A Media Breakthrough?
Something is stirring in the U.S. news media that I was beginning to think I’d never see: In last two or three months, a complete rethinking of our marijuana laws has become a legitimate issue in the eyes of the mainstream media — something it hasn’t been for a long time.
To illustrate how big this is, let me take you back to early 2002, shortly after I started as MPP’s communications director. The first time I ever called CNN to try to pitch them a story on marijuana policy, it went like this:
I said, “Hello, this is Bruce Mirken from the Marijuana Policy Project –” and the woman who answered the phone burst out laughing. She had to put me on hold for a minute to compose herself. When she came back on the line, she said, “Okay Mr. Marijuana, what can I do for you?” While this was not the actual producer I was trying to reach, she was the one you had to get through in order to speak to that person. And I never got through.
Things have changed.
Earlier this month, CNN called me to set up an interview with D.L. Hughley about marijuana prohibition. That interview is currently set to air this weekend on what turns out to be the final episode of “D.L. Hughley Breaks the News,” which airs on Saturdays at 10 p.m. Eastern and 7 p.m. Pacific and repeats on Sunday (though TV news schedules have a way of changing at the last minute). This comes on the heels of appearances by MPP executive director Rob Kampia and myself on CNBC, MSNBC and Fox News, among others.
Meanwhile, columns and editorials questioning prohibition seem to be nearly everywhere in recent weeks, including the Providence Journal, CNN’s Web site, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette , Chicago Sun-Times, Los Angeles Times and many other outlets.
What was once dismissed as a fringe issue is suddenly mainstream.
Tagged with: Bruce Mirken and marijuana and Media and Rob Kampia by the author
63 comments
I totally agree. I think that the mainstream media is finally realizing that the majority of the public is starting to see the truth about marijuana, and we all know whatever the public is concerned about, the media will cover. This I believe will continue to have a snowball effect, and I think we should be seeing more and more in the coming months with the 2010 elections right around the corner. LETS KEEP IT GOING and prohibition will be over before we know it. Great job guys, and keep up the good work!
Awesome! Finally this issue gets the national attention it deserves! On March 31, 2009, California Assembly Bill 390 will be put to a vote. Keep your eyes peeled on that everyone! Change is coming!
For me, a true sign of a shift in human consciousness will be when we see a headline in the New York Times declaring the end of marijuana prohibition. Why? Because this policy requires the most obtuse, hypocritical, and immoral mindset to justify. It is a modern day inquisition and witch hunt…a nightmare of fear, injustice and ignorance that has hypnotized political and religious power for decades. Now, thanks to the persistence of MPP, NORML, and others, there is finally movement towards release from this evil. Still, we are not there yet, so we must all continue to assault the status quo with reason and civility as Bruce, Rob, Paul, and countless of us anonymous folks have been doing for what seems a lifetime.
Massachusetts also just introduced a bill into its house and senate seeking to tax and regulate cannabis like California. Imagine if we had freedom in a free country! I think I’d frame a copy of the Constitution in my house. I don’t think the momentum from this can be stopped.
Mr. Bruce Mirken,
Please consider contacting my Senator Charlotte Burks and mention my name. I have an appointment to visit with Mrs. Burks to discuss her none support in past attempts to pass medicinal marijuana Bills SB209 & HB 368 here in TN.
All The Best,
Mr. Ricky Dean Seymour
TN Activist
Go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/OpenForQuestions/ and vote for the question for legalization to be answered tomorrow morning by Obama! Go Now!!
I JUST LOGGED ONTO http://www.whitehouse.gov/openforquestions/
submit your votes for the marijuana questions!!! It is one of the more popular questions so far, let’s make it THE MOST POPULAR QUESTION!!!!!
thanx to you too, Bruce. Good work!
Well done!
I am glad to see that some sensible thinking is being done by the mainstream media in regards to this issue. Its unfortunate that the issue comes up due to our poor economy and the violence in the south but im glad the issue is seeing some light finally. I am thankful for the hard work of people and organizations like MPP and NORML that fight for our rights.
Keep up the good work.
I look forward to donating soon.
OK, just logged on to http://www.whitehouse.gov/openforquestions/ and I’m scrolling down and there are up to 10 questions about legalizing marijuana but there only 2 at the top!!!! scroll down and get ALL of marijuana question to the top, maybe then they will see how SERIOUS we are about this!!!!!!!!!
I am so happy that the tide is finally turning. Every time I log on the computer there is some other bill being introduced or passing, or some big media outlet discussing our issues. It’s unbelievable!
Once again, thank you MPP for doing what you do. And specifically, thank you for giving us this opportunity here in Michigan.
The compassion clubs are exploding on the scene. I went to a meeting in Flint a couple of weeks ago with over 100 people in attendance. And this was only their second meeting.
It was a pleasure to work with Krystal and Matt. I’ll never forget any of you at MPP.
Thank You.
By the way, I voted up all the cannabis legalization questions at http://www.whitehouse.gov/Openforquestions
I hope the Obama Administration will be giving this serious consideration now. Prohibition’s failures are very apparent too… I see an article on yahoo news about the Mexican drug cartel violence every day. Think about the impact legalization would have on them!!!
By the time you read this, it’s probably too late to vote for marijuana-related questions at the whitehouse.gov site. If President Obama ignores the marijuana legalization issue again, MPP, NORML, DPA, and citizens need to call him on it by raising holy hell in the mainstream media. Hell, just in case, save copies of the whitehouse.gov/openforquestions website. Let there be no question what is on the mind of Americans.
Once again this is the #1 question being asked to the President, and the #1 question in a variety of topics. Hopefully he will respond with more than a one line answer at 11:30.
Wow good job guys. Voting is closed now, but the two questions with the most votes were both regarding marijuana/drug law reform. If the Obama administration ignores these questions they should be taken to task.
Regarding Bruce’s post, I absolutely agree. There seems to be a ground swell in the media urging a new look at the drug war. Let’s keep the momentum moving (and accelerating) in the right direction.
Ugh, there’s our answer. After answering four unrelated questions that received fewer votes, he brought up the legalization issue with a laugh that was echoed by the audience.
He joked that he is “not sure what that says about the online community” (which got another laugh) and then unequivocally said “no, I don’t think it would help the economy”, giving no supporting facts or elaboration. He then received a round of applause for that answer, and moved on to another question which received fewer votes.
Disgusting.
I’m so dissappointed with Obama and the online town meeting. Clearly, they did not take seriously how important this issue is to us. Those questions were voted on heavily – they were the most popular questions. It is unfair that he dismissed those issues while receiving a few joking laughs. I’m very very disappointed.
I was out raged by the way Pres Obama treated the issue on Marijuana. He laughed at us, at the work that many of us ave been engaging in. This is no laughing mater. Are the millions of lives that have been destroyed due to the prohibition a joke? The audience laughed, we were made to look like a bunch of stone rs. There is a real cannabis community out there, we voted for him. Are we really going to accept this disrespect from a president who is claiming to listen to the voices of the people? This issue was the most popular, what does that really tell him?
Next time Obama contacts me I’m gonna give him the finger. And to think I voted for this prick. Never again.
I will from now on vote only for candidates who support full legalisation. Meanwhile, I’m making plans to move to Europe.
Our President, is going to Mexico next month to discuss the failed drug war with Mexico’s leaders. When he touches Marijuana as a topic, he will have to have a better plan than what he has now!! Please pray that he will have the balls to really make history by changing Marijuana’s status in the controlled substances from class one to class two. Then the federal government will marry the federal laws to the state laws. Don’t give up hope!!!!!
Bruce, all of you at MPP have fought hard and now it’s paying off. Movements don’t happen overnight. We should celebrate this success. Cheers!
As for Obama, don’t blame him for being a politician. He still has to worry about his next election. Let’s make it a goal to have marijuana prohibition reform The agenda for the 2012 (so we all can pass the joint before the polar shift).
Well, there you have it, folks. We’re a joke to him. Obama is laughing at you.
The most popular issue in America right now is one big fat joke not even worth discussing by our very own president.
Thanks a lot, Obama. Thank you for the disappointment and heartache.
I will not be voting for you next term. I will vote independent and independent only for anyone who favors outright legalization. That’s the bottom line here now. No more lesser of two evils. Never again. Not in my country.
@qn: Don’t be so forgiving. The man laughed off a question that was voted to the top of his list. If that’s what he means when he says he is listening directly to the people, he’s full of shit.
And here I thought he was bringing a positive shift in drug policy. I didn’t expect him to just come right out and say he wanted to legalize, but he didn’t even give it serious discussion. To just laugh it off like that was unforgivable.
Could not agree with post above me more. I was outraged. “no, I don’t think it will help the economy.” Obama should take a poll of leading economists instead of pandering to middle america and the sheep who were in attendence. I immediatly emailed the white house and I believe all those that voted should do so as well.
Is there a way to make a YouTube of this, patching together images of the most popular questions with the number of votes and place them side by side with the segment in which Obama jokingly dismissed these serious issues? I wish I knew how but if someone does know, please do so, because only through viral media at this point will our voices be heard and recognized.
Mr. President in your online town hall meeting you referred to the marijuana issue as mildly popular subject truth be told it was number one question ask. You then spent less that 10 seconds on an answer that did not give any reasons for the basis of the statement, “ that you did not believe it could help the economy.” I am very disappointed and feel marginalized. By laughing and joking with the audience about what this meant about the online audience you were writing off people who ask this question as unintelligent. I am sure I do not need to remind you that countless economists such as Milton Friedman have supported the end of prohibition for a list of reasons to long to recount here. Furthermore, your administration has pledged to reduce violence in Mexico caused by drug cartels. However, you refuse to look at new ways of reducing this violence. What happened to change and new ways of looking at issues? Instead you seemed totally dismissive and above such a question. I voted, campaigned, and avidly defended you prior to your election. I truly believe that you have the opportunity to go down as one of the greatest US Presidents in history. However, FDR did not blow his nose at the idea that alcohol prohibition was taking valuable tax revenue away from the government, and supplying criminal organizations with unlimited funding. Instead FDR stood up to moral objections relying on common sense and strength of character to do what was best for the nation. I believe in you and do not think you are simply just another product of the political system. Please in the future do not laugh off a question simply because it might seem novel, instead emphatically state why you believe in your position and support it with facts. This is the least the people who worked so hard to get you elected deserve. I wish you and your family the best, and I truly hope you can lead our nation back to the right track. Thank you for your time.
I just wrote Mr. Obama a letter:
Dear President Obama & Staff,
Could you please explain why you virtually dismissed the issue of marijuana decriminalization during your online forum on March 26, 2009, despite its overwhelming public support?
Further, your remarks were quite disrespectful and undermine the work and progress that has been made in recent months. Your comments illustrate the disconnect between Washington and the American Public, the latter of which is ready to finally end this unjust and immoral war against (illicit) drugs, specifically marijuana! The same war that disenfranchises and warehouses millions of individuals each and every year! Most of which are minorities.
My hope is, Mr. President, that you will reevaluate your position rather than succumb to the Prohibitionists within your government! Unfortunately your words resound negatively, and my time and effort helping you achieve your budget (and other goals) is now dwindling! Perhaps this is selfish on my part, however I cannot support another Prohibitionist in office, especially one that supposedly believes in science yet criminalizes a plant.
Good luck with your ‘budget battle’ as I will now devote my time and energy to the cause of Cannabis re-legalization! Thanks for your time.
Regards,
Hi Bruce,
NC ASA will submit a bill next week for Medical Marijuana! WOW I can’t wait. It’’s all finalized and ready to go!
Here’s the letter I just sent:
Dear Mr. President,
I watched your “Online Town Forum” presentation earlier today, and was extremely disappointed by one of the responses you gave.
Issues relating to reform of drug laws were the most popular questions given to your administration leading up to the presentation. Instead of giving those questions the respect and consideration they deserved, you chose to joke about them (ridiculing the public in the process) and to give a capricious, unsupported answer before quickly moving on.
This is a blatant attempt to minimize the importance of an issue which your own constituents consider extremely relevant and critical. We voted for you, Mr. President, because we believed in your integrity and honesty. Your behavior today is making us reconsider that faith.
I assure you that many of your supporters will abandon you absent a public statement apologizing for the frivolous manner in which you addressed the drug reform issue today, and clarifying your stance using factual support. I certainly will never vote for you again unless it is made clear that your response today is not indicative of the manner in which you address the issue.
Thanks for your time, and please reconsider your response.
We wouldn’t be getting laughed at if Ron Paul was president. See what happens when you participate in our false dichotomy of American politics? The only way to change America is to NOT VOTE FOR REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS!! they are the same thing, they don’t give a shit about we the people, they only care about lining their corporate cronies pockets with money and their own re-election!
Reminder: This is the second time Obama has done this with his “Questions from the People”. With his first request for question Marijuana Legalization was the #1 ranked question and his response was another one line answer.
I said this then and I’ll say it again… when we have an opportunity like this (to ask the President a question) we need to focus on a better question. He has said before that he does not support outright legalization… so why do we continue to ask him tyhe same question?
Why are we not asking a more simple question to him: “Will you commit to a Congressional Commission on the medicinal value of Marijuana to include a study on the reclassification of the Controlled Substances Act.”
The one thing that Obama has supported is science over ideology. He has also said that we should not spend Federal dollars arresting people conforming to State Law. To me this signals a possible position that he can support: Marijuana as a Medicine. There are two options: Congress explicitly changes marijuana from a CLASS I to a CLASS III substance or Obama directs the DEA to make this change.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUcXi7n7PMU
That is the exact segment in which Obama dismisses the most popular questions pertaining to legalization of marijuana and belittles the online community of voters as one big joke.
How about a viral video that contrasts anti-cannabis propaganda ads with politicians laughing about their own use, people making jokes about munchies and cartoons, etc. Punchline: If cannabis is so dangerous, why is everyone laughing?
@Michael: Yeah you raise a good point. More effective questions can encourage better answers.
Still though, he simply dismissed the entire issue; there were at least a half dozen popular questions relating to marijuana reform, which shows that the issue as a whole is extremely important to us. He just laughed at that.
Also, as an aside, this meeting was supposedly about “the economy”. Questions regarding regulation and taxation seem a little more on-point in that case, because the medical pot issue doesn’t have a whole lot to do with economic factors. I agree that it is important of course, just not necessarily an economic question.
Progress report to share.
I have been writing my reticent Senator Bingaman to educate him about the HERB. He used to send me lame form letters saying that he did not support legalization of illegal drugs. I told him that I was not talking about “DRUGS”. I asked him to respond to one specific HERB issue, the RE-legalization of marijuana. HE FINALLY DID … and he has completely changed his tune about medical marijuana!!!
I don’t know how many others have been emailing him too, but it is working.
However, I think we still need to be esp vigilant so that the legalization does not screw us all due to Corporate control (like NAIS type regulations that make it an impossible situation due to outrageous fees, fines, punishments, etc for not having our papers in order …{ historical innuendo intended}!!)!!
It disgusts me that he didn’t even have the question asked. The only question of the group (which tells me he knew it was coming) and he didn’t even allow the question to be asked. Instead he paraphases it and makes it into a joke (he laughs… not just the audience). He spends less than 2 minutes discussing the MOST popular question. He says that the question was “fairly high” in the voting…. why not be honest and tell the public that this was the most asked question. Why not say that this is the third time you’ve asked for questions/suggestions and each time the number 1 idea about marijuana.
Maybe we need to all sit down together (MPP, NORML, Drug-Free Alliance, etc.) and have a rational discussion about the topic. My thoughts are that the Gov’t doesn’t want to do this in fear that they will show the American public that for 71 years they have perpetuated lies about a plant.
Hey Bruce… when you go on D.L. this weekend… can you try to bring up the manner in which the President blew off his most asked question? Where was the discussion? Why no details for his position?
oh yes … I forgot to mention that I have also been sending Senator Bingaman medical info from various sources … including a LOOOOOOOOONG list from Grasscity of all the “ailments” that the HERB is good for … check it out on the web, it is an excellent list with references.
Good work Ani. I have been bugging my state’s senators and governor (I live in NC) for weeks now and have yet to get anything more than a “thank you for your question” email.
It’s becoming clear that while public support is mounting, the government just wants to ignore it at all levels. It is obviously still considered political suicide to embrace drug law reform.
I just sent this letter to the President… you should send one too!
Dear Mr. President:
I am writing you today after I was appauled by the manner in which you responded to the question about legalizing, taxing and regulating Marijuana. It was very disheartening that you reacted (with laughter) to the most popular question asked in your recent request to the American public. This is actually the third time that the most popular question/suggestion had to do with marijuana. Please understand that it is not your position that offended me, but the manner in which you went about asking and answering the question.
First, this was the only question that was not asked to you (in its entirety) by the moderator. You made it seem as though the “online audience” was a bunch a riff-rafts. Had you read the question in its entirety you might have shown that there was a specific purpose to the question (referring to the creation of a Billion dollar per year industry that can’t be outsourced to another country); not just a question to legalize a drug. You also minimized its importance by saying that it was “fairly high” in the vote. Why not be completely honest and say that it was the dominant question being asked? It ended up being #1 on more than one subsection of questions. Add up all the related questions and by far it exceeded every other question asked on any topic. You said that you wanted to find out what was on the minds of the American people… well three time’s a charm and we deserve a thoughtful answer.
The second thing that bothered me was that you spent so much time answering in detail your position on a variety of questions. How much time did you devote to your most asked question? Less than one full minute. You only gave your position and did not follow up with any details. Why would it not be good for the economy to infuse $14-40 Billion each year in extra revenue? Is this just chump change to you? Sounds like a lot of money that we could use to fund things we can’t now…Universal Health Care anyone???
I voted for Nader – Gonzales. I don’t bother with the “open for questions” format partly because on dialup it is intimidating since it can take as much as 10 to 20 minutes just to turn a page! … and there are too many other questions obliterating each other.
I am glad so many others have highspeed to be able to vote … but I recommend writing personal letters DIRECTLY to the white house staff at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Obama has been “bought” or he would not be president. Keep in mind the difficulties of his situation of being caught between the voters and the Corporate powers that made it possible for people to vote for him. Keep sending him the medical info and reminding him that he too is “guilty” and if he had been caught in his youthful experiments he would probably not be president today. Point out the double standard of the SYNTHETIC, THC DRUG Marinol which has a HEAVY CARBON FOOTPRINT due to manufacturing, advertising, distribution, sales VS. the natural HERB that is far safer, more effective, reverse carbon footprint …
I would like to suggest to Obama that his mother may have still been alive and RECOVERING had she had marijuana meds and proper anti-cancer diet instead of lethal allopathic meds for her cancer but I cannot bring myself to do it because it seems cruel … water under the bridge, too late anyway …
he didn’t want to read the actual questions because it they all really make the point that legalization seems to go along with all of this other platforms of creating jobs and making tough choices, as well as listening opinions even when you dont agree or the truth is inconvenient
his response was just more of the same hypocrictical crap the Government has been giving us for 70 years
TY Michael, tho I think it was more than just me writing in.
Good letter too, btw.
I think that putting pressure on Obama via Congress is perhaps a stronger position. It is going to take votes from Congress anyway when it finally comes down to it.
I also think that we can accomplish a lot by following Obama’s example during the election campaign by not answering to the quasi-slanderous-libelous laughing at all of us … but sticking to the key points (a number of which I listed above). If we allow ourselves to become offended and defensive in re-action, we will not be as effective in our actions and often “proving” their “point” (in quotes because it does not prove anything and it is totally pointless).
It is not easy, but I think it is important to not take offense at the way this issue is being shunted off to the “not important” side of the agenda. We can vent it out here, get it out of our systems (because it is indeed maddening and the hypocrisy has no place in a true Democracy … but we do not have a true Democracy and I think it is time for people to wake up and face this so that we can RESURRECT DEMOCRACY while we still have a little of it left).
To write your Congressmen regularly go to:
http://action.nwlc.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Find_Your_Elected_Officials
(I forgot to mention that the Obama link above has a 5,000 character limitation, which is really quite generous.)
oops … I meant to say thanks, Rhayader … I think it was more than just me …
Hey no problem. Yeah I’m sure it was more than just you writing in. Unfortunately I am in a traditionally red state, and the state talking heads (a.k.a. politicians) likely don’t hear from many people like me.
The Bible Belt sucks.
Please consider sending a snail mail to the President. It has a much bigger impact than an email. Here is the text of mine:
Dear President Obama,
I am deeply disappointed by your flippant response to the number one question on your online forum: Marijuana Legalization. A CBS news poll earlier this month showed that 38% of Americans favor legalization. In a Zogby poll of the western states, 60% favored legalization. Nationally, 53% of registered Democrats favor legalization. This is a main stream issue, and I think we warrant a thoughtful response.
I am 53 year old former Republican. I voted for you because I want change from the pig headed anti-science prohibitionists who have dominated our national leadership for far too long.
The failed war on drugs has gravely damaged our civil liberties, imprisoned millions and cost thousand of Mexicans their lives. Medical marijuana is denied to millions of sick Americans, including my WWII veteran father in Minnesota.
When can we expect a serious, well reasoned response on this important issue?
Best regards,
QUESTION: How are pols and sperm alike????
I had been writing my Congressmen for MONTHS and was considering giving it up as a waste of time when I finally saw the breakthru in the most recent response (about 2 weeks ago).
However, I have some pretty cool Congressmen {for politicians}.
I imagine that there are some who are hopeless basket cases and the only thing to do about THEM is to vote them out of office. Tell them you are not going to vote for them if they do not listen to the people.
Incompetent pols have 2 main goals which impede their ability to do their jobs: MONEY & VOTES. Most of us cannot do anything about the money aspect because we do not have enough. However, we CAN vote them out of office.
I feel that any pol who does not see that this is a very important issue that can beneficially affect all kinds of other problems does not have enough common sense to be qualified for the position of being a representative of the People. I will vote for Nader-Gonzales AGAIN too. Out with the Peter Principle Position Politicians!!!
ANSWER: They each have a one in a million chance of becoming human.
Here is my letter to the President:
Mr. President,
You had an amazing opportunity today and you made a joke about it. This saddens me deeply as a huge number of people voted you into office with the understanding that your views were different than they seemingly are.
First of all, I am 28 years old. I am married and have a 5 year old daughter. I am an insurance adjuster, and have been for 7 or 8 years now. I DO NOT USE DRUGS. I believe that drugs are bad for you and regardless of the law will not be using them. I do have concerns about drugs as my daughter is going to get older though, so this is an important issue for me. I know at least 4 people who have been arrested for marijuana possession in their lives – 4 good people who I trust, who do good jobs, who never hurt anyone and whose lives have been made very difficult because of these poor youthful choices.
I was highly offended by your comment to the most popular question on your “online town hall meeting” today though. You made a joke and said that the fact this was a question that got a lot of votes and that “this says something about our online community.”
What???????? I’m not trying to get stoned Mr. President!!!! I am a professional, I am a provider for my family, I am a parent, I am a voter, I am a contributor to my community. Shame on you for not only blowing me off, but making people laugh at me.
My question that I asked was simply to have you call for an open, honest national debate about the effectiveness of the “War on Drugs.”
If you believe that the “War on Drugs” is #1. Working, #2. Positively affecting our society and #3. Worth all the money dumped into it; then would you please at least say THAT instead of making a joke of this issue.
I care about this country’s children, your children, my child and all the other kids out there. Giving them criminal records for bad teenage decisions is NOT BEST FOR OUR CHILDREN. We do this to them at the same time as our laws make an endless supply of completely unregulated drugs more available to them than ever before in our history.
Shame on you Mr. President. At least look at the facts from both sides before making fun of the other side. That is hardly professional and I would be fired from my job for treating a customer that way.
More people than you know voted for you because of statements about your use of marijuana along with statements that “if the doctors and medical associations support it, then that is something we need to look at,” (not a direct quote, but the best I remember you saying it).
John McCain said he was not in favor of reviewing drug laws, and then lost millions of votes because of that statement.
The American people are speaking to you, and against everything you ever said you wanted to be (an advocate for the American people), You are not only ignoring them – you are laughing at them.
Rest assured the democratic party has lost my support over your statements today. It’s interesting that the Libertarian party is gaining strength just off peoples frustration with the Democrats and the Republicans. Both continue to shoot themselves in the foot.
I personally would like an apology, although I’m sure you will just laugh at that idea as well. I’m nobody right? One American citizen’s views don’t matter. I wonder how many others I can convince though? I will continue to support my belief’s with my financial contributions. I will talk to my friends and my neighbors, I will write my newspapers. I will do my best to get this issue out there. If the federal government were a business – it would have gone under long ago for thinking people still want to buy products made 75 years ago. That’s what your giving us though, old and rotten laws. That’s why the Americans feel so unconnected to their government. That’s what you are pushing on us.
You have lost my support Mr. President.
Wes is right.
Maybe it is because they have to open an envelope and unfold a piece of paper and to store it in the databanks must scan it first etc … ???? Whereas an email can be shunted into a file without even seeing it at all! … Even so, all good politicians have huge staffs studying the mail and sooner or later someone will see any email that is not a FORM letter. A corrupt pol is not going to listen to ANYTHING from ANYONE ANYWAY, except to those who bribe with BIG BUCK$ … (it’s called “lobbying”) …
However it should not be this way because of the waste of resources required to send snail mail. Another thing we need to change.
To answer Michael: The interview was pre-recorded, so there’s no way to bring up any of the developments of the last couple of days, alas.
The media can be a very powerful entity! We just have to keep fighting and keep this in the media, the government can’t ignore us forever.
I applaud each and everyone who wrote Obama to let him know that we will not sit quietly while he makes light of this important movement. Together we will make a difference, Si se puede!
Is there any actual evidence that snail mail garners more attention than email? That just sounds like a personal opinion to me.
Yeah, I’m sure they ignore the emails, but my guess is that they do the exact same thing with the snail mail too.
Rhayader, i read somewhere recently that an email equates 100 people, a handwritten letter equates 500, and a personal visit equates 1000 people.
Let’s make everyone aware of the truth. MPP needs to start running commercials on TV debunking these so called “truths” about marijuana that Above The Influence tries to tell people
I’ve noticed this as well and it’s a great feeling. Reforming marijuana laws became a very important issue for me back in 1996 when California legalized medical marijuana. Over the past 13 years there have been times where I felt like giving up because it seemed like no one cared.
We’ve seen good times and bad times but I don’t ever recall getting the mainstream acceptance and attention that this movement is receiving so far in 2009.
Just like with Bruce’s story people use to laugh at me or even call me names if I ever brought up my feelings about marijuana. Nowadays when I bring it up instead of hearing people laugh at me I hear a lot more people say “Well duh that’s just common sense!”
Let’s continue the great work because we still have a long road ahead of us. I give many thanks to the staff of MPP and everyone else out there who has dedicated so much time and made so many sacrifices over the years to finally see the type of exposure we are seeing these days in the media.
@Jason M.: Again, that just sounds like an unsupported guess. I don’t see how those numbers could even be derived.
I guess it intuitively makes sense that email is easily discarded, although I’m just not sure snail mail is treated any differently. Also, I would rather see stats than just rely on my intuition, or that of others. My guess is they are ignoring us no matter how we contact them.
Bruce, I just read that CNN axed the med pot segment from Hughley’s last show. Do you have any details for us?
One key to progress is going to be to stay focussed on the topics that matter to the politicians and news pundits. To a large extent, that means the financial aspect.
As a nation we have the choice between either spending $20,000 a year to lock up a marijuana user or collecting sales tax on the individual’s purchase of this widely used, relatively safe product. To collect taxes from the grow-your-own community, we could consider a $100 per year permit for a dozen plants.
It’s time to put the criminal drug dealers out of business and let ordinary Americans grow a little marijuana in their own back yards.
Although it has been a bumpy rides for many years, it seems we are all coming closer to the day marijuana will be decriminalized.
Yes, it does seem as though public sentiment is changing and with all these raids, we are looking more and more like the victims that we really are.
Marijuana Prohibition in 1937 was all about racism and discrimination. Now in the 20th century, it’s all about discrimination and they hide behind the curtain of protecting “so-called” public safety. Sounds like a Bush doctrine in which they’re protecting us (the public) from WMD’s (cannabis) that was never really a safety issue to begin with.
Let’s face it, WARS make $$$$. That’s why we are always in a war, even when it’s not our war.
Now this War on Terror is a real work of art. Fighting a war against an enemy which has no face or identity. Basically we are fighting an ideology which has no end. A War with no end is a War with an endless budget.
Sorry for my off subject rant. These politicians are playing with our lives!!!!
Finally! I see the laws are changing everyday, state by state. That is not fast enough. Since it is on the forfront of reporters now everywhere:
We need to email our friends and tell them all the great things that are going on with the marijuana issue. This includes doing your part! Like, post to Craigslists, Write to the President, Support Norml, call the President, sign potitions, copy and paste the websites where you see things happening. Once you get everybody in the wagon, it will take off.
Thanks for everything.
HEY MR. MARIJUANA!, that made my morning because , however slowly, things are changing. I’m glad you fought past that. That kind of stuff can really bum a person out after a while. You have inspired me for another day. Someday, it will not be considered funny.
I was really surprised when “The Arizona Republic” the local newpaper in Phoenix ran a TWO FULL PAGE AD to straight up – LEGALIZE Marijuana! What a major step media-wise. Thank you for all your hard work and perseverence MPP.org
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