This time out at “Open for Questions” at Barack Obama’s Change.gov, the questions are being submitted under categories like “Economy” or “Foreign Policy”. The questions on the drug war seem to be appearing in the “Additional Issues” category. Currently in the lead with 3,107 votes:
“You’ve stated during your campaign that you don’t support marriage rights for GLBT citizens. How will you ensure that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans have rights equal to those of married couples?”
Which, given the Pastor Rick Warren controversy of late is not surprising. But hold on, because in 2nd place with 2,971 votes:
“The people of this country want marijuana decriminalization, when will marijuana be decriminalized? Why continue to spend billions of dollars to prohibit marijuana when evidence shows that the war on drugs is, as you said, “an utter failure”?”
And third with 2,853 votes:
“The Drug War has been an incredibly expensive failure since it’s inception. Meanwhile, millions of our citizens have been incarcerated for using drugs. I think we need to end this folly. What do you think, Mr. President?”
Rounding out the top twenty are eight more questions about cannabis legalization/decriminalization specifically, medical marijuana, hemp, or the drug war. That’s 50% of the top twenty “Additional Issues” (#2, 3, 5, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, 18, & 19) . Gay rights got #1, 6, 7, 10, & 12, or 25% of the top twenty, with two questions on civil rights/PATRIOT ACT, two on transcontinental rail/public transit, and one on poverty rounding out the other 25%.
The drug war shows up in other categories, too:
In National Security, question #2 with 2,017 votes:
“Our current war on drugs is failing America. Billions of dollars are spent on a losing campaign. Our prisons are overflowing with people that don’t deserve to be there. What is the government going to do in an effort to fix this major problem?”
And #4 with 1,544 votes:
“When will the US end the failed Drug War?”
#7 with 1,168 votes:
“Will the US legalize marijuana to bankrupt drug cartels in Mexico, help Mexico fight them and diminish drug distribution in the US by gangs? Marijuana as taxable commodity could support programs for drug users to quit and to fight harder drug traffic”
While the Health Care category did not have any medical marijuana in the top twenty, I think it is notable that the first eight questions and 80% of the top twenty health care questions addressed Universal Health Care and the obstruction and profits of the health insurance industry, and how Americans just can’t afford basic healthcare. Medical marijuana dispensaries may be better than the black market, but when you can’t afford $45 / eighth, it doesn’t matter who’s selling it.
We also got the #12 question in Science & Technology with 532 votes:
“According to President Obama, his is to be a ‘reality based’ administration. What it is the scientific basis for President Obama’s opposition to the legalization (or decriminalization) of marijuana?”
I am just hoping to follow the progress of our new government leaders in clearing the way for the medical community to supply me with the medicine that helps me the most with my legal medical disability not to mention the freedom of my fellow citizens & myself to use the herb for recreational relaxation. These are stressful times and cannabis is a far better & safer relaxation aid than alcohol & other drugs are.
I wish more people would go onto the Change.gov site and vote Yes for all legalization of marijuana questions. Is there any way NORML can put a link on their home page to encourage people to go do this? There should be hundreds of thousands of people voting yes on the top questions and there’s only like 6,000 or something.
By hovering on the bar representing the checked votes, a pop-up will appear telling you how many votes it got.
Russ, Where are you finding these vote counts?