Here was my :twocents: for Mr. Obama:

"I know this will only be a drop in the bucket, and possibly even disregarded because of so many other pressing issues in our country, but as a citizen of the United States with an opportunity to possibly hand an opinion to President-elect Obama, I can't pass up the need to ask for equality when comparing the criminal status of a drug like cannabis to other more deadly (and regulated) drugs like alcohol and tobacco.

Regardless of much deeply held public opinion about the use of cannabis, it's becoming increasingly more difficult to deny that medical marijuana could actually be beneficial for people with many ailments like AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, migraines, and so many more. Actual doctors have agreed that there are many perceived benefits to certain groups of people who haven't responded so well to other conventional drug treatments, and are now looking to change the public opinion of cannabis from just another "street drug" to a drug with actual medical uses. I hope that, as President, Mr. Obama will take the time to understand the plight of these patients, and at least be willing to keep an open mind about their testimonies.

Again, I know that the economy, energy independence, stabilizing world relations, and so on, are going to be focal points for a presidency that's coming into existence during very difficult times, but I just have to ask that U.S. citizens be allowed to express why they view medical marijuana (which has been traditionally used as medicine for hundreds of years) as a drug that has proven to be useful, and what benefits they hold for people who need and/or responsibly use them. Here we have a President-elect who is talking about equality and change, well... this would be a landmark issue to prove that he's honestly willing to be open-minded. American citizens are tired of being told they're 'criminals' because they choose to responsibly use a substance that is far less deadly than alcohol and nicotine, and which can greatly reduce the pain of many specific ailments -- many of which, again, can't be controlled via conventional medical methods.

Thanks for your time."



Hopefully a lot more people will view this thread and take the time to express their opinions, too. Thanks again Granny! :thumbsup: