News » Will Marijuana Destroy Obama?

December 19, 2011 by Aaron Turpen

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The 2012 presidential elections are looming and beginning to pick up pace. While Obama is a shoe-in for the Democratic Party’s nomination, the Republicans still have theirs up in the air. Every week seems to bring a new frontrunner for the GOP. Polling and debates make headlines, but the real issue that’s likely to make or break the president’s chances of winning re-election is not likely to be foreign policy, the economy, or even jobs. It’s going to be pot.

Young voters turned out by the millions to catapult the largely-unknown Obama into office in 2008. Now, polls are showing that his luster amongst the younger crowd – including those who voted for him four years ago – has dulled. Without the youth vote, Obama is not likely to win against a strong Republican opponent. Whether or not the Republicans can come up with a strong opponent, of course, is another issue altogether.

The one thing, however, that could reignite the fervor amongst younger voters is marijuana. If Obama were to once again (as he did in 2004, endorsing decriminalization and in 2008 for medical marijuana use) come out pro-cananbis and then backed that up with actual action, such as calling off the Department of Justice dogs raiding dispensaries and growers operating legally in their states.. Were he to do that, he would likely reinvigorate the youthful vote and be almost assured of keeping his desk at the White House for another four years.

In fact, a candidate who vocally endorses decriminalization and even legalization would gain more than just the youth vote. A Gallup poll this year found that 50% of Americans support legalization marijuana use. A number that has been steadily rising since polling began in 1969 (12% favored). In that poll, people aged 18-29 were 62% in favor.

Today, Representatives Barney Frank (D-Mass) and Ron Paul (R-Texas) have introduced legislation to legalize marijuana nationally and have so far garnered 19 co-sponsors for the measure. Paul, by all truthful accounts the current front runner of the GOP nomination, openly endorses legalization to great applause during speeches and debates. Despite the crowd reaction around them, his contenders seem oblivious and continue denigrating cannabis as a great evil to be fought.

High hopes were given to Obama’s drug policies upon his election, but his claims of “innovative, compassionate and evidence-based drug policies” have been shown to be empty promises. Arrests for drug possession and use of all types is up nationally, not down. In fact, commentators have said that Eric Holder’s Justice Department is more aggressive in drug control policies than was George Bush, Jr’s. Given that many of them are holdovers from the Bush regime, it’s obviously not they who have changed things, but their boss.

So will Obama suddenly turn an about face and endorse legalization? It’s not likely, though doing so would be the boldest move he could make to ensure his 2012 victory. More likely he’ll call for “dialogue” on the issue and pretend to be open minded about it. Will this work? It could, if the Republican choice is one of the “let’s just bust them” crowd. Given the nation’s other problems and the “blame it on Bush” spiel that has lost its appeal, though, just giving oral support to cannabis may not be enough.

Will the 2012 election hinge entirely on marijuana? Don’t be surprised if it’s one of just a couple of really big issues driving public opinion.

Tags: 2012 elections, Barney Frank, cananbis, legalization, medial marijuana, president obama, Ron Paul