WASHINGTON — Pot smokers and law enforcement agents in Washington state saw the first reaction Thursday from President Obama on the legalization of marijuana
Obama told ABC News’ Barabara Walters that recreational users of marijuana in Washington and Colorado were not a “top priority” for federal law enforcement officials, saying the government had “bigger fish to fry.”
“It would not make sense for us to see a top priority as going after recreational users in states that have determined that it’s legal,” Obama said.
In November, both Washington state and Colorado passed laws legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. However, the drug still remains a Federally Controlled Substance and a Schedule I drug. Schedule I drugs have no accepted medical value in the United States and are deemed to have a high potential for abuse. It is illegal to manufacture, distribute, dispense or hold the drug.
Obama said limited government resources restrict the federal government’s ability to go after marijuana users in states which have made pot legal. However, he said the situation was a gray area, since the drug is still banned by Congress.
“This is a tough problem because Congress has not yet changed the law,” Obama said. “I head up the executive branch; we’re supposed to be carrying out laws… How do you reconcile a federal law that still says marijuana is a federal offense and state laws that say that it’s legal?”
Obama told ABC News he does not support the widespread legalization of marijuana. It is widely known that Obama smoked pot in teenage years, but told ABC News he regretted ever doing that.
“There are a bunch of things I did that I regret when I was a kid,” he said.
17 Comments to “Obama says going after legal pot in Washington not a ‘top priority’”
December 14, 2012 at 4:04 PM
what we can expect from this liberal administration, from the moment they start support the rainbow party something wrong start with this leader country leader of the rest of the world, every country want emulate this pervert administration,
December 14, 2012 at 4:36 PM
Well it shouldn't be prohibition is a huge mistake. And it's built on a lie that Harry Anslinger made out of rascism for the oil, logging, chemical and pharmaceutical companies thrive off of.
December 15, 2012 at 10:25 AM
The feds still need to use marijuana as a probable cause to drill deeper with high profile criminals. Not to mention, the drug cartels get discounts when they pick up huge amounts of multiple drugs in one buy.
Like $1m coke, $1m heroin, and huge discount on weed
December 17, 2012 at 7:06 AM
Legalize marijuana in palm coast Florida it’s like a retirement little side town and the people here need it
March 14, 2013 at 6:55 PM
Yeah I do agree that the the feds still need to use marijuana as a probable cause to drill deeper with high profile criminals. Not to mention. . get heroin addiction help
April 9, 2013 at 8:59 PM
Whats up! I just wish to give a huge thumbs up
for the great info you have got here on this post. I can be coming back to your weblog for extra
soon.
April 11, 2013 at 6:42 PM
You have some really good ideas in this article. I am glad I read this. I agree with much of what you state in this article. Your information is thought-provoking, interesting and well-written.
April 22, 2013 at 5:27 PM
what ever obama said, This is a tough problem because Congress has not yet changed the law