Obama Gets It: RNC Out of Touch with Electorate’s Views on Medical Marijuana

ghost-written by Rebecca Saltzman, Chief of Staff, Americans for Safe Access and crossposted at Medical Cannabis:  Voices from the Frontlines

This week, presidential candidate Barack Obama made strong statements indicating he would end the DEA raids on medical marijuana providers. These statements are in line with the nation’s views on medical marijuana - a 2002 TIME/CNN poll found that 80% of Americans approve of cannabis for medical use, and other polls show that a majority supports it in every region of the country, irrespective of age or party affiliation.

But the RNC apparently hasn’t seen these polls or just doesn’t care what the electorate thinks about this important issue. In response to Obama’s comments, they issued this statement:

Barack Obama’s pledge to stop Executive agencies from implementing laws passed by Congress raises serious doubts about his understanding of what the job of the President of the United States actually is. His refusal to enforce the law reveals that Barack Obama doesn’t have the experience necessary to do the job of President, or that he fundamentally lacks the judgment to carry out the most basic functions of the Executive Branch. What other laws would Barack Obama direct federal agents not to enforce?

On the contrary, I think Obama’s pledge to end raids on medical marijuana providers shows his deep understanding of the job as President. As Americans for Safe Access has mentioned before, the next President of the United States has the power to end these raids by signing an Executive Order that would deny funds to the Department of Justice for federal enforcement efforts against patients and providers in states that have adopted medical marijuana laws.

The President’s job isn’t just to rubber stamp decisions made by Congress, especially when the President and the nation fundamentally disagree with these decisions. The President’s job is to lead our nation and to create and enforce policies that protect all US citizens, including medical marijuana patients. I applaud Obama for clearly stating that he will do this:

I would [end DEA raids on medical marijuana providers] because I think our federal agents have better things to do, like catching criminals and preventing terrorism. The way I want to approach the issue of medical marijuana is to base it on science. And if there is sound science that supports the use of medical marijuana and if it is controlled and prescribed in a way that other medicine is prescribed, then it’s something we should consider.

There are many Democrats and Republicans in Congress who support Obama’s statement, but in this case the Democratic front runner has clearly shown that he’s leaps and bounds ahead of the RNC on medical marijuana and patients’ rights.

•  Tip jar

  Tips for safe access and an end to raids, and please Rec to spread the word.

  by DoGooderLawyer on Fri May 16, 2008 at 05:29:32 PM PDT

  •  Tipped for cookies

    I mean, who doesn't like cookies?

    Mmmmmm; chocolate chip.

    by MikeTheLiberal on Fri May 16, 2008 at 05:30:42 PM PDT

    •  chocolate chip are totally my favorite

      white chocolate macadamia and snickerdoodles also pretty damn good

      by DoGooderLawyer on Fri May 16, 2008 at 05:33:05 PM PDT

    •  Most people love cookies...

      ...especially after taking their legally prescribed dosage of medicinal marijuana :)

      Obama actually upholding states' rights? How about that...

      by Gut Check on Fri May 16, 2008 at 05:35:11 PM PDT

•  This is special

  His refusal to enforce the law reveals that Barack Obama doesn’t have the experience necessary to do the job of President

  I guess the RNC is not familiar with Bush's signing statements.  Bush has many laws that he doesn't enforce that are passed by Congress.  In fact, The DOJ doesn't enforce subpoenas created by Congress, so the RNC can't talk.  This is just more hot air.

  by dangoch on Fri May 16, 2008 at 05:36:18 PM PDT

  •  Since the rule

    according to Republicans is that the president can do whatever the hell he wants, and we get a voice in it every four years, what the hell are they even on about?

    by iampunha on Fri May 16, 2008 at 06:07:33 PM PDT

•  Good For Obama

  there is no excuse for arresting sick people. It's an extreme abuse of executive power, and the marijuana laws themselves are unconstitutional, why do you think we had to have an amendment for the first prohibition. I personally think pot and all drugs should be legal and regulated like alcohol, although with stricter regulations for the hard drugs, but I applaud Obama having the balls to make this small step.

  by Johnnythebandit on Fri May 16, 2008 at 06:24:11 PM PDT

•  This makes Richardson even more appealing as VP

  he legalized medical in NM as governor, and so have lots of other swing states like Nevada and Colorado, and potentially competitive libertarianish states like Montana and Alaska.

  by Johnnythebandit on Fri May 16, 2008 at 06:26:26 PM PDT

•  RNC: "What Constitution?"

  Barack Obama’s pledge to stop Executive agencies from implementing laws passed by Congress raises serious doubts about his understanding of what the job of the President of the United States actually is.

  Actually, the most important job of the President of the United States is to Uphold, Support, and Defend the Constitution of the United States against All Enemies, Foreign and Domestic.

  Since there are no delegated powers to justify federal interference with the decision of any state to legalize a substance - especially when said product is produced within the boarders of that state - it would be incumbent on the President to Stop the DEA from interfering in that State's affairs with regard that said substance.

  Once again, the Republicans have put their complete disregard for the American Constitution on display, front and center.  They are not simply ignorant of it, they actively oppose it, to the point where they use unconstitutional principles to denigrate the positions of their opponents.

  Of course, considering the course of the past seven years, that should not be a surprise to anyone by now.

  by Deighved H Stern MD on Fri May 16, 2008 at 07:06:18 PM PDT

  •  I'd like to add...

    .. that while I agree with and applaud Obama's position on this, I'm a shade disappointed that (so far as I can tell) he has not argued it on constitutional grounds.  

    I've seen old news conferences where President Kennedy was talking about the minimum wage laws, and he was careful to insert the phrase "engaged in interstate commerce" in his argument - a recognition of the constitutional limits inherent in any such federal law.  

    I don't think enough Americans are even aware of these aspects of the constitution - and they need to be reminded.

    Likewise, I would like to have seen him argue against the Iraq law resolution on the constitutional grounds that while Congress has the exclusive power to declare war, they do not have the right to abdicate or delegate that authority to the executive.  By attempting to hide themselves behind a fig leaf defense of "it isn't a declaration of war" they are showing exactly why it is illegal for them to do that.

    The Constitution is our greatest inheritance, and we are neglecting it like it was some out of style sweater.

    by Deighved H Stern MD on Fri May 16, 2008 at 08:53:03 PM PDT

    •  Should read "Iraq War Resolution" (nm)

      by Deighved H Stern MD on Fri May 16, 2008 at 08:54:08 PM PDT

•  Man, Obama has chutzpah

  Every day he gets better, I swear.  Medical marijuana is such a controversial issue, despite the 80% approval rate of the electorate.  I am so impressed and in awe of him taking it on like it's just the most natural thing to do.  Well, yes, it is, but I never thought I'd see a presidential candidate speak openly about it.  Please let this man be elected.  

  by TruthandTrust on Fri May 16, 2008 at 07:28:15 PM PDT

•  This is another very powerful statement........

  ....from Obama today.  He's really ratcheting up the "contrast" with McBush.  And we've barely begun the campaign.

  by kafkananda on Fri May 16, 2008 at 07:32:21 PM PDT