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jmowreader

(52,872 posts)

116. His statement is a vast improvement over his predecessors

Sun Jan 19, 2014, 03:56 PM

Jan 2014

The presidents that came before him, with the possible exception of Clinton, would have rated pot's danger as somewhere between heroin and nerve gas.

Pot is not as dangerous as alcohol. The president's statement that he doesn't think it's as dangerous as alcohol is therefore correct. You can see the shit he's up against: in this age, you still have people like Nancy Grace going on national television claiming weed is more addictive than heroin. Come on...

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Obama says marijuana ‘no more dangerous than alcohol’ [View all] NightWatcher Jan 2014 OP

Literally true, but off-base. It is vastly LESS dangerous. cthulu2016 Jan 2014 #1

No kidding. nt woo me with science Jan 2014 #26

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2014 #29

Right the kids would be fetter off trying alcohol, passing out and being passed around like Vincardog Jan 2014 #115

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2014 #135

hey! hrmjustin Jan 2014 #136

With all the fucked up stuff out there, the least of my worries Luminous Animal Jan 2014 #126

I prefer to say that Obama's statement is false rock Jan 2014 #32

His statement is a vast improvement over his predecessors jmowreader Jan 2014 #116

True, his statement is not rock Jan 2014 #171

Weird that any President even discusses this yeoman6987 Jan 2014 #177

Laying the groundwork for decriminalization at least riderinthestorm Jan 2014 #199

Because, as the TPM link notes RainDog Jan 2014 #208

Perhaps is has something to do with the fact that in Colorado the state took in SomethingFishy Jan 2014 #229

Would you mind posting this is the Drug Policy forum? RainDog Jan 2014 #233

Baby Steps-We're gettin' there n/t fredamae Jan 2014 #85

bingo Champion Jack Jan 2014 #143

He knows that but he’s playing it safe.. busterbrown Jan 2014 #97

His dishonesty doesn't help. Vattel Jan 2014 #160

The main problem with smoking pot is the mechanical damage to lungs from smoke of any kind tavalon Jan 2014 #174

+100,000,000 MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #175

+1 grahamhgreen Jan 2014 #216

No, alcohol is genuinely dangerous. Deep13 Jan 2014 #2

I just swallowed a tab of Gold Caps. No smoking required NightWatcher Jan 2014 #5

Sorry to hear about your leg pain. Deep13 Jan 2014 #7

I have peripheral neuropathy from a rare auto-immune neuromuscular disease NightWatcher Jan 2014 #10

Years ago a prescription for Marinol was prescribed for HIV waisting .. >> YOHABLO Jan 2014 #134

I had the smallest dose (10mg) and it relaxed my muscles similar to a Flexoril NightWatcher Jan 2014 #140

About 20 years ago tazkcmo Jan 2014 #214

Everything has a lethal dose, even water. Leopolds Ghost Jan 2014 #219

Not very healthy? antiquie Jan 2014 #3

If it's being smoked, no, it's not very healthy. WatermelonRat Jan 2014 #23

I regularly vape for pain. antiquie Jan 2014 #28

It should be fine taken that way. WatermelonRat Jan 2014 #46

Smoking it, like by using hand rolled cigs, is so truedelphi Jan 2014 #87

Are you anti-smoking? Where is our proof that sparking up is bad for you? Vincardog Jan 2014 #118

A marijuana cigarette has the paper involved .. whereby being carcinogenic .. I would think. YOHABLO Jan 2014 #129

You're being sarcastic, right? WatermelonRat Jan 2014 #142

No I am just saying that you made a statement of fact. What study has been done to prove your "fact" Vincardog Jan 2014 #144

Quite a few WatermelonRat Jan 2014 #172

Old time science tavalon Jan 2014 #178

I'm stunned by the momentum. Jesus Malverde Jan 2014 #4

I still can't believe the wrong turn we took in the early 80's. One day I'm walking down the street brewens Jan 2014 #20

Same here skydive forever Jan 2014 #120

+1000 RainDog Jan 2014 #202

But did he tell Holder? Wilms Jan 2014 #6

They say the DOJ will not interfere in CO and WA NightWatcher Jan 2014 #8

Thank you. n/t Wilms Jan 2014 #72

Finally, he's been a thorn in our side. tavalon Jan 2014 #179

Has he told all the US attorneys? The US attorneys are all over the map. You have some who liberal_at_heart Jan 2014 #74

Great point! seattledo Jan 2014 #157

oftentimes it is less dangerous. Throd Jan 2014 #9

It's far LESS dangerous than alcohol. By orders of magnitude. kestrel91316 Jan 2014 #11

Why in the heck can't he say it? pangaia Jan 2014 #80

It's politics. redqueen Jan 2014 #90

Maybe we need Joe Biden to light up, and then truedelphi Jan 2014 #151

Its wishy washy and over cautious, but a big leap forward from the usual rhetoric. Warren Stupidity Jan 2014 #12

+1. It's the best we should expect. I'll take it for now. n/t Dawgs Jan 2014 #15

The quote ProSense Jan 2014 #13

It's true... Gary 50 Jan 2014 #173

Oz of pot = felony ...Oz of alcohol = not even a mild buzz and no DUI. L0oniX Jan 2014 #14

one of the reasons why i love NY. get busted walking down the street with up to an ounce; $50 dionysus Jan 2014 #63

Just like with gay marriage - when the whole country is cool with it, he "leads." polichick Jan 2014 #16

Yup. +1 n/t progressoid Jan 2014 #31

ODS. You got it bad...nt SidDithers Jan 2014 #35

Are you going to claim the prez has led on this? He should have. polichick Jan 2014 #37

Thanks, Obama ProSense Jan 2014 #49

Yeah, thanks for calling off the feds way back in 2009... polichick Jan 2014 #50

Yeah, ProSense Jan 2014 #51

Crumbs before the midterms. Woohoo!! polichick Jan 2014 #54

LOL! ProSense Jan 2014 #57

Psst. I'm referring to this thread, not your usual attempts to distract. polichick Jan 2014 #59

LOL! Wait ProSense Jan 2014 #62

So he did release non-violent offenders from federal prison and... polichick Jan 2014 #66

Don't you ProSense Jan 2014 #68

Yeah, he took office in 2009. The idiotic war on drugs would've ended THEN... polichick Jan 2014 #71

It should ProSense Jan 2014 #77

Should never have been illegal in the first place - which is why it... polichick Jan 2014 #81

Yeah, Obama made Nixon do it. ProSense Jan 2014 #82

Cute, but still no good reason for this simple statement taking five years. polichick Jan 2014 #89

Well, he said it now. Are you happy that he finally did? ProSense Jan 2014 #92

The people unjustly in jail don't think it's as funny as you do. polichick Jan 2014 #93

The people ProSense Jan 2014 #94

Always trying to distract. What about the ones in jail this minute for weed? polichick Jan 2014 #98

You think mentioning the people released is "trying to distract"? n/t ProSense Jan 2014 #102

No - I think a silly statement five years later does not address the issue... polichick Jan 2014 #104

Did you ProSense Jan 2014 #109

Both, as stated. polichick Jan 2014 #125

And he lies and lies on the issue. truedelphi Jan 2014 #150

Yes, glad you mentioned this. I never understood what his was about... polichick Jan 2014 #161

Yeah, Obama, thanks for appointing truedelphi Jan 2014 #113

It's a process, don't you know. Takes time. Nobody is perfect. Yay Obama! polichick Jan 2014 #117

The whole country was cool with marriage equality in 2012? Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #38

He waited until it was around 60 - very safe. The opposite of "leading." polichick Jan 2014 #39

Bull. Find me a poll from May, 2012, that showed it at 60%. Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #44

Polls, shmolls. They can read any way the pollsters want. Even at 50-50... polichick Jan 2014 #47

Love the backtrack... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #52

Yes, it takes a very bitter person to expect the prez to LEAD... polichick Jan 2014 #58

Oh bullshit. Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #60

Again with the insults. Try again. polichick Jan 2014 #61

Stop with your bitterness and maybe I'll stop calling you bitter. Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #65

All you have is insults. I'm interested in policy. polichick Jan 2014 #67

No. I provided facts long ago. You dismissed them and took another shot at Obama... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #69

Excuse me for not been ecstatic that the prez waited five years to... polichick Jan 2014 #73

'Simple and safe' because the entire country was behind it, right? Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #76

Actually, it's you doing the hating. Read your posts. polichick Jan 2014 #79

I only hated on your misstatements... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #86

The point - and you know it - is that he waited until it was safe... polichick Jan 2014 #91

That wasn't the point... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #101

For me, the point is exactly what I just stated. No need to repeat. polichick Jan 2014 #106

Right. That in 2012, the whole country supported marriage equality... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #108

Backtrack? Heck that was moving the goalposts from the football field to the swimming pool. stevenleser Jan 2014 #112

Cute and everything, but don't you think the point is that he waited... polichick Jan 2014 #122

You give Obama credit for people in the nation truedelphi Jan 2014 #75

Did I say Obama is the reason the country accepted it? Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #78

This thread offers enough ProSense Jan 2014 #88

You kind of have to look at the polling among the 25-45 yr olds.. And support is overwhelming. glowing Jan 2014 #96

Very true. Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #103

This it would have been a smart political move to advocate Luminous Animal Jan 2014 #131

Exactly.. pangaia Jan 2014 #84

The whole country isn't cool with it yet. SolutionisSolidarity Jan 2014 #127

Thank you, President Obama! RainDog Jan 2014 #17

Lead, follow, or just get out of the way and I'm fine NightWatcher Jan 2014 #18

Try to think of this as an unfolding political moment RainDog Jan 2014 #48

So then what about the thousands of people in jail on non-violent MJ charges? Rex Jan 2014 #19

+1000000 woo me with science Jan 2014 #25

Unfortunately, the U.S. does not have “retroactive ameliorative relief” RainDog Jan 2014 #55

Can that situation be changed? truedelphi Jan 2014 #119

You'd have to ask a lawyer here RainDog Jan 2014 #123

Wow, did not know that! Thank you for the information. Rex Jan 2014 #139

Me too RainDog Jan 2014 #141

I hear that. Rex Jan 2014 #167

When my editor at The Coastal Post asked I research just who it was truedelphi Jan 2014 #149

what a horrible tragedy RainDog Jan 2014 #155

I totally hear you about how hard it is to internally process truedelphi Jan 2014 #204

You should bring this to the attention of musicians RainDog Jan 2014 #211

"so today I am announcing the commutation of all federal prison sentences Nye Bevan Jan 2014 #21

That's what he should have said on Day One. polichick Jan 2014 #41

Nice tavalon Jan 2014 #180

Then he needs to call off his dogs and stop destroying lives. Luminous Animal Jan 2014 #22

Thank you. woo me with science Jan 2014 #24

Hes's likely going to ProSense Jan 2014 #34

So it's about snatching the issue from someone? It should be about justice. polichick Jan 2014 #95

Well, it's going to be about both. ProSense Jan 2014 #99

Sure is - "the sad" is a "leader" who waits to "snatch the issue" rather than... polichick Jan 2014 #100

Evidently, ProSense Jan 2014 #105

Or maybe it's ALL about the libertarians taking this up. polichick Jan 2014 #107

So you're upset that he's snatching this issue away from "libertarians" ProSense Jan 2014 #111

Snatching away, hmm. Why not take a strong stand from the start? SMC22307 Jan 2014 #183

Apparently, ProSense Jan 2014 #185

Obama is following, not leading. SMC22307 Jan 2014 #187

You know, ProSense Jan 2014 #190

You've really got some bizarre projection thing going on... SMC22307 Jan 2014 #221

What's ProSense Jan 2014 #222

LOL SMC22307 Jan 2014 #223

LOL! ProSense Jan 2014 #225

Nerve = struck? SMC22307 Jan 2014 #226

LOL! ProSense Jan 2014 #227

Niiiice projection. SMC22307 Jan 2014 #228

Yeah. It just a fucking power play. How pathetic. Luminous Animal Jan 2014 #124

LOL! ProSense Jan 2014 #128

I've not seen entire communities ruined by weed Scootaloo Jan 2014 #27

This message was self-deleted by its author rdharma Jan 2014 #30

Beg pardon? Scootaloo Jan 2014 #154

Sorry! Misread your post above! nt rdharma Jan 2014 #158

Until he calls for rescheduling at the State of the Union or a similar venue fujiyama Jan 2014 #33

You are a sage and speak eloqently about this current admin... MindMover Jan 2014 #137

A while ago, like ten years back, someone told me that one truedelphi Jan 2014 #152

He has it exactly right. "...on the individual consumer." randome Jan 2014 #36

It's a great solution to some types of insomnia. Schema Thing Jan 2014 #43

Putting a weed in your mouth and setting it on fire is hardly the only way to feel good. randome Jan 2014 #145

Surely you know that the only reasonable response to what you just said is "duh"? Schema Thing Jan 2014 #146

I'll concede that in some circumstances, marijuana will be more effective. randome Jan 2014 #148

Can you smell midterms coming up? woo me with science Jan 2014 #40

No, ProSense Jan 2014 #45

The administration deserves credit for the steps it has taken on criminal justice reform. Comrade Grumpy Jan 2014 #53

In terms of medicinal marijuana, this Administration hasn't done truedelphi Jan 2014 #121

It has, to a considerable degree, laid off medical marijuana. Comrade Grumpy Jan 2014 #200

???? You have no idea. Period. n/t truedelphi Jan 2014 #205

I follow this very closely. Tell me where I'm wrong. I'm waiting. Comrade Grumpy Jan 2014 #206

You "follow" the issue closely. Well goody gum drops for you. truedelphi Jan 2014 #209

anytime a big issue is in the midst of transformation RainDog Jan 2014 #215

As I define the issue, that person is NOT on my side. truedelphi Jan 2014 #218

okay RainDog Jan 2014 #220

Go on tilting at windmills. Let me know when Obama dumps Holder to free the weed. Comrade Grumpy Jan 2014 #232

Five short years ago, tilting at windmills was truedelphi Jan 2014 #234

You don't have the slightest clue about what I have or have not done. Comrade Grumpy Jan 2014 #217

This is what worries me. They are going to promise to do lots of things. The question is liberal_at_heart Jan 2014 #70

Exactly. We've heard similar things. Campaign mode. polichick Jan 2014 #114

It appears ProSense Jan 2014 #188

People want action, not just talk. "Campaign mode" suggests talk. polichick Jan 2014 #189

This, "If Democrats want to win in 2014 ... ," suggests "campaign mode" ProSense Jan 2014 #191

Often ends with talk too. Campaign talk is best taken with a... polichick Jan 2014 #192

Still: "If Democrats want to win in 2014 ..." ProSense Jan 2014 #193

So far we know that Democrats got the message to start bullshitting. polichick Jan 2014 #194

Hey, ProSense Jan 2014 #196

Yes, this is good imo. polichick Jan 2014 #197

This is pretty big because it legitimizes the issue at the highest level of our nation. CFLDem Jan 2014 #42

it would be more helpful if he would say it is time to reschedule marijuana so liberal_at_heart Jan 2014 #56

Well said. It's a matter of words versus concrete actions. woo me with science Jan 2014 #64

There are few topics on which his views don't evolve, are there? lumberjack_jeff Jan 2014 #83

That's coincidental, of course. polichick Jan 2014 #110

Good. A competent politician doesn't pick fights that they will lose. SolutionisSolidarity Jan 2014 #132

I would be dissatisfied with "competent politician" as an epitaph. n/t lumberjack_jeff Jan 2014 #133

Fortunately for all of us, Obama is in no danger of having that as his epitaph. Schema Thing Jan 2014 #147

Agreed. Citizen Activists lead the way in democracies RainDog Jan 2014 #166

look how the 80s ran contrary to the overall trend arely staircase Jan 2014 #203

that graphic RainDog Jan 2014 #212

It's not a losing issue. Get Campaign Barack Obama out there... SMC22307 Jan 2014 #184

I didn't expect any different from "We are the change we've been waiting for" Hippo_Tron Jan 2014 #210

If you want to get really cynical RainDog Jan 2014 #230

+1 n/t NealK Jan 2014 #231

face/palm Tuesday Afternoon Jan 2014 #130

Cannabis SamKnause Jan 2014 #138

He is saying it because it has to be said RainDog Jan 2014 #164

People are complaining, but for a sitting POTUS to say this, is huge. Warren DeMontague Jan 2014 #153

it'll be sort of like this... RainDog Jan 2014 #165

At least we won't have to modify the constitution this time. Liberal Veteran Jan 2014 #168

... RainDog Jan 2014 #201

The most sensible statement ever made by a sitting president on the subject. tritsofme Jan 2014 #156

Exactly, and historically important TheSarcastinator Jan 2014 #163

Yep, way better than "I didn't inhale" tavalon Jan 2014 #181

"I didn't like it and I didn't inhale". Nye Bevan Jan 2014 #186

He ate it and didn't like it. morningfog Jan 2014 #195

pot should be legal frwrfpos Jan 2014 #159

And with that, the moon turned black as sackcloth, rivers ran red with blood, & the sky fell ..twice Warren DeMontague Jan 2014 #162

Damn. That must have been some good weed! Liberal Veteran Jan 2014 #169

I am literally Isoldeblue Jan 2014 #198

Oh come on, we the people say legalize it right fucking now! B Calm Jan 2014 #170

I love how... NCTraveler Jan 2014 #176

It is far less dangerous than alcohol ryan_cats Jan 2014 #182

Good for him. musical_soul Jan 2014 #207

Could be talking about Twinkies tazkcmo Jan 2014 #213

That's MY President. Jamastiene Jan 2014 #224