Clark: No to decriminalizing marijuana.

[sfecap]

Against decriminalizing marijuana.

"I don't favor decriminalizing the use of marijuana. I might change my mind on that, but I don't right now favor that."


Source: WBUR Public Radio interview Jun 19, 2003

http://www.issues2000.org/Wesley_Clark.htm

[Kamika]

1. great

Just because something is happening alot doesnt mean we should allow it.

Its like we would decriminalize murder just because it happens so much

edit: fixed typos

[bicentennial_baby]

2. Give me a break!

Please don't equate decriminalizing weed with decriminalizing murder, that's just ridiculous beyond belief. :eyes:

[Lost4words]

3. what a stupid post!

[virtualobserver]

6. great comparison

smoking marijuana is just like murder.....

You are right, we should continue to spend countless billions stopping marijuana use.

[Le Taz Hot]

7. We've "allowed" it in California since 1978

and it's working quite well, thank you. That is, until Ashcroft decided that busting growers of Medical Marijuana was more important than finding terrorists.

Ask any cop whether he/she would rather deal with a pot (illegal)smoker or a drunk (legal).

[JVS]

14. It is very different

I used to laugh at people who were all pissed off about weed being illegal, but then about a month ago I learned something: Smoking weed is fucking sweet!
We also might as well decriminalize it because the main incentive against smoking it is the possibility of failing a piss test and losing your shit job in the grand old USA or your student financial aid.

[BiggJawn]

4. Oh, well, lets tie him to a stake and light the fire right now...

Sure wish we could find a candidate who can be all things to all people...

Anyone got a pet Chamelleon they can loan us for 8 years?

[wyldwolf]

5. really...?

[bowens43]

8. One thing you can be sure of

Clark WILL change his mind....often.

[wyldwolf]

12. Yep, just like Dean did... within seconds of each positon!

In his August 4 CNN appearance, Dean said he would require the FDA to study medical uses of marijuana, which would constitute a major departure from normal FDA drug approval procedures. Moments later, Dean said he thinks "marijuana should be treated like every other drug in the process."

[liberalmuse]

9. Both Clark and Dean...

are willing to change their mind on this. I think every natural, plant that is consumed in it's unprocessed form should be made legal (marijuana, mushrooms), 'medical' or not.

[emad]

10. The only time anyone is likely to push legalisation through

is somewhere in the middle of a second term in office.........

[jumptheshadow]

11. Somebody needs to ask him these questions:

1) Would you favor the federal government overriding a state's voter-endorsed will on marijuana use?

2) Would you divert resources from national security to enforce the war on drugs?

[BlueEyedSon]

13. This is a trivial issue.

Not even top ten.

Make your own prioritized list and see.

Put that joint down and FOCUS UP.

:)

[JVS]

15. yeah, you are probably correct

but it is the little things that make up life

[Q]

16. How is it 'trivial' when this phony 'war' on drugs...

...has literally millions of our citizens in jail and prison? In fact...this is a very important issue that polticians have taken off the table so they don't have to address it during campaigns.

[Mairead]

19. Right on! It is FAR from trivial

Anything responsible for killing, maiming, or imprisoning tens of thousands of innocent people every year--most Brown or Black, subverting governments, and costing us tens or hundreds of billions of dollars is anything but trivial!

[reprobate]

17. Come on, gu ys. This is a political statement for both of them.

If they come out in support of pot they risk the media pasting them with " see how democrats are wanting to let your children become drug addicts? They're just liberals after all."

Notice that Clark said " I might change my mind on that"?

We have to learn to read between the lines. Don't react so quickly to political statements. Listen to what they're REALLY saying.

[Q]

18. So then...what you're saying is that Dem politicians...

...should campaign on 'safe' issues that won't expose them to accusations of being 'soft' on things like drugs and national security?

- Maybe we should just call them the Pavlov candidates?

[Democat]

20. I disagree with him on this issue, but so what?

You are going to disagree with every candidate on a bunch of issues.

The point right now is to beat Bush, at all cost.

[MadHound]

21. Here's what, this is a big issue to a lot of people

Look, millions of people are being locked up every year for pot, mostly black people. Many thousands more are being refused financial aid for college. Untold millions are being denied a decent(or not so decent) job due to unconstitutional piss tests. Millions of dollars worth of private property is being seized by various gov't agancies under unconstitutional forfeiture laws. Famlies are being ripped apart, neighborhoods are being destroyed. All over a weed that isn't physically addicting, that can't be overdosed on, that has proven medical benefits, and that is overall less harmful to society than alcohol.

The drug war has eroded our constitution, invaded our homes and lives, and cost the taxpayers billions of dollars. This isn't a big deal? What fantasy town do you live in?

Sorry, but this is a huge issue to myself and many many others. In fact it is one of the big litmus tests for a candidate. And Clark failed. Guess what, he just turned off a bunch of potential voters.