Presidential candidate to Obama: end drug war & pardon jailed marijuana users

[slimvictor]

Citing growing public support for the legalization of marijuana and the costs of enforcing current marijuana laws, former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson told a conference of the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) Thursday that, as President, he would act immediately to remove cannabis from the classification under the Controlled Substances Act which makes it illegal under federal law. Johnson also pledged to expedite pardons for those convicted of non-violent marijuana offenses.

Speaking to the DPA in Los Angeles Thursday morning, Johnson said, “Polls show that at least half the American people today have come to the same conclusion I came to as Governor of New Mexico: That the prohibition of marijuana in this country makes no more sense than the last Prohibition did. Alcohol Prohibition in the last century accomplished nothing but the creation of Al Capone and amazing profits for organized crime. Today’s continuing prohibition of marijuana is accomplishing nothing but amazing profits for the cartels who are killing people by the thousands along our southern border.

“The President and the Attorney General have it within their power to end this madness by removing cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act and allowing it to be treated like alcohol and tobacco. President Obama has said a lot lately about having to bypass Congress to accomplish his agenda. While I’m not enthused about most of what he is trying to do administratively, I would strongly suggest that reclassifying marijuana to reflect common sense is one executive action the President should take. And if elected, I would direct the Attorney General to immediately commence the process for removing marijuana from Schedule I of the CSA.”



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[edgarshade]

How's this guy doing? Is he in with a chance?

 

[slimvictor]

It looks like he has very little hope of being elected.
But even still, I think that it is a good thing that this is part of the current political dialog.

 

[TheLostBoys]

Slim, we know he wont be elected but lets just say he did get elected president..........do you think he would keep his word?

 

[Herbal~Jah]

" Alcohol Prohibition in the last century accomplished nothing but the creation of Al Capone and amazing profits for organized crime."

yes, amazing profits for "organized crime" (aka the government).. The government will do everything in its power to make more things ILLEGAL then ever back-tracking and making something that is illegal now legal... Its kinda like when a deer hunter puts out deer feed to attract deer's then once the buck/deer starts to eat the food the hunter put out he shots the deer.. just like the government throws drugs on the street and then throws the people they catch with it in jail, being in jail is nothing more then being a slave, you have no freedom, no rights, no nothing...

 

[villian]

" Alcohol Prohibition in the last century accomplished nothing but the creation of Al Capone and amazing profits for organized crime."

yes, amazing profits for "organized crime" (aka the government).. The government will do everything in its power to make more things ILLEGAL then ever back-tracking and making something that is illegal now legal... Its kinda like when a deer hunter puts out deer feed to attract deer's then once the buck/deer starts to eat the food the hunter put out he shots the deer.. just like the government throws drugs on the street and then throws the people they catch with it in jail, being in jail is nothing more then being a slave, you have no freedom, no rights, no nothing...

Earlier this year Hillary Clinton even said they wouldn't end the drug war because there was just to much money in it. At least she is honest I guess

 

[ferinox]

Slim, we know he wont be elected but lets just say he did get elected president..........do you think he would keep his word?

He seemed very sincere when I saw him talking about marijuana on the colbert report.

 

[Na'vi]

It's refreshing to hear this being talked about, let's hope it's the start of something wonderful

 

[slimvictor]

Slim, we know he wont be elected but lets just say he did get elected president..........do you think he would keep his word?

I don't know the guy much, but I think he is sincere on this point.
However, if he took office, and the reality of political pressures set in, I am not sure if he would actually end up doing it or not.

 

[Attack Fader]

Well at least everyday it seems like more and more people are standing up for common sense

 

[slimvictor]

^ I agree. Despite my pessimism on whether it might become reality soon, I think that this is part of the general trend, helping it grow and representing growth.
More solidification is needed before things change politically, I suspect.
50% is not enough to cause a change, I fear, since the politicians can just look at the other half.
When things get to two-thirds, the political pressure may be sufficient to change some things.
But what we really need is to end the drug war, and to pardon jailed users of ALL drugs, not just cannabis.
Refunds for the property and years stolen from thousands of people would also be appropriate.
But, since we have seen how governments have treated other human beings (the US slaves come to mind), with no reparations, etc., this may be more than we can hope for.