Harold and Kumar
Kal Penn and Activists Respond to Obama Ad
Yesterday we reported on a new advertisement being used by Obama campaign that highlights the popular “Harold and Kumar” characters. The ad depicts the characters in their typically lazy and “stoned” mindset (though marijuana was conspicuously absent from the ad).
A day later we now are seeing a lot of buzz from the ad. Many cannabis advocates were not pleased and are accusing the president of trying to capitalize off of a group that he has turned his back on. Morgan Fox of the Marijuana Policy Project said “The fact Obama uses these characters to joke about this issue while on the other hand continuing to arrest people he’s appealing to is really disingenuous.” He also went on to say President Obama “conducts more raids on medical marijuana facilities than Bush.”
Kal Penn tried to defend President Obama’s approach toward marijuana by saying “I think that the president’s been pretty consistent with that. He’s not in favor of legalization, we should be open about something like that. But what the president has done is take a really smart look at the Department of Justice and said, given the fact that the federal government has limited resources, we should be allocating them toward violent criminals and not towards non-violent criminals. We can see that not just in things like marijuana but in things like immigration reform where he’s going after and deporting violent criminals and making sure that if you’re a Dream Act eligible student that you know that you can apply for your deferred status. Wherever the federal government has an appropriate role, I think the president’s been very consistent in that. That’s something that I think folks should know.”
Many activists will not be pacified with the remark, especially as the president has used federal resources to go after non violent marijuana dispensaries. Including the Dream Act language in the statement is odd. While the president should be applauded for his decision to help out immigrants who had no say in entering the country illegally, the two issues have little to do with each other. Kal Penn may as well include the auto bailout in his statements or any other unrelated accomplishment by the president.
Marijuana reform supporters may be upset at the feeling that they are only used for political expedience. This election certainly will not focus on the needs of marijuana patients or those impacted by the failed war on drugs. Either candidate could benefit greatly from addressing the issue as they both are eager to outline their plan to fix our economy and reduce the looming national deficit. While the Obama “Harold and Kumar” ad may upset the community, at least the tone toward marijuana still seems friendlier than Mitt Romney’s promise to fight medical marijuana “tooth and nail”.
New Obama Ad Features Harold and Kumar
We are right in the middle of the political convention season as the Republicans concluded their event last week in Tampa and the Democrats just got underway last night in Charlotte. Last night many speakers gave moving speeches including First Lady Michelle Obama, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, and war hero Tammy Duckworth. We will also be hearing from former President Bill Clinton and of course President Obama as the week continues.
We at marijuana.net recently learned of one surprising twist coming out of the Democratic National Convention. The president has not taken as much of friendly stance on marijuana reform as analysts previously predicted. While President Obama has stayed silent on the issue of dispensary raids, many have been left to think he has become anti-marijuana. A new campaign ad seems to indicate otherwise. President Obama has turned to a close cabinet member, Kalpen Suresh Modi, to help with re-election efforts.
Of course Kalpen Suresh Modi, is better known to movie and marijuana fans as Kal Penn, co-star of the “Harold and Kumar” movies. Kal Penn, or Kalpen has served as Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and is currently the co-chair for President Obama’s re-election campaign. He will also be hosting the DNC’s online coverage of President Obama’s speech to the DNC on Thursday. In a recent and humorous ad that is circulating on the internet, President Obama is shown making a call to someone requesting help. The camera then cuts to John Cho (Harold) and Kal Penn (Kumar), who appear hazy and lethargic with junk food littered all over. The two do not seemed phased by a call from the president with John Cho simply saying “sweet” when learning the Commander In Chief has phoned them.
The ad makes certain to substitute marijuana with junk food. However, tapping “Harold and Kumar” makes a direct case for comedy and of course cannabis. Pizza is surely not the reason for why the duo is lounging and watching television. The ad may simply be aimed at being comedic, and reminding viewers that Obama has a celebrity actor actively working for his administration. Certainly, this celebrity will offer a much less controversial moment than Clint Eastwood did for Mitt Romney. The ad also will make marijuana activists wonder exactly where the president stands. Is this a subtle reminder that he will protect medical marijuana more than Mitt Romney, who recently stated that he would fight medical marijuana “tooth and nail”? It does seem odd the Obama campaign would utilize marijuana stereotypes as they have come under fire from the community. Only a re-election and the future will tell if this is merely comedy or also a play at a base that previously supported the president passionately.
Study: Wise People More prone to Use Marijuana
Are you looking for that Oscars to begin thinking about movies like “Harold and Kumar visit Whitened Castle” and “Pineapple Express” seriously for Oscar contention because of their overwhelming fan support? Or has Hollywood recognized that marijuana customers will also be prone to enjoy movies like “The King’s Speech”, “No Country For Old Men”, or “Slumdog Millionaire”? Regardless of the situation, new information should convince launch new speaking points and actually eliminate old stereotypes formerly accustomed to inaccurately illustrate the marijuana community in general.
Research conducted recently released within the December problem of Epidemiology and Community Health might have created results which are surprising with a. The research established that people with greater IQs as youngsters are 50% more prone to have attempted illegal drugs. The study was carried out within the U.K. and examined is a result of 8,000 people. More scientific studies are likely expected in this region and lots of is going to be eager to ascertain if such results could be created within the U . s . States.
This isn’t to state that any drug could make us wiser. However there appears to become a link between intelligence and also the need to alter awareness. Based on the study’s conclusion, “High childhood IQ could raise the chance of illegal drug abuse in adolescence and their adult years.” Although this is just one study, the requirement for further scientific studies are apparent. The hyperlink between substance use and intelligence is extremely thought invoking and might be even crucial for the development. We know our brains have natural receptors for THC. What else will research uncover concerning the relationship between intelligent people and substance use?
This research is among many who demonstrate how lengthy-held marijuana misconceptions are outdated and falling faster than Netflix stock. Other studies have uncovered that medicinal marijuana customers tend to be more educated, more frequently employed and take less sick days at the office. If marijuana customers truly are a wise group in general, will our popular culture start to be affected by it or will the forces that be continue to speak with us like misleading children and then increase the false propaganda that almost all marijuana customers are unintelligent, unmotivated and undesirable?