Barack Obama has disappointed his liberal and youthful followers by not pushing to legalize marijuana, even though by many reports and his own admission, the President has been a devoted user at different times in his life.  Ironically, Obama’s fate in the 2012 election could now depend upon a vibrant ballot initiative to legalize marijuana in the crucial swing state of Colorado.

In a strange twist, both Liberals and Libertarians in the state seem to support legalization of ONE OUNCE of marijuana for “recreational use.”   Liberals because they consider it a personal liberty, conservative Libertarians because they oppose government intervention in THEIR lives.

This 21st century debate could play a  role in deciding the presidential victor, because Barack Obama could benefit from an outpouring of youthful voters supportive of the initiative.  Here’s the story from Reuters:

“It’s a state where people of different political stripes see marijuana laws as an example of government needlessly sticking its nose where it doesn’t belong.

It’s also a proving ground for advocates who see legalization as a way to ease crowding in prisons, generate much-needed tax revenues, create jobs and weaken Mexican cartels that thrive on Americans’ appetite for illegal drugs.

The Rocky Mountain State already allows the use of marijuana for medical purposes such as severe pain relief, and some communities have embraced it enthusiastically.

Many Colorado Residents DO Support Legalization Of Marijuana

The prevalence of medical marijuana dispensaries in Denver has moved pot into the mainstream in Colorado’s capital city.

In Denver County, home to about 600,000 people, one in every 41 residents is a registered medical marijuana patient, leading to chuckles about the “Mile High City.” Denver is roughly a mile above sea level.

The number of places licensed to sell medical marijuana products has reached 400 here, according to the Denver Post. That means there are more dispensaries in the capital than there are Starbucks coffee shops (375) statewide.

A similar bill is on the ballot in Washington, another state that already allows use of medical marijuana. If approved, the initiatives would put the states squarely in the crosshairs of federal law, which classifies cannabis as an illegal narcotic.

Using Women To Hustle Marijuana....

It’s unclear precisely how the U.S. Justice Department – whether led by Obama or Romney – would respond if Colorado, Washington or other states legalize marijuana for recreational use. Both politicians oppose legalizing the drug.

But in a close presidential election in which Colorado could be a tipping point – and with polls showing Obama has up to a 30-point edge over Romney among voters age 30 and under – the state’s marijuana initiative could be a factor if it draws out young voters.”

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/02/us-usa-campaign-colorado-idUSBRE85109120120602

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Filed under: Economy, Featured, Inside The KC, Politics by Sonja Eddings Brown, Jun 3, 2012