NORML needs some enlightening...

[hillertexas]

Presidential Candidate Barack Obama Backs Federal Decriminalization
Category: News and Politics


Washington, DC: A newly discovered video of a 2004 appearance at Northwestern University by Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama, in which he calls for the federal decriminalization of marijuana, was posted online today by The Washington Times. In that appearance, Obama states, "I think the war on drugs has been a failure, and I think we need to rethink and decriminalize our marijuana laws." Obama continued, saying that while he supported decriminalization, he did not support the full legalization of marijuana.

In contrast, Senator Obama appeared to oppose decriminalization in a 2007 Democratic primary debate when MSNBC moderator Tim Russert asked candidates who opposed then-candidate Senator Chris Dodd's support of decriminalization to raise their hands. In the video, Senator Obama is seen hesitantly raising his hand halfway before quickly lowering it again.

When asked about the two different answers, Senator Obama's campaign stated that he has "always" supported decriminalization, and that Obama misunderstood the question when he raised his hand in the debate. In that same statement, Obama's campaign reiterated the Senator's opposition to full legalization, but said that an Obama administration "will review drug sentences to see where we can be smarter on crime and reduce the blind and counterproductive sentencing of non-violent offenders."

"It appears Senator Obama, alone among the major candidates for the presidency, has the courage to state the obvious: it is time that we stopped treating responsible marijuana smokers like criminals," said NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre. "According to a recent CNN/Time Warner poll, 76% of the American people agree with Senator Obama, as well as the 48 million Americans who smoked marijuana last year."

Democratic rival Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign stated that she opposes decriminalization. On the Republican side, Senator John McCain opposes decriminalization, while former Utah Governor Mitt Romney opposes both decriminalization and physician-recommended access to medical cannabis.

For more information, please contact NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre at (202) 483-5500. The Washington Times story, along with video of the two appearances referenced above, are available online at: http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080131/NATION/896961936/-1/RSS_NATION_PO.

 

[danda]

http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3441

[email protected]
[email protected]

Not sure if director is a valid address. I'd suggest CC'ing it. found it here: http://notacompliment.blogspot.com/2005_08_07_archive.html

 

[constituent]

norml is lame and will alienate many donors and activists by ::ahem:: overlooking paul.

lame-bo, just like the fascist corporate farm subsidy advocating traitorist (norml shill) sell out Willie Nelson.

 

[Dan.]

Interestingly enough, we're having a fundraising party for Northwestern's chapter of NORML tonight. Obviously with Illinois voting 4 days from now, I'm going to try to convert as many freedom and liberty minded people as I can tonight to the good doctor.

 

[AzNsOuLjAh27]

Norml is full of retards, and so is Hightimes. They don't know the diffrence between decriminalization and legalization is. Ny Decriminalized weed, and people are still going to jail for marijuana possestion, thats decriminaliztion. Legalization means You can't go to jail for having marijuana on you. BIG DIFFRENCE. I lost all faith in them, they have comply'd with the government that its not their natural right to smoke marijuana, or do drugs. The power of brain washing.

 

[danda]

I sent this. perhaps a bit strong, but his blatant lie annoyed me. And I call it a lie, because as director of NORML, he should either know better, or be fired.

Sir, You are quoted in today's Washington Times:

---
"It appears Senator Obama, alone among the major candidates for the presidency, has the courage to state the obvious: it is time that we stopped treating responsible marijuana smokers like criminals," said NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre.
---

As director of NORML, you should be well aware that Ron Paul supports not only decriminalizing marijuana possession and effectively ending the "war on drugs", but has also said on national television that he would pardon all non-violent drug offenders in prison.

I request that you officially correct your omission with a statement on the front page of norml.org, and a letter to the Washington Times.

You've officially annoyed the Ron Paul Revolution. The longer you wait, the more people that will be ticked off with NORML. People that should be your allies. You can head it off at the pass, right now.

 

[constituent]

Norml is full of retards, and so is Hightimes. They don't know the diffrence between decriminalization and legalization is. Ny Decriminalized weed, and people are still going to jail for marijuana possestion, thats decriminaliztion. Legalization means You can't go to jail for having marijuana on you. BIG DIFFRENCE. I lost all faith in them, they have comply'd with the government that its not their natural right to smoke marijuana, or do drugs. The power of brain washing.

the power of controlled dissent.

NORML is the NRA of pro-pot advocacy.

 

[danda]

Please send a note or call to let these guys know this is not acceptable. Obama doesn't hold a candle to Ron Paul on this issue, and these spineless bastards won't even mention Dr. Paul.

 

[malibu]

NORML lawyers are good though

NORML has it's weaknesses to be sure -
and there are better advocacy groups for the rights of states like California
to enable it's citizens to use medical cannabis instead of all those liver-destroying synthetic pharmaceuticals
including tylenol, or the dementia-causing statins like Lipitor and Crestor.

 

[MayTheRonBeWithYou]

Well the quote says "major" candidates, and RP has been showing pretty dismally in the elections so far. If he runs independent and starts pulling Perot-like numbers, people will take him more seriously.

 

[Bradley in DC]

The head of MPP was one of the early maxed out donors of Dr. Paul with me in DC.

 

[acptulsa]

I sent this:
"You people really support Obama, who wants to decriminalize marijuana, over Ron Paul, who wants to repeal federal laws against it altogether? Set the pipe down, guys. Yes, I agree that marijuana is a good thing, but so's moderation!"

 

[s35wf]

my letter to norml

The article that appeared in the Washington Times Is ONLY partially accurate. It would seem that on the republican side of the Isle there STILL remains One Candidate who would not only decriminalize marijuana; but make it Legal In ALL 52 states! Isn't this what NORML Wants??? His name is Dr. Ron Paul. Please run another article which states his positions on this subject. The Gop nomination is NOT over; infact the contest for the republican nomination is JUST Beginning. Also FEC fundraising for all candidates has just been released for the last quarter of 2007. It seems Dr. Ron Paul has the highest fund raising of the Gop candidates!

Please rerun/revise this article. Thank you,

A NORML Pro-Marijuana advocate and a Ron Paul supporter.

 

[acptulsa]

NORML sent me a response that was certainly more civil than the missive I sent them. Among its points is that they are one of us in supporting Dr. Paul regularly. I sent this in return:

And I say that "major candidate" is a matter of perception, and that Dr. Paul's chances, due to smart supporters working both harder and smarter, are better than you know. On further reflection, however, I do agree with Dr. Paul that waiting until after the G.O.P. convention for you to tout him would be far wiser. Thank you.

I expect we could stand to focus our attention elsewhere until September. Just a suggestion.

 

[dannno]

NORML sent me a response that was certainly more civil than the missive I sent them. Among its points is that they are one of us in supporting Dr. Paul regularly. I sent this in return:

And I say that "major candidate" is a matter of perception, and that Dr. Paul's chances, due to smart supporters working both harder and smarter, are better than you know. On further reflection, however, I do agree with Dr. Paul that waiting until after the G.O.P. convention for you to tout him would be far wiser. Thank you.

I expect we could stand to focus our attention elsewhere until September. Just a suggestion.

Excellent!

I sent a letter as well, along the same lines..

First of all, NORML is a great organization. There are NORML interviews with Ron Paul up all over youtube.

I basically told them in my letter that the real candidate is Dr. Paul and I really hope their is a big movement coming from NORML to support him in the general election.

I am a medicinal patient and have supported them on and off for the last 8 years, I hope my letter helped them give some direction to their campaign for him. I of course explained how cannabis users are a huge potential voting block that could really help us kick off the revolution, this is more than just about voting.

We need to get as much support in the primaries as we can so that the Dr. will appear viable.. who knows, he may even win, I wouldn't be surprised... but I think things will really start heating up once we don't have to tell people that they need to register Republican to vote for him.

 

[paulette]

The article that appeared in the Washington Times Is ONLY partially accurate. It would seem that on the republican side of the Isle there STILL remains One Candidate who would not only decriminalize marijuana; but make it Legal In ALL 52 states! Isn't this what NORML Wants??? His name is Dr. Ron Paul. Please run another article which states his positions on this subject. The Gop nomination is NOT over; infact the contest for the republican nomination is JUST Beginning. Also FEC fundraising for all candidates has just been released for the last quarter of 2007. It seems Dr. Ron Paul has the highest fund raising of the Gop candidates!

Please rerun/revise this article. Thank you,

A NORML Pro-Marijuana advocate and a Ron Paul supporter.

Do you mean 50 states?

 

[malibu]

Well the quote says "major" candidates, and RP has been showing pretty dismally in the elections so far. If he runs independent and starts pulling Perot-like numbers, people will take him more seriously.

Silver medal in the Silver State caucuses - and defeating Rudy in every state but the Later Gator state.

Also RP also was the only other candidate - besides Huck and Willard Romney - to win any counties in the January 3rd Iowa caucuses - McCain - Thompson - Rudy all laid Iowa goose eggs.

Ron Paul has many delegates in the pipeline in eastern Iowa for the June 2008 Iowa state convention that finally picks the Iowa delegation to the GOP national convention.

Rudy Giuliani was the fringest candidate all along - pulling 4 % and 5 % everywhere (but Florida).

With Ron Paul the only candidate that can be trusted - that makes him the most bona fide major GOP candidate
these United States have had in perhaps decades of elections.

 

[s35wf]

Letters/Email to & from NORML with their response

Thank you Allen for responding so quickly. I actually was not even expecting a response.
However it what you say is true of obama: "Unfortunately, Obama’s campaign seems to be backing away from their quotes in the Washington Times...so maybe, tragically, none of the candidates who will actually be president are currently supporting decrim"

This means it is even more imperative to release Dr. Paul's stance on this issue asap in the mainstream media news BEFORE Super Tuesday. Please reconsider releasing/revising this article to assist the efforts of Dr. Paul in actually winning a couple of states so that the GOP nomination ends up being decided at a brokered convention. (He needs to Win 5 states for this to happen). We are NOT giving up. We continue the fight for liberty justice and equal smoking time for All citizens. Please help us affect the outcome of the next 22 states voting on Tuesday. Thank You!




----- Original Message -----
From: Allen St. Pierre
To: Helena
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 12:56 PM
Subject: Re: Marijuana and Politics


Hello Helena,

Thanks for your email. NORML has highlighted Ron Paul’s candidacy more than any other candidate because he, as a libertarian, is self-evidently in favor of law reform.

http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6966

---
"It appears Senator Obama, alone among the major candidates for the
presidency, has the courage to state the obvious: it is time that we stopped
treating responsible marijuana smokers like criminals," said NORML Executive
Director Allen St. Pierre.
---

The operative word is major candidate...

Ron is one of the largest recipients of NORML PAC donations so NORML likes him plenty. We've asked him to be interviewed again on the Podcast, and he indicated after the GOP primaries.

However, yesterday’s news release was meant to highlight news reports of a MAJOR candidate who actually has a chance to be president, whereas, unfortunately, Ron does not at all (Ron polls well below 10%, has no major endorsements, etc...).

Unfortunately, Obama’s campaign seems to be backing away from their quotes in the Washington Times...so maybe, tragically, none of the candidates who will actually be president are currently supporting decrim.

Makes one wish that Ron Paul and libertarianism was more popular than it currently is that is for sure!

Regards and thanks again,

-Allen
NORML




On 2/1/08 12:47 PM, "Helena


http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080131/NATION/896961936/0/RSS_COMMENTARY

The article that appeared in the Washington Times Is ONLY partially accurate. It would seem that on the republican side of the Isle there STILL remains One Candidate who would not only decriminalize marijuana; but make it Legal In ALL 52 states! Isn't this what NORML Wants??? His name is Dr. Ron Paul. Please run another article which states his positions on this subject. The Gop nomination is NOT over; infact the contest for the republican nomination is JUST Beginning. Also FEC fundraising for all candidates has just been released for the last quarter of 2007. It seems Dr. Ron Paul has the highest fund raising of the Gop candidates!

Please rerun/revise this article. Thank you,
Sincerely Helena
A NORML Pro-Marijuana advocate and a Ron Paul supporter.

 

[Rhys]

Everyone.... PLEASE DON'T fire emails off at NORML.

I can talk to them for you. Also, NORML NJ may endorse him.

 

[Johncjackson]

http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6959

http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6960

It would be nice if people actually gave credit for groups that actually DO support Ron Paul and have supported him consistently in the past, rather than being outraged at ever perceived slight, no matter how small.

For a bunch of people that like to say "Google Ron Paul" it would be helpful to google: "Norml Ron Paul"...that, or you know just be aware of the world around you and people in politics outside of your living room.