Most Marijuana-Friendly Presidential Candidates

Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) and Sen. Mike Gravel (D-AK) are the most marijuana friendly 2008 Presidential candidates, according to an analysisby the Marijuana Policy Project.

They are the only candidates who support the legalisation of marijuana, for general as well as medicinal use.

"I think it's tragic what's happening today in the drug war," Rep. Paul said. "Since the early '70s we've spent maybe $200 to $300 billion on the drug war. That's not been any good. This whole effort on the drug war doesn't make any sense at all to me."


When caller asked during in a C-SPAN interview in May:"What do you think about legalizing marijuana?" Sen. Gravel replied, "The answer to that is real simple. I would legalize marijuana."

On the other end of the spectrum, Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS), Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR) and Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) have publicly pledged to continue raiding and arresting seriously ill patients who use medical marijuana with approval from their doctors and state law.

When asked about arresting sick and dying patients who use marijuana as a last resort, Sen. Brownback answered, "I think that should continue to be the case. I do not think that we should legalize marijuana, and I don't think we need to legalize marijuana, as strong as some advocates believe to the contrary. I don't agree with that and I don't think we need to for pain or for pain medication. "

"And we've got a number of pain resources coming on line, in the cancer field alone it's been quite impressive what they have done to try and relieve pain," he added. "I do not support decriminalization of marijuana for medical use or for any other use. I think we have other alternatives, and other alternatives in development."

"I'm going to leave it up to the DEA whether they feel like there is a person who is being arrested because they are suffering from AIDS or because they really are doing something to significantly violate drug laws," Gov. Huckabee said. "But it comes down to laws are laws for a reason and if we don't change the laws, we don't have a right to break the ones we don't like. That's one of the reasons a lot of people are angry about the immigration laws."

When asked if he would end the federal raids on his own constituents in California who used marijuana as a pain medication, Rep. Hunter responded, "If you have a federal law, you have to enforce the law. And that's my answer."

The other candidates generally support decriminalisation of marijuana for medicinal purposes, but not have not spoken out in support of total legalisation.

Source: http://pressesc.com/01184177937_marinuana_friendly

 

This should definitely be stickied. I was just reading about this at
Cannabis Culture and thought I'd look for some more information. I'm not an American, but I think it's important to know about what's going on in the world. I was really surprised to find a republican who actually reads the Constitution! Anyway, for all of you US citizens that are able to vote, read up about Ron Paul and fight for your freedom.

http://www.ronpaul2008.com/about/
http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/4910.html

 

there is hope. Ron Paul '08!

 

"U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) just became the last of the eight Democratic presidential candidates to pledge to end the DEA’s raids on medical marijuana patients and providers who act legally under state law.

This means that all eight Democratic presidential candidates — including U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) — have now taken public positions in support of protecting patients in the 12 states with medical marijuana laws.

In regard to Sen. Obama, it took MPP’s campaign in New Hampshire, Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana (GSMM), five separate encounters over the last few months — and two back-to-back encounters earlier this week — but on Tuesday in Nashua, Sen. Obama told a GSMM volunteer, “I would not have the Justice Department prosecuting and raiding medical marijuana users. It's not a good use of our resources." You can watch the encounter here and read some news coverage of this coup here.

MPP/GSMM has had one full-time staffer — Stuart Cooper — working in New Hampshire since March, and I’m thrilled that our persistence has paid off. Stuart and his cadre of volunteers and patients have been dogging the Democratic and Republican candidates at almost every appearance in the state, urging them to take strong, public, positive positions on medical marijuana in advance of the New Hampshire primary — currently the first in the nation — on January 22.

In addition to the eight Democratic candidates, two Republican candidates — U.S. Reps. Ron Paul (Texas) and Tom Tancredo (Colo.) — have also vowed to end the medical marijuana raids as well. In fact, these two members of Congress recently voted for the Hinchey-Rohrabacher medical marijuana amendment on the House floor ... for the fifth year in a row.

You can see or hear the good guys in their own words here.



The 10 good candidates are to be commended for their common sense and compassion, especially as federal intrusion into medical marijuana states has been on the rise this summer, with DEA raids taking place in several counties in California and Oregon. Recently, the DEA also began threatening landlords who lease space to medical marijuana dispensaries — activity that’s legal under state law — with forfeiture of their property, a move condemned in a Los Angeles Times editorial as "a deplorable new bullying tactic."

And last week, presidential candidate and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D), who signed legislation in April making his the 12th medical marijuana state, wrote to President Bush asking him to end the federal raids in medical marijuana states: "Respected physicians and government officials should not fear going to jail for acting compassionately and caring for our most vulnerable citizens. Nor should those most vulnerable of citizens fear their government because they take the medicine they need."

Thank you for your support.
With gratitude,

Rob Kampia
Executive Director
Marijuana Policy Project
Washington, D.C."

 

I'm voting for Ron Paul. I think he is this country's only hope.

 

Ron Paul is the shit. I really hope he gets office

 

Yay!

 

just a question, isnt ron paul a republican? What are his other major issues, not many are listed on his site. What is his stand on healthcare, gay marriage and womens rights?

EDIT: I just came across an archive of his standpoints on various issues. I found it quite informative. If it wasnt for his views on same sex marriages i would absolutely vote for him.

http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul-arch.html

 

the man opposes funding stem cell research and favors the electoral college, as well as a total withdrawl from the UN. granted, i agree with alot of his positions, but he's not my first choice. furthermore, the legalization of medical marijuana is a step in the right direction and i believe asking for total legalization is a bit unrealistic at this point.

but if it comes down to ron paul v. hillary clinton, he has my vote! LMAO

 

I feel the same way about his stance on abortion. I mean, but in this sort of thing isnt it the lesser of evils one needs to find? I mean since he does seem like a man who uses more common sense than most politicians, ESPECIALLY republicans, that is a good sign. Change is possible.

 

ron paul is the only candidate i would even consider voting for.

 

He's the only candidate anyone should consider. He's the only one that makes sense and doesnt sound like every other politician. I encourage you to do more than "consider it" but rather get out and actually vote, and spread the word. Here's Dr. Paul blasting the war on drugs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3SYWDkWyXA

 

yea, thats how all presidental elections go. you have to vote for the devil with the shortest horns, the candidate that will do the least amount of damage to the country. kinda sad that a "good" president can only be defined as a president that didn't do as much damage to the U.S as most others...