The question was whether legalizing pot would help the economy. He said no, he didn't think it was a good strategy for that. He didn't say no to legalizing it.

Still don't like the way he, and his robots laughed at the idea. Of course it's not the end-all solution. And I don't think anyone that asked was thinking it was. But it's certainly a viable way to generate revenue, and he is dismissing it like it's some kind of joke.

Fuck you, Mr. President.

Not to mention the Billions wasted running the "Drug War".

It's not a very good way to frame the question. Of course he's going to give this response, what do we expect?

I'd be more than surprised if he said "yes, I think we should legalize marijuana to help the economy." It's pretty outrageous to think he would.

I would have settled for a serious "maybe" than this response.

yeah, let your brothers rot in jail for possession

It's silly to think that Obama is going to let his agenda get derailed by a national argument about drugs. Especially in his 2nd month in office.

Give the guy some time. Sheesh.

I'm guessing he wont reveal his bong until he has the second term in the bag

+1 for giving the guy some time, but it would've been heartening (as opposed to dis-) to hear a president talk seriously about the consequences of the drug war.

He's not going to change.

He really is a puppet after all.

I can't really say that legalizing marijuana would have a noticeable effect on the economy. It certainly wouldn't hurt, but it wouldn't really fix it either.

I still support legalization... I just don't think it would greatly improve economic conditions. There are plenty of other reasons to legalize it, but no one is going to touch that right now (unfortunately).

Regardless of the different views on the subject, you have to admit, although I'm sure it's not intentional, the title is completely misleading. At no point does: "President Obama Says No to Legalizing Marijuana" happen.

I really think you should consider changing it to something else .. maybe "Obama Doesn't Think Pot Is Good For The Economy" (and even that is stretching it).

Otherwise, this borders on *lies.

For the record I'm 100% in favor of decriminalization so long as it doesn't become some sort of scheme where it can only be purchased through prescriptions or any restriction that says I can't grow my own.

Personally, I think Obama is wondering if perhaps it wasn't Republicans vigorously upvoting that question, to try to embarrass him.

I also doubt anyone inside the beltway takes the idea seriously, and has done any due diligence to investigate the proposition.

I can also imagine supporting legalization of marijuana would bring our social conservatives right off the sidelines, and into a heavily funded, never ending screed about dirty fucking hippies taking over the Capitol.

It'll happen guys, but it'll take a generational shift in politics before it'll happen.

Those 18-24 year-olds who voted for overwhelmingly for Obama? Hold on to them for the next 8 years, and by 2030 we'll be lightin' up some serious fatties, because President Kucinich won't stand for prohibition.

As much as I would love to see the prohibition on pot come to an end, I would have been very surprised to see this happen right now. That said I will be looking forward to Obama revisiting this issue in his second term.

>> ^NetRunner:
Those 18-24 year-olds who voted for overwhelmingly for Obama? Hold on to them for the next 8 years, and by 2030 we'll be lightin' up some serious fatties, because President Kucinich won't stand for prohibition.


Yeah, it'll happen...in twenty-one years.

Thanks for nothing.

Thanks for retaining my criminal status, thanks for shitting on my world and having a good laugh about it.

Fuck the Democrats, too. You fuckers have no balls. Eunichs display more evidence of testosterone when they sit down to pee.

You're honest to god afraid that the fucking Republicans are going to throw a hissy fit over this? And you think that's a bad thing? Can't you fucking see that when we've got someone on the ropes to keep them there and finish the fucking fight as fast as we can?

No, I didn't think you could. You Dems are a bunch of fucking losers and you turn my stomach.

And fuck you, Mr. President.

No liberal Democrat can risk seriously advocating legalizing marijuana because he'll be ridiculed as a godless communist hippie drug freak as soon as he does and that'll completely undermine whatever else he's trying to accomplish so won't be worth the risk. Legalization won't happen until some mainstream conservative champions it.

It's legal for me already.

Rougy, I understand it's cathartic to vent but you're assuming an awful lot from a 47 second clip which actually has nothing to do with the legalization of marijuana.

Funny it seems i'm the only sifter who thinks the prohibition or however you may call it is a good thing.

I say good for him. Flame away if you like people, but the same people praised him for openly admitting to smoking marijuana in his past. If he doesn't take the question of legalizing marijuana to boost the economy seriously maybe it's because it really is a rather stupid idea for anybody that knows jack all about the economy like Obama does.

laugh it up you fucking clowns.....

It's beautiful how this issue is the only thing so many of you care about. Sure, Obama was great! Chant his name! Yes we can! He wants to close Gitmo, move towards healthcare for all Americans! Yeah!

...Wait, he doesn't want to legalize pot? BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LYNCH THE BASTARD!

Seriously... When will you realize that it _is_ a joke to most people and that you're going to be hanging out on the Internet forever and voting for Ron Paul (and eventually zombie Ron Paul) every election for eternity.

Sometimes you just have to admit you're wrong. I'm not saying don't do what the hell ever it is that you're going to do but this idea that liberalism = pot is disgusting, and smearing the man over this one issue just shows the severe degree of disrespect you actually have for him, all the things he wants to do, and liberal ideas in general. You just wanna go get fucked up and hang out. That's all that matters.

Fucking Internet.

Like it or not, weed legalization is a toxic political issue. People who support it stand to lose too much support for their other issues so no one will touch it.

This situation will change though. As the younger generation ages it will become apparent that politicians who actively oppose legalization will start losing support. Right now, they have nothing to lose from opposing weed legalization, but they have a lot to lose from supporting it.

It isn't a "balls" issue, it's a logical issue. If no one takes you seriously then you won't get any legislation passes, and right now that is the situation for people who support legalization. It will change, but we're not there quite yet.

You're honest to god afraid that the fucking Republicans are going to throw a hissy fit over this?


And you're honestly expecting him to pick legalizing marijuana as an economic stimulus as the fight he should use their momentum on? Yeah, with everything else wrong with the country and the world picking to go after a fight like that IS a joke, your just upset because you feel like your one of the ones being laughed at.

>> ^bcglorf:

And you're honestly expecting him to pick legalizing marijuana as an economic stimulus as the fight he should use their momentum on? Yeah, with everything else wrong with the country and the world picking to go after a fight like that IS a joke, your just upset because you feel like your one of the ones being laughed at.


And you're honestly too god damned stupid to look at this objectively, just like you're too god damned racist to see what a giant Nazi fucking piece of shit Israel has become, and the genuinely destructive control it now wields over the USA.

Many billions of dollars are leaving our country every year due to our fucked up laws.

Tens of billions of dollars are being spent to prohibit pot's use, and to punish its users.

Lives are being ruined and harassed, daily.

Hundreds of people are being killed in Mexico, thousands more are terrorized, all because of our fucked up laws that you are too pussy to take a stand against.

Toss in all the jobs that would be created, however minimal, in every state that chooses legalization, and the subsequent tax revenue, and the reduction in crime, and the control we would finally have over the situation, we can't afford to not legalize it.

And it won't be hard to do. We can start with California. It's not like Obama has to man-handle this all by himself and it's not like there aren't hundreds if not thousands of people ready, willing, and able to implement a new law, and a new system, that reflects modern-day sanity instead of old-world prejudice.

Let the GOP grouse, it will only further illuminate their worthlessness. This is not a rallying cry for them, it's another battle front that they can only lose.

Thank you "we pretend we're the opposition" pussy Democratic party.

Obama is a fucking puppet.

just like you're too god damned racist to see what a giant Nazi fucking piece of shit Israel has become

I think that about refutes itself.

If it makes you feel any better I can agree that maybe Obama should be saddened instead of laughing, I am.

>> ^BrknPhoenix:
You just wanna go get fucked up and hang out. That's all that matters.
Fucking Internet.


WTF are you talking about? No, that's not it at all. The "war on drugs" is a HUGE waste of time and money, and it's failing. Miserably. See: http://www.videosift.com/video/American-Drug-War-The-Last-White-Hope-Full-Movie-1

No one dies from, or as a result of Marijuana use. How many people die a year from drinking and driving? 75,000+.

Marijuana has proven medicinal uses. I can guarantee you a major entity lobbying against it's legalization are the pharmaceutical companies. They don't want to lose their strangle hold on our cash.

Hemp can be used to make almost anything. And would create a LOT of jobs.

And the many points roughy made.

Oh, and roughy, It's legal in Oregon for medicinal purposes. I have friends that can legally grow, smoke, and carry it on their person.

I can't lie, I like the new libertarian rougy.

>> ^rougy:
He's not going to change.
He really is a puppet after all.


60 days ago:

>> ^imstellar28:
at what point in time, do you think, he will become the most disappointing president in recent history?
my prediction, is within the next 100 days.

>> ^bcglorf:

just like you're too god damned racist to see what a giant Nazi fucking piece of shit Israel has become
I think that about refutes itself.
If it makes you feel any better I can agree that maybe Obama should be saddened instead of laughing, I am.


That was incendiary of me, and I'm sorry about that. I meant no offense to any Israelis or Jews, and that was a personal attack against you, bcglorf, and I'm sorry about that. But the gist of what I wrote, I do indeed mean, because it's true.

I'm trying to identify with you and people like you, bcglorf, but I'm sick and tired of how you act as if Israel's shit doesn't stink.

Regarding weed and all of the "common sense" that people are talking about...about how talking like an adult about the marijuana issue would be Obama's bete noir...I see absolutely no evidence to support that conclusion. Quite the contrary.

And I do think he is a puppet, and that is not based on this issue alone.

I might be wrong, and I'll admit when I am, but if I had to lay some bets, everything is looking like Obama will be just another establishment tool.

He'll talk a different talk, but walk the same walk as all of the tools that came before him.

24 votes, you HAVE to be kidding me. How is this not in the top 15? Can we get a *promote around here.

Mr. President, the "online audience" is comprised of those folks who raised half a $billion to put you in your job.

*promote

Promoting this video back to the front page; last published Thursday, March 26th, 2009 6:15pm PDT - promote requested by Trancecoach.

Nothing he has said or done prior to taking office is any indicator to how he'll behave in office, including campaign promises. This is no exception. (not that he promised this, but still..) He hasn't delivered on any promises at all, (including Guantanamo, look it up) and I have no reason to believe he's not just another part of the status quo.

All any president and/or Congress has to do is announce, "We remove the federal prohibition. States may now decide if they want to legalize marijuana."

Of course, the last time anyone stood up for States' Rights versus federal tyranny was 1861.

The Libertarian Party is for legalizing and decriminalizing marijuana.

From http://www.lp.org/platform: We favor the repeal of all laws creating "crimes" without victims, such as the use of drugs for medicinal or recreational purposes.

What other party can say that? Or has said that? None.

No matter what your perspective on this issue... or of Obama...

The title is completely misleading... and should be changed... at no time does he in this video state what the title claims he does. And if your going to base your anger and fervor around it than that is just silly... Discuss... assume... imply whatever you like... but don't pretend this video is what it is most certainly not from someones misleading title.

>> ^Januari:
And if your going to base your anger and fervor around it than that is just silly... Discuss... assume... imply whatever you like... but don't pretend this video is what it is most certainly not from someones misleading title.


When, and if, Obama ever decides to give us a more concise answer to the question, we have absolutely no reason to assume that he means otherwise.

*promote

Promoting this video back to the front page; last published Sunday, March 29th, 2009 10:43pm PDT - promote requested by videosiftbannedme.

So in the mean time... we just pretend that he was actually asked that... and actually answered in the negative... eyes and ears firmly shut... and all this based on a clip whos title is completley inaccurate.

What a joke...

I'd like to see it legalized as well... but to use THIS clip as anything definitive is just silly. The title would be just as accurate if it read he said yes to legalizing.... he wasn't asked either way...

Does anyone seriously believe that legalizing pot would help the economy? prices would drop substantially, and I really doubt there would be a significant increase in demand to make up for the price cut. underground spending helps the economy too. Legalizing it would increase tax revenue from it, and would make our economy look a little better on paper, because suddenly all the money spent on pot would be reported. However, that money is being spent already, legal or not.

I am in favor of legalization, but certainly not as an economic strategy.

Preaching to the choir here, I'm sure, but...

"The success of drug decriminalization in Portugal"

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/03/14/portugal/index.html

President Obama doesn't understand basic maths.

Tags for this video have been changed from 'President, Obama, No, Legalizing, Marijuana' to 'President, Obama, No, Legalizing, Marijuana, as economic salvation strategy' - edited by sometimes

The issue isn't decriminalization... i'm all for it... but Sometimes is 100% right...

And in any event it isn't my point... You shouldn't label your video as something it's not... it's been more than pointed out... and i'm not sure why it wouldn't have been corrected. It is in every way... misleading and a false representation.

>> ^Januari:
And in any event it isn't my point... You shouldn't label your video as something it's not... it's been more than pointed out... and i'm not sure why it wouldn't have been corrected. It is in every way... misleading and a false representation.


"The president opposes the legalization of marijuana."

>> ^sometimes:
Does anyone seriously believe that legalizing pot would help the economy? prices would drop substantially, and I really doubt there would be a significant increase in demand to make up for the price cut.



Yes, many many people believe it will help the economy.

• At one medical marijuana facility in Oakland, Ca, they fork over more than $100k per month in taxes into the state coffers. That's one facility, in one month.

• We have over 1,500 facilities like this just in SoCal alone. The expected revenue the state would see would be an immediate injection of $14bn, and at the very least an added $1bn per year.

• You then factor all of the administrative, policing, courts, etc issues, and the revenues you keep expand to a LOT OF MONEY.



There is no reason to believe prices would drop. In fact, as CA state legislator Tom Ammiano wants to tax sales at $50 per oz. That's a LOT! But us potheads would gladly pay it.

As far as the argument "oh, but then everyone would grow it, so there'd be less sales" is ridiculous. I drink beer, but I don't brew it. Why? Because it's really difficult, time consuming, and costly for me to home brew, and the end result would pale in comparison. I also don't want to invest so much time and energy in growing weed in my house, plus where would I do it? How much would my energy bills be?




Still, the title of this video is crap and should be changed.

And Obama would be an idiot to have answered this really any differently. Sure, he could've said something like "our drug policy is flawed, and there are cancer patients who need help, but legalization isn't going to cure an economy that is trillions in the hole."

Be happy he at least took the question. Obama doesn't work the way that Rougy would like him to work. Obama is a master behind the scenes, and I believe he's more likely to secretly open doors to decriminalization, than to risk his entire agenda by being center stage for the pot fight.

>> ^volumptuous:
Obama doesn't work the way that Rougy would like him to work. Obama is a master behind the scenes, and I believe he's more likely to secretly open doors to decriminalization, than to risk his entire agenda by being center stage for the pot fight.


That's more of the same we can believe in!

Again... Roughy not at all my point... and does not affect in any way, that THIS video's title is misleading and false.

>> ^Januari:
Again... Roughy not at all my point... and does not affect that THIS video is titled in a misleading and false way.


Well then, you just ain't paying attention.

So show me again?... where in this video that question is asked and answered?.. i'm paying attention now.

>> ^volumptuous:
Obama doesn't work the way that Rougy would like him to work. Obama is a master behind the scenes, and I believe he's more likely to secretly open doors to decriminalization, than to risk his entire agenda by being center stage for the pot fight.


I like you, Vol. I like you a lot.

Maybe you're right...but I'm not seeing it. This is one of many issues that he's backpeddled on.

If anything, he'll use this as a crux issue the next time he's up for election, kind of like the cons always bring up abortion and gay marriage at about the same time. He'll only do it to use us smokers like we were suckers.

My campaign slogan for 2012:

"Obama/Biden - What Are They Smoking?"

>> ^Januari:
So show me again?... where in this video that question is asked and answered?.. i'm paying attention now.


You're arguing about something very petty.

Fine, you're right. The title of this post is misleading.

It doesn't change the fact that Obama's own press secretary just said what most of us here - myself especially - are so pissed off about.

Obama has no plans to legalize marijuana and he doesn't seem willing or able to give us a good reason why. He treated us like jokes and brushed us off with a snarky one-liner. We're not important enough for either his time or concern.

It's petty to you... doesn't mean it's petty... Thank you... and i enjoy this community largely for the integrity it has above others. Besides which look how many posts it took you to even acknowledge that it was misleading...

It does matter.

Upvote for the accurate title.

Screw this... screw you all... i'm going home to see if i can't get high!

I was going to comment, but I saw that there are already too many comments.

Shit, I just commented. Fuck my life.

Okay, so yeah, he didn't say anything about decriminalizing it, but it was awkward to hear a room full of adults laugh like children when they were talking about it.

I don't think that even a huge cash crop like weed would possibly help the economy.

1. We owe trillions, and that's not going to be fixed by one plant.
2. If it's legal, people will grow it and smoke it at home, and it won't be sold very well in the marketplace. After all, if you could grow tobacco easily in your closet, how big would Big Tobacco be?

3. What were we talking about? I forgot, man.

>> ^thinker247:
2. If it's legal, people will grow it and smoke it at home, and it won't be sold very well in the marketplace. After all, if you could grow tobacco easily in your closet, how big would Big Tobacco be?


That's kind of not true, hombre.

To grow premium weed is a pretty involved process. The timing, and the variations of soil and fertilizers and the application of the fertilizers all play a major role in the plant's potency.

I plan on growing my own when I live in a sane country, but I'm pretty sure I'll be buying the good stuff from a store, just like we buy the good wines, beers, and scotches instead of doing it ourselves.

I've grown incredible weed in my closet with minimal effort and a few shop lights. The first time I did it I didn't sex them correctly and wound up with a hermaphrodite that gave me seeds guaranteed to be female. It isn't complicated though. It grows like a fucking ... weed.

Anyway, I think there's been more than enough time to change the title. I've avoided downvoting, but I'm sticking this in *lies, because the title is complete bullshit.

Adding video to channels (Lies) - requested by burdturgler.

>> ^burdturgler:
I've grown incredible weed in my closet with minimal effort and a few shop lights. The first time I did it I didn't sex them correctly and wound up with a hermaphrodite that gave me seeds guaranteed to be female. It isn't complicated though. It grows like a fucking ... weed.

You can also make your own beer for consumption, or make your own wine. But, imagine the crazy awesome skunk you'd get when Phillip Morris sells twenty packs of pre-rolled Fatties using the best techniques for horticulture, lighting, soil treatment and production!

But, no, I'm sure your homegrown closet ragweed is the dopest chronic in town.

I've actually brewed some really great beer too now that you mention it.

Anyway, yeah I'm not saying someone who invests and commercially grows it won't produce higher quality, but what I got was far from ragweed.

.

"You can also make your own beer for consumption, or make your own wine. But, imagine the crazy awesome skunk you'd get when Phillip Morris sells twenty packs of pre-rolled Fatties using the best techniques for horticulture, lighting, soil treatment and production!

But, no, I'm sure your homegrown closet ragweed is the dopest chronic in town."

"Hi, I'm blankfist! I hate and distrust the government. But I trust and love corporations like Phillip Morris the tobacco company!"

"I'm a libertarian, but I discourage you from doing things for yourself!"

If you are a self-important elitist and you like little boys in that 'uh oh, the dirty uncle is visiting tonight' sort of way, then upvote this comment.

For those who think decriminalizing drugs wouldn't help to boost the economy, consider this story:

"Mexico drug lord on Forbes rich list with $1 billion"

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N11254679.htm

Stop flirting with me, nerd.

*dead

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