Working for Marijuana Reform in the Age of Obama

by Matt Kelley · 2008-12-17 05:22:00 UTC
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NORML's blog has an insightful post on the challenges facing the movement for marijuana decriminalization and medical marijuana. Obama won't be too different from his predecessors on this issue, Paul Armentano writes, but that shouldn't stop activists from working for incremental change.

We must always remember that it will be the actions of tens of thousands — not the actions of just one man — that will ultimately bring an end to America’s vindictive and senseless war on cannabis consumers.

The Obama administration recently answered the top question on change.gov: "Will you consider legalizing marijuana so that the government can regulate it, tax it, put age limits on it, and create millions of new jobs and create a billion dollar industry right here in the U.S.?” With just one sentence.

"President-elect Obama is not in favor of the legalization of marijuana.”

The answer should only strengthen support for the top idea on change.org's Ideas to Change America site: "Legalize the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana." The difference between our site and change.gov? These ain't no questions. These are policy recommendations supported by thousands of people, and the more votes this idea has when we present it to the administration, the more weight it will carry.

So get out and vote.

Matt Kelley is the Online Communications Manager at the Innocence Project and a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Follow him on Twitter @mattjkelley.
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