Dude, this could be really good news!
This could be a happy week for the millions of herb users out there who want the White House to legalize marijuana.
According to RawStory, the White House has agreed to meet with a group of marijuana activists next week to talk about the herb. President Obama is in his last few months in office, and weed supporters hope that the upcoming meeting signals a softening in his opposition to legalization.
Obama’s position on the use of marijuana has been evolving over the years.
A few years ago, the President came to believe that medical marijuana is OK as long as it is strictly regulated. He now believes that the use of pot for personal use should not be a criminal issue, but he’s stopped short of supporting legalization.
It’s clear from his choice of words that he doesn’t exactly think that weed is a major problem. In fact, he compares it to smoking tobacco. He says that it is less dangerous for individual consumers that alcohol. And he points out the fact that far more Black and Hispanic kids get locked up for using weed than white kids.
So activists are hoping that the meeting set for next week might signal the next step toward a wider legalization of their favorite herb. Group spokesman Adam Eidinger says:
“I hope to establish an ongoing dialogue with the White House and cannabis reformers. This meeting is hopefully the beginning of many meetings where the White House will make reforms before this administration’s time ends.”
The activists are hoping that the President will at least remove weed from its list of Schedule One drugs, which includes both heroin and cocaine. Users of cannabis strongly oppose having the drugs grouped together as if they are equally dangerous.
The White House has not indicated what it will be asking or offering in the upcoming meeting, but herb users everywhere are hoping that things will end on a high note.
Featured image by Getty Images/Jeff Vinnick.
