Aaron Houston on Today Show 07/09/2009

Comments (30)
July 10, 2009

MPP Director of Government Relations Aaron Houston appeared on the Today Show to discuss the benefits of taxed and regulated marijuana sales, the failures of prohibition, and the comparitive safety of marijuana over other drugs. 07/09/2009

The opinions expressed below by our viewers and posters do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Marijuana Policy Project. These views are those of the individual authors alone. MPP does not condone or support the illegal use of marijuana. We do encourage open and frank discussion, but if a comment has been posted that is in some way significantly inappropriate, please e-mail us at socialnetwork@mpp.org to report it. Thank you, and we're looking forward to what you think!

30 Comments, Comment or Ping

Chris

Hey Aaron,

Great job, one thing that I’d like to point out that I’d like to see you guys address more now that prohibitionists are toting it, is that 85-95% of Marijuana users in treatment are forced by law to attend or else go to jail.

This line of reasoning allows you to smoothly transition into discussion about wasted money on treatment for those who dont need it.

After that, transition into the 20+ billion dollars in wasted money pursuing users of marijuana.

I thought you caught this woman on a lot of her lies but we cant allow these people to ingrain in American’s heads that marijuana is an addictive substance that causes all sorts of dependence issues!

Jul 10th, 2009
Guy#1

At the end the prohibitionist proved her own points wrong saying you can effectively lower use while it’s legal through education and taxation. Why not do that for Marijuana?

Jul 10th, 2009
adle1984

Basically that prohibitionist’s statement in the end said that through education and regulation, tobacco usage among young people has dropped over time – of course she kind of dances over the fire b/c she realizes that it can be argued that the same results would occur with marijuana regulation, taxation, and education lol.

Jul 10th, 2009
BuelahMan

Great job, Aaron.

As usual, these short little segments don’t allow enough debate. Had Aaron been able to respond to the lady’s last statements, regarding other vehicles of ingestion (vaporizing, eating), her entire argument would have been resolved to nothing.

The fact he was asked on that show is a testament to the success of MPP. All you guys are outstanding!

Jul 10th, 2009
c

aaron, good job representing our side in a less than fair forum. the venues are getting better about completely railroading our side though. were closer i know it.

Jul 10th, 2009
Jesse Lee

NICE! Oh those damn networks are scared to give more time to the debate. MPP needs to let the dogs loose on them, if MPP had more time in these so called “debates,” MPP would crush them like in every other debate. And why do the Prohibitionist side get a cop, a former something to some past administration (hands were in the cookie jar), or an actor every time there is a debate? Houston did a fine job as always. Send in your money to MPP.

Jul 10th, 2009
Keegan

Marijuana is NOT tobacco, nothing more needs to be said, she needs to get her facts straight, big health difference

Jul 11th, 2009
inkt

Vaporize it-no smoking involved.

Jul 11th, 2009
Kevin J E

GOOD JOB AARON!!! GET EM!!!

Jul 11th, 2009
R

Did anyone else catch Dr. Barthwell’s policy contradiction? She states that her and other health care professionals have been ‘pushing back’ on cigarettes with taxation and a public health campaign which has brought cigarette smoking to an all time low. If her goal truly was to eliminate pot smoking, why not use that successful plan with pot? Yeah, sure, they have the misguided public health campaign… But, where’s the other 50% of that great plan when it comes to pot, you know, the taxation part? If the good Dr. and the rest of the ONDCP weren’t operating under false motives she would be screaming from the roof tops to legalize it so that we can control and tax it. What you want to bet that some big-money pharmaceutical groups are funneling cash in to her efforts to keep it illegal so that a good quality, mass produced pot crop doesn’t eat away at the income they make from patentable painkillers.

Jul 11th, 2009
R

…and to the other doctor that was there. Yes, smoke in the lungs, regardless of the source is a bad thing. But please don’t forget, we have brownies and cookies on our team.

Jul 11th, 2009
laura mcglory

I still believe we need to have a march to capital hill… There was a million man march and why not have a million and a half pothead march….. I would join in that… I think that is the only way we will be heard… I have written so many letters and of course have not been answered. If we are in their face they will hear us… I am so glad the today show is airing this… Maybe now it will be taken seriously…. The today show is held in high regard to the White house.. I believe our war is going to come to an end soon… And we will win.. We smokers are greater these days than any other drug… And the fact is smokers dont bother any one… They keep to themselves. Lets March to the capital. Set a time and date we will be there. thanks To my favorite news program that i watch every morning… We are getting closer……

Jul 11th, 2009
Jason

Aaron, VERY GOOD JOB! I want your job so badly! I know it is tough and tiring, but the passion that you exude is exactly the same, if not more, than mine.

I will began watching more of your tapes to look for advice on formal interviews about marijuana. You are an inspiration to me!

Jul 11th, 2009
Matt

Good point on the first post. On the documentary “The Union”, one of their statistics was that actually 97% of people in treatment for marijuana are there involuntarily, whether they are forced by court of law, parents or school. So the escalating social cost argument is debunked.

Jul 11th, 2009
Matt

Also, given if it were legalized, those in treatment involuntarily would not have to do so anymore. So in actuality, social costs would go DOWN. Id like to see one of the guys turn that around on them. Awesome job, though!

Jul 11th, 2009
razer

Next time they mention smoking marijuana, mention it is only smoked because it is illegal. Otherwise it can be in drink form, if the price was not so high from the illegal market.

Jul 11th, 2009
Phil78

it’d be nice if a reasonable time allotment were given for these segments. rediculous. however, what would they say about vaping or eating? take eating. what is the “tradeoff” then? a desire to eat brownies or other medibles?

Jul 12th, 2009
Stan

I agree with Laura McGlory. A march on the capitol would be have to be taken very seriously. A march on the capitol would be no laughing matter. Yes, there was a Million Man that certainly drew national attention. Let’s double or triple that. In addition there should be follow-up marches on state capitols around the nation. We should march for full legalization of marijuana. Marches should also be held frequently. We have to take ACTION! Not doing so would allow the powers that be to continue to arrest and incarcerate hundreds of thousand of Americans.

Jul 12th, 2009
Madd

Very good job Aaron. Even though they seemed to cut you a little short, great job throwing those facts out there. Thanks for all you do

Jul 12th, 2009
Chipr

Great Job Aaron, Dr. Barthwell is just another primary example of how narrow minded and ignorant the ONDCP and the Government is. Are they so stupid as to think that the only way to use cannabis is to smoke it. Yet we the informed all know that there are numberous otherways of using this important medicine. Dr. Barthwell is your typical government puppet and will always side with the ONDCP cause they are paying her to tell their lies and everyone believes her because she has the “Dr.” before her name. What about the United States report sanctioned by President Nixon called the Shaffer Commision. Though Nixon threw it out because it didn’t report what he expected. It is the most comprehensive report on the “Misunderstanding of Marijuana” What how about the IOM report of 1999? Damn it how freakin closed minded can these people remain?

Jul 12th, 2009
Jay

Great job dude! I like how she made a great point for legalizing it in her last response haha!

Jul 13th, 2009
G

Keep up the great work Aaron.

Here’s some food for thought.

Is Subway Stoner Friendly?

http://iblowminds.com/2009/07/13/is-subway-stoner-friendly/

Jul 13th, 2009
Dan

Talk about ANNOYING!!! Don’t you hate when you have to listen to people trying to “blow smoke” up peoples asses! The ending statement about tabacco and how taxation and education you can curve the use…why not the same with MJ? Secondly if this debate would go longer, the “inhaling” of smoke being not so good, we all know there are MULTITUDES of indigestion methods, vaporizor, cooking…Seriously lady! And isn’t funny how the “government will try their Reefer Madness propaganda to depict how “increased” THC levels compared to back in the 60’s and 70’s (which is far from the facts) and they can turn around, and produce “Marinol” containing 100% THC and try to give it to patients! It’s because the “Government” doesn’t care, they are all about themselves and pharmaceutical companies who pump out drugs over the counter that have devastating side effects, and im not just talking about the munchies, we’re talking about DEATH!

Jul 13th, 2009
Austin

I get high just watching people debate about this…. Marijuana should be legal end of story. At the very least decriminlized in every state in the US. Here in California I smell pot every day, it’s no big deal. If it was legal the same people would use it, and the same people wouldn’t.

Jul 13th, 2009
Joe

Well done Aaron. As usual the prohibitionist was steeped in govt. garbage. Vaporization should always be brought up when someone suggest smoking is harmful. Also, many, if not most, people in treatment for marijuana are court ordered to be there whether they have a problem or not. If an increase in cannabis use were to coincide with a decrease in alcohol use, that most certainly would have public health benefits. There just simply is no way for a prohibitionist to win the argument, can’t be done. Let’s legalize and move on from this folly.

Jul 13th, 2009
Anne Morris

Silly prohibitionists. They still push that lame old “smoking pot is bad” rhetoric. You could tell Aaron was about to mention that smoking’s not the only method of consumption. In my opinion, cooking with cannabis is the best and most enjoyable.

Great work everyone. Keep up the hard work.

Jul 14th, 2009
brian

Why doesnt MPP start letting people who say smoking is dangerous know that it is much safer for the lungs to vaporize the herb. MPP could push new rules that would make medical marijuana legal faster if they said that marijuana would be only used if the patient uses a vaporizer. That would also create more jobs for people who create vaporizers. Brian

Jul 24th, 2009
brian

Dan is so right talking about how drug companies push opioids and other harmful drugs. I myself use opioids for chronic pain. I have no choice because the pain ruins my life but my doctor didn’t or could not tell me that medical marijuana would be better for me. I am know disabled and 37 years old. I cannot work on the powerful drugs I am on and also because of pain. I am also dependant on these opioids and although they were a godsend at the time they now control my life. I think they have a place in medicine but I also think medical marijuana does as well. I believe if a person suffers from Chronic Pain the medical marijuana should be used first to see if it helps before prescribing something that will take care of the pain but also make someone dependant for their entire life. I am about to ask my doctor to help me come off the opioids if there is a way without the deadly withdrawal and tell him I will deal with the pain issue myself. When I was prescribed the opioids I didn’t know about medical marijuana and I was brainwashed by our government. Now that I know I will try everything in my power to rid the toxic opioids from my system although it will be the hardest thing I have ever tried. Brian

Jul 25th, 2009
S

A lot of people check in to ‘rehab’ due to them getting arrested for minor possesion and they have the options of jail or ‘rehab’.

Seems like a lot people opt for ‘rehab’ simply to avoid going to jail. Judges like when a person tries to redeem (redemption from what, really?) themself and checking oneself into rehab, thereby either by exoneration or shortened probation or jail sentences.

So her rehab number is a bit misleading. Commonplace manipulation of facts, of course.

Sep 21st, 2009

Aaron Houston of Mpp on-Today Show- 7/0/09 - 420 Magazine - Jul 10th, 2009

Aaron Houston on Today Show 07/09/2009

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