Media

Pat Robertson: Let’s Decriminalize Marijuana!

Christian Coalition and 700 Club founder Pat Robertson says the U.S. needs to get “smart” on crime… by de-criminalizing marijuana:

“It got to be a big deal in campaigns: ‘He’s tough on crime,‘ and ’lock ‘em up!’” the Christian Coalition founder said. “That’s the way these guys ran and, uh, they got elected. But, that wasn’t the answer.”

His co-host added that the success of religious-run dormitories for drug and alcohol cessation therapy present an “opportunity” for faith-based communities to lead the way on drug law reforms.

“We‘re locking up people that have taken a couple puffs of marijuana and next thing you know they’ve got 10 years with mandatory sentences,” Robertson continued. “These judges just say, they throw up their hands and say nothing we can do with these mandatory sentences. We‘ve got to take a look at what we’re considering crimes and that‘s one of ’em.

“I’m … I’m not exactly for the use of drugs, don’t get me wrong, but I just believe that criminalizing marijuana, criminalizing the possession of a few ounces of pot, that kinda thing it’s just, it‘s costing us a fortune and it’s ruining young people. Young people go into prisons, they go in as youths and come out as hardened criminals. That’s not a good thing.”

Robertson aired a clip on a recent episode of his 700 Club television show that advocated the viewpoint of drug law reformers who run prison outreach ministries.

(h/t Gawker)

Comments (231)

1 2 3 ... 5
  • lostandfound65
    Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:32am

    Pat is right! Amazing.

    Report Post »  
    • Zorro6821
      Posted on December 26, 2010 at 5:12am

      I agree. Too many kids are being jailed for pot, what a waste. I find that pot smokers tend to be more calm and relaxed, unlike booze that kills.

      Report Post »  
  • sWampy
    Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:30am

    Let’s stuff our heads up the backside of barney. Less than 1% of the population cant work addicted to booze and can’t provide a living for themselves and heir off springs, more than 20% of pot heads sit on their asses and plan to take over the world. Pinky and the Brain or Einstein, you make the choice.

    Report Post »  
  • commonsenseguy
    Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:27am

    just a question, does any really believe decriminalizing weed will stop the ruthless killing in mexico ????? the more they can legally send over here, the more the people will want it and the more the killings for territory !!!!!!!!! maybe i am wrong, and maybe i might need to smoke some weed and not worry about it, and just let what ever happens happen. yea, that will solve everything !!!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • joe3
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:46am

      Legalizing booze stopped the mob from taking part and killing those involved. Look, the folks who were most worried in humbolt county cali. ( the emerald triangle ) about legalization were the growers. The price would have dropped by %200. Marlburo and Camel would take it over. There would be no room for the cartels, just like the mob cant make money in booze. And the FDA would get to inspect and insure safety. It could even be an American owned industry, one of the only ones.

      Report Post »  
    • joe3
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 1:07am

      Your right on about the way pot heads behave, they smoke all the time and don‘t worry about anything but smokin’. But so far the drug war is been worse for our freedoms and safety than the zombies. The 60s hippies were not as violent as the pot heads are today. The black market has encouraged a mafia gang banger mentality. The people who participate in the illegal drug trade have blood on their hands. It needs to stop. As I said before, that is not likely.

      Report Post »  
    • Brained
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 1:10am

      The cartels will just find another way to rake in dough.

      Report Post »  
    • chexfive
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 2:25am

      Well, I think it would drastically reduce the violence and power of the drug cartels.

      Here is why, if you could make your own gasoline at home for 10 cents a gallon would you pay $3.00 a gallon at the gas station? If you could make a gallon of gasoline as easy as you can make a gallon of tea, would you buy gasoline for $3.00 a gallon? $2.00 a gallon? $1.00 a gallon? I don’t think so, and this is about how easy marijuana is to grow, people that use now would then grow their own, therfore drastically reducing the demand and the profit from the illegal weed. In fact the US would practically stop importing any marijuana in just 6 months because people would grow their own. Lets say the casual user smokes one marijuana cigarette a day, for good grade weed that could be $5,000 per year for a lite user. Do you think that user would grow their own for practically nothing or continue to pay $5,000 a year? My guess is, they would grow their own, and in fact they would probably grow more than they needed and in fact it wouldn’t be long before we were exporting it by the bales across the world to places where it is illegal. Either way here at home it would be cheaper than dirt, and the need to import is almost immediately halted along with the violence and before long, those Mexican traffickers would have to invest that money into legal businesses to make more cash before it all runs out, and that would create jobs there, and here, a good thing for all. We also reduce any marijuana petty crime here in our country. Marijuana can also be used medically for hundreds of issues, and it can also be used to help get people off harder drugs.

      Report Post » chexfive  
    • mike_restin
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:01am

      CHEXFIVE

      People generally don’t grow their own tomatoes because they are cheap.
      If tomatoes were $400 an ounce you bet they would grow their own.

      Report Post »  
    • Nutthuggers
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:46am

      Commonsenseguy, I imagine that you do not want the government controlling YOUR life. Why do you seek to control OTHER peoples lives? Liberals and Conservatives battle over who is best suited to control peoples lives, while Libertarians fight to give people control over their own life (as long as they do no harm to others).

      Report Post »  
    • Clive
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 1:41pm

      pats right on. so is Joe3. legalize it, tax it, pay down our debt.
      the other option is “keep it legal, keep the cartels and drug dealers, and let scumbags continue to get rich”. And keep on throwing non violent people into a super expensive prison system?

      besides, anyone who has lived even a little bit, knows that its a fraction as dangerous as alcohol. I can’t think of a single good reason to keep the status quo on this, it doesn’t work for anyone.

      Report Post »  
  • PoxZombie
    Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:24am

    all i can say is amen mr robertson…. wow never thought id ever say that in life…

    Report Post » PoxZombie  
  • joe3
    Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:15am

    Pot is %80 of the cartels profit. It is the basis of every problem in mexico and the boarder. More money is spent on pot in the US than oil or food. Its the largest commodity in the US. Wichovia bank has been busted red handed laundering something like $380 million dollars for the cartels. I have not herd of any legal actions taken. The problem is that when you make a commodity illegal, you allow it to be controlled criminally, and that money is un-reported, worth more as it can be used to buy guns, politicians, judges, generals, you name it. Yes, pot has a negative affect on users. So does booze and gambling, but they are better controlled legally. Either way if you don’t think the big banks control the drug trade and the cartels, thats likely the first problem. They have a monopoly on a falsely inflated commodity, and they wont give that up. Obama or any other POTUS will never be allowed to legalize pot. Thats the second problem. The third problem is the big prison business the US has developed over the last 30 years. Mainly filled with petty drug offenders. Slave labor whose cost of living is paid for by the tax payer. My problem with pot is that when consumed as food it is as bad as being drunk, pot users seem to not understand that. Also, unlike most drunks, potheads are unreliable human beings. It wont be legalized, but if it were to be, an enormous amount of realistic education on the use of pot, its negative effects, and ways to stop using it, would be necessary. Its a good idea as it is now.

    Report Post »  
  • pennswoods
    Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:14am

    Smoking weed is a total waste of time but if people chose to do it and it gives them pleasure, well, it’s their lungs not mine. Let’s decriminalize it and take the profits from the criminals and empty the jails and let the cops chase the real criminals. In my mind our lungs were designed to inhale oxygen, not smoke of anykind, so if people make the choice to smoke pot and someday develope lung cancer don’t ask the tax payers to pay for your medical bills. Enjoy…

    Report Post »  
    • Sickofstupid
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:27am

      Just like breathing exhaust on any city street. Ever notice the black dirt that collects on your fan blade. Yes, that is getting in your lungs. Sorry, but it seems everything gives you cancer. Not worried about pot.

      Report Post »  
  • Republic
    Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:00am

    I worked as a police narcotics detective for a long time and saw the never ending revolving door of arresting/convicting drug users and then putting them back out on the streets for them to only do it all over again. The only system I saw that even remotely worked was the legal system combining with the chemical dependency treatment. In other words, “Drug Courts”. They work…a lot of the time. Are they the silver bullet answer. No. But it works better than anything else I have seen.

    Report Post »  
    • republitarian
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:57am

      Thank you for the first hand account. Many Officers in my family say the same thing, but that is just second hand.

      Report Post » republitarian  
    • NJartificer
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 4:25am

      Parental responsibility works BEST

      Report Post »  
  • Midwest Blonde
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:57pm

    I have chronic pain which pain drugs don’t help much. I don’t sleep well, even with sleeping pills. I have smoked pot ON OCCASION and find that my pain is MUCH less, and I sleep better. If pot was decriminalized, I’d be able to get it without fear of the law.

    I’m not a criminal, I’m not an addict. It’s just that pot is so much more helpful than these un-natural RX drugs and truthfully, pot has fewer side effects than RX drugs do. As it is, I rarely smoke it – maybe a couple of times a year.

    (Sleeping pills hang me over and screw up my short term memory and attention span. Pain drugs also hang me over, and cause other problems like aggravate my vertigo.)

    Report Post » Midwest Blonde  
    • republitarian
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:21am

      I know where you’re coming from. I’ve had chronic pain too, and I would have done anything for just a little relief. Thankfully, it’s all but gone now.

      Report Post » republitarian  
    • Nutthuggers
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:01am

      Spot on. I am sick of people that complain that the Government is trying to control THEIR lives, yet they turn right around and find justification to control OTHER peoples lives. Hypocrisy at it’s highest. It is disgusting that we have criminalized the growing and consumption of a plant! It is something that could help you yet the moral police know better than you know your own body. People should have the freedom to do whatever they want to themselves as long as they don’t harm others. Simple as that!

      Report Post »  
    • Inuyasha
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 10:17am

      On point, Midwest!

      The report that was out a few weeks ago about more kids in school using in more recent years is because it is easy to get because it is not regulated like alcohol. The war on drugs is an epic failure. It is none of the governments business what we consume anyways, from drugs to food. Based on the premise set by the failed war on drugs they are now telling us how we should eat and it only a matter of time before they start banning foods. It has already started in some states. You can’t pick and choose, we are either free or not. We have to live with the results of our decisions whether they be poor decisions or good ones. And after reading some of the post on here, a lot of people on our side are still not that educated when it comes to cannabis. This isn’t about the drug cartels folks, it is about the government intervening in private citizens’ lives.

      Report Post » Inuyasha  
    • Clive
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 1:43pm

      agreed, on point.

      Report Post »  
  • Diamond Girl
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:56pm

    Amen Pat..Amen.

    Report Post » Diamond Girl  
  • Sickofstupid
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:52pm

    So much wasted tax revenue. Years and years of narcotics officers giving each-other high fives because the just got 50 pounds or 100 tons off the street. Today, after all the congrats from the brass and all the “good job buddy” i believe finally someone has to pull these guys aside and deliver the reality. NOT ONE SINGLE MARIJUANA BUST HAS HAD ANY EFFECT OF ANY KIND EVER ON THE AVAILABILITY OR USE OF MARIJUANA. EVERY NARCOTICS OFFICER WHO HAS TAKEN MARIJUANA OFF THE STREET HAS HAD NO EFFECT ON ANYTHING EVER, EVER. SORRY, BUT YOU HAVE WASTED YOUR CAREER. Should have gone into homicide. And this is from a guy who loves to support police. But this is just reality. The drug war is meaningless. And these cops who would probably have made great detectives have wasted their life and time fighting pot. Really really sad.

    Report Post »  
    • royalstar
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:17am

      I agree 100%. Prohibition of alcohol was a progressive idea that only helped the black market thugs, mafia and Joseph Kennedy. The waisted resources, violence and death of people on both sides of the issue is staggering. Marijuana could be taxed in the same way alcohol, tobacco products are, and with the massive decrease in funds on the war on drugs, could be a boon for our economy. By the way I don’t use marijuana myself. I am not in favor of legalizing other narcotics or controlled substances Waisted resources on marijuana could fund the control of these other substances. Legalizing is not the same as approval.The legalizing of alcohol did not effect a large segment of society that did not and does not approve of the use.

      Report Post »  
    • komponist-ZAH
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:28am

      Something that will drive the elitist progressives nuts: prohibition gave us NASCAR. (The brothers that started it enjoyed running moonshine from the mountains down to Atlanta so much, they decided to just race for fun.)

      Report Post »  
  • ltb
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:48pm

    I love Pat, but he’s wrong on this. As long as children are taught they’re descendants of pond scum and that life is meaningless, we shouldn’t be surprised when they turn into adults who use drugs to numb themselves to the futility of life. How about we legalize the Bible in schools again instead?

    Report Post » ltb  
    • Sickofstupid
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:12am

      No, hes not wrong. Just beginning to see how stupid and wasteful it is to try to eliminate something that grows like a lawn. He’s actually listening to his common sense which is telling him…..wow, all these years. All these huge pot busts. And not one single affect. Absolutely nothing. They just recovered the largest amount of pot ever recently. You probably came across the video of the authorities burning tons and tons and tons of pot in some field somewhere. Wanna guess what the effect was on pot sales and use. The effect was a big, fat ZERO. Nothing. No one cared then. No one cares now. Its that simple. All the investigation, foot work, effort. And absolutely nothing changed. NOTHING. Sorry.

      Report Post »  
    • ltb
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:38am

      Sickofstupid, why do you think people use drugs?

      Report Post » ltb  
    • neverending
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 2:33am

      I’ll second that!! Sadly, that didn’t come from Pat – sounds like he is testing it out.

      Report Post »  
    • NJartificer
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 4:17am

      The good Lord gave us children and pot and the responsibility to teach our young. We invented the POLICE STATE………You figure it out

      Report Post »  
    • Nutthuggers
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:56am

      If you have to send your kids or grandkids to the Big Gov Union run public schools then you probably shouldn’t have kids. Home school, private school. Don’t let the Feds teach your children. You teach your children. Send them to a school that does allow the Bible.

      Report Post »  
    • ltb
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:32pm

      Nutthugger, most of the people I know do send their kids to private school, or they homeschool them. That begs the question: Why should they and I, when I have no children, pay property taxes to fund public schools that we don’t use and that indoctrinate children with anti-Christian propaganda?

      Report Post » ltb  
    • pap pap
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:00pm

      I think that smoking weed should be just like a traffic ticket as long as it’s illegal unless you are inebriated and hurt someone.

      I haven’t smoked it myself in decades. I don’t do any drugs.

      18 years ago I was in a bar that was busted and the cops couldn’t care less if someone had weed. They were looking for coke.

      If someone has a large amount of it then the cops should do something otherwise not waste their time and our money.

      I’ve known people that could smoke it everyday and were very productive parts of their community and I have known those that did that and were total slugs. If it makes you a slug then you shouldn’t touch it or anything else that makes you a slug.

      Report Post »  
  • LibertyOrDeath
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:47pm

    Prohibition = A Progressive Idea. Be like us, because we know what’s better for you. No thanks, I can decide for myself.

    Prohibition just drives everything underground and makes it more dangerous on the black market for the seller and buyer as there’s no legal recourse if either party screws over another. Plus, the militarization of the police is way out of bounds. SWAT busts in, shoots at and kills dogs, and even kill innocent people. The videos online are sad. Death by FORCE is much worse then death by CHOICE.

    Report Post »  
  • GrumpyCat
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:45pm

    A problem we have in this country is the notion that if something is legal then its OK. That if its legal you not only have a right to it, but an entitlement. A prime example of this is ObamaCare.

    Is only a matter of time before ObamaCare starts using the full force of the government to edit behavior which adds to ObamaCares expenses. Michelle Obama has already started her efforts to limit food choices.

    While I think it is bad for the government to dictate behavior, I think it is right and just for employers to declare drugs off-limits. Not on holidays. Not on weekends. Never. Else lose your job for cause, no unemployment benefits.

    Report Post »  
    • mike_restin
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 6:56am

      If a business owner says no drugs period, it’s his company and therefore he may refuse employment.
      Generally, the insurance companies reduce premiums in exchange for testing.
      What a citizen of the US does which has no effect of others is constitutional and therefore there’s no reason for the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT to involve itself. Please congress, read the constitution.

      Report Post »  
  • Carbine1
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:45pm

    Thanks ALOT PAT OL’BOY. That really would do the trick. ARE YOU REALLY SERIOUS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????????

    Report Post »  
    • republitarian
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 1:07am

      I do believe he is. It is for the best. I know it might sound crazy to some, but think about what the founders intended.

      Report Post » republitarian  
  • neverending
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:43pm

    What a moron Robertson has become. We are “supposedly” fighting drugs from coming across the border and so now he is for making it illegal. As if drunken driving isn’t bad enough – and how about safety at work???? Good old Arizona just legalized it – what a fantastic move that was – we don’t have enough problems here. Is there anybody at all left that is sane and has some common sense – I am beginning to wonder.

    Report Post »  
    • Sickofstupid
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:22am

      zzzzzzzzzzz Parrot. Common sense says if you spend billions of dollars on fighting marijuana and the net effect on sales and consumption is ZERO, maybe its time to move on. You may not like it but, YOU WILL NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER WIN THE BATTLE AGAINST MARIJUANA. Sorry. Its time to move on.

      Report Post »  
    • VermontPatriot
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:05am

      They grow some pretty sweet green bud up here in Vermont. Yeh, yeh, I partake occasionally, and I inhale! I don’t mess with the other junk, not even the prescription pills, which seems to be the big problem nowadays. Most drug crime in VT are people looking for prescrips.

      I am not your typical hippie pothead though. I work full time, pay my bills, pay my taxes, and have strong conservative views and I despise anyone that trys to ruin our great country ala Oblahblah and his Corrupted Capitol.

      Report Post » VermontPatriot  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:44am

      neverending as in the war on drugs ?
      Drugs have been coming across the border since
      the day we made them illegal.

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
  • Carbine1
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:42pm

    Well now we know OL’PAT is hi on something else besides JESUS.

    Report Post »  
  • dawgPound
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:42pm

    WHAAAAAT???….Blazers supporting the legalization of pot?? You dim-wits thought only hippies wanted to leagalize it and you lost your collective minds. But P.R. says it’s cool and now your down with it?? Glenn is gonna be very, very angry with you guys…

    Report Post » dawgPound  
    • TruthTalker
      Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:58pm

      Erm, pay attention, most blazers are libertarian on this issue. You live by your decision and we are glad you die bye decide you decide your decision. This issue affects others, unless you can control yourself, so there is balance on if you can do that.

      Report Post »  
    • westy98530
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:02am

      Um… you do realize that Glenn, in principle, supports the legalization of pot, right?

      Report Post »  
    • komponist-ZAH
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:24am

      Government prohibition is a progressive idea. The “War” on drugs is a massive waste of taxpayer money, and the criminalization of activity that only harms the person doing it is an unwarranted infringement of personal liberty.

      I think I speak for most Blazers in saying that we don’t like drug use, but don’t like it being illegal, either.

      Report Post »  
    • republitarian
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:30am

      I see that you are surprised. Well don’t be. Every time this topic comes up, 90% of Blazers support it.

      So, what are we going to do about it?

      Report Post » republitarian  
    • thepatriotdave
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 1:06am

      Merry Christmas nut-job.

      Report Post » thepatriotdave  
    • TotallyBelievableGuy
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 1:50am

      Actually, the war on drugs is entirely christian-conservative. Ever heard of “prohibition”?

      Report Post » TotallyBelievableGuy  
    • republitarian
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 2:29am

      @Totally , You are the first lib around here to acknowledge this. C’mon in, the water is fine.

      Report Post » republitarian  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:47am

      Neocons love paying over 30,000 a year per person incarcerated
      for possession of Pot ? But don’t want to pay 14,000 a yr to somebody
      on unemployment ?

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
  • FutureofAmerica
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:31pm

    Finally someone wants to legalize it.

    Report Post »  
    • Midwest Blonde
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:09am

      De-criminalization is not legalization. It only means the purchase and use is not a crime – basically all decriminalization does it free up the courts and jails.

      Report Post » Midwest Blonde  
    • TERMLIMITSNOW
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:59am

      And save our money from being flushed down the shiiter

      Report Post » TERMLIMITSNOW  
  • TheBMT
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:29pm

    The key point is that drugs are not a criminal problem, they are a health problem. The same as Alchohol, nicotine, caffeine, etc. But the use in small amounts should be recognized as allowing the people to make that choice for themselves, to have LIBERTY to do so. Even when many in America may think its wrong (including Pat Robertson), respecting the right to individual liberty will take us farther towards respecting our constitution.

    Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 11:45am

      Hallelujah! You and a few others got the message correctly. Some of these un-smart people think it’s legalization of pot and are we-weeing down their legs in excitement. Use your head and the things hanging on either side to understand what was said. Legalization was never said or intended. Pat said jail time for people having a little pot on them should not happen, period, the end, understand now?

      Report Post »  
  • UlyssesP
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:27pm

    Very Practical.
    *COUGH-COUGH*

    Report Post » UlyssesP  
  • ChrisBalsz
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:26pm

    People seem to miss the part where he calls for probation to help people STAY CLEAN.

    He does not want people using marijuana.

    Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 11:18am

      We all seem to hear it differently. I played the tape back several times and did NOT hear Pat talk about legalization. What exactly did the rest of you idiots hear? He is simply saying people caught with a bit of pot should not be thrown in jail, especially young people who come out more hardened criminals. Not that they get a pass, they need help, perhaps a big fine and community service, but not jail. Pat was saying jail is not the answer but he never said to legalize pot. Geeze marie, check your hearing or understanding.

      Report Post »  
  • American_Woman
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:26pm

    I agree with Pat that many of these pot smokers are not criminals, but addicts needing help.

    Report Post » American_Woman  
    • neverending
      Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:44pm

      Of course they need help – but help them by giving it to them more freely???? I sure must be missing something.

      Report Post »  
    • westy98530
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:00am

      That’s strange. How can we have so many people addicted to a drug that is less addictive than caffeine, and in fact only addictive in extreme cases of heavy prolonged use (in other words, stoned out of your mind 24-7). Interesting. I wonder where all these addicts are?

      Report Post »  
    • PoxZombie
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:32am

      never ending, its not anyone giving them anything. they have to make the choice to find and use it. obviously the fact that its illegal wont stop them. all you can do for someone else is offer a helping hand and hope the other takes it when they need it. Government mandates and criminalizations actually make the problems worse i’d imagine anyway by creating a black market, i mean illegal drug sales are tax free and if you dont blow your dope money on gold teeth and rims you can make money quick. De-criminalizing the drugs ELEMINATES that black market, and it gives people the chance to actually pay attention to there kids and talk to them about the dangers of other crazy hardcore drugs. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand if that happened maybe there would be a few less junkies.

      Alright enough babble.
      Debate is all.

      Report Post » PoxZombie  
    • bertr
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 1:26am

      this is where libertarians and conservatives part ways, but i can ‘tolerate’ you telling me you know whats best for me better then i do if you speak from experience, the cost of the war on drugs takes a lot out of what i can provide for my family however and they pay the price of this prohibition
      i find some peace knowing that you accept the responsibilty in what it drains from society and families to keep this war going, because i wouldnt want it on my shoulders, i believe in personal responsibility, not it being force on the few at the expense of the many

      Report Post » bertr  
    • Paleo2k
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 1:33am

      Marijuana is not addictive.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWQM6sOsd5k

      Report Post »  
    • bertr
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 1:51am

      @PALEO2K
      dont you realize, it doesnt matter, if they say its addictive it is, rather its this or big macs, and they will take your money to enforce their belief on whats best for people, its progressive

      Report Post » bertr  
    • Jsh1284
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:00am

      I am a staunch conservative .. however I do agree that it’s ridiculous to lock someone up for YEARS over having a few grams of pot on them. Pat obviously either knows nothing about the stuff .. or he SMOKES IT .. because he is calling for OUNCES to be excused. Sorry, Pat .. but if you’ve got several ounces of pot on you, you’re probably selling it.

      With that said … I think instead of locking folks up, they need to be given some help. Only if it’s definitely for PERSONAL use though! You’ve got to give folks like this a CHANCE instead of just throwing them in prison. I’ve been around people with drug problems all my life and I understand how hard it is to quit. If they continue in their ways, then they need to be punished. However having pretty much a no tolerance approach simply isn’t working.

      Report Post » Jsh1284  
    • Jsh1284
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:03am

      Paleo, it’s not PHYSICALLY addictive. It is MENTALLY addictive though! It’s a mental habit forming drug. People get used to its mind-altering properties and feel like they can‘t function unless they are under it’s influence. Trust me, I have plenty of experience with people who are addicted to all KINDS of drugs. Any pothead who is honest with themselves will admit that it IS addictive. Screw some liberal study. I look at facts.

      Report Post » Jsh1284  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:41am

      You don’t get addicted to Pot….unless it’s laced with CIA crack cocaine.
      you have been lied to.

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • Pocono Countryboy
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:49am

      “Jsh1284 posted:
      Paleo, it’s not PHYSICALLY addictive. It is MENTALLY addictive though! It’s a mental habit forming drug. People get used to its mind-altering properties and feel like they can‘t function unless they are under it’s influence. Trust me, I have plenty of experience with people who are addicted to all KINDS of drugs. Any pothead who is honest with themselves will admit that it IS addictive.”

      Yep–addictive like the coffee bean…not anything like hard drugs or even tobacco though. Completely different animal.

      Firsthand info from an ex smoker (of both weeds)

      Report Post »  
    • TERMLIMITSNOW
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:57am

      I’m addicted to caffeine, nictotine, reality tv shows……they should be outlawed! Pot??? Seriously its less harmful than cigs and alcohol. The US as been CRUSHED in the war on drugs, the fake war the govt. uses to control the people, thats all it is. Wise up!

      Report Post » TERMLIMITSNOW  
    • Nutthuggers
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:33am

      It is their life not yours. Who gave you the moral authority to tell people what they can and can’t do?

      Report Post »  
    • bertr
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:50am

      fatty foods are addictive, so much so people accept becoming fat. Are we going to take peoples money to launch a campaign against fat next, sending people to jail or rehab who are caught in possession of bacon eventually?
      When we use the government to “protect” people from themselves theres really no end to how far we can control people is it

      Report Post » bertr  
    • Clive
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 1:56pm

      Jsh1284, you don’t get your knowledge from studies. congrats on that, who needs information right? what you are seeing on this board is first hand experience. many libertarians and many conservatives agree on this. The “mentally addictive” line is stupid. Anything can be “mentally addictive”. Anything. And anyone with half a brain knows its less addictive than booze, cigarettes, coffee, sugar, ETC. Its not as dangerous as any of them. Bottom line, do you want the government to tell you what you can consume? yes or no. Do you want to spend $60K a year incarcerating people for this? You can eliminate crime, free up our over crowded jails, and bring income in for our country with a much smarter solution

      Report Post »  
    • Paleo2k
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 3:47pm

      Jsh1284
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:03am

      Paleo, it’s not PHYSICALLY addictive. It is MENTALLY addictive though! It’s a mental habit forming drug. People get used to its mind-altering properties and feel like they can‘t function unless they are under it’s influence. Trust me, I have plenty of experience with people who are addicted to all KINDS of drugs. Any pothead who is honest with themselves will admit that it IS addictive. Screw some liberal study. I look at facts.

      I look at the facts of my own life experience and those I’ve surrounded myself with. If mental addiction is your standard for disapproval and establishing legality/illegality then perhaps I shouldn‘t mention my surly demeanor each morning until I get my fix of java and nicotine or the mid day sugar ’pick me up’ I often enjoy…keyword ‘enjoy’. Mental addiction is an issue for the individual to contend with, not the state.

      Report Post »  
  • TruthTalker
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:23pm

    a bit misguided there Pat

    Report Post »  
    • WhiteFang
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 1:16pm

      She said; “the church is to lead the way” ???????
      Lead the way to make it OK to smoke pot? Shame on you!

      Is that what “christians” should be doing now? Matthew 28:18-20

      Report Post » WhiteFang  
    • jmparrish
      Posted on December 27, 2010 at 1:27am

      In genesis God says he made everything and loved what he made…..including the cannabis plant

      the cannabis plant has been one of the most usefull plants in all of history and still could be. . . making it legal would desimate illegal cannabis used for smoking…..because fiber cannabis hemp has such low thc that it would ‘water down’ the smoking variety so much nobody would smoke it. . . . pollen would be everwhere so they couldnt grow the seedless variety that potheads love to smoke.

      Report Post »  
    • jmparrish
      Posted on December 27, 2010 at 1:38am

      Truth talker you are very misguided, if you are afraid that if it were made leagal everyone would jump in and start using cannabis, look at the countries that have legalized marijuana. . . their youth pot smoking rates have all dropped or stayed the same. . .but the amount of money being spent trying to keep them all locked up ofcourse drastically dropped (meaning they saved alot of money with no negative consequences)

      Report Post »  
  • komponist-ZAH
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:21pm

    He’s right.

    Although from some of the things he‘s said maybe he’s got an interest in this……

    Report Post »  
  • mrmikejohnson
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:17pm

    If prop 19 couldn’t pass in the most liberal of all states, then it’s a long ways before federal decriminalization of marijuana. Decriminalization doesn’t work either. There’s no perfect solution.

    Report Post »  
    • Conservative Voice
      Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:34pm

      My problem with Prop 19 is they were using it as a means to collect more taxes, instead of focusing on should we make it legal or not.

      Here’s what I think…people aren’t going to change unless they hit bottom. Criminalizing what people consume is nonsense…we are either free adults or we are slaves/children. ( I don’t use drugs for the record ). However, here is how I draw the line. If kids are in a toxic environment ( I’m not talking 2nd hand smoke toxic ) or unsafe environment then they should be removed. People on welfare need to be drug free. The community ( not government ) should provide detox centers and a way for drug users to get off drugs.

      Report Post » Conservative Voice  
    • republitarian
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:08am

      Prop 19 was flawed in many ways.

      You are right, Conservative Voice “Criminalizing what people consume is nonsense…we are either free adults or we are slaves/children.”

      Report Post » republitarian  
    • *************************
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:46am

      BRAVO, Pat Robertson! It’s about time SOMEONE spoke up!

      Remove the UNCONSTITUTIONAL “War on Drugs” … of the police-state-in-training for Progressives (communists) enforcing the overthrow of American Liberties!

      HEDLEY LAMARR: “Wait a minute. There might be legal precedent. Of course! Land-snatching!”
      [grabs a law book and thumbs through it]
      HEDLEY LAMARR: “Land, land … ‘Land: see Snatch’.”
      [flips back several pages]
      HEDLEY LAMARR: “Ah! Haley vs. United States. Haley: 7, United States: nothing. You see, it can be done!”
      -Blazing Saddles

      Report Post » WeDontNeedNoStinkinBadges  
    • thepatriotdave
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 1:03am

      Sorry Pat, you are waaaaay off on this one.

      PatriotShops.com

      thepatriotdave  
    • LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 1:33am

      It should be legal, but then the Government will have their dirty hands all over it. I say, smoke homegrown and put a cartel outta business! Grow our own for personal use, share with friends, no profit. I would put it next to the tomatoes ; ) lol

      Report Post » LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA  
    • WhiteGryphon
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 1:51am

      http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=portugal-drug-decriminalization

      from the link above

      In the face of a growing number of deaths and cases of HIV linked to drug abuse, the Portuguese government in 2001 tried a new tack to get a handle on the problem—it decriminalized the use and possession of heroin, cocaine, marijuana, LSD and other illicit street drugs. The theory: focusing on treatment and prevention instead of jailing users would decrease the number of deaths and infections.

      Five years later, the number of deaths from street drug overdoses dropped from around 400 to 290 annually, and the number of new HIV cases caused by using dirty needles to inject heroin, cocaine and other illegal substances plummeted from nearly 1,400 in 2000 to about 400 in 2006, according to a report released recently by the Cato Institute, a Washington, D.C, libertarian think tank.

      Report Post » WhiteGryphon  
    • Mad Az Hell
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 2:33am

      Yeah legalize it! Then legalize cocaine, then heroine and meth. Zombie land.

      Report Post » Mad Az Hell  
    • silveracer44
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 2:41am

      Pat’s spot on here. I don’t smoke, I just like to use logic. You make something illegal all it does is create a black market. Legalize marijuana, you take business off the streets (cartels) and reduce crime. It empties out the prisons that are overcrowded and allows the police to focus their time and resources to crimes that actually infringe on others’ life, libert and property. It took a constitutional amendment to ban alcohol because back then everyone knew Washington didn’t have the authority to tell us what to put in our bodies. People realized that wasn’t a solution, so they repealed it. Additionally, it would put at dent in the deficit and boost the economy. And help the border problem. If you really want to get “radical” (sarcasm), legalize all drugs.

      Report Post »  
    • BarbWire
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 3:02am

      I know people who came from Brazil. Our local college recruits a lot of Brazilians. They say it’s a dangerous place to live. They say it took a long time to relax after they realized that one can walk down the street here, safely. So, they have a couple of good statistics in Brazil. But, one ought to look at the whole picture.’

      I say that the solution is to let a different entity besides the federal government legislators set the punishment level. Seems to me like it should still be a crime, but that the punishment should be less.

      Report Post »  
    • quiet little lamb
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 6:16am

      i don’t smoke pot, but legalize it. i was once in jail for a dui(i’ve since stopped drinking) it was crowded with people caught with one or two joints. And i know this for fact because i had to go to court with them. i doubt the govt will legalize it though because of the revenue it brings in through fines. has anyone done research on that?

      Report Post » quiet little lamb  
    • Cemoto78
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:04am

      America has lost the war on drugs. Let’s get serious, why would you want to put someone in prison for possession of over an ounce of a plant. Let the people decide what is best for them. Believe it or not, there are medical benefits to marijuana. Also, where do you think most of our pain relievers originate from; opium. Like everything else, moderation is the key.

      Report Post » Cemoto78  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:39am

      Amen Pat, at least you are not a hypocrite like Rush Limbugh

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • 338lapua
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:49am

      Decriminalization is kinda like turning the other cheek. Municipal citation where there is no other issues and it still is illegal so where it is a problem it can be addressed. But some of the sentencing and the life long consequences are wrong. If someone is convicted, I can’t hire them, period. Liability.
      If its decriminalized at the federal level….the states decide where it is tolerated, and where it isn’t. I like states rights angle even better.

      Report Post »  
    • jbl8199
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:49am

      They need to just COMPLETELY legalize it, but limit it’s use like they do with Alcohol. I really don‘t know why they don’t. Everyone uses it anyway.

      Report Post » jbl8199  
    • Reasonabiliy
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:53am

      Pat is right! Let’s not waste jail space for a person smoking pot. Let’s demand of the government to spend our tax money wisely. I could care less if my neighbor smokes a fat boy as long as he keeps his lawn mowed

      Report Post » John 3:16  
    • kennyg933
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:02am

      If I remember my ‘refer madness’ history, I believe it was controlling interests in the lumber indusry in collusion with newspaper mogul William Randolph Hurst that set out to brainwash Americans about the evil weed. Their real agenda was to eradicate a plant that made cheaper and better paper so that lumber could be sold for the making of paper. Hurst and the lumber industry made and make a lot of money in keeping weed illegal. The prison industry, lawyers, and other so-called justice workers also make their paychecks on the lie. And guess what-despite pot’s status of illegality, It’s a plant. And millions of tax paying Americans smoke it. (Why not make poison ivy illegal-you should see what it did to my skin last summer!) But most Americans don’t know why things are the way they are-and they don’t know HOW marijuana became illegal in the first place. Read Larry Sloman’s book, among others and get educated. We were duped 90 years ago and the sham still lives! Legalize pot, and do it by the will of the educated ‘we-the-people’.

      Report Post »  
    • tobywil2
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:20am

      VICTIMLESS CRIME LAWS:

      The failure of the 18th amendment demonstrated the failure and fallacy of the use of government force to control personal behavior (victimless crimes). It is everyone’s right to be protected from the initiation of physical force. Why, you say? Because it is in everyone’s selfish best interest that all citizens are free. Victimless crimes laws violate that god given right. The economic consequences these “behavior control laws” (victimless crimes) is legend. The results are incarceration of productive citizens and enrichment of the criminal element. The cost of these “victimless crime” laws to the economy defies imagination. http://commonsense21c.com/

      Report Post » tobywil2  
    • Tony
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:27am

      The reason Prop 19 failed was the money, follow the money. There were far more powerful forces against Prop 19 than for it. Examples of opponents are: the medical” marijuana industry, the vast collective of illegal growers in the USA, Mexican drug cartels, Columbia cartels, domestic gangs, Al Raza type organizations that profit from illegals, terrorist groups, and, of course politicians whose finances come from these groups. The “illegal marijuana industrial complex” is indeed very large and will be hard to kill.

      Report Post »  
    • Nutthuggers
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:37am

      ATTENTION SO CALLED CONSERVATIVES: Where in the Constitution is the Federal Government given the right to control what people ingest into their own bodies? Where???

      Report Post »  
    • Trance
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 10:00am

      Bravo Pat.

      Alcohol is more dangerous to your health, and the health of those around you, than marijuana. I find it unbelievable that so many people want the government to be the dispensor of civil liberties. That is my biggest complaint with the US government… It’s unconsitutional limiting of civil liberties. God gave us the right to live our lives as we wish and our constitution is supposed to limit our government’s ability to take that right away from us.

      Every time our government limits our civil liberties, they are set to take away the next civil liberty. That stepping process takes us straight to the point of zero liberties, and full government control.

      Report Post » Trance  
    • BoiseBaked
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 10:02am

      Well put “Conservative Voice.” There is certainly no shortest of private citizens who are capable of providing great life enhancement services – of every variety. That is, former addicts. Get the @#$@# government out of our lives.

      Report Post »  
    • Lantern
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 10:52am

      Maybe make welfare recipients take drug tests before receiving any welfare.

      Report Post » Lantern  
    • Lantern
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 10:57am

      Legalize it, but treat it like alcohol, I agree. Treat it like cigarettes, put warnings on it like they do cigarettes. Pot is full of tar and carbon monoxide. You shouldn’t be able to sue, for diseases, if you use it and you should be given a DUI if you are driving while using it.

      Report Post » Lantern  
    • Sinista Mace
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 11:37am

      Nullification.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • ishka4me
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:26pm

      I am a coffe junkie. Try not to drink anymore. I will have some socially but do not wish to ever be drunk again. i smoked marijuana in my youth. Truthfully speaking, alcohol is far more damaging then marijuana. out of al the substances we abuse, i believe alcohol tyo be the most damaging to society.

      Report Post »  
    • larrybigbear
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:29pm

      The real criminals, who deal in drugs and killing, are getting filthy rich and someday will be our leaders, if not already.. Take away their livelyhood. Put them out of business, please. Just look at the Kennedy family fortune if you don’t believe me.

      Report Post » larrybigbear  
    • sWampy
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:41pm

      Why don’t we just make it just illegal to take public assistance, or private assistance if you do drugs, make it a death penalty if you rob someone to support a drug habit. I could careless what people do to their bodies, but I don’t want to support them cause they are to high to hold a job.

      Report Post »  
    • CYCLONE
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 2:13pm

      Go pat go !!!

      Report Post »  
    • thepatriotdave
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 4:12pm

      Nutthuggers,

      Ok, I’ll make you a deal. Help repeal Roe vs Wade and then we can work on your wish to legalize pot. The only reason my wish comes first has to do with priorities. It’s more important to save lives than it is to get high!

      Merry Christmas!

      Report Post » thepatriotdave  
    • JESUS-IS-LORD
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 4:49pm

      You false prophet! You do not believe in God you blasphemer!
      How dare you try to stick your middle finger at God with your pitiful selfish ideas.
      Lying to your own brothers saying that smoking drugs is good for you?
      Proverbs 4:14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
      Isa 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near. Amen.

      Report Post » JESUS-IS-LORD  
    • watchmany2k
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:34pm

      Yeah Right,
      Legalize pot while at the same time Mrs.Prez is making Twinkies and Chips illeagle.
      Somethin‘ ain’t right here…what’s the other hand doing ?
      Just sayin’…..

      This Just in: Pablo ELnino was arrested today after authorities found a cellophane twinkie wrapper in his ashtray,

      Authorities credit the arresting officer Sgt. Manly Dadt, with having superior olefactory training,
      Manly is quoted as saying “yeah, I smelled creamy filling on his breath and while officer Barry was checking his shirt pockets for yellow crumbs…. is when I found the wrapper hidden under the rolling papers in the ashtray…. Good thing we had just enough time to get him to the hospital for a beet juice infusion”, the hospital spokesperson says his blood sugar is returning to normal…

      Merry Christmas What a World we live in !

      Report Post » watchmany2k  
    • ozz
      Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:54pm

      Where in the constitution is the Federal government given power to tell the people what they can or can not put in their OWN God given bodies? Answer: NO WHERE?

      Report Post » ozz  
    • limitfree
      Posted on December 25, 2010 at 9:59pm

      It’s completely a “demand” driven problem. If people didn’t WANT the drugs, there would be no market for them. Making them illegal just creates a HUGE, very profitable black market for them, and a, by definition, “criminal” trade in them. The drugs don’t cause the violence, it’s the money.

      Report Post » limitfree  
    • jmparrish
      Posted on December 27, 2010 at 1:21am

      During the 90′s the fastest growing industry was the prison building industry due to manditory sentencing. Harmless pot users/dealers going to prison for years while the rapists and robbers get out before the pothead…yea, the system is beyond flawed…its fixed.

      The countless lives destroyed by nonsense laws that force judges to put some poor suburban white boy in prison with true thugs for long periods of time for doing nothing more then ‘having fun’ so they thought, is complete and utter nonsense. . .

      Thank God someone with Pat’s influence is finally speaking up on this injustice that seriously contributes to bankrupting the country i love…i think its time for us conservatives to speak out for what is right and diverge from the true liberals (liberals are trying to bankrupt the nation by a thousand cuts, and the drug war with manditory sentencing is severe internal bleeding) but unfortunately we Conservatives are not looking enough at the big ticket items(laws that do nothing but cost us vast sums of money and destroy the lives of our youth) (the wars in iraq and afghanistan, having troops in Japan and S. Korea) that need to be cut from the budget.

      If we could change a few major things like that we could save hundreds of billions of dollars and have more of our youth looking for jobs, and not living on our dimes in prison or jail learning how to survive in the jungle or becomming casualties of the prison ‘jungle’.

      As far as our empire is conscerned…..it doenst bring in income like traditional empires but costs money……tell them to defend themselves give them some nukes and an altimatum to n. korea/china….if they get overrun then china goes up in ashes.

      Tell Pakistan if they allow the taliban to take control. . . . their twelfth immam is comming to collect their souls (meaning they will be nuked) Same goes for Iran…its about time to let isreal off its chain.

      Report Post »  
    • jmparrish
      Posted on December 27, 2010 at 1:34am

      If pot were cheap enough, people could make tea from it and it would have no negative consequences other then drowsiness and increased food consumption.

      A friend was dying of cancer and its treatment….he couldnt/wouldnt eat. His daughter also a friend, made him pot tea. . . the man would never use pot, but because it was made into a tea and he did not know, he began to eat. . . and today years later, HE IS STILL ALIVE BECAUSE OF CANNABIS SATIVA
      (POT).

      Report Post »  
    • jmparrish
      Posted on December 27, 2010 at 1:39am

      Pat is a Hero

      Report Post »  
1 2 3 ... 5

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love