As a lame duck commander in chief, what could he do to decriminalize or to make pot legal?
Nothing. Um, three branches?
Nothing. He could help the effort to legalize it by stopping the enforcement of federal laws and suggesting that it’s a state issue. In general he could lobby for legalization. But that’s about it. The president doesn’t make the laws.
Correct, but if he decides to stop enforcing the laws, they would become a dead letter. Of course, states, most of them, would continue to enforce their own laws, but it seems easier to get a state to change than the national government. This happened with liquor laws after repeal. As recently as 1960, at least one state (Mississippi) was legally dry. Although I did see with my own eyes a “Black Market Liquor License” posted in one barroom. And I think Oklahoma was also dry.
The basis on which the federal government can outlaw pot grown, sold, and consumed inside one state seems pretty thin to me. So Obama could simply declare that the federal government has no jurisdiction in such a case. Of course, his successor could reverse it. But once that cat is out of the bag, I can’t see it stuffed back in.
Oddly, the Executive branch has made busting pot dispensaries a low priority. Now, true, there are still complaints. But my LEO buddies tell me that almost always it is Because there is a direct connection to violent organized crime.
Why would he want to ? A lame duck president needs no votes.
For the same reason he’d want to effect any other change in policy. He didn’t apply for the job to just sit around the White House in his jammies.
(But if I were president, that’s what I’d do.)
Promote the notion to the leadership of individual states
That’s exactly why he would. Being not only the first black president in the Oval Office, but smoking a blunt with his joint chiefs at the same time, legally, would make him the most kickass and chill president of all time.
The State of the Union address would be cosmic, man.
In fact, think how much better off America would be if congress got blazed every once in a while.
*Republicans passing the bong *
“We’re all like, connected, guys. Like… E Pluribus Unum man… We’re all, like,* one,* y’know…”
“Shit, guys, Universal Health or whatever… it’s straight up.”
“Right on.”
“Thomas Jefferson grew weed y’know?”
“Shiiiit. So did Washington. That explains why they grew that shit and didn’t turn a profit. They we’re smoking it all… ‘Hemp’, hahahah…”
“What were we saying?”
“Who cares, let’s get some Doritos…”
Can he pardon away all federal marijuana offenses, each day from here through to the end of his term?
He could; the president’s power to grant federal pardons is essentially unchecked. On the other hand, a lot of the people going down for federal drug offenses are a bit more nefarious than your average harmless stoner.
You’re expecting him to toke up during his State of the Union address?
Meanwhile, back on Earth…
He could ask for legislation to remove it from Schedule I. Unfortunately, given the pure insanity of the Republicans, it doesn’t have a chance in hell of passing. Even those who would support it for whatever reasons (compassion, Libertarianism, etc) would be strongly pressured by the party to toe the line of Opposition To Obama At All Costs.
Fer sure, cmyk! Then Prez O would truly live up to Cecil’s evaluation of him, given way back in February 2009 (emphasis added):
Does the President have enough power to stop spending money on the drug war?
Executive order that no more federal money will be spent for cannabis prosecution?
That seems like the easiest way, just go after people for other drugs instead.
Anybody busted with enough weight to face a federal court likely had other drugs too.
And/or guns, illegal earnings, etc. So just writing off the pot offenses doesn’t free everyone.
Back in 2008, I swear to Heaven, the whole of Digg totally believed that the new president would not only make marijuana legal in six months of his inauguration, but that it was the one priority on his mind.
What, were they high or something?
With the way things went at Digg, it wouldn’t surprise me.
Moderator Note
Chimera, political jabs are not permitted in GQ. No warning issued, but don’t do this again.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator