Transcript
This is a rush transcript. Can you help us out and proofread the transcript while you watch the video? Go to our writeboard (password: prohibition). Then click the “Edit this page” button to make changes. We check all writeboards daily and will update this post with your proofread transcript ASAP. Thanks!
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.
Processing your request, Please wait....
and for the people who don’t know You can’t die from marijuana ,so why not legalize it ??
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
I use it because i have a eating disorder I seem to only eat when im highh ,Plus i Can barely sleep when im sober thats why i smoke Green ,,:Ron Paul 2012 LEGALIZE ITTTTT !!!
»crosslinked«
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
4 
0
No im right. You only think im wrong because you like drugs. I used murder as an examply dumb dumb. I was saying if you want to legalize drugs like you want, then why not legalize something else thats harmfull and destructive like murder. Both bad thing and both illegal for a good reason
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
5
the reason the “war” on drugs isn’t eradicating all drugs is because there is a lack of necessary enforcement…even to the point where your considering as a country to legalise it again. pretty dumb imo
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
3
Your 14 you wont be able to get this shit even if it was legal. I think logically and legalizing drugs is not logical. Its harmfull. Legalizing murder would have economical benifits too. Murder isnt good neither is weed. Thing like that are illegal for a reason. Kid use the brain God gave you
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
4
you legalize marijuana, you stop the drug trafficking with marijuana (at least it will be politically taxed). i’m not saying it will stop cartels pushing cocaine, meth and dirty nasty shit weed to USA, but it would slightly shift drug trafficking.
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Drugs are drugs, whether they be over the counter, prescription, or otherwise. They help people, but also can be harmful if not used responsibly. Tax it, Legalize it, let the responsible adult who needs a weed cigarette smoke one, just as we allow them to drink alcohol or abuse any other easily accessible substance on the planet. WHY THE HELL ARE WE TRYING TO SAVE THE WORLD? Making pot legal wouldn’t hurt a single soul on this planet, and the government would only benefit from the taxable profits. My personal opinion is that time and an inflated ego have kept the US to its traditional close minded ways. The majority of the countries in the world have prohibited this substance for far too long, and they are all to afraid of being the first to try the most sensible option, complete legalization. The world won’t end. People who are interested in Marijuana should research and find out if its right for them, but be given the choice whether to try it or not should be a constitutional right.
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Im not in denial. Its sad that people think its healthy to be high and have a false sense of reality. Its disgusting. We can get rid of that worthless plant and nothing will happen
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
1
There isn’t one registered death by weed. Not one. Alcohol is way more harmful. And smoking tobacco due to the 20-30 cigarettes the normal smoker smokes – plus the lounge cancer. Most people who do weed smoke joints where they remove the nicotine which helps greatly in not making it addictive.
People who says it’s dangerous and harmful doesn’t really know what they are talking about. It’s denial, it’s sad.
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Lol weed is for fags. It makes us weak
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
1
YEA legalize it.
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It was legal. BUT, in 1937 people were made to believe that Mexicans and Black people were smoking weed and having sex with white women; how fucking stupid! Then the scheduling act made it a schedule 1 substance… claiming it was among the most dangerous drugs and has no medical value whatsoever. Marijuana Prohibition is a story of hopelessness for freedom in the USA, and is the ultimate ‘fuck you’ from the government. oh yea, 10th amendment anyone?
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
It was legal. BUT, in 1937 people were made to believe that Mexicans and Black people were smoking weed and having sex with white women; how fucking stupid! Then the scheduling act made it a schedule 1 substance… claiming it was among the most dangerous drugs and has no medical value whatsoever. Marijuana Prohibition is a story of hopelessness for freedom in the USA, and is the ultimate ‘fuck you’ from the government. oh yea, 10th amendment anyone?
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I live in canada and I frist of all am a stoner but I believe weed should be legal it will bring down the crime rate like cops don’t get payed per arest they get paid like everyone else. The goverment is doing the right thing all you people against it look at it like this there wont be as many people killing people just to get weed cuz they pinched or cheaped out. The gov can sell it and make profit by taxing it easy as that. It cures cancer cmon ppl!
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Americans arent growing drugs? The government is smart and doesnt want any narcotics legal. Weed would make this country look like a bunch of pussies. Look at holland. They have it legal and they cant even fight a war. Weed is nothing but problems
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
3
Ron Paul 2012
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Marijuana is the cure for cancer..When smoked autophagy takes place where the cancer cells eat themselves..They ban marijuana because the medical industry makes profit on promoting medications that cure one problem and in exchange give you a harmful side effect..so you have to buy another medicine to cure that side effect,thats how they make their money while your body yearns for something that is natural that God made for you..Knowing all this but yet I never smoked in my life..
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Carl Sagan used marijuana and was a big advocate! and was also a brilliant scientist! Stephen King uses marijuana and is one of the top selling authors in the world! tons of NFL players and NBA players as well. Nick and Nate Diaz – very successful MMA fighters. Montel Williams – Popular talk show host and a huge advocate. People throughout the world are Pro-Marijuana, and many of them are very smart mature people that are very successful!
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Well they are better than weed
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Asod2010 sucked his fathers dick last night and his father was high this is why he has such a hate for marijuana…
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
O.K. listen up, some of you people in a lesson on pot. It is NOT an addictive drug. It is NOT bad for you (only if you use it in excess, which is true about everything, even damn milk). It serves over 1000 different uses, all of them positive. People should be given the freedom (in the place thats called the LAND OF FREEDOM!!!) to do whatever they want, until it infringes on the life of other people (which there are laws against killing someone else, duh). Cigarettes have killed thousands, hell, probably millions! And how many has pot killed? Oh right, 0. And for some reason it is illegal. People should have the right to peer into their own soul.
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
They are both harmfull, addictive drugs and they make you do stupid things when you use them and should both be illegal and eraticated
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
3
Fuck if he wins ,free pot for eveyone!!!!!
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
I’ll kill my self if it gets legalized
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
1
he literally just won all the votes of people who smoke pot in america haha
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
he literally just won all the votes of people who smoke pot in america haha
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Ron Paul for president <3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
so since the constitution was printed on hemp does that mean if you smoked it you could get high :p
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Of course. Alcohol is as bad as marijuana. Just it kills faster
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
2
ASOD2010, you have no right to judge people that do different with their lives. I’m not gonna call you names, because I’m more mature than you, but if people choose to do drugs then that’s their business. I smoke marijuana very often. my family has a past of alcoholism, and i have seen what it has done. thankfully for me, i started smoking marijuana before i was hooked to drinking. i have drank, and use to a lot. i am beyond happy that i found a much safer alternative that makes me feel ten times better, ten times more alert, and i can have fun without worrying about being a fucking psycho. if your against smoking weed then get off of this page. obviously this is a page for people who are for the legalization of marijuana and we don’t need your criticism.
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
*lives to fall to pieces. — see that? That’s showing I have the intelligence to correct my errors
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Open your eyes, times change and it’s happening now. You need to stop thinking that drugs are horrible. Do you drink coffee? It’s technically a drug. Or how about Tylenol, or similar medications. Even cough drops. Are they all dangerous and cause people’s life to fall to pieces?
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Im not ignorant i know what drugs do to you. And i know drugs are for weak people that make stupid decisions. Itll hurt you in the long run. Weed is a drug. You should stay away from things that give you a false sense of reality
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
2
Also, ASOD2010, your comments don’t help your point at all. By using derogatory names, as well as a complete disregard for spelling while having a “4.7 in [your] freshman year” makes you sound ignorant beyond all comprehension. Marijuana is not harmful, it’s more beneficial than anything else, helping to alleviate pain, increase appetite, and even improve lung function. I myself am a “stoner”. Regardless of this fact I have maintained a 4.4 GPA through high school, taking various AP and honors
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
The only reason that marijuana causes people to “fail” in their lives is because of the ridiculous laws. And by the way, it’s honors, nor homors classes.
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
1 
0