Transcript
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Larry Kudlow: This story coming out of Washington has lit up Twitter and Facebook. Congressman Ron Paul and Barney Frank will be introducing a bill to end marijuana prohibition. A short time ago, Texas Republican Ron Paul spoke with me about exactly what he’s advocating. Take a listen.
Ron Paul: Well, removing it from the jurisdiction of the federal government and allowing the states to regulate it, like they would alcohol. And this seems to be strange for a lot of people, but I’m only going back to 1937 when that’s the way it was handled. The states always did this, and I’m motivated strongly also because the states legalize it for the use of medicinal purposes and it is helpful to people who have cancer or are getting chemotherapy. So this is not a huge radical idea, it’s something that was legal for a long, long time. And the war against marijuana causes so much hardship and accomplishes nothing. So I would say that marijuana, as far as causing highway problems, is miniscule compared to alcohol, and yet we knew prohibition of alcohol was very bad. So this is just getting back to a sensible position on how we handle difficult problems. And, for me, it should be the states.
Larry Kudlow: Alright, let the states regulate, yes, I agree with that, that’s a free market position, it’s a 10th Amendment position. Mr. Paul, in one of the debates, though, you came out for the legalization of marijuana and heroin. Is that still your view?
Ron Paul: Well, you know, I’ve never used the word heroine in my life when I talked about legalizing freedom of choice. And that one, too, was once legal and I concluded that argument and they sort of got the point when I said when they were making a big deal, your freedom philosophy means somebody could use heroine. I said, “You know, if tomorrow we legalize, how many of you in this audience would you heroine? Of course, nobody would.” So it’s a moot point, it’s how you regulate things and whether or not this trillion dollars we spend on the war on drugs … really since the early 1970s, the modern day war on drugs started with Richard Nixon and it’s a catastrophe, just as the prohibition was a catastrophe. So yes, they’re regulations for children and the way the states want to handle it. But, you know, it’s sort of like saying, “I believe in the first amendment”, and they say, “Oh, that means you’re pro-pornography”, or something like that. It’s ridiculous. Permitting something to happen does not mean that you authorize it or endorse it, it’s not an endorsement of what people do.
Larry Kudlow: Do you worry, sir? I mean, look, I’m recovering alcoholic and drug abuser. I’m coming after 16 years, with God’s grace. Do you worry, sir, that this opens the door to more drug use, sets the wrong example, sends the wrong single? It’s an honest question on my part, do you ever worry about that? You yourself are a doctor..
Ron Paul: No, because I think it’s much worse because kids today have an easier time finding marijuana than they can alcohol. And how many cases of drug addiction were prevented by the laws? Do the laws really do it? Would putting you in prison for about 5 years, do you think that would have helped you? Would that have cured you? No, this is a medical problem, it’s not a legal problem. You shouldn’t be a criminal because you have a problem with drugs. So I just don’t think putting you in prison would have been helpful at all.
Larry Kudlow: Alright, well, I did it through a faith-based self help program, but I appreciate your point of view.
Ron Paul: The market, Larry, that’s the market way of taking care of a problem.
Larry Kudlow: I guess I do. I want to agree with you on why the states should have the jurisdiction on this and so many other things. I think that’s exactly the right position.
Ron Paul: We should be very consistent.
Larry Kudlow: I got to go. Congressman Paul, you’re terrific for helping us out tonight, I appreciate it.
Ron Paul: Alright.
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Dear Sir,
Your analysis of the baneful, insidious and completely hypocritical “drug war” is right on, and I greatly commend your efforts to put aright this disaster of near biblical proportions. The “drug war” (parenthetical due to the fact that the word drug is used with complete equivocalness and double standard labeling; one logical fallacy out of a near ad infinitum regarding this issue) is one of the greatest shams in all of history–morally, economically, politically, etc.–that has ever come about; it’s a cancer that affects EACH and EVERY one of us, regardless of whether or not we realize the terrible and mounting costs we daily incur. It has done NOTHING but enervated the sinews of industry, clipped the wings of commerce, energized and provided a virtual cornucopia of resources for terrorists and cartels, created the most shameful and disgusting cesspool of corruption, and, in VERY short, wreaked untold of havoc on the lives of innocent people whose only “crime” was to be in the clutches of what is, by medical definition (i.e. bona fide addiction), a DISEASE. Thank you so much for your efforts to speak out against this abominable disgrace that is helping to destroy this nation, and please don’t ever waver in your determination to put aright a situation that has surpassed a near pinnacle of perfection in terms of absurdity and perniciousness. It pleases me greatly that, among all the sycophant politicians who pander for selfish interests regardless of the safety and long term felicity of the common weal–that a person of true honor and merit–someone like yourself, dear sir–still exists to preserve public integrity in doing what’s best for the nation.
Most Sincerely and with the Utmost Respect,
Sean Savarese
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wow! first time I hear a politician talking about pot, being a great cancer cure.
Wish, this would become a reality around the world, cause the plant is really miraculous.
thank you Ron for your effort.
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HE IS SUPPORTING DRUGS! and SIN
by DEFILING YOUR BODY your useing DRUGS
illegal or ABUSING Legal ones for bad purposes
he is telling y
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Just how is using that which God gave us amounts to defiling one’s body?
Using man made chemicals, sure, you have a point, but the Lord gave us cannabis to harvest and use… it’s in the Bible, Genesis!
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Alcohol is worse than weed. More people die from alcohol, and this is the key, ABUSE, than marijuana. Even Jesus drank wine. He did not however advocate drunkardness
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I love how so many idiot politicians who are against marijuana say, “I support using marinol.”
Okay, let’s examine this:
What do Marijuana and Marinol have in common? They share the same principal chemical, THC.
What is the difference between Marijuana and Marinol? Anybody can grow Marijuana, almost for free. Only Pharmaceutical companies can manufacture Marinol.
Between sick people and big corporations, who will give the most in political donations?
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Somebody shut him up. He’s making too much sense.
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The main street media are gonna try
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I’m voting for Ron Paul because the rest of the politicians support the ever expanding police state, warrantless FBI searches and are a bunch of globalist lapdogs for the UN agenda! The US has the highest incarceration rate per capita than any country in the world. All because of mandatory minimum sentencing and drug laws legislated by archaic thinking morons who keep getting elected over and over and over.
»crosslinked«
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Making something illegal doesn’t somehow take it out of existence. It simply pushes it into a black market.
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This is sickening to realize that Republicans will nominate fraud like Romney or alike… Very, very sad.
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Look into US Patent # 6630507.
Federal Government Patents Marijuana as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectants.
So if the Feds argue there is no medicinal benefit, then why did they patent it?
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I don’t smoke at all but if people want this then it shouldn’t be illegal.
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“CIA spy” Davis was giving nuclear bomb material to Al-Qaeda
Double murder-accused US official Raymond Davis has been found in possession of top-secret CIA documents pointing to the American Task Force 373 (TF373) providing Al-Qaeda terrorists with “nuclear fissile material” and “biological agents,” including a nuclear “dirty bomb.”
in.news.yahoo.com/cia-spy-davis-giving-nuclear-bomb-material-al-20110219-224833-452.html
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i hate that it aint medicaly legal in texas yet,
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I’m a hard core democrat but love what Ron Paul is saying. Will Burt one in his name.
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ron paul has my motherfucking vote.
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I disliked this just to break the combo!
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305 views must be much much more bubetube at its best Go Ron paul !
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Marijuana is only a “gateway” to the fridge. I didn’t say that, and I forget who did, but he was right. Almost everyone I know in my generation smoked grass — or still does — but most never did smack or coke or speed, et cetera. All the people I ever met who DID do the hard drugs started out on A L C O H O L, however.
Prohibition is a “gateway” to pollice statism, and I say to hell with it.
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when do the states vote since the bill was just introduced today?
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the like bar looks like an unlit doobie
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a truely great american
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I don’t think he’ll win but so many people are giving him real respect now and that’s great to see.
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RON PAUL.
HE IS HERE TO FUCK SHIT UP.
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The war on drugs has been a complete failure. It is very easy to purchase marijuana, which shows that the amount of money being spent on it has been useless. I am tired of politicians spreading false statements about marijuana. If the government was actually concerned about the health risks involved, they would not continue to sell cigarettes, alcohol, etc. Studies have shown that cigarettes are much worse than marijuana and the government continues to downplay the studies. It’s time for change.
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Why no dislikes? Oh yeah cause this is totally awesome!
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Its not even the State’s business if you smoke pot, its not any of my business if you indulge, not any of your business if I smoke pot, thats what liberty is dudes.
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“That’s like saying, you’re pro first amendment, you must be pro pornography” That’s a damn good point, well said Congressman.
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Vote this man into office 2012!
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“He is a wonderfully interesting man.” said Kudlow. You darn right! Long Live Ron Paul.
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people will do what ever they want legal or not
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You have to cut off the snakes head to kill it.
Time to go after the alcohol distilleries, beer breweries, pharmaceutical giants, textile and plastic industries and any other lobbyists that keep holding this down.
And as far as law enforcement goes, pull out the charts and graphs and educate them as to the deaths caused by cannabis vs. alcohol and prescription drugs.
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ron paul just powned that guy. when you break down the ron paul the philosophy generally the ones who argue against it look stupid i love that part.
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Let Your Mind Be Free !!! No Drugs !!!! RON PAUL 2012 !!!
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Im smoking right now !!
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fuck Yeah! All stoners unite and vote Ron Paul 2012! Legalize weed!
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If there’s no victim it shouldn’t be a crime.
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