“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?”

Gordon Brown, the current Prime Minister of the U.K. (still trying to figure out how that happened, is set to ignore advisers and is currently setting in motion to reclassify marijuana in the U.K. to a class B drug.

"Gordon Brown is set to ignore advisers and reclassify cannabis as a Class B drug.

The dramatic U-turn comes just four years after the drug was downgraded to Class C.

It means some of Britain's three million cannabis users would be jailed for FIVE YEARS and suppliers locked up for 14 years.

The change could be brought in from as early as July. "

For those who don’t know, this new classification would put marijuana in the same category as amphetamines. Way to go, Brown!

When you think about Government officials, do you wonder what their stance is on Marijuana? Well... you're in luck! This blog post has a list of  "..quotes that Presidents or Presidential hopefuls as well as other government entities and celebrities have said about marijuana". I've read many of these before, but it's a healthy reminder that there are still stoners in the White House. Here are a few quotes to wet your beak:

"When I was a kid I inhaled frequently. That was the point."

~Barack Obama

"I would absolutely never use the federal government to enforce the law of using marijuana"

~Ron Paul

At least some politicians can be honest about their current or previous "drug habbits". Legalize it! Happy 4/20!

Last week, Hillary told Oregon's Willamette Week, "I don't think it's a good use of federal law-enforcement resources to be going after people who are supplying marijuana for medicinal purposes." She stopped short of her earlier pledge to end US Drug Enforcement Administration raids of medical marijuana establishments in states where it is legal, but said this would not be a high priority in her administration. So we might see a slight softening on some levels in America's longest war, the 100-year drug war, but overall we will still see more money spent on failed policies if Hillary moves back to the White House in 2009.

I just read this article: House right to reduce marijuana penalties. There are some great points and hopefully the fact that there is a quote from a Harvard psychology professor from 40 years ago should hold some weight.

"By 1971 . . . I knew that far more harmful than any psychopharmacological property of this substance was the way we as a society were dealing with its use. While marijuana is, in fact, remarkably free of toxicity, the consequence of annually arresting 300,000 young people were not."

The thing I like about this article is the way it shows how it is damaging the Youth of this country. Us older folks know how to keep under the radar ;)

I hope it goes though.

"Michigan patients with chronic or debilitating disease could legally possess and use marijuana under a proposal likely to go before state voters in November.

A state elections panel today certified petitions containing 377,975 signatures backing the plan, well over the 304,000 minimum needed to put the initiative before voters if the Legislature fails to act upon it within the next 40 days.

 

The Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care, the group which circulated the petitions, wants to allow those with serious illnesses to obtain a doctor’s authorization to cultivate up to 12 marijuana plants and possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana without fear of prosecution.

Far too early to call but that they had nearly 20% more signatures than needed is surely a good sign.

On Thursday, The Washington Times reported that in 2004, as a candidate for the U.S. Senate, Obama came out for decriminalizing marijuana use. That usually means eliminating jail sentences and arrest records for anyone caught with a small amount for personal use, treating it more like a traffic offense than a violent crime. But in a show of hands at a debate last fall, he indicated that he opposed the idea.

When confronted on the issue by the Times, however, the senator defended his original ground. His campaign said he has "always" supported decriminalization. It's a brave position, and therefore exceedingly rare among practicing politicians. Which may be why it didn't last. Before the day was over, the Obama campaign issued a statement saying he thinks "we are sending far too many first-time non-violent drug users to prison for very long periods of time" but "does not believe that we should treat offenses involving marijuana with a simple fine or just by confiscating the drug." Recently, he had told a New Hampshire newspaper, "I'm not in favor of decriminalization."

According to the prediction markets, Ron Paul has pulled ahead of John McCain. He's now around 6% to win the GOP nomination, vs. McCain's 4.5%.

If you want legalization, Ron Paul is your only hope.