Marijuana legalization is the top idea on change.org
Voting on change.org’s “Ideas for Change in America” came to a close today with “Legalize the Medical and Recreational Use of Marijuana” coming in as the most popular idea. The top ten ideas will be presented to President-elect Obama during a press conference on Friday.
Change.gov, Obama’s official transition Web site, has twice opened up voting in a similar feature called “Open for Questions.” Each time, a question about marijuana policy reached the top ten. And each time, the transition team brushed off the question by simply stating that “President-elect Obama is not in favor of the legalization of marijuana.” It will be interesting to see how he responds this time, as the question includes medical marijuana, something Obama has been fairly supportive of in the past.
As of 5:00 p.m. today, the marijuana policy question had received 19,530 votes – 4,500 more than “Appoint Secretary of Peace in Department of Peace and Non-Violence,” which came in second on the list.
In addition, change.gov has opened voting in a new online forum called the “Citizen’s Briefing Book.” “Ending Marijuana Prohibition” is currently the most popular idea.
Tagged with: Barack Obama and change.org by the author
35 comments
You bet your a** WE CANNABIS!
One more tool in the cog of politics.
At least we can HOPE he will CHANGE.
This just shows that the change.org website was something used just to make Obama looks like he cares ab0ut the issues. I see them just picking the top votes they want to address and marijuana will get put on the back burner like always. It’s all politics.
There have been numerous deaths from alcohol overdoses, none from marijuana
support a SAFER solution, Legalize.
roll roll roll a joint,
twist it at the end,
light it up, take a puff,
pass it to you’re friend,
I am one of those 19,500 homies
I think someone at change.org is acting as a gatekeeper on this issue. For example, if you go to their site right now (noon Fri 1/16) it says: “Here are the top 10 rated ideas to be presented to Obama (in no particular order).”
WTF??? I think Obama needs to KNOW that THIS ISSUE received 5,000 MORE VOTES than the no. 2 rated idea.
Perhaps some are a bit annoyed that this issue beat out “revoke the PATRIOT act” and “free universal health care”, but the simple truth is that of all Americans who visited change.org, cannabis legalization was BY FAR the no. 1 rated idea.
Hate to be the pessimist, but brace for Obama to blow us off at this press conference today.
One thing we’ve learned from this vote is that support for full blown legalization is a lot higher than some like to think.
Not saying the prior votes didn’t say the same thing. Change.org was different though in that it limited your votes. People had to pick and choose, and marijuana legalization remained at the top.
There are only two groups with ligitamate reasons for continuing cannabis prohibition, drug cartels and corrupt politicians, well let’s see.
Jon says, “It’s all politics.” and G. Silvia says, “drug cartels and corrupt politicians.”
I don’t doubt these, but they are ambiguous, we need to shine our reason with laser-like intensity and brightly all over this darkness. The more we can chase down every possible reason and argument “they” have against it, the better we can dispel the darkness that clouds their minds.
Why is it political? Trying to receive praise from certain people, campaign donors? He’s fallen for some lie that marijuana is bad, and he’s trying to promote some squeaky clean image?
Certainly drug cartels are happy in their ruts, like many people tend to be. If they suddenly had to pay taxes, and fill out paperwork, they might not be happy, but so what, they are just like our politicians who are use to delegating everything to someone else.. I also believe they mistakenly think their business would go down. In fact, I believe it would go up and they would sell more. Mainly because the stigma would go away for _some_, and they’d be willing to try it to resolve their health problems.
I would point the finger at “greed.” Greed fogs the mind and perverts one’s ability to reason properly. Just look at the state of our country/world today. Greedy mortgage companies, greedy real estate agents, greedy developers, greedy “investors” in housing and stocks, etc… they all had some pollyanna attitude that “things would work out” but looks what’s happened, their hypocrisy and contradictory beliefs/behaviors are crashing down on everyone.
I think I read someplace that our crooked politicians decided to privatize the prison system. This is the EXACT OPPOSITE of what should happen. Now there is a financial incentive to put people in prison since a small group of owners/investors make money from it. I would say, in particular, this OUTRAGE needs to be overturned. Clearly a bunch of dimwitted, and/or bribed, politicians thought society would pay __less__ if they turned the prison system over to private industry. But they weren’t thinking straight, or even following their own advice that “businesses exist to make money,” If their logic wasn’t so hypocritical, they could have seen this coming.
I read at the http://www.LEAP.cc/ web site that in the 1990′s Texas built 77 prisons, but only 1 university. Talk about totally unsustainable! Some folks are obviously raking in serious cash.
It seems Obama is trying to win over various religious folks. I think many of them have been brainwashed by liars that marijuana, etc… is bad. NORML.org had an advertising contest and I took the opportunity to create an advertisement that shows, using the Bible that so many of them worship, why these evil laws need to go away.
http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=tDrNd2kGmT0
I have written an essay
http://www.NewOldSalt.com/My_Letter_to_Law_Enforcement_Against_Prohibition
that itemizes a few other reasons why I think these crooked laws should go away, I give a few reasons, and logic, I have not seen many other places. Even if you are not a fan of religion, it only benefits you too bone up on some of them, since you will most likely find yourself in conversation with folks who are “religious” who think God hates marijuana, Arming yourself with reasons coming from their favorite “book” is only going to help stop this particular group,perhaps even opening their eyes and gaining their support.
I have much more to write, at my web site, but currently don’t have the time, there are many other places in scripture I believe promote our cause.
“Medical Marijuana Acitivist”
I do hope that President Obama can retain his good natured humor even among the flow of so many, “High,” priorities as he moves into the White House in about a week. If Americans, Affected Federal Authorities and especially my own State Of Tennessee distinguished and supportive Senators and Congressman who have kept me in the circle of concerned citizens who know that Marijuana is their choice as a medicine based on every American’s Right to obtain the most humane substance to mankind, a substance created as a comforting medicine for the health and well being of all who are convinced of it’s healing properties. This is the beginning of the end of Marijuana Prohibition via eduation represented by the voters who support Medical Marijuana and projections show , we are engineers, sicientist, doctors, Volunteers, Activist and so many others that Vote to have the benefit of Medical Marijuana. Hemp Oil is a known cure for cancer, proof can witnessed under microscope and the results of users have been recorded for centuries. To put an end to the War on Medical Marijuana and the removal of Personal Use Laws that put good hearted people in jail, we cry foul and Vote to our deaths for Medical Marijuana and Persoanl Use, please save us all from so much missery President Obama! Talk it up, support and Vote for the Legalization of Medical Marijuana and removal Personal Use Of Marijuana Laws. Author R. D. Seymour helps save lives by Volunteering his time and legislative testimony. A great e-book reference for anyone at, lulu-dot-com, Title reference, “Medical Marijuana Activitst Community Empowerment Resources.” Supporting is Voting via educational and research data, get the facts like the rest of us or go stick your opinionated head in the sand. “I’m hear to save lives with many other Voting supporters and my e-book outlines exactly how to be affective by seeing the facts yourself and make up your own mind or would you rather depend on the current medical plan that kills things like cancer cells? The first 9 pages are free viewing to decide if you’d like to pay 3.00 dollars for the completed paper back or e-mail the Author for a free copy! Yeah, I said Free. I’m the Author Mr. R.D. Seymour, retired Federal Narcotics Agent. Get my e-book and start talking, it’s that simple to save lives and it’s got the right price! Help save lives now by learning to talk to anyone as an Affective Activist yourself.
I just have to say that the final decision on issues such as this should not be in the hands of the president. In most respects I am for obama. But the decision of marijuana prohibition should be in the hands of the people. It is a huge issue in this country right now. I feel that our rights are being impeded by the war on marijuana. The majority of the people want it to be free. But I guess America, land of the free, home of the brave, isn’t a free country any more and it isn’t for the people. If it were marijuana would already be legal. It could probably pull us out of this depression we are in. It already is a huge global market, but if it were legal it could be bigger and better and it would be a benefit for the whole country, economically and spiritually. We the people must take a stand and let our voices be heard and take action now before we destroy ourselves. It isn’t just about marijuana.. Its about our rights as people.
It’s the Monday after the (Friday) National Press Club news conference where change.org was supposed to present Obama with the top 10 ideas and there’s a dearth of info on the net about the conference. Was this a non-event or what? What was said? What was Obama’s reaction?
ABOUT TIME!!! i wonder how long it would for those money grubbing poloticians to recognize a FACT!
Bush liked the way the powder smells!
I like the smell of cannabis smoke!
marijuana/hemp is going to save the world!!
I just staryted a post at the Daily Show, we need to get our comedic commentaters riled up. This is the perfect point for them to chide the new president. Shows like the Daily Show, Colbert Report and Politicaly incorrect, show huge potential for laughter and enlightenment on this issue. I say let’s start to hammer them, so that they may hammer him. We need to get this debate to the national forum, and shows like these may provide a good vehicle for that.
Damn typus, LOL
So…any information on how it worked out? If it worked out? His reaction to the ideas?
Aspirin Can Kill You, Cannabis Can’t
On July 15, 1977, I received my M.D. degree from Jefferson Medical College and moved to California to begin my internship in Internal Medicine at the Long Beach V.A. Hospital. It was an honor and a privilege to serve our nation’s veterans, the majority of whom informed me of their opposition to the laws against cannabis. They fought and sacrificed for our freedoms and the values upon which our country was founded. Regretfully, in 2008, the freedoms and values for which they fought are still not being granted to those Americans who use cannabis. In fact, thanks to the drug war, we are moving dangerously closer to a “police state.”
My first V.A. “rotation” was on the G.I. (gastrointestinal) ward. This ward was filled with veterans dying from alcohol induced diseases. It was a sad place to be as many died a miserable death. One evening, I admitted a patient to the I.C.U. with severe internal bleeding due to aspirin, not alcohol. This patient was taking the aspirin in the recommended dose for arthritis and ended up with a bleeding stomach ulcer. G.I bleeding from causes other than alcohol were unusual for the G.I ward, but the treatments were the same.
My new patient, Mr. H, was in excruciating pain and was vomiting up large amounts of bright, red blood. His life was in grave danger so I immediately inserted a tube into his stomach in order to directly deliver medications and irrigate the internal bleeding site with iced, cold water. Mr. H could not stop shaking with chills from the frigid water irrigations.
This went on all night. I stood at his bedside fighting alongside him to save his life. As sore and stiff as my hands and arms had become, I did not stop irrigating his stomach. He slipped in and out of a coma as the hours passed by. At 5 A.M, the bleeding intensified. This battle was being lost. The only option left was stomach surgery. This was undertaken and was successful . His life was saved. Mr. H was one of the lucky ones who survived a bleeding ulcer.
Shortly after my internship, the NSAIDs were developed. These include Alleve (naproxen), Advil(ibuprofen) and Motrin(ibuprofen). These newer, over the counter drugs can also cause internal bleeding and death, but the risks are lower as compared to aspirin. Nonetheless, the risks are real and many people end up like, Mr. H, or even worse.
In conclusion, there are many dangerous and deadly drugs which are readily available at our neighborhood supermarkets and pharmacies. Even our children can buy them if they please. However, nobody gets arrested for selling or using aspirin, an NSAID, or any other of the numerous, lethal over the counter drugs. Ironically, people are still being persecuted, arrested and imprisoned every day for using one of the least toxic and most beneficial substances on our planet; cannabis.
I wrote the above editorial for “The West Coast Leaf” in 2008. No, I am not so stoned that I still think it is 2008. Sorry about the error. The story is true and cannabis is safer than aspirin and shopuld be legal, period!
1. Perhaps some think that this is a “trivial” issue. However, to my mind it is on a par with the Patriot Act abuses because so many are being imprisoned for the same thing that even our President has experimanted with. If he had been arrested and incarcerated in his youth for Cannabis … I do not think he would be President today, not even close. We must hold him to his inspiring words (paraphrased): “WE NEED JUSTICE, NOT JUST US!”
Actions speak louder than words.
2. I would like to pass on a brilliant idea from a friend on change.org: CHANGE THE NAME OF OUR CAMPAIGN FROM “LEGALIZE MARIJUANA” TO “RE-LEGALIZE CANNABIS”. The word RE-LEGALIZE is like a clear picture worth far more than thousands of words and it is the truth. The word CANNABIS implies a return to science and sanity while avoiding a lot of prejudices that the mere word “marijuana” call to the minds of those who are paranoid due to pro-prohibition propaganda.
Dr. Lephoff,
May I add your post above to the change.org site?
Pot is a plant that grows from the ground.
If God didn’t like it, it wouldn’t be around.
TAKE ACTION; (extracted from currentchange.org debate)
I would like to pass along a brilliant suggestion from a friend:
RE-program _.,~*~,._ CHANGE our campaign name from “Legalize Marijuana…” to RE_LEGALIZE_CANNABIS._.,~*~,._
To this I have added:
_.,~*~,._ WITH_MICO_ECONOMIES_IN_MIND _.,~*~,._
This renaming implies a lot of the historical framework and larger issues interwoven with this issue.
As another poster so poetically put it,”ALL LIFE [forms] ARE NEEDED IN THE FABRIC OF LIFE” just as all issues have an impact on all other issues.
What about the financial benefits this country would gan from legalizing and taxing marijuana. Are we not in an economic crisis? Would this not be a giant step forward in that regard?
James, YES, YES and YES. To disregard these CRITICAL interconnections is terminally insane in my opinion. This is not the “trivial” issue that some would like to pretend. RE_LEGALIZE_CANNABIS_SPECIES.
can someone help me or tell how to put the legilization of mariquna on the voters ballot even if it has to be state by state the way i see it if i can vote for a lottory i should be able to vote to legalize maraquna
Yes I think( re-legalize )would be a good step. I would lend its self to show marijuana was once legal. The subconcious mind is a funny thing.
Hi Jon (comment 3):
change.org is not connected with Obama. change.org is an advocacy group similar to others but on a larger scale, attempting to address a much broader spectrum of issues (unlike most orgs which specialize in a specific issue).
Hi Silvia (comment 9):
just for the sake of semantic clarity (which seems to be rather lacking these days) …
I would not say that “drug cartels” and “corrupt politicians” have any truly ‘LEGITIMATE’ REASONS, JUST EXCUSES, and LAME EXCUSES at that! Lame excuses are not the same as ‘legitimate’ REASONS. (One of my Senators did not even give me an excuse, just said he “disagreed” … which is as lame as any excuse, in my view.)
But you hit the nail on the head at any rate.
Big Pharma is the “pusher man” and is sanctioned by unconstitutional corporate “person hood” laws.
RE-LEGALIZE CANNABIX SPECIES &
OUTLAW THE PUSHER MAN.
(then we don’t have to concern ourselves with “drug cartels” or black markets or all the other DANGERS CREATED BY PROHIBITION ITSELF.)
ADs’N'EDs*-///RElegalizeCannabisSpecies\\\-comedy
____.Below is a treasure I found buried in the comments on change.org.
.Silvia, Nina, anybody who can and will,
.Send it to Colbert & Stewart Etc teams To do variations on.**
.Laughter is among the best meds,
.Also great for ads’n'eds* …
.Everyone who can, … send them absurdly ironical facts to expose while poking fun at. Prohibition is the next Bush for Comedy.
.Start digging out the treasures and combining them with each other. Post them here on the “front page” if you cannot connect with the comedians’ pages**; this way someone else can pass them on.
*ADs’N'EDs’: advertising &education
**icannotdothatyet
…….~als 01.30.09
______________________________________________
____.A pot head, an alcoholic, a meth user, and an acid freak are all trying to get to this city. The city closes every night at 7 and has a huge wall surrounding it to protect them. Well they get there and the city is closed and they have to wait until morning to be allowed in. Well the alcoholic gets so angry and starts beating on the door screaming “LET US IN NOW!!”, the meth user gets paranoid and runs to hide, since they are convinced that someone is watching them. The pot head looks at them all and says, “hey let chill out, smoke a joint, it will be morning before you know it!” and the acid freak whispers,”Why wait when we can just float thru the key hole?”
The joke just goes to show that many people who are smokers are mellow and just want to chill. Because we all know that the only thing Marijuana causes is the munchies. So the only problem with marijuana is that it might make us gain some weight!!
Posted by Nina W. on change.org
______________________________________________
________.cannabis lowers blood sugar, which is why people get the “munchies”, therefore, it is good for people who need to keep their blood sugar down*. High blood sugar is a precursor to diabetes. There are healthy dietary ways to avoid the “munchies”, one of which is to avoid sugar and processed foods, this is also a good step for avoiding diabetes.
*also good for people who have no appetites from being poisoned by chemo &/or radiation.
Cannabis does not make ALL people “mellow out”. Some people get paranoid, but they don’t generally like to smoke it.
One man’s med is another man’s poison.
To be allowed to choose Or to be verboten to choose, That is the Question.
…….~als 01.30.09
When Obama talked about legalization while running for office, I wanted to be hopeful. I knew once he got in, he would give in to the pressures, just like Jimmy Carter and would say no. This government and every other government should stop removing our individual rights. Alcohol Is Way more damaging than Mary Jane…….how come we never hear all the horrors of alcohol!!!
cannibis is only a plant and god created it to growing along side all other plants and to be used by all others freely as god intended.my goodness it is only a plant-legalize and decriminalize.we all need to get together and stop this madness and let this plant grow !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My point of view.
For years I’ve been told to keep my mouth shut, and I have
untill now that is. Do you know why a judge don’t want you
to talk to him in court? It’s because he don’t want the other
people in the courtroom to hear how bad your getting
shafted. It’s all about the MONEY, they don’t care if it’s unfair
as long as they get paid.
It’s ok to get drunk and go out and kill a family of five on the
road, but Heaven forbid you smoke a joint in your own home.
Why is this you ask? MONEY The government can tax
alchihol and thats millions of dollors a year, but they can’t
tax pot, WRONG. Just make everyone who sells it buy a
licence good for one year. The licence would cost $2500 a
year. If your caught selling to anyone under 21 you go to jail.
Everyone growing pot would have to pay $100 dollors a tag,
and you would have to tag all plants.
The econimy would pickup, there would be more jobs for
people who wanted to work, because alot of people would
just grow and sell pot. The Government could use land that
is owned by the government to grow pot, I’m sure tobacco
companys would be glad to roll it up and pack it, for a price.
It is a fact that mariquana is less harmful than alcohol,
perscription drugs, hell even ciggaretts, but you can tax
those items.. The best way to make people give up harmful
drugs is to let them have pot, give a little to get a lot.
I have talked with the familys and friends of people who have
died due to alcohol, perscription drugs, and ciggaretts
and they all said the same thing, they beleved that had it
been pot, there loved ones would still be here.
There talking about lowering the drinking age back to 18,
they say it will save lives, no it’s MONEY, young people
party more this means more revenue for the Government.
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