Republican Primaries
Romney Victories and Oaksterdam Raid May Motivate Marijuana Activists
This week did not provide medical marijuana patients with the news they were hoping for. Mitt Romney picked up precious delegates in the Republican primaries and has all but assured his position in general election. Unfortunately for patients, this means that the two main candidates campaigning for president of the United States do not seem willing to discuss sensible marijuana reform. Advocates and patients were also disappointed to learn that the iconic Oaksterdam University was raided by federal agents.
Marijuana advocates have always had to assume a glass half full position and as always, there were some developments to rise out of the ashes of disheartening news. On Tuesday Mitt Romney won the primaries in Wisconsin, Washington D.C. and Maryland. The victories separate him from the rest of the pack and has produced an almost insurmountable lead for the former Massachusetts Governor. Unless a political catastrophe occurs for team Romney, his lead in the delegate count (658 to Santorum’s 281), 1,144 needed in total) should be enough to secure the nomination. The election is now likely to shift from Republican infighting to the inevitable battle between President Barack Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney.
Unfortunately for medical marijuana patients these are two candidates who do not appear ready to address the issue of reform with the American public. President Obama has sidestepped the issue several times over the past few months and Mitt Romney has repeatedly made it clear that he does not support medical marijuana. The good news is that another major political figure has reignited the issue of medical marijuana. Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson appeared on “The Colbert Report” earlier this week and was more than willing to engage in many social issues such as gay marriage and marijuana legalization. Johnson may not have a particularly great chance at capturing the presidency, but he may offer a third party option that can generate more excitement than we have seen in recent years. Any exposure the former New Mexico governor gets could put pressure on both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney to explain why they are not supportive of compassionate relief.
Another blow to the medical marijuana community came in the form of a federal raid of Oaksterdam. Federal authorities have not disclosed the exact reasons as to why they raided the university. Reports do indicate that the IRS was involved, so the potential for profiting or tax issues could have caused the raid. The university was set up to try and help legitimize marijuana and to promote education and safety. There is still hope for a future University as supporters have vowed to reopen “The Princeton of Pot.” Supporters also suggested the federal government would be better off allocating resources toward the horrific shooting on the Oikos University campus.
The medical marijuana community has endured much more than a raid and presidential candidates ignoring them. Many are forced to illegally acquire medicine and deal with the risk of being arrested if they seek relief. The resiliency that the community has shown for decades is not easily shaken and will certainly not be deterred by stubborn political candidates or a building being closed. Education is more than lectures in a brick and mortar building, and it cannot be suppressed.
Herman Cain Shares His Sights on Medicinal Marijuana
The best political prize is available in under twelve months. The 2012 election already appears to become under way despite the fact that the GOP primary nomination won’t be formally provided to any candidate prior to the Republican National Convention, that is set to occur on August 27, 2012 in Polk, Florida.
Lately, Herman Cain mentioned his take on medicinal marijuana. Cain feels medicinal marijuana is definitely an problem that needs to be left as much as the usa “Because certainly one of my overriding methods to searching whatsoever of those issues — many of them belong in the condition, because whenever you make a move government … you attempt to pressure one-size-fits-all.” These comments were made in a campaign stay in Urbandale, Iowa. Some political experts were surprised to determine Cain condition his sights on the problem. Formerly, while campaigning within the summer time he’d completely declined to reply to queries about medicinal marijuana. Cain has already established a dreadful month which change obviously might be viewed as politically motivated. After taking pleasure in a short lead within the polls, he’s been heavily considered lower by accusations of sexual harassment that go as far back to his days as leader from the National Restaurant Association. To increase his worries, he’s had some shaky public miscues when responding to policy related questions. Within an interview he appeared to attract an empty when requested about Libya and when leader Obama was correct in the handling from the situation. Furthermore, Cain wasn’t conscious that China has already established nuclear abilities for many decades. Also, he appears to defer to his potential future cabinet frequently and it has made claims showing he need not know “everything” and can depend heavily on experts.
Cain have a difficult time protecting that his readiness to discuss medicinal marijuana isn’t politically motivated. Within an interview with Outdoors magazine Cain stated medicinal marijuana customers are “the biggest untrained voting block in the united states,Inch as well as continued to say polls that indicated People in america were seeking legalized marijuana. These claims represent an infinitely more direct stance than his previous strategy, that was to speak leave behind reporters. Whatever his rationale to make these claims, they shouldn’t be ignored. Medicinal marijuana has got the overwhelming support in the American public. Furthermore, there’s an increasing sentiment within the GOP (a celebration formerly noted for its anti marijuana position) that it ought to be a condition problem. Ron Perry has additionally made similar claims regarding how he’d handle medical cannabis. Departing the problem of medicinal marijuana towards the states is a way of saying it ought to be left to folks. The general public can gather signatures for ballot initiatives either to begin or finish existing medicinal marijuana programs.
This election has the feel of a prizefight which will go all the way. Presently, the competitors continue to be trailing as well as with Cain’s terrible month, other candidates haven’t opened up up an impossible lead. Ron Perry also offers had some public gaffes, especially his debate performance where he was not able to recall which branches of presidency he desired to eliminate. Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich might be leading in polls but neither is invulnerable. Romney includes a status for altering positions and might be a tough sell in Ohio, where he stated to become “110%” behind laws and regulations that eliminate collective negotiating privileges. Newt Gingrich may be the familiar face and could possess the best experience to achieve the presidency, but he is a polarizing estimate American politics within the last two decades. The primaries still have the means to go and also the candidate/contender who’ll undertake leader Obama continues to have enough time to refine their strategy in search of the U . s . States Presidency.