Supporters of Amendment 64, the initiative legalizing the possession and eventual commercial sale of marijuana in Colorado, are breathing a small, tentative sigh of relief this morning as they read this report from an interview with ABC News’ Barbara Walters:
President Obama says recreational users of marijuana in states that have legalized the substance should not be a “top priority” of federal law enforcement officials prosecuting the war on drugs.“We’ve got bigger fish to fry,” Obama said of pot users in Colorado and Washington during an exclusive interview with ABC News’ Barbara Walters.
“It would not make sense for us to see a top priority as going after recreational users in states that have determined that it’s legal,” he said, invoking the same approach taken toward users of medicinal marijuana in 18 states where it’s legal.
It’s less clear from this teaser story what intentions may be toward the commercial sales aspect of Amendment 64–the story notes the administration’s relatively aggressive, if not total, enforcement of federal law with regard to medical marijuana dispensary businesses. The story also briefly touches on President Obama’s own youthful indiscretions with pot, where he makes it clear that he doesn’t personally encourage its use.
“There are a bunch of things I did that I regret when I was a kid,” Obama told Walters. “My attitude is, substance abuse generally is not good for our kids, not good for our society.“I want to discourage drug use,” he added.
But it does appear your state constitutional right to light up a personal joint will be respected.
We’ll post President Obama’s interview in its entirety once available from ABC.
Full story: President Obama Says Legalized Marijuana States “Not a HIgh Priority”
rim shot!!!
“spelling not a high prioirity”…. :)
Then, nationally, his Justice Department still conducted smash and grabs at dispensaries, sicced the IRS on tax-paying businesses, and slammed people into prison.
Not much assurance, all in all.
We wouldn’t be in this mess today. See the Gonzalez v. Raich case.
“President Obama acknowledged that arresting marijuana users should not be a priority of the federal government. The question that remains is whether these consumers should purchase marijuana in state-regulated, taxpaying businesses, or from cartels and gangs in the underground market.
“Colorado voters made it quite clear that they prefer marijuana be sold in a regulated market. Our state and federal government must now determine how to work together to advance such a state-based system without undermining legitimate federal interests. We are glad to hear President Obama is ready for that conversation and we look forward to having it.”
I still hold that the Fed crackdown on Medical marijuana in CA while not doing the same in Colorado was a campaign strategy. Yes they did pursue the school zone exclusion in Colorado but the Fed crackdown in CA was much more wide spread. Why? Because as CA is an absolutely safe Dem win in the election they could appeal to the middle nationally by showing they were making an effort while doing very little in the must win CO to avoid pissing anyone off.
God I love politics and God I am glad our guy and his team are good at it!
To have to publicly regret the best time of your life….
I’m sure O had an awful time hanging in Hawaii puffing all that kind pakalolo..
Matt Taibbi of Rolling Stone sez:
Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/po…
C’mon, Prez: Tell us officially that you really aren’t going to send the Justice Department after licensed and regulated marijuana sellers in Colorado. Let’s exercise a little sanity, a little less duplicity. Sound okay?
It’s not clear that lighting up was one of “a bunch of things” the President regrets doing in his youth. The non-regretting regret.
And screw those people who post at Colorado Pols which didn’t exist until 2006 for writing that decision in 2005!