Quick intro here, and then we'll cut straight to the meat. I know there are many important issues facing our country and Medical Marijuana is hardly a top priority, but it's still important to some people. And besides, the way these questions are answered gives you some insight into the mentality and political philosophy of the candidates, so without further fanfair, I present the 2008 presidential candidates stances on medical marijuana
I'll start with Barack Obama to kick it off. He gets distracted by one of his aides at first, not sure if the guy is advising him how to answer or talking about something unrelated. Obama's answer comes off in a tone as if it's foolish for the justice department to prosecute medical marijuana patients, and that it's a waste of time to even be dealing with such nonsense. I really like this answer.
Here's world-class scumbag Mitt Romney. He politely listens to the man asking him about medical marijuana and it would seem that when he becomes able to discern that this is an issue he doesn't want to touch, he begins to ignore the man and act as if he can't hear him. Take a watch:
Here's a two parter for Hillary Clinton. I don't really know what to make of her stance, she triangulates, of course, in both clips. I think that her stance is that research should be done to discover if there's any legitimacy to the claims of the medical benefits marijuana possesses, but she doesn't want to come out and say that she'll quote unquote "decriminalize" it. I think that I was happier with Barrack Obama's dismissive air because I am of the belief that marijuana should be de-criminalized, but take it for what you will. Note that the same man from Mitt Romney's clip is the one talking to her in the first clip here. A traveling marijuana crusader, perhaps?
Here's Ron Paul. Now I know he's a Republican, but I can't figure out why. I guess back in the sixties, from what I'm told at least, Republicans used to be big on "State's Rights" to the point where that was a cornerstone of their platform. State's Rights supporters have been a strong constituency in this country ever since they gave Thomas Jefferson the presidency in 1800, and I can't figure out why both parties don't do more to try and appeal to these voters. As a strong believer in state's rights myself, I think that this answer is probably my favorite:
Here's Edwards. Now I disagree with the man on many issues but I think he pretty much hits the nail on the head regarding Medical Marijuana. He differs from Paul however in that instead of letting the states regulate medical marijuana use he would make regulation a federal issue under the auspices of the Food and Drug Administration. I think the argument between which method is superior would depend entirely on your opinion of federalism, federal power, and the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, among other things. Anyways, here's Johnny:
Here's Huckabee. Now let me make clear that I dislike this man very much and would probably flee the country should he ever become president. Fortunately, I'm pretty sure the chips won't fall in such a fashion. His answer here is pretty ambiguous though. He says he wouldn't support federal action regarding medical marijuana because there hasn't been any research done at the federal level on medical marijuana. Now I'd like to note for anyone reading that there isn't any federal research regarding medical marijuana because the federal government won't fund or even consider pursuing such research. However towards the end he tells the woman "I won't put you in jail". Honest concern or deceptive manipulation? Not quite sure.
Here's McCain. He drones on for quite some time and eventually gets to the point where he says "No" and the morans in the audience start a-clappin'. Then he tells a dumb joke about some hippy chick tricking him into supporting hemp which is actually really funny but more so in a laughing at him instead of with him kind of way.
Let's end with rat-faced bastard Guliani. Note how when the woman questioning him gets to a certain point he does his usual smile-laugh bullshit. If you ever watch him in interviews, whenever he is asked a tough question he does this little smile-giggle thing as if to say "Oh my, how could you even be bringing up such ridiculous nonsense".
Sorry to end on a low note, but he's the last of the really viable candidates. I could honestly care less what Thompson says, he'll drop out soon anyways. So that's where all the candidates stand on medical marijuana. Feel free to factor that in when considering their positions on the War in Iraq or the economy.