I don't expect Obama to rectify the past eight years (or, if we're talking about drug policy, the past forty) in seven days. And every day brings a new cause for optimism: water boarding is torture, Guantanamo is closing, cleaner emissions standards are coming, etc. Yes we can.
But when marijuana reform tops the list of ideas proposed by the public on change.gov and change.org, it deserves more than a curt, one sentence dismissal. When was the last time an issue polled positively with 75% of the public and our elected leaders refused to touch it? Should we be worried that our new vice president, who possesses an endearingly mild form of turret's syndrome (recall his description of Obama during the primary season: "I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,") was one of America's
staunchest drug warriors and the first to call for the creation of a drug czar?
The data is in: America likes marijuana. It's inspiring, it's relaxing, it relieves pain, and it makes music sound really good. Marijuana is the largest cash crop in the United States, more valuable than corn and wheat combined.
Using conservative price estimates, annual domestic marijuana production has a value of $35.8 billion. So why does it look like marijuana will be once again relegated to the role of fat ugly girl with the goiter that no one will dance with at the prom? As 75% of the country seems to know, marijuana is cool!
I hope you called or emailed Obama about the
DEA's raid last Thursday on a California medical marijuana farm. I hope you are one of the thousands of people who wrote or voted marijuana up to the number one issue the Obama administration should address.
I'm not saying that marijuana is as important as the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the economy, health care, unemployment or our prison crisis. There's a lot of pressing issues out there. Maybe Obama is thinking, "come on, people, I have real things to worry about!"
But marijuana is not a minor issue. Its contribution to the states' tax base alone make it worthy of an invitation to the Change prom. The thousands of prisoners rotting in jail and prison because of prohibition make her a contender for Prom Queen. I want to hear Obama's frank, sober, comforting voice talking openly about this issue. Legalized marijuana will stimulate the economy, our minds, and our bodies. Yes we can.
Finally, I haven't had time to digest this late breaking news into a new blog post, but I will:
Obama's half brother was arrested for marijuana possession in Kenya.
Posted by J. Gibson Verkuil