Drug Policy ‘Buck’ Stops With Obama, Too

I think this is a big area where America needs a more progressive approach. The government keeps throwing money at the War on Drugs to “keep people safe”, but really all it does is create a black market for drug trade. As with any black market, it is completely unable to be regulated, and always turns violent if enough money is injected into the system. The scarcer drugs get because of busts, the more the price of drugs go up (supply and demand), and the more is on the line for these people trafficking them.This guy seems like one of those people who would berate occasional recreational marijuana users, but he himself couldn't keep his alcohol use recreational.

The Federal Marijuana Prohibition: Is it holding you back?

This year alone the Mexican Drug Cartels have murdered more than 5,000 people, primarily to protect their cash flow from illicit marijuana sales in the US. Sales made possible only due to the presence of the Federal Marijuana Prohibition that prevents reputable businesses from legally selling marijuana to adults.

If you were one of the 5,031 people killed by the Cartels this year, probably you were also decapitated or dismembered to ensure they got their message across, or maybe you were the 5-yr old boy whose heart they injected with acid, then you could legitimately say that the Federal Marijuana Prohibition is holding you back.

But maybe it was the other great benefiter of the prohibition that had a negative impact on your life. Maybe you were one of the 2,000 people our Law Enforcement personnel arrested every *day* for marijuana-related offenses. The vast majority for doing nothing more than what alcohol drinkers and cigarette smokers do every day. If you were one of the people arrested for possessing the safest recreational drug on the planet while your alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking friends were able to consume their addictive and deadly drugs of choice with impunity, then you too could say that the Federal Marijuana Prohibition is holding you back.

There is something terribly WRONG when the DEA and the Mexican Drug Cartels agree that the marijuana prohibition is a good thing. Somebody on our side has made a BIG mistake.

Ramstad appears to be another 'insider' chosen for his connections rather then his true worth;

http://freedomofmedicineanddiet.blogspot.com/20…

Aside from your last sentence, which I can't comment on because I don't know enough about Ramstad to judge, I agree whole-heartedly with everything you said. One are the Obama administration could make dramatic changes is drug policy reform. However, with so much federal money being spent and the constituencies that develop whenever the federal government throws money around foolishly, reform may be very difficult, especially without appearing “soft on crime.” Still, I'm hopeful Obama will have the courage to expend political capital on formulating a sensible drug policy.

The right thing to do is judge the man upon his professional aptitudes, not upon his drinking episode in the past. If he was an alcoholic then he learned a valuable lesson about addiction and I don't think this would be such a bad thing for his current position. If he proved failure in the past concerning political approaches on drugs, then I doubt he is the right person for this kind of position.

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Substance abuse is an issue that requires much more attention these days.

Considering the recent failure of the War on Drugs I think it would be wise to vote the right person to lead to lead. I don't think Rmastad is the wisest choice, not only because of his past with alcohol but also because of his current position on drug policies…
Caroll, Cliffside counselor

substance abuse in general is something that is consistently overlooked as to how it should be treated. There are many theories out there and only about a hand full are accurate.

Dan Callahan
Alcohol Rehab

substance abuse in general is something that is consistently overlooked as to how it should be treated. There are many theories out there and only about a hand full are accurate.

Dan Callahan
Alcohol Rehab

It’s a shame that the pres. is just going to pay lip service to the notion of drug policy without actually paying any attention to the preventative measures that could be taken. We’re losing the drug war in a terrible way. I really hope we’ll see a resurgence of the enthusiasm for the effort – both preventative and otherwise – so that we can reclaim the health of our youth from prescription drug addiction
Dan V.

Obama may say the “buck” stops with him for drug policy, but historically this has been an issue for the states to manage themselves. Especially when it comes to our youth, the policy has to be lenient enough to allow for proper rehabilitation.

Todd S.
Teen Drug Rehab

This is an interesting debate. On the one hand, you have a person who is opposed to many potential life-saving programs that could benefit drug addicts in a number of ways. On the other hand, this person IS a recovering addict, which for my money makes him an outstanding choice to take the office. Who would know better about drugs and addiction than an individual who has
lived through it?

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I dunno why so many are opposing the new appointment , when who better to control drugs and addiction the a man that knows exactly how it feels and what amazing results Narconon Vistabay can offer for addicts

although some people might oppose the appointment of James Ramstad for the National Drug Control Policy but we have to remember he is an recovering addict who been through this nightmare & knows everything drugs & addiction.but also we have to remember to stop drug addiction completely we cant just rely only on federal government & sitting idly doing nothing.we have to step up & do something to contribute on this war against drug just like <a href=”%20%20%3Ctd%20height=17%20class=xl24%20width=536%20style='height:12.75pt;width:402pt'%3Ehttp:/brightkite.com/people/Vistabay/config?section=profile</td>” rel=”follow”>Narconon Vista Bayis offering great help for addicts

James Ramstad as a recovering addict will be a good choice for the National Drug Control Policy office as he knows what drug addiction is.also individual & organization like Narconon Vista Bay has to step up to help those drug addicts if we want to stop drug addiction completely.

i dont understand whats fuss about this? to my judgment James Ramstad would be a better choice for to lead the Office of National Drug Control Policy considering as a former alchoholic & now he is recovering from addiction.who could lead anti drug office better then a recovering drug addict.also every individual & private organisation has to come forward to stop this problem just like Narconon Vista Bayis doing for addict people.

although some people might be skeptical about appointing James Ramstad to lead the anti drug office but from my perspective he will be a better choice considering as a former alchoholic.also like to mention that our anti drug organisation has so far failed to give us a positive result when its come to drug controlling & hopefully James Ramstad with his prior knowledge in this particular area will bring us some good news after all.also i agree with franklin that just like every other individual & private organisation has to come forward if we want to see our future generation without drugs.

although some people might be skeptical about appointing James Ramstad to lead the anti drug office but from my perspective he will be a better choice considering as a former alchoholic.also like to mention that our anti drug organisation has so far failed to give us a positive result when its come to drug controlling & hopefully James Ramstad with his prior knowledge in this particular area will bring us some good news after all.also i agree with franklin that just like every other individual & private organisation has to come forward if we want to see our future generation without drugs.

thank you

I don't think it matters so much who is in charge of the anti drug office as long as he is doing what is right.Drugs are dangerous and they need to be erased once and for all.

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best drug rehabilitation

While they are arguing, we are still dealing with this disease which is drug addiction. I am now a recovering addict who has spent the last three weeks in a Christian based drug rehab center. I am still coping with the craving but I am not sure for how long.

Why are people still using drugs!? What is the fun in all of it? The biggest problem is not who is in charge but what does he do and if his solving the drug problems in America. The country is investing in Drug Rehabs in Washington centers and many others. There is no shame to recover from some addiction, but to be judge for it… it's not humane.

This is an interesting debate. On the one hand, you have a person who is opposed to many potential life-saving programs that could benefit drug addicts in a number of ways. On the other hand, this person IS a recovering addict, which for my money makes him an outstanding choice to take the office. Who would know better about drugs and addiction than an individual who has

If the government would put a percentage of the war on drug budget towards treatment they would have a much smaller problem to deal with. Quite simple actually, reduce the market and the dealers have less people to sell to. Alcohol Rehab

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