In an interview with VICE News, President Barack Obama discussed a host of issues important to Americans, one of which has been making headlines across the political aisle: marijuana.
Unfortunately, for an issue that has gained popular support on both sides of the political spectrum, Obama offered a paternalistic measured response: “Young people, I understand this is important to you but you should be thinking about climate change, the economy, jobs, war and peace. Maybe way at the bottom you should be thinking about marijuana.”
Sorry Mr. Drug-Warrior-in-Chief, but marijuana legalization is about a lot more than just getting high. While the mainstream narrative thus far has been about defending personal and civil liberties and making economic sense, the underlying movement behind legalization focuses on fairness, equity and justice. When the United States imprisons more people for drug offenses than the European Union incarcerates for all crimes combined and they have over a hundred million more people than we do, it is wrong for Obama to dismiss our actionable opinions.
Yes, climate change and the economy are vitally important issues that need our immediate attention, but unfortunately, most of us, including Congress, have been unable to formulate the right approach to these very serious issues. And even if by some miracle we do come up with an approach, would it translate into meaningful and effective policy? Unlike the political land mines one must avoid with climate change and the economy, marijuana legalization tends to be straightforward, and if properly mobilized, there is a real chance for our efforts to manifest into effective policy. Just go see Colorado and the $53 million in taxes and fees they received from marijuana in 2014.
For a president who prioritizes climate change and frequently advocates for the need for “green jobs,” Obama continues to overlook the environmental advantages associated with legalization. He seems to be doing so out of politics and legacy, not science. Hemp has grown in this country since its founding. Even some of the founding fathers grew hemp, using it for food, clothing, rope, paper and plastic. The need for environmentally sustainable resources and industries has never been greater. Hemp would not only create new green jobs, but also position us to create a new biofuel.
Above all, if the president truly wants young Americans to care about war and peace, then ending marijuana prohibition is the first step to chipping away at the drug war. Drug production, trafficking and consumption affects every country in the world. The resilience of the black market has led to drug trafficking becoming the world’s primary revenue source for organized crime. The U.S.-led international drug control efforts inadvertently enable an illicit drug industry accounting for an estimated $320 billion annually.
Rather than worrying about his legacy, Obama should take young people’s advocacy and excitement for marijuana politics as an opportunity for further civic engagement.