(Understatement of the year! ) Obama blasts war on drugs: ‘It's been very unproductive' http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/9/obama-blasts-war-drugs-its-been-very-unproductive/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times - Thursday, April 9, 2015 President Obama on Thursday said America's decades-long war on drugs has been “unproductive†and that sending low-level narcotics offenders to prison tears apart families and leads to even more crime. Speaking at a town-hall meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, the president said U.S. drug policy must be revamped. But he also said it's unlikely the U.S. will take steps to decriminalize or legalize marijuana anytime in the near future. “I am a very strong believer that the path we have taken in the United States in the so-called war on drugs has been so heavy in emphasizing incarceration that it has been counterproductive,†he said. “You have young people who did not engage in violence who get very long penalties, who get placed in prison and then are rendered economically unemployable, are almost pushed into the underground economy, learn crime more effectively in prison - families are devastated. So it's been very unproductive.†Mr. Obama also praised “unlikely allies†on Capitol Hill - presumably referring to Sen. Rand Paul, Kentucky Republican, among others - who want to work with the administration on reforming the nation's drug sentencing practices. The president also said the federal government will keep a close eye on how marijuana legalization works out in Colorado and Washington, but he does not expect major overhauls in national policy in the next several years. “We will see how that experiment works its way through the process. Right now it is not federal policy and I do not foresee anytime soon Congress changing the law at a national basis,†he said.
Trying not to be remembered as the worst president in history. Funny how he has been saying this the whole Time he has been prez but had yet to do anything about it.
Well I think his role is just spokesperson, he did a pretty good job if he fucked up that much and didn't get impeached or have so many supporters.
Too bad he won't act on it, Obama's all talk and a fucking hypocrite. “We will see how that experiment works its way through the process. Right now it is not federal policy and I do not foresee anytime soon Congress changing the law at a national basis,†Obama said.
He's a fucking tool...All these recent presidents have smoked herb and not a single one has done anything for the legalization, the people have to demand it.
maybe if people were killing each other in the streets over it and the mob started in on the marijuana industry, they would change their ways worked during prohibition of alcohol
That is what's happening. But alcohol prohibition was about morality, and cannabis prohibition is about money. And we all know that people's lives aren't as important as money. This statement means nothing. He has been saying this same shit for 9 years and he has done nothing. And even in the last paragraph he says "we know prohibition is a failure, but we're not gonna do shit about it". Why this excites anyone is beyond me.
Everyone donated him money because they worried about the impact of his own reform policies, a politician who says let's get the lobbyists out of Washington so the interests of the people are better represented. How many are saying that? We got Obama and Elizabeth Warren now, who is the only competent leader we have to put in that position since we cannot re-elect Obama.
Elizabeth Warren competent? She's a joke, she plays the system as well as the best of the politicians out there. The War on Drugs was very efficient for what it was meant to do. Make money for the corporations and politicians. A prison for profit system we have destroys any chance of actual rehabilitation. I know we can't actually discuss it here but I believe ALL drugs should be legalized or at least decriminalized and treated as a health concern rather than throwing non violent drug users in prison. Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum
He could just go along with the current laws, instead he took a stand and became vocal about his disappointment with the U.S policy war on drugs. There will be lawmakers which DO NOT like Obamas' stance. Good for him. Everything that he said is actually true. His words have the power to change public sentiment. Instead of hating on him, realize what he's actually trying to do. Don't forget that Jamaica recently legalized the herb.
I love that he recognises the problem, but he's not going to do anything. Ugh. Our leaders are so retarded
Sounds like the same thing he said before he signed his immigration executive order, maybe he can sign an Executive order ending the war on drugs. He does like to bypass congress after all
oh sorry I forgot our only focus was cannabis, I forgot it was the nation's only issue. Sheesh are we fucking 16? And America should be a drug paradise, lol, listen to yourself and how fucking nuts that sounds, sure addicts need treatment and not jail time, but when has there been enough treatment and it is time for punishment? Sorry you can't shoot dope legally and collapse your vein, are the people supporting this mentally retarded or mentally ill?
Why not though? They are doing it anyway and won't stop because they have no way of getting the true help they need. Throwing some dope head in prison letting him detox then releasing him back in society won't help anything. And all that's doing is making money for gangs, cartels, and prisons and of course politicians. A lot of illegal drugs have scientifically shown to have positive affects if not abused. And yes people will abuse it. Like they do with alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals. It'd be just a little harder to abuse something that (like pharmaceuticals) you have to put your name on a list for. And as for how to pay for it, maybe there would be some money for it if they weren't throwing some non violent drug user in prison for 5 years. What people decide to do with their own bodies should be nobodies business if it doesn't affect anybody else. Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum