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Paul Ryan Almost Gives Hope For Reform Advocates

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The prospects of marijuana becoming a campaign issue seemed dim for most of the presidential race.  President Obama has avoided the issue when engaging in online forums and Mitt Romney had recently told a college crowd he would fight medical marijuana “tooth and nail”.  Whether intentional or not, medical marijuana was front and center, even if for a brief time.

Mitt Romney has been running for president since 2007 with Biden and Obama now holding office for almost 4 years.  Paul Ryan represents the only fresh face Americans may not be as familiar with.  In a move that most likely upset Romney campaign organizers, Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan recently stated that he felt marijuana should be a state issue.  He told a local television network in Colorado, KRDO TV, that “it’s up to Coloradans to decide.”  Before activists get their hopes up he also added that medical marijuana “is something that is not a high priority of ours.” The stance makes sense as a growing wing of the Republican Party is seeking to promote state rights, smaller government, and fiscal responsibility.

Campaign officials for Romney/Ryan were quick to change the tone.  They later released a statement that Paul Ryan agrees with Mitt Romney that marijuana should never be legalized.  This is not the first time the two have not seen eye to eye.  Mitt Romney has been attacked on many items in Paul Ryan’s controversial  proposed budget which would make deep cuts to many social programs.  The two also differ on abortion as Paul Ryan does not believe in exceptions even for incest, rape, or when a mother’s health is compromised.  Additionally, last night on “Meet The Press” Mitt Romney said Republicans were wrong to vote to cut defense spending, even as it was brought to Mr. Romney’s attention that GOP leadership (including Ryan) voted for the cuts.  This has seriously brought into question by analysts as to exactly why Mitt Romney selected Paul Ryan as his vice presidential candidate being that the two seem to differ substantially on issues.

Perhaps they are worried about their conservative base, a base that has not fully embraced Mitt Romney.  However, it is always interesting when a candidate says something in plain language only to have a spokesperson take it back later.  Are they trying to have their cake and eat it too by having Ryan curry favor with reform advocates, then turning around and appeasing the “tough on drugs” crowd?  Even if Paul Ryan truly does support state rights in this instance, just putting toe in the water is not good enough.  Patients have felt mislead by the President so a simple statement alone will not win over this community.  The Romney/Ryan ticket had a chance to win over disenfranchised patients, but instead chose to do what Romney has been famous for, sending conflicting messages.

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Chris Christie’s Mixed Message on Compassion

christieDuring a recent speech at the Brookings Institution Chris Christie made statements that called for an end to the war on drugs.  In fact he called it a failure and even referenced his pro-life views.  At one point during the speech he said “If you’re pro-life, as I am, you can’t be pro-life just in …continue reading

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Gary Johnson Demonstrates Conviction by selecting Judge Jim Gray for VP

gary johnson jim gray

 

Although the current political system has disenfranchised many eligible voters because of two party domination, the 2012 presidential election may get a necessary injection of 3rd party conversation.  Polls show that 80% of Americans would consider voting for a 3rd party candidate.  Coincidentally (or perhaps not so coincidentally) that is a similar number to the amount of people who support a physician’s right to prescribe medical marijuana.

Former two term Governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson appears poised to win the Libertarian Party’s nomination for the 2012 presidential election.  Ahead of the more well known and establishment financed Mitt Romney, Gary Johnson was able to come to a quick decision about his running mate.  The popular marijuana culture website tokeofthetown, is reporting that Mr. Johnson has selected retired California Judge Jim Gray to be his vice president.  Justice Gray is known for his progressive views on marijuana.  This move appears to be paving a way for marijuana to be prominently on display for the Johnson campaign.  Governor Johnson told Reason.com he selected Justice Gray because “The thought process all along has been to find somebody that can articulate libertarian ideals and beliefs and I’ve thought all along that he would be a really solid pick.”

Conversely, the representatives of the two party system Mitt Romney, and Barack Obama, certainly do not seem to have as much conviction in some of their decisions.  Mitt Romney has changed his position (sometimes more than once) on virtually every important social issue (click here for compilation of Mitt Romney articulating then contradicting his views).  The former Governor of Massachusetts has prospective VP candidates running from his offer.  Unfortunately for the American public, it seems the only issue Mitt Romney has not waivered on is medical marijuana.  He actually has famously walked away from a wheelchair bound man who asked him about changing marijuana laws during his failed 2008 presidential bid.  The other major party representative, President Obama, is just starting to acknowledge medical marijuana questions directed his way. Critics feel it may be possible that the president reverts back to his 2008 tone if re-elected, but of course what guarantees are there in American politics?

The move by Gary Johnson does not appear to simply be a gimmick.  With a vast majority of Americans supporting medical marijuana and now at least half supporting overall legalization, marijuana is no longer a fringe issue appealing to a small passionate base.  Gary Johnson has selected a running mate who is a legal expert and a supporter of repairing one of the greatest injustices of this generation.  While politicians may often feel that an election should be scripted with the same talking points, it is important to understand that elected officials work for us.  Without a doubt some critics will try to dismiss Gary Johnson and Jim Gray as trying to capitalize on marijuana supporters.  While we have all heard this before, marijuana can provide relief to the economy, patients, and an overburdened penitentiary system.  We at marijuana.net have to ask why anyone would have a problem with making a rare American consensus issue the center of a political platform?

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