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Jimmy Kimmel

Jimmy Kimmell Pressures Obama on Marijuana Reform

jimmy kimmel

The pressure on the Commander in Chief to consider a new approach toward marijuana reform seems to be increasing.  Recently, both the president and vice president have faced criticism from Latin American countries who have grown weary of the Cartel, and United States failed war on drugs.  Participants in online chats have tried to engage President Obama as well, although the topic was simply dismissed both times.  Finally, last week in an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, Barack Obama attempted to clarify (though many are still confused) his position on medical marijuana.  Barney Frank D-Mass) also put the president in an uncomfortable situation by taking him to task about Obama’s 2009 statements on medical cannabis at a lavish political fundraiser.

As the American 24/7 news cycle further degenerates into a collection of stories that do not engage any real impact issues, Americans have already grown to expect comedians to ask the tough questions.  Although political humor is not for everyone,  John Stewart and Steven Colbert, would probably be more likely to ask tougher questions of our candidates.  However in Colbert’s case, the questions are not straight forward as viewers must see past his faux right wing character to deduce what he is really saying.

Jimmy Kimmel now joins the list of comics asking the tough questions.  At the White House Correspondent’s dinner, the late night comic served as the event’s host and was more than willing to grill the president on marijuana.  Kimmel balanced the conversation with both humor and serious points.  He said “What is with the marijuana crackdown? Seriously, what is the concern? We will deplete the nation’s Funyun supply?  Pot smokers vote too. Sometimes a week after the election, but they vote.”  Kimmel then turned to the celebrity filled crowd and posed a question to them.  He asked them to raise their hands if they did not ever use marijuana.  With few hands being raised Kimmel effectively made his point and said “Marijuana is something that real people care about.”

Wherever the president seems to goes he is going to face tough questions on medical marijuana.  While being “tough on drugs” may be part of his re-election strategy, is it truly working if these types of questions dog the president?  The discussion is not relegated to medical marijuana states or even  America as a whole.  As always this president has captivated the world, and fair or not, his actions are constantly scrutinized.

Some of the venom toward the president is not fair.  It is important for us to avoid being single issue voters, if possible, and the president has some landmark accomplishments such as catching Osama Bin Laden and lifting the federal ban on stem cell research.  However, struggling patients may not have the luxury of engaging in the typical political discussions.  Patients need relief now and may not have the time to wait for a second term or for a re-election strategy to play itself out.

 

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