Aaron Houston Stresses Seriousness of Marijuana Debate on Russia Today

Comments (15)
March 27, 2009

MPP Director of Government Relations Aaron Houston talks about President Obama’s flippant response to the question of decriminalizing marijuana at the first “Online Town Hall” on Russia Today.  He also discusses how taxing and regulating marijuana will help quell the violence associated with the drug war in Mexico and provide a much-needed boost to the economy.  03/27/2009

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!

15 Comments, Comment or Ping

  1. Doug

    Im glad this is starting to actually be discussed seriously. And it is sad to see the stigma has got so deeply engraved in people that they laugh at the thought like Obama did. Especially since they are so ass-backwards about the whole subject that it really is a joke and we should be laughing at them. One is so much more effective and coherent under the effects of marijuana (THC) then when one is under alcohol. Just because you can chill out and smoke some weed doesn’t mean its makes everyone lethargic and lazy, that is just a stereotype just like any other and doesn’t give a correct representation. You can be plenty alert when you are high but lets see how alert you are after a bottle of Jack Daniels. So lets finally gets things right here and stop invading and ruing so many innocent victims of your failed war on marijuana!! LEGALIZE IT

  2. Eric L. Carter

    Definately smile more. Good answers, and good job. Nice find MPP.

  3. Robert

    I just wish my brother was still around to see all of these historic events. Finnally conversations about the possibility of legalization I feel honored to be part of this in anyway possible. Keep up the great work MPP.

  4. bob

    in 1914 when drugs were legal the government said we had a drug problem,that 1.3% of the population were on drugs,in 1970 (start of the war on drugs)the government said we had a drug problem because 1.3% of the population was on drugs,today 1.3% of the population on drugs. Looks like the war on drugs after more than a trillion dollars is a failed policy. Clinical studies out of Spain show marijuana cures cancer,it’s being used to treat ADD in children instead of harder drugs. How many deaths would have been prevented if it were never illegal. Time to stop the scare tactics

  5. Kristin

    I am so thrilled about the victory we have had in Rhode Island today, I was driving in my car and heard it on the radio and I shreiked with delight.

    Thank you Mpp for speaking out and letting our voices be heard we can make a difference.

    Smiles KW

  6. Saul Caplan

    Marijuana has many medical properties and should be legalized to benefit everyone, but don’t forget the thousands of other uses for industrial hemp (same plant) which could save this planet of ours from greedy chemical companies.

  7. J.W.

    The problem that the powers that be have with legalization is that it cures blindness, both political and social. If they can no longer tell us the same old lies they will have to find REAL jobs.

  8. It’s good to see more and more American citizens are standing up for our right to choose what is best for each individual person, based on an individual’s needs, determined by doctors and/or patients and NOT the Federal Government and it’s DEA agency. Our constitution was made to protect American citizens from unconstitutional federal policies yet a lot of Americans continue to just sit back and let our constitution be degraded. Veterans have constitional rights too yet the VA Policy is treated as above the law? The VA uses a guilty until proven innocient policy as a means to NOT treat disabled veterans putting the VA doctors in a position of conflict of interest. This VA policy certainly does not work in the best interest of the patient and has caused a break down in the doctor patient relationship. This is happening to my husband who is a 100% disabled patient at the Togus, Maine VA hospital. He uses marijuana occasionally to manage his MS spams and other symptoms his VA prescribed medications do not help with. My husband is now interriogated by his doctors at the VA whenever he meets with them after having a positive marijuana urine result. The required VA policy unrine test is a violation of Constitutional Amendments IV & XIV. No due process of law and forced to sign pain management contract while under duress. A loose, loose VA policy for veterans whom use marijuana. This VA policy has also caused a break down of doctor/patient relationship. If you don’t sign the VA pain contract then your are refused available treatment regardless of any proof of marijuana use. This is an unconstitutional guilty until proven innocient VA policy in violation of state medical marijuana laws and the constitution. The VA is forcing disabled patients to seek medical care outside the VA at vets own expense.

    NOTE: The State of Maine has medical marijuana laws that the Veteran’s Administration will not even acknowledge as a state law that gives a patient the right to seek medical marijuana legally under the care a physician.

    All Americans MUST stand united and fight the injustices which are occuring due to unjust marijuana laws and policies.

    Signed, chronipainveteran@live.com

  9. LEGALIZE_IT

    DOUG, i couldn’t have said it better myself. Right now i just took my health final and we are watching a video on marijuana and it just upsets me that this video is putting marijuana out in such a WRONG way. SO many lies. The ” DEA ” information are from fake “studies.”
    Hmm how many of the DEA agents smoke a J at night?
    How many DEA agents smoke a bowl to releave pain? suffering? dying?
    ZERO, so how can they say what is bad and what isn’t?
    The answer? They can’t.
    LEGALIZE!
    Keep fighting P&P

  10. LEGALIZE_IT

    Oh and whoever is reading this, as of June 8, 2009 medical marijuana in Illnois is getting closer!
    It passed the Senate and the House was supposed to vote on it very soon, but the House claims it has taken up to much time and won’t be voted on until November 2009 or January 2010. DON’T WORRY! it will come

  11. robert Vetter

    I look forward to the day when the Federal Government will treat their Veterans like the Priceless treasure that we are!!! I Hope soon we will have a reasonable and Just system that allows all patients that need it to get their Medical Marijuana from Uncle Sam in all the varieties and flavors that they come in. We deserve the best. A country is judged by how it treats the weakest members of its society. Come on USA we can do better!!!!

  12. James

    One point I never have seen brought up in regards to the economic debate is the matter of the money leaving the United States economy when spent to buy Cannabis illegally from the Mexican cartels. Every dime spent on every load of Cannabis coming inside the US from another country is a dime less money being circulated within the local economy of the buyer.

    This same principle of spending more than we produce hurts us economically in more ways than just cannabis, but it’s a legitimate example I’ve not often seen brought up.

    A point I’ve also not seen brought up by your organization in regards to economics is the hemp issue. Given the potential of “Industrial” grade hemp we could gain another huge market. The tax revenue and economic benefits given by legalizing the farming, harvesting, processing, and exportation of industrial hemp and hemp products would, in my opinion, hugely outweigh the tax revenue and economic benefits given by the legalization of medicinal grade cannabis.

  13. laura mcglory

    I have been speaking the same about marijuana for about 3 years now. I am not afraid to tell anyone how I feel about marijuana. I am on probation for less than an ounce. and now am paying so much money to the state of Georgia and had to go to see a shrink… I am not a drinker or a pill popper, I smoke but cant for a year because the state says I can not… I have two jobs and go everyday. I have never been in trouble before. The state does not pay for anything for me. I do it all myself… I am of sound mind and a very likable person.. I dont care if someone does not like the fact that i smoke. Since I have not been smoking my arthritis has been hurting really bad and I refuse to take a pill to help it.. I have had very bad reactions to different medications so I will not take a pill that a company made… I dont trust pills…. I thought that a free country meant that the people decide what is right.. Now the majority of people decide to legalize it and our very own president refuses to even address it like it should be.. I thought when he got into office he was going to listen to everyone… I guess he decided not to… I did not vote for him because he is black but thought he cared enough about the people in this country to really listen. But he is proving to me that he is not really listening to us. We as pot smokers live good lives and are not lazy… I am by far lazy.. I have not had a man taking care of me and my children I have had me…. I have raised very well mannered children.

    Society made the decision to make illegal because the cant control a plant but the can control pharmaceuticals. I have read so much on this subject and talk to everyone about it. I do tell them to go to MPP.ORG because I know more people that smoke than dont.. It helps or cures so many aliments and that is something the government wants to keep quiet.

    If you go to youtube and listen to rick simpson he has alot of good things to say about the ailments it cures.. He has testimonials in there about people with terminal cancer who had two months to live and he started to take hemp oil and he has lived for alot longer than they gave him. I know the government knows alot about the affects pot can do for so many people but since they cant really control it they want nothing to do with it…

    I love my country but really dont see eye to eye with their reasoning on this subject… They really need to wake up…

    Please everyone who is a true believer dont be afraid to talk about it.. Tell everyone to go to mpp.org and help out writting to your congressman.. i keep writing I have even wrote to the white house, But not to my surprise have they answered… But I will keep writing.. They people who complain the most usually get what they want… So lets keep complaining.

  14. jeremy

    if you foolishly voted for obama this is what you get

  15. Joe Every Man

    First off: I am completely for the legalization and taxation of Cannabis in North America. I am 100% aware of the pros, cons, misconceptions, facts, myths and lies about Cannabis. I believe that cannabis could save us from the many dangerous roads we currently travel in the economic, environmental, spiritual and social fields.

    but….

    Time, after time, after time, Cannabis is studied, results are analyzed, and always show that cannabis is safer than tobacco and alcohol, does not lead to cancers and brain damage, and 100% of the time debunk all of the claims anti-cannabis/drug officials, prohibitionists, and government leaders rely so heavily on. Why then, in God’s name, do none of these people believe them, use them, or finally say “I was wrong”? They always seem to come up with their own “facts” to broadcast (which are the SAME one’s used 30-40 years ago) and we’re back to square one.

    The general public cries out FOR legalization because they in no way benefit from cannabis being illegal. The governments of the U.S and Canada rally AGAINST the legalization of cannabis because they have so many companies who benefit from cannabis being illegal feeding their wallets. Greed is the poison that has always plagued mankind and will continue to do so until we are extinct. No matter how many people want marijuana legalized and taxed, money will ALWAYS come first. Sure the governments may eventually start making a profit from taxing the sale of cannabis and they may make a lot of money, but i’m sure that the pharmaceutical companies can put IMMEDIATE money into their pockets to keep them working in their favor. A lot of money now or later? Right now please! I’m not one to believe many conspiracies… but i know that money talks. Can you imagine the loss current RX companies would see if people just started using cannabis instead of the smut they peddle.

    Something different needs to be done. The people who are Pro-Cannabis, will always be Pro-Cannabis, and those who are against it, will always be against it. It almost seems like a stand-still. We need something new, we need to get more officials into office who are not scared to stand up for the truth and stand against all of the bastards who have “no comment” on the issue or still believe all of that horseshit from the “Refer Madness” days. We need to educate the public to see the kinds of heartless actions that result in unlegalized Cannabis. Once the population is angry at the right people and sees the evil and greed involved, especially in these hard financial times, will their voice be heard. Peaceful rallies in the right locations with LARGE amounts of people lead to change, not just a couple of stoners yelling outside an office. Eventually this battle can be won and we can all celebrate and mark the day that Cannabis is free of it’s shackles and oppression. On that day we can begin life anew with a blunt rolled in sweet justice, with our clothing, our homes, our dinner plates, OUR wallets, our evironment, and our minds all benefiting in the same way.

    Sorry for the rant!

    Peace and Pot
    J.E.M.

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