Presidential Candidates' Policies on Pot

The issue of decriminalization and legalization of marijuana is a small issue in the 2008 presidential election. Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, as well as the third party candidates, all vary in their policies towards the issues surrounding marijuana.

In 2004, Obama said, “In terms of legalization of drugs, I think the war on drugs has been an utter failure. I think we need to rethink and decriminalize our marijuana laws. But I’m not someone who believes in legalization of marijuana.” With regards to medical marijuana, he believes that it can be necessary, but only if it is scientifically proven to have a positive effect. Obama is also against the incarceration of current medical marijuana users, and believes that medical marijuana should be subject to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

While McCain agrees with Obama on the issue of the arrests of medical marijuana users, he is entirely against all reformation of marijuana laws, as well as medical marijuana use. McCain strongly frowns upon marijuana, and believes that there are other, healthier alternatives to relieving pain.

Libertarian candidate Bob Barr believes that the issue of marijuana use should be determined on whether or not America wants a government that is so powerful that it can tell you what to do in the privacy of your own home.

The Green party candidate, Cynthia McKinney is for legalization of industrial hemp and all its uses, and the decriminalization of all victimless crimes, which includes possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Independent candidate Ralph Nader believes that marijuana is less dangerous than alcohol and tobacco and that it should be “brought into a system of regulation and taxation”, which “would provide greater control over purity, potency, labeling, health warnings and age restrictions than the current ‘war on marijuana’ approach.”