Obama's virtual town hall takes legalize-pot detour

Fans of legalizing marijuana pushed their questions to the top of a WhiteHouse.gov voting system. (Click to enlarge.)

(Credit: Declan McCullagh/CNET)

As any major Web site can attest, any online voting begs to be influenced by special interests. CNBC yanked a 2007 presidential poll after enthusiastic Ron Paul supporters boosted their candidate to 75 percent, and the FreeRepublic.com crowd recently flooded a Web vote about stem cell funding.

On Thursday, WhiteHouse.gov became the latest Web site to experience this kind of deluge as part of an online town hall--and this time, it was marijuana legalization advocates who voted to push their questions to the top of the charts.

By the time President Obama's town hall began, questions about legalizing marijuana ranked at the top of the "green jobs," "financial stability," "jobs," and "budget" sections (and came in a close second place in the health care section too). Sample question: "What are your plans for the failing, 'War on Drugs', that's sucking money from tax payers and putting non-violent people in prison longer than the violent criminals?"

White House aides didn't choose any of those questions to present to the president on the nearby screens, but Obama did acknowledge that the topic was a popular one.

He said online voters wanted to know "whether legalizing marijuana would improve the economy and job creation," and joked that "I don't know what this says about the online audience."

But the president--whose administration has indicated that it would effectively end raids on distributors of medical marijuana in California--said he would not support changing federal drug law that makes even possession of pot a crime. "No, I don't think this is a good strategy to grow our economy," Obama said, to applause from the audience.

The White House said that 92,927 people submitted 104,126 questions and cast a total of 3,606,824 votes.

Earlier in the week, some drug-related blogs had encouraged supporters to flood the virtual polls and vote for the marijuana-related questions through the version of Google Moderator that the White House chose for the town hall project. (Google uses the application internally, including for companywide meetings.)

A Marijuana.com discussion thread says: "Vote for the top marijuana related questions." NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said: "Please take a moment right now to log on the WhiteHouse.gov/OpenForQuestions and vote for the questions above, as well as others pertaining to the need to regulate cannabis. Let the President know that millions of American voters believe that the time has come to tax and regulate marijuana."

Obama's brief remarks on the topic demonstrated a weakness of the online town hall format: it doesn't allow followup questions, which journalists used during the president's press conference earlier this week to good effect. If that were possible, drug war foes would likely have had something else to say.

Oh, and during Thursday's online town hall, the president did address topics other than marijuana and federal drug laws, including unemployment and job creation.

[JAG7202]

While I might not agree with him, I'm very pleased he took a second to at least address the topic that is very important to some people. Shows he's a real human being that's at least willing to listen.

[Pete Bardo]

Of course this was a conspiracy by pot-smoking advocates everywhere. How else could it get to the top?

Maybe it's time to reconsider our course and role in the war on drugs. New York state is now taking steps to increase penalties for drug possession. I guess they have extra room in their prisons. The US has the highest percentage of population in jail in the world. Most of those prisoners are there for victimless crimes.

Never mind the billions of dollars that could be saved just by letting these people go. Never mind the medical marijuana bills passed by several states. It must be a conspiracy--or the online audience is just stoned, as our President implied.

There are simply too many people making way too much money of the current drug laws, legally and illegally, for us to expect to see a change any time soon.

[Arrgster]

I honestly don't use pot at all but I think the war on it is a sham! Prohibition of alcohol is proof that these kinds of laws do nothing but create violence and fill our jails. I think the the law enforcement community is so addicted to the money the war on drugs provides that they will never give it up, even at the cost of so many lives. If it was working in any way I would support it, but you can get pot just as easily today as you could 20 years ago, so seriously what is it accomplishing?

[basraw]

tell me you'll be tooting the same story if your wife or mom or dad gets killed by a drunk driver
or you get beat up by someone in a pcp rage

[jezzur]

Prohibition also gives money to organised crime and international terrorists.

[Sayersj629]

JAG he didn't address the question, president Obama turned the question into a joke. The fact that he wouldn't address this issue seriously completely invalidates the web town hall meeting format, and only serves to undermine all of the answers to his other question. The whole thing felt very manufactured and disingenuous.

[basraw]

everything is a joke. did you see him giggling on 60 minutes?

[bimmin]

Isn't all voting about special interest to some degree? Not everyone takes the time to vote. Who cares if Marijuana.com and NORML told it's users to go out and vote, isn't that kind of the point of places like that. No matter where voting is happening people campaign to have people vote in favor of their issues.

Did you ever consider that this is actually the way that America feels on this subject? Last November 65% of Massachusetts' citizens voted to decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana. It's hard to get that percent of people to agree on a topic. Several other states made this law before MA and several are working on it now. I think our politicians are just a bit behind in what the people believe, but they will change their ways because they want to continue to be elected.

[James Anderson Merritt]

"But the president--whose administration has indicated that it would effectively end raids on distributors of medical marijuana in California..."

Then again, there was a raid yesterday on a dispensary in San Francisco. The Obama Administration said it wouldn't raid unless a dispensary was breaking both Federal and State law. But of course, if raiding is what you want to do, there are always loopholes. In this case, rumors say that the dispensary was under suspicion of having not paid proper State sales tax. As it was not operating "in accordance with State law," the raid got a green light. Of course, we don't know the exact reasons for the raid because the warrant was "under court seal." But if the rumors are true, then it's not just the medical mj laws, which the dispensaries must observe, but ALL of them, scrupulously, or the Feds will swoop in.

Just to be safe, all you guys at pot dispensaries had better turn in all of your overdue library books and settle your fines. Uncle Sam seems to be back on the drug warpath, and you can't be too squeaky clean to suit them.

[AaronMK]

Town Hall Meetings: the new way to lobby.

[leeowne]

It really pisses me off that the legalization issue is just a joke to the president when countless people our persecuted and their liberties are taken from them because they choose to use a God Given Herb from the Earth. Ha Ha lets keep imprisoning the innocent Ha Ha Lets keep the Drug Companies Rich.. Ha Ha lets keep the Corporate Run Prisons Full.. Ha Ha Land of the Free Home of the Brave Thank you Mr President for the Laughs

[Michichael]

I'd react the same way, to be honest. When we've got real issues that are affecting people such as the economy, wars, starvation etc... people are going after a right to an addictive drug. It's a controlled substance for a reason people - because it's addictive and a hallucinogen. I for one don't want to have somebody driving down the road stoned off their ass running red lights because they don't have to worry about being pulled over for it any more. I'm perfectly fine with letting it get legalized for private, home usage, and regulated like liquor, however there are for more pressing issues at hand here. The fact that they are concerned with such a limited, almost no penalty law over other issues is the joke here.

[bimmin]

Yes, marijuana is illegal for a reason; several actually. All the wrong reasons though. Clearly, you know nothing about the effects of MJ. Alcohol and safety is worse in ever area compared to MJ, but the gov't seems to think alcohol is fine. Driving: alcohol lesses inhibitions so drunk drivers do stupid **** behind the wheel like drive way too fast and kill people. People driving stoned are paranoid and drive slow, thats actually a way to spot a stoned driver. Overdose: about 50,000 people overdose on alcohol a year. This number doesn't include the people who die in car accidents, or other alcohol related deaths such as cirrhosis of the liver. ZERO people overdose on MJ. Addiction: MJ can be psychologically addictive but alcohol is considered to be more addictive (my state claims something like 10% are alcoholics). Gateway drug: this is such a crock, most people start with nicotine. If MJ didn't exist would we not have any drug users? I have a feeling we would have the same amount.

[Michichael]

bimmin,

I'll avoid the wide opening you left to comment on your own usage of pot, but allow me to address some flaws in your comment.

First, I didn't say it was illegal for a reason, I said it was CONTROLLED for a reason. So while your statistics may or may not be accurate, they're not relevant. And if you continued reading my comment, you'd realize I'm fine with it being legalized and regulated, but was amused that this is the issue on the forefront of pothead's minds.

[PostModernPatriot]

With all due respect, the marijuana laws are not "almost no penalty". Where I live, small amounts qualify for "possession with intent to distribute" felony charges and then there are those school zone laws which in any medium sized Northeastern city, almost any place you are is a "school zone". You do not have to be in front of a school, nor in the company of minors to have the additional "school zone" charge added on. When the school zone charges kick in, there are YEARS of mandatory jail time attached. The only thing one can do is try to make a plea bargain that does not involve jail time. I do not smoke marijuana. However, I believe when adults smoke it in the privacy of their homes, it harms no one. I have a young nephew who has been thru the CJ system due to felony marijuana possession charges which came to light when the car he was in was stopped for a traffic violation. The laws need to change. Most of our citizenry feel and believe as you do - that there are "almost no penalties" for it anyway. I believed the same thing until our family had to deal with it and a young man with lots of potential and a promising future had to the face the prospect of spending time in state prison.

[Michichael]

PMP - And compared to the current state of our financial system, people losing jobs left and right, it's still a minor issue. It hurts no one, yes, but it also doesn't have any net benefit to society either, compared to real issues like the economy that can benefit the populace in general. Marijuana is a choice - you can either lobby to get it fixed or willingly break the laws currently in place.

[michzab77]

I have to disagree this isuue is as real as any of the other issues at hand because this issue ties into our deficit our healthcare our prison population. How many states need to legalize it or discuss legalizing it before our president tales this serious?Billions could be saved by getting these people out fo the prison system and stopping our money from going to government prosecution of marijuana users.Billions could also be made by legalizing and taxing this drug. finally so many people could finally recieve safe medicine for the illnesses marijuana helps with in peace.

[clriisoe]

To your comment below. Marijuana is not CONTROLLED, that is the point. Not just 'potheads' are seeing this as an issue anymore. Marijuana being illegal is more serious than most of our other problems, because it affects EVERY American. It's a tyrannical law in a land that's supposed to be free. 41% of Americans have tried pot, should they all be jailed? No? Then the law is wrong... That's basic logic and it's true. Obama, Clinton, and Bush have ALL tried it and would not be able to be president if they had been caught. Get it? It's RUINING lives. Teachers with charges can no longer be teachers, pilots, government workers of any kind, a cop, etc. etc. Over 20 MILLION arrests since 1965. So in less than half of ONE lifetime, we have arrested nearly 7 times my states (Kansas) population. As for the driving issue, that's a STUPID CLICHE COMMENT to make considering there are already laws against impaired driving and they do apply to pot regardless of the fact that it's relatively safe for a pothead to drive. And your whole argument is dumb because you are basically saying 'government doesn't have time' to deal with this problem too. Are people forgetting that these people get payed to deal with our law? They sign a piece of paper someone else wrote, and that someone else will probably read for them, and BAM, done. The argument you are pulling out I've seen many times before, and it has 0 merit. It's also notable that our government screws up everything it does touch these days, like our economy, war, etc. ALSO, how do you explain that on Change.gov, change.org, AND whitehouse.gov, that marijuana legalization is at the top of each list, but yet it's still NOT an important topic to the people. Not an important topic to the people, or to you? You got pwned by me and the other guy, I wouldn't even try if I were you Michichael. In your defense, the only thing I CAN defend logically, is that legalizing and regulating is a good idea. :)

[anthony f wood]

I'd like to point out that it is not a hallucinogen, it only gets that way IF some nasty laces it with other stuff OR someone is silly enough to smoke weed that has been sprayed with herbicide ( Glyphosate base herbicides will do this).

Not smoked for 24 years FYI.

[taowinscane]

Drug policy not a real issue?

The Executive Office with the Justice Department can take a direct hand in drug policy without the need for legislative action. Given that the drug policy of the U.S has led to an increase in police corruption, a large black market funding international terrorism, the dissolution of a government bordering this nation, billions wasted over the years pulling individuals out of the market and placing them in overcrowded prisons many plagued by TB and other diseases which get back into the civilian world after release along with a human being now trained in other criminal activities, RICO law abuse, assett forfeiture abuse, etc. How can this not be a major issue?

Given the Constitutional authority the President has over the economy, practically none, compared to the authority the office does hold on protecting the rights of U.S. citizens, which is the core of the office, domestic drug policy should be one of the top priorities of the President of the United States. That most Americans are dumb enough to entrust economic recovery into a single office doesn't change that.

[Magallanes]

we are in a global crisis and some stoned are worried more into obtain cheap pot than in the real world.

[evcraddock]

I think I understand what you mean but you don't seem to write in English well. If "pot" was legalized it would definitely not be cheaper. The idea of legalizing marijuana has a lot more to do with avoiding violence inherit in the illegal drug trade and filling prisons with people guilty of drug possession. This would SAVE the country tons of money but would probably increase the monetary price of actually purchasing drugs.

[bimmin]

I think it would be cheaper. It would be much cheaper to produce in large fields instead of all the hiding places we put it now. Plus, capitalism would drive the price down. Unfortunately, I have a feeling our cigarette companies are going to immediately jump in the industry and they like to put chemicals in the things we smoke.

[ekeefe41]

Your telling me a bunch of pot heads were able to hijack a web site?
Back in my pot smoking days the only thing i could hijack was a bag of Doritos.

Just legalize it please

[cwarrior62]

Haha, you wouldn't believe the things we are capable of! Someone close to me smokes pot and he is no less proactive when high than not..it all depends on the individual..i bet you anything though they were highjacking sum sort of potato chips at the same time they were working on that website!

[solblack]

Who stands to lose if it's legalize?
The Liquor industry
DEA
The Prisons towns
Dude on the corner

[gp1212]

its not about obtaining easy pot. its already easy. its about peoples freedoms being taken away and being imprisoned for a harmless plant.

[sodapop2k9]

UM, thanks for completely ignoring the topics he *did* address!?

[curtisory]

Not funny about legalizing pot. Pot smokers are not criminals.Prohibition doesn't work. Legalizing and taxing would do more for economy than throwing away trillions of dollars.

[ColleenMcCool]

Part of the problem is with the government's website. It needs to be better organized.

It is a fallacy to believe the evils of the drug war are unintended. Felony convictions disenfranchise mostly poor and minority Americans. Dick "Tater" Nixon was really good at hiding tyranny under the guise of good intentions, a con used by the servants of tyranny, throughout history.
http://mccoolportraits.com/2008rebelwithjustcause.htm#tater

As a member of the minority community, Obama is showing himself to be a part of the problem. just another warmongering servant of tyranny. The statistics reveal that bigotry, intolerance, racial prejudice and discrimination are epidemic in the drug war. The new prohibition fuels corruption of public officials and injustice in our courts. The official lawlessness exposed in Tenaha, Tulia, etc. is the tip of the corruption iceberg. Help end asset forfeiture!
https://secure.downsizedc.org/etp/campaigns/99

Users have been around for eons with out this bloodletting except during the first "Noble" experiment.

This unconscionable bloodshed is on the hands of leadership as much as those who pulled the trigger or did the actual butchering and torturing. It is a policy created problem. Remember alcohol prohibition which brought daily headlines of police and political corruption as well as bloody massacres! Not learning from past mistakes is a serious flaw in reasoning, unwanted in leaders.
https://secure.downsizedc.org/etp/campaigns/109

Across America paramilitary drug raids trigger violence rather than lessen the risk. It is called, "Overkill" to use such force on a nonviolent health problem. http://www.cato.org/raidmap/
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=6476

The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is having hearings on the violence in Mexico. Please send them a REPEAL the new prohibition message. It is really misleading to call it a drug war or drug fueled violence. The horrific carnage is triggered by the new prohibition and fueled by official
lawlessness. http://oversight.house.gov/contact/

[neophilus]

Nice job avoiding the question and disrespecting the will of the people. This just proves the online Town Hall format is a sham and only serves to wrap his corporate agenda in fake Populism. I like how he still managed to insult the online community while dimissing their will. I hope everyone is enjoying their "Change", so far I dont' see an end to the wars, corporate welfare or the security state we live in.

[AaronMK]

Discussion of 'Obama's virtual town hall takes legalize-pot detour' Takes a Legalize-pot Detour

[otherjoe]

umm... yeah, what he said...

[cwarrior62]

Can anybody tell me what is wrong with the title of this article? "Obama's virtual town hall takes legalize- pot detour" It just sounds to me like it has such a negative tone...since when does the word detour have any good connotations in daily life?! This is another great example of the biased news coverage on marijuana related issues..this isn't a detour!! Some americans want to see change, or at least want their opinions and ideas heard, how is that in any terms a detour Declan McCullagh? If they wanted to talk about stem-cells research would you have phrased that the same way? i think not..like what my mama would tell me...learn how to keep your opinion out of your reporting or don't write at all, its that simple! Btw i like your picture!! haha

[Michichael]

Or you're just being oversensitive. The virtual town hall was trying to address real issues and it got detoured to one that is trivial in comparison. I fail to see how that's "negative".

[cwarrior62]

real issues!!!! haha when in fact marijuana reform may be the answer to some of these issues! i had written a whole article on how much you actually did fail in your comment, but i had accidently went back to the last web page and it got deleted..(prollyy cuz im high!) i don't have the time to argue you here though, if you don't agree you now, we will see how things unfold in these next couple years.