fgQ-ZU&feature=related

It was most likely made illegal for the same reasons other things are illegal in this country. It would cut in to the fortune 100's profits. Mainly the chemical industry, petroleum industry, paper industry, and cotton industry (the Duponts of the world). Hemp is 5-10 times more effective per acre at producing usable paper than making it from tree fibers just to name one example. Heaven forbid American farmers making a nice living for themselves. Right now we are allowed to import hemp products (mainly from canada) but not produce it in our own borders.

The 101 uses of hemp: http://www.recipenet.org/health/articles/101_uses_hemp_chart.htm

[avolkiteshvara]

Last I heard Eric Holder was gonna leave it up to states to decide.


Has there been any change?

[Kleptocracy]

Last I heard Eric Holder was gonna leave it up to states to decide.


Has there been any change?

That's medical marijuana you're thinking of. Either way, saying "we'll leave it up to the states to decide" for medical marijuana or hemp isn't good enough, it's blindingly obvious that they should both be legalized completely.

[avolkiteshvara]

That's medical marijuana you're thinking of. Either way, saying "we'll leave it up to the states to decide" for medical marijuana or hemp isn't good enough, it's blindingly obvious that they should both be legalized completely.

Medical is basically legal marijuana. At least in Cali it is.

Obama has bigger fish to fry than making sure everyone has plenty of pot.

[Kleptocracy]

Medical is basically legal marijuana. At least in Cali it is.

Obama has bigger fish to fry than making sure everyone has plenty of pot.

Like fixing the economy? Legalizing marijuana will do a lot of good for the economy. Although assuming that legalizing marijuana will encourage people to smoke weed is a common myth that doesn't stand up to real world examples like Amsterdam.

Though we're talking about hemp here, which could also do a lot for the economy if legalized.

The economy is Obama's biggest fish.

[jyakulis]

Medical is basically legal marijuana. At least in Cali it is.

Obama has bigger fish to fry than making sure everyone has plenty of pot.

like sending 45,000 more troops to afgahnistan :banana:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/6330163/United-States-to-send-up-to-45000-more-troops-to-Afghanistan.html

[avolkiteshvara]

Like fixing the economy? Legalizing marijuana will do a lot of good for the economy. Although assuming that legalizing marijuana will encourage people to smoke weed is a common myth that doesn't stand up to real world examples like Amsterdam.

Though we're talking about hemp here, which could also do a lot for the economy if legalized.

The economy is Obama's biggest fish.


Its about allocating resources efficiently. No doubt pot should be legalized. But legalizing it won't solve global warming nor lax financial regulation.

Creating check/balances for banks and derivatives users AND creating green jobs that reduce the carbon footprint while creating a new industry is more important.


like sending 45,000 more troops to afgahnistan :banana:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/6330163/United-States-to-send-up-to-45000-more-troops-to-Afghanistan.html

Or figuring out what the hell we are supposed to accomplish over there. Corrupt karzai government supported by opium war lords. Beats me.

[ocop]

Like fixing the economy? Legalizing marijuana will do a lot of good for the economy. Although assuming that legalizing marijuana will encourage people to smoke weed is a common myth that doesn't stand up to real world examples like Amsterdam.

Though we're talking about hemp here, which could also do a lot for the economy if legalized.

The economy is Obama's biggest fish.

"We're legalizing hemp to jump-start the economy" = insta-ridicule from the "news" media, a contribution of a loss of democratic seats in 2010, and subsequent loss of ability to get any of his top priorities accomplished.

A curious observation about Bill Clinton on a similarly ignorant policy (the Cuban embargo):


...he does not see leadership as managing a conflict between politics and principle. Rather, he views politics as the essential reality of any society. He and his fellow politicians are hedged in by their constituencies and the exigencies of staying in power, and they fail to recognize that at their peril. He is open with Branch about boundaries he dares not cross—on the Cuban embargo for example, where he acknowledges the impossibility of changing a worthless policy...

It doesn't matter that most people are ambivalent to hemp/marijuana legalization. The ones who passionately oppose probably outweigh the number who passionately support. With our low rates of voter turnout, the "moral" right tends to disproportionately sway elections (particularly non-presidential ones) given their misplaced but rabid enthusiasm.

[Kleptocracy]

"We're legalizing hemp to jump-start the economy" = insta-ridicule from the "news" media, a contribution of a loss of democratic seats in 2010, and subsequent loss of ability to get any of his top priorities accomplished.

A curious observation about Bill Clinton on a similarly ignorant policy (the Cuban embargo):

It doesn't matter that most people are ambivalent to hemp/marijuana legalization. The ones who passionately oppose probably outweigh the number who passionately support. With our low rates of voter turnout, the "moral" right tends to disproportionately sway elections (particularly non-presidential ones) given their misplaced but rabid enthusiasm.

Can you find me one article or person who is passionately against legalizing hemp? Only people with special interests would come under that category. Legalizing hemp would not stop people from voting for Obama in 3 years time. He's not going to say "We're legalizing hemp to jump start the economy" We're legalizing hemp to create jobs and help the environment would be sufficient to gain him many votes in the next election.



Its about allocating resources efficiently. No doubt pot should be legalized. But legalizing it won't solve global warming nor lax financial regulation.

Creating check/balances for banks and derivatives users AND creating green jobs that reduce the carbon footprint while creating a new industry is more important.

Or figuring out what the hell we are supposed to accomplish over there. Corrupt karzai government supported by opium war lords. Beats me.

Legalizing hemp would help the environment too, like has been said you can get 5 times more paper per acre using hemp rather than trees.

Of course stopping the bankers from fucking us over (not that he's doing that anyway), creating green jobs and reducing emissions is important but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't do all 3. It's not a choice between one or the other. Cars made of hemp are greener too.

We're only in Afghanistan because rich people can make huge profits out of war.

[quantumzero]

It'll get done quietly, fear not.

[C.J.Woolf]

It'll get done quietly, fear not.
That would be Obama's style. He can't legalize pot (that's Congress's job), but he can quietly decline to enforce drug laws.

[Kleptocracy]

It'll get done quietly, fear not.

Looking at it from a historical perspective, in politics only bad things get done quietly. He's said he's not going to legalize it, maybe he's lying but it would be naive to think so.

[Kleptocracy]

That would be Obama's style. He can't legalize pot (that's Congress's job), but he can quietly decline to enforce drug laws.

God, some people are so deluded.

He can come out in favor of marijuana legalization. He can also support hemp legalization. He just chooses not to.

[ocop]

Can you find me one article or person who is passionately against legalizing hemp? Only people with special interests would come under that category.

Legalizing hemp would not stop people from voting for Obama in 3 years time.

No but it will be a tool the right uses ("Think of the children!") to turn out more crazies and take down his allies in congress (and hence ability to achieve larger goals) in 1, and I'm sure they'll dredge the issue back up in 3 as well.

More importantly, it's not going to get him any votes either. It's a potentially toxic non-issue that makes no sense to spend political capital on.



He's not going to say "We're legalizing hemp to jump start the economy" We're legalizing hemp to create jobs and help the environment would be sufficient to gain him many votes in the next election.

What sort of "green jobs" will this hemp miracle get us? Also, the people who would care about hemp helping the environment (and understand why it does) are already going to vote for Obama, I'd imagine. In fact, most people who would actually vote on any environmental issues will vote for Obama even if he personally shot a baby whale on live television from a oil tanker cruising through a marine reserve--the alternative is "drill baby drill".



Legalizing hemp would help the environment too, like has been said you can get 5 times more paper per acre using hemp rather than trees.

Aren't forests in the US are already being managed for sustainable yields? If so the environmental impacts from avoided deforestation are relatively negligible


Of course stopping the bankers from fucking us over (not that he's doing that anyway), creating green jobs and reducing emissions is important but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't do all 3. It's not a choice between one or the other. Cars made of hemp are greener too.

How exactly does hemp reduce emissions? And lol, have fun in your hemp car.

Bear in mind I agree with both hemp and marijuana legalization, I'm just saying the Obama Admin. a) doesn't care and b)even if they did care it's not worth (from a political standpoint) doing anything about.

[C.J.Woolf]

...in politics only bad unpopular things get done quietly.
Fixed.

Look, I understand your frustration, but the fact is the majority isn't with you yet. You and the other advocates for legalization have to bring them around. It can be done and I believe it will be done, but it will take time. Conservatives are good at playing a long game. You can learn something from them.

[Dark Razor]

You should all be proud that, begining with the Reagan administration, the DEA has succeded (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/13/farmers-arrested-planting_n_318808.html) in uprooting half a billion wild hemp plants. You too must be vigilant against the ever growing threat of hemp-planting enviro-fascists. We also encourage you to carry a canister of gasoline at all times, to enable you to destroy any hemp plants you might come across in ditches and fields. If you find any illegal hemp-plantations that need to napalm-bombed, inform your local authorities immediately! The safety of our children is at stake! ACT NOW!

[kuranes]

Because they'd hang him with a news of it ?

I think more people would write in demands or requests etc. if they weren't leery of getting on some list. This would be perceived as becoming more likely to get looked at by the cops/DEA etc. Since many hemp supporters are also pot supporters etc.

[avolkiteshvara]

yeah I've seen Obama get shit for playing basketball.

Imagine if he legalized pot.

[Hustler]

Why can't potheads just be straight for once that they wanna get high without getting busted for it?

"Why isn't hemp legalized"... lmao.

Are you not aware of the arguments in favor of hemp legalization that have nothing to do with getting high? I'm in favor of legalizing hemp in the United States because it would have an enormously positive effect on the environment. I also put hemp milk on my cereal and use hemp protein in my protein shakes (hemp protein is actually a complete protein, and a good alternative to soy), and I would greatly prefer it if I could get locally sourced hemp rather than buying stuff from Canada. I don't want to support the Canadian economy* but, these days, if I want to buy hemp products, I have no choice but to do so. What's more, I don't want to buy hemp products that have been trucked or flown thousands of miles when I could buy something produced within a hundred miles if it were legal.

This is just the tip of the iceberg with hemp. Hemp clothing, hemp paper, hemp oil, biofuel, plastics, paint, medicine, and so on are all viable uses for the plant. It is the most efficient producer of usable resources per acre in the plant world.

I would rather see hemp be legalized and marijuana remain illegal than see hemp and marijuana both be illegal, though my preference would be for them to both be legal. It's beyond idiotic that these archaic laws are still on the books in a first-world country like the United States. I should point out that I'm also in favor of legalizing the coca plant. But that's an even bigger political hot potato than hemp.


Obviously this is important to you personally, and I have nothing against it either but most people in the country either (like me) don't care about this or oppose it.

Zogby disagrees. (http://www.salem-news.com/articles/may062009/mj_zogby_5-6-09.php) And that's for the legalization of marijuana. If you legalize marijuana you necessarily legalize hemp. Note that only 11% of people don't care one way or the other, and 37% of people oppose it. So, if 52% of Americans are actually in favor of marijuana legalization, then it suggests that there are very few people opposed to the legalization of hemp. Probably just cotton and tree farmers would be opposed to hemp specifically. What this indicates is that it would not be political suicide by any stretch of the imagination to attempt to legalize hemp.

Speaking of that, I do believe there's currently a bill in the HoR introduced by Ron Paul and Barney Frank that is calling for the legalization of hemp. I don't know the details about the bill, but the hemp issue isn't being completely ignored by politicians at the moment.

*Because I hate Canada.

[MadamI'madaM]

"Why do people believe in the Democrats?"

would be a better thread

[Oso Mocoso]

Zogby disagrees. (http://www.salem-news.com/articles/may062009/mj_zogby_5-6-09.php) And that's for the legalization of marijuana. If you legalize marijuana you necessarily legalize hemp. Note that only 11% of people don't care one way or the other, and 37% of people oppose it. So, if 52% of Americans are actually in favor of marijuana legalization, then it suggests that there are very few people opposed to the legalization of hemp. Probably just cotton and tree farmers would be opposed to hemp specifically. What this indicates is that it would not be political suicide by any stretch of the imagination to attempt to legalize hemp.

Speaking of that, I do believe there's currently a bill in the HoR introduced by Ron Paul and Barney Frank that is calling for the legalization of hemp. I don't know the details about the bill, but the hemp issue isn't being completely ignored by politicians at the moment.

*Because I hate Canada.

http://www.pollingreport.com/drugs.htm

This survey of different polls on the topic shows Americans are all over the place on the issue. When asked about medical marijuana, support is quite strong. When asked about decriminalizing marijuana support drops sharply, support for legalization isn't all that strong. When basically asked how they think marijuana possession should be sentenced, most supported just charging them a fine, sort of like a traffic ticket.

Interesting data.

[jon]

Writing a congressman wont change anything, people do it all the time.


I feel like you are a troll. But that's an aside.

I don't know about your congressman, but when I write the one that represents me, I get a response from a secretary of the congressperson. (lady, in my case).

I had a conversation with a state representative, and he mentioned that people writing in was the one of the few tools he had to know what people wanted.

Granted, I'm in Minnesota and we actually marginally give a shit more about our democracy than some other states..

[ocop]

I had a conversation with a state representative, and he mentioned that people writing in was the one of the few tools he had to know what people wanted.


I've heard that too... they use correspondence as a barometer of constituent engagement, and generally respond in kind. Mailed letters do better than email (higher effort quotient), particularly ones specifically addressed to the aide/intern/legislative assistant assigned to your topic area of concern.

[MacGuffin]

Are you not aware of the arguments in favor of hemp legalization that have nothing to do with getting high? I'm in favor of legalizing hemp in the United States because it would have an enormously positive effect on the environment.

So am I, but that isn't why potheads are so hot to trot on legalizing hemp.

[avolkiteshvara]

http://www.mtv.com/onair/movieawards/ma03/allstars/flip_carrey/images/1999_ma_jim_carey-01.jpg

Lets get some Foghat going!

[last_caress]

So am I, but that isn't why potheads are so hot to trot on legalizing hemp.

it's as obvious to everyone as it is to you, but that kind of emphasis when making the case is strategically inferior to appealing with positive aspects other than it's psychoactive properties in order to minimize moral opposition.
it's like taking your date to dinner and a movie rather than going straight for it even though your motives are no secret.

[Hustler]

So am I, but that isn't why potheads are so hot to trot on legalizing hemp.

Attack on motives is a common logical fallacy. Hemp should be legalized for many very good reasons, regardless of the motivation of potheads for supporting it. It's also more than a little presumptuous to assume that legalized cannabis consumption is the reason that potheads are in favor of it.

[MacGuffin]

Attack on motives is a common logical fallacy. Hemp should be legalized for many very good reasons, regardless of the motivation of potheads for supporting it. It's also more than a little presumptuous to assume that legalized cannabis consumption is the reason that potheads are in favor of it.

I used my N.

[Madrigal]

lol democrats!

They couldn't even get their own fucking health care reform through congress with a super-majority. And you want them to legalize hemp?! Dream on. The only thing democrats can do is talk and suck lobbyists off and talk and suck some more.

And Obama is center-right, get used to it sooner, rather than later.

[synagogue]

This question is so ridiculous as to not warrant a serious answer.... but I'll give it a half-try. #1, he never promised to legalize hemp in the first place. #2, when you become President, it doesn't automatically give you the authority to make anything legal that you feel like. #3, even if he could, there are much more pressing issues being addressed during the first nine-ten months of his presidency, and I say that as a devoted pot-smoker. #4, if not legalizing hemp after never making a promise to do so makes you a fraud, then you could apply the same label to any politician who has never promised to legalize hemp, and then never addressed their non-promise to do so. I'm sure there are at least 30 other good reasons this question is retarded, no offense, but I think that's a good start.

[Madrigal]

:lol:

[Kleptocracy]

This question is so ridiculous as to not warrant a serious answer.... but I'll give it a half-try. #1, he never promised to legalize hemp in the first place. #2, when you become President, it doesn't automatically give you the authority to make anything legal that you feel like. #3, even if he could, there are much more pressing issues being addressed during the first nine-ten months of his presidency, and I say that as a devoted pot-smoker. #4, if not legalizing hemp after never making a promise to do so makes you a fraud, then you could apply the same label to any politician who has never promised to legalize hemp, and then never addressed their non-promise to do so. I'm sure there are at least 30 other good reasons this question is retarded, no offense, but I think that's a good start.


#1 I didn't say he did.
#2 Maybe not but you can still support it (or at least consider it) rather than state on your official website that you will not consider legalizing it.
#3 Yes like fixing the economy and saving the environment which would both be affected positively by legalizing hemp.
#4 I called him a fraud, I didn't say him not legalizing hemp makes him a fraud but him refusing to do so without giving reason is enough to make a sensible person very suspicious as to whether or not he is looking out for the American people rather than corporate interests.

Going back on election promises? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/17/AR2009101701810.html

If you want to know the reasons why I think he's a fraud, refusing to legalize hemp and marijuana, saying he'd rather concentrate on the future rather than punish those in the Bush administration for their crimes, not discussing auditing the Federal reserve after promising transparency, not discussing FDA corruption, increasing the amount of money the American taxpayer is forced to donate to Israel, his asslicking of Israel at his AIPAC speech the morning after he was elected etc etc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cOJNC2EuJw

To say he is looking after the interests of the American taxpayer after considering all of the above would appear to be a naive assumption.

[Kleptocracy]

lol democrats!

They couldn't even get their own fucking health care reform through congress with a super-majority. And you want them to legalize hemp?! Dream on. The only thing democrats can do is talk and suck lobbyists off and talk and suck some more.

And Obama is center-right, get used to it sooner, rather than later.

And the republicans are any different? They're just like the democrats but worse.

[Kleptocracy]

I used my N.

Your N is making stupid assumptions.

[Madrigal]

And the republicans are any different? They're just like the democrats but worse.

I'm not a Republican. But at least they can get their own shit done. Hell they even get the democrats to do it for them. These people are a national embarrassment.

How hard can it be to get your own health reform passed when you have the President and a super-majority? Do you realize that means these people are bought and sold like cheap whores? Isn't anyone revolted at the utter ineptitude of democrats? For Christ's sake even I can't help but smack my forehead and I never expected anything from them.

[Kleptocracy]

I'm not a Republican. But at least they can get their own shit done. Hell they even get the democrats to do it for them. These people are a national embarrassment.

How hard can it be to get your own health reform passed when you have the President and a super-majority? Do you realize that means these people are bought and sold like cheap whores? Isn't anyone revolted at the utter ineptitude of democrats? For Christ's sake even I can't help but smack my forehead and I never expected anything from them.

I don't disagree, I'm just saying the republicans are even worse. They get shit done but it's shit that shits on the average American to the benefit of the rich.

[Madrigal]

I don't disagree, I'm just saying the republicans are even worse. They get shit done but it's shit that shits on the average American to the benefit of the rich.

How is cultivating expectations in people only to completely disappoint them not shitting on the average American? And then people want an iron fist so they go back to the Republicans who seem to actually get their shit done. And so on and so forth while people believe the same lies over and over again. Two sides of the same coin, both benefitting the rich.

I feel sorry for anyone supporting democrats because "republicans are worse", the lesser evil philosohy denotes a poverty of expectations and human dignity. Which is exactly the way they want you.

Legalize hemp... thanks for the laugh.

[Kleptocracy]

How is cultivating expectations in people only to completely disappoint them not shitting on the average American? And then people want an iron fist so they go back to the Republicans who seem to actually get their shit done. And so on and so forth while people believe the same lies over and over again. Two sides of the same coin, both benefitting the rich.

I feel sorry for anyone supporting democrats because "republicans are worse", the lesser evil philosohy denotes a poverty of expectations and human dignity. Which is exactly the way they want you.

Legalize hemp... thanks for the laugh.

I didn't say the Democrats aren't shitting on the average American and I certainly didn't suggest supporting the democrats, I'd just strongly advise against supporting the Republicans.

The only thing I disagree with about your post is that people want an iron fist, the majority always prefer freedom over an iron fist.

I know legalizing hemp will never happen while things stay like this, what I'm saying is that if we had leaders who were looking out for the people rather than corporate interests then it would happen.

[avolkiteshvara]

Here is the first step:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_medical_marijuana

[lowtech redneck]

Klepto, the outright legalization of marijuana was rejected by a large margin when it was on the ballot in Nevada, of all places-the country just isn't there yet. As for hemp, people on both sides of the issue associate it with marijuana, so it becomes a proxy for that debate; I expect the gradual legalization of hemp and subsequently marijuana to to roughly follow the same type of trajectory as civil unions and gay marriage.

[fripping]

legal to grow in North Dakota, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Montana, West Virginia, Vermont, and Oregon but permits curtailed by DEA (http://minnesotaindependent.com/27887/hemp-hemp-hooray-bill-aims-to-aid-farmers-with-new-but-controversial-crop).

[floid]

I'm not a Republican. But at least they can get their own shit done. Hell they even get the democrats to do it for them. These people are a national embarrassment.

How hard can it be to get your own health reform passed when you have the President and a super-majority? Do you realize that means these people are bought and sold like cheap whores? Isn't anyone revolted at the utter ineptitude of democrats? For Christ's sake even I can't help but smack my forehead and I never expected anything from them.

It is a real head smacker to find that U. S. citizens actually expect Americorp board members, of either party, to vote against the interest of the corporations and the legalized criminals behind them who put them in their positions of power in the first place.

They're not going to sacrifice their own personal gravy train for social justice.

The kind of person who'd do that would never advance up the American political ladder anyway.
They'd be culled out of all but local elections and then laughed out of even them if the Corporatocracy perceived them as a threat to it's propaganda.

Citizens of the United States of America are renowned worldwide for straining at gnats while they swallow camels and fiddle while Rome burns.

It's a talent that's been drummed into us for generations and we are the finest example of the sheeple herders' art extant in the world today.

[Madrigal]

It is a real head smacker to find that U. S. citizens actually expect Americorp board members, of either party, to vote against the interest of the corporations and the legalized criminals behind them who put them in their positions of power in the first place.

They're not going to sacrifice their own personal gravy train for social justice.

The kind of person who'd do that would never advance up the American political ladder anyway.


floid and I agreeing... OMG. :D


Citizens of the United States of America are renowned worldwide for straining at gnats while they swallow camels and fiddle while Rome burns.
The US bipartisan system is looked upon as especially flat... but this fiddling while Rome burns is an international disease. :/

[floid]

floid and I agreeing... OMG. :D


I'd hail you as a comrade but I don't think I'd want to be your friend.

You and Hustler have egos so gargantuan that I'd feel like every day was a total solar eclipse, psychologically speaking.

[Madrigal]

I'd hail you as a comrade but I don't think I'd want to be your friend.

You and Hustler have egos so gargantuan that I'd feel like every day was a total solar eclipse, psychologically speaking.

It's okay, your friendship will not be required. :devil:

[jyakulis]

This is good enough for me. It should be a 10 amendment issue anyway.

AP Newsbreak: New medical marijuana policy issued

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/AP-Newsbreak-New-medical-apf-4109207182.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=main&asset=&ccode=

[Jwes115]

This is good enough for me. It should be a 10 amendment issue anyway.

AP Newsbreak: New medical marijuana policy issued

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/AP-Newsbreak-New-medical-apf-4109207182.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=main&asset=&ccode=

^

[Madrigal]

Uh. The only thing that article says is that the federal govt. won't prosecute people who use marijuana for medical purposes when its use is already in compliance with state laws. And it doesn't rule out federal prosecution even in those cases. It's just giving more autonomy to state decisions as far as I can tell, nothing more.

[skatealex2]

I think it is a nice gesture and departure from the bush administration to pass guidelines for medical marijuana, but i think it is vital that they get it out of a schedule 1 drug for real change to happen

At NORML you can find a new report that came out yesterday stating that 44% of Americans are in favor in legalization according to this, and i would be willing to bet that is even more...........

[Hustler]

You and Hustler have egos so gargantuan that I'd feel like every day was a total solar eclipse, psychologically speaking.

That's definitely the pot calling the kettle(s) black. Your ego is certainly in the top 1% largest egos at this site.

[Hustler]

Here is the first step:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_medical_marijuana


legal to grow in North Dakota, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Montana, West Virginia, Vermont, and Oregon but permits curtailed by DEA (http://minnesotaindependent.com/27887/hemp-hemp-hooray-bill-aims-to-aid-farmers-with-new-but-controversial-crop).

It is simultaneously amusing yet frustrating to read the comments that the parties opposed to marijuana and/or hemp are making.


Uh. The only thing that article says is that the federal govt. won't prosecute people who use marijuana for medical purposes when its use is already in compliance with state laws. And it doesn't rule out federal prosecution even in those cases. It's just giving more autonomy to state decisions as far as I can tell, nothing more.

You're probably just not familiar with the local culture on this one. The DEA has long been saying that they will not recognize state laws on medical marijuana and will best whomever they want, whenever they want. Now they're at least saying they're not going to bother. The DEA itself cannot change the federal laws, but it can decide where it's going to focus its efforts. Making this kind of statement sends a clear message to federal lawmakers that laws of this nature aren't going to be enforced and should probably be revisited. It makes federal acceptance of state laws regarding the criminality of marijuana a possibility in the future.

This is analogous to the current policies on alcohol in the US. The only federal law regarding alcohol consumption (not taxation) that I know of in the US is the Federal Uniform Drinking Age Act. It states that any state that wishes to receive its full share of federal interstate and highway funding must enforce a minimum drinking age of at least 21 years. Beyond that, it's the states that set up the details of how alcohol consumption and distribution are to be carried out. In some states, you can buy alcohol at the grocery store any time, day or night. In some states, bars are open until 2am, in others until 4am, in others they're open all night. In some states, liquor is only sold in liquor stores or bars, and beer is sold in beer stores. Some states sell beer and wine in the grocery store, but only during certain hours. In some states you can't buy alcohol at all on Sundays. The laws are myriad and convoluted, but the system seems to work well enough for the average person, even though I believe having no laws about alcohol distribution would be superior.

It seems to me that marijuana is heading down the same road as alcohol, slowly but surely. The will to oppose marijuana and especially hemp is decreasing every year, as evidenced by the likes of the DEA's recent policy statement. People everywhere are starting to understand what a tremendous waste of time and resources it is to try and fight hemp and cannabis. On top of that, the eco-friendly pressures that justify industrial hemp are overwhelming. First Al Gore invented the internet, and now he's going to legalize hemp. It's only a matter of time at this point. The only thing that can stand in the way is if another retarded neocon gets into office within the next two terms, in which case I guess we can expect further delays.

[Curtis24]

Just curious what you think are the reasons the fraud hasn't even mentioned it, seen as how criminalizing hemp is one of the most ridiculous laws in place in America today?

Because he is beholden to public opinion just as much as any other politician.

[CEOofRawness]

Hemp plants looks a bit different from marijuana plants, but you better believe that farmers would still attempt to plant a few marijuana plants in their hemp fields for a profit (though cross-pollination would be a huge obstacle for them). That's a weak argument, but one that the opposition would use.

Or the "slippery slope" argument.

Or the Chewbaca Defense (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xywqv1cDH8&feature=related).

Take your pick. The general population is either dumb enough to believe the garbage that the prohibitionists say, or just apathetic to the cause.

[sandwich]

Potheads make shit lobbyists. Convince the Jews that legal marijuana would benefit them and it'll go through.