OK, Planet, so I have to ask – do you want to focus more on climate change and less on weed? :popcorn:
President Barack Obama has a stern message for the younger generation about their political priorities: care more about climate change, and less about legalising marijuana.
Mr Obama, who has been open about smoking pot in high school, chided an interviewer from Vice News who suggested that young people would view legalising marijuana as a top item when considering the president’s legacy.
"First of all, it shouldn’t be young people’s biggest priority," Mr Obama said in the interview.
"Young people: I understand this is important to you, but as you be thinking about climate change, the economy and jobs, war and peace, maybe way at the bottom you should be thinking about marijuana."
Mr Obama has long said he supports decriminalising marijuana but not legalising the drug. He has called for reform of the criminal justice system for disproportionately incarcerating African Americans for non-violent drug offenses like marijuana possession.
The Justice Department under Mr Obama has taken a hands-off approach to enforcing a federal ban on marijuana use in states such as Colorado, Washington and Alaska where recreational marijuana use is allowed.
"We may actually be able to make some progress on the decriminalisation side," Mr Obama said. "At a certain point, if enough states end up decriminalising, the Congress may then reschedule marijuana," he said.
Rescheduling refers to reclassifying the drug as a less dangerous substance.
But Mr Obama said he believed there were "legitimate" concerns about substance abuse and marijuana.
"There is a legitimate, I think, concern about the overall effect this has on society, particularly on vulnerable parts of our society," he said.
I’m getting the general vibe that he really doesn’t give a crap on this issue, or he would take decisive action. The other thing to consider is that O allowed more justice department raids on medical facilities than Bush did, early on anyway. Anyway, the guy I vote for in 16 better be clear with their stance on MJ, and I sure as hell don’t want a deflection to climate change in the discussion. My guy better say we’re going to end this madness – now!
Free da weed!
:weedspin :weedspin :weedspin