Politics

Pat Robertson Sees Himself as a ‘Hero of the Hippie Culture’ for Stance on Marijuana

Pat Robertson a ‘Hero of the Hippie Culture’ for Stance on Marijuana

The 700 Club may be looking to draw younger demographics to help boost ratings given the latest crusade campaigned by host Pat Robertson; pitching himself as a “hippie hero.”

The Houston Chronicle notes that Robertson first told viewers back in December 2010 that he was concerned mandatory sentences for possession were hurting young people, and Reason now reports on recent comments from Robertson further denouncing “the war on weed:”

“I became sort of a hero of the hippie culture, I guess, when I said I think we ought to decriminalize the possession of marijuana.

I just think it’s shocking how many of these young people wind up in prison and they get turned into hardcore criminals because they had a possession of a very small amount of controlled substance. The whole thing is crazy.

We’ve said, ‘we’re ‘conservative, we’re tough on crime.‘ That’s baloney. It’s costing us billions and billions of dollars.”

Robertson is not the first older conservative with a following to endorse softer policy towards marijuana.

The late William F. Buckley, founder and editor of the National Review, said in 1996 that with illegal drugs so readily available, the war against them has been lost and if he had his way would at least legalize marijuana. Ron Paul defended his unconventional stance on drug legalization while standing on the debate stage early on in the Republican presidential campaign.

Comments (48)

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  • Harry19
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 6:18pm

    He doing it for his kids. They all smoke weed. They don’t burn incense in church,they just lite up. That way ,more get to enjoy it. Pass the joint around.

    Report Post »  
  • Deryni1
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 6:05pm

    I think Pat may have forgotten to fill his Aricept.

    Report Post »  
  • flatbroke
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 4:54pm

    USA spends BILLIONS on “the war on drugs” and people still get the drugs and do the drugs, so how about decriminalization of drugs, and legalization of drugs tax it, and they could only smoke it under medical supervision, and maybe then it will take that silly mystique out of weed, that the media is always presenting it as.

    Report Post » flatbroke  
  • blazingaway
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 2:17pm

    Make pot legal and tax it like alcohol and tobacco to pay for the health insurance of the unisured. I’m sick and tired of paying for a failing war on drugs, jails, enforcement people and making people into criminals. I’m sick of drug lords and their gangs and crime. I really don‘t care if people ruin their life if I don’t have to pay for them before, during or after. Once it is legal and people mess up their life we will see it decline and I’d rather spend money helping people to get off of it than to prevent them from using it

    Report Post » blazingaway  
    • CynicalPatriot
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 3:30pm

      Agreed. But all drugs should be legal because what an adult does with their own body is no business of The State. If you want to keep drugs away from kids, make them legal and regulate them the same as alcohol. When I was a teenager I smoked weed and hardly ever drank alcohol because it was so much harder to get. The liquor store will ask for your ID, the drug dealer won’t.

      Report Post »  
  • MammalOne
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 1:29pm

    I would love to get high with Pat Robertson.

    Report Post » MammalOne  
    • Mark0331
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 1:33am

      “There is a road, no simple highway,between the dark and the dawn of night..and if you go,no one may follow..that path is for your steps alone…”..maybe he see it this way..Ripple.GD..Appreciate your mind amigo,really do…..not about the differences’, all about the ‘same’..,peace to you, brother..M

      Report Post » Mark0331  
  • omgfolks
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 11:51am

    The largest Poniz scheme perpetrated on America is in Big Banks. They take your money, invest it, keep the profits and pay CEO’s huge salaries, and STOP THE MADNESS VOTE ALL IN OFFICE OUT< IMPEACH do what ever it takes to get America Back on top and defend the American Dream that so many have fought and died for even still today….

    Report Post »  
  • PJ3
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 11:48am

    “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.” (Mat 7:22-23) And so Robertson says he is for God while he promotes evil. He chooses to worry about those that fall deeper due to prison yet cares not for those who become addicted to drugs by the entry into drugs with pot. I will never donate one dime to his program because of this. His Lord is not Jesus.WWJD? Jesus would never promote pot.

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    • texasbeta
      Posted on March 9, 2012 at 12:39pm

      First of all, you are a moron. Secondly, pot is only considered a gateway drug BECAUSE it is illegal. You get brought up hearing how horrible drugs are and what they do to you, then you try pot and realize what you heard were lies. Then you try other stuff. Don’t lie, and it won’t be a gateway drug. Don’t make it illegal, and it won’t be a gateway drug. Pot is one of the only things on the planet that you take from the ground and use without a single change to it. You reference God, and if God made this thing, then that seems intended doesn’t it? It ails a HUGE number of illnesses naturally, seemingly from God with intent. It has no addictive substances involved it it, and that is scientifically proven. Now, that is physical addiction. As you know, we can become psychologically addicted to anything…even the Smurfs.
      What would Jesus do? Quite a bit of evidence shows that hashish was as common as wine was in that region at that time. In all actuality, Jesus probably used it and didn’t think twice.

      Report Post »  
    • MammalOne
      Posted on March 9, 2012 at 1:35pm

      @TexasBeta

      And the lord said, “puff, puff, pass to the left. Amen.”

      Report Post » MammalOne  
    • Mark0331
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 1:37am

      Mammalone…”I give you all the seed bearing plants and the urge to use..”…see, we agree..grin and laugh about it…awesome..Mark0331

      Report Post » Mark0331  
  • omgfolks
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 11:48am

    I do not advocate violence, I never have, but I do advocate for a change in the system that allows CITIZENS THE RIGHT TO GOVERN. We are being told so much by goverment only to find out later it was a lie/ 11mil dollars to clothe people looking for work in Detroit, and only TWO GOT HELP. Where did the money go? Billions in grants to Alternative energy only to see them file for BK and pay CEO’s salaries and Bonuses. Bailouts for Mortgage Companies who cheated their way into the position they are in, Why? Because it would upset the economy? The economy is already upset, Banks taking a loss for their misdeeds should not affect the economy. it affects their profits but not the economy. Double standards allowed big business and not afforded to the citizens is not good business. For years we have been conditioned to borrow beyond our means KNOWING that borrowing is a RISK and now for some reason they want us to borrow more? When America learns to save their money, buy with cash instead of credit, that by doing so prevents loss in down time of your assets, then we may have a fighting chance. But if we continue to Rob Peter to Pay Paul as our goverment has endorsed and how banks have endorsed then economic failure is going to happen. STOP BORROWING MONEY< STOP LIVING ABOVE YOUR MEANS< Legalize things like marijuana and tax it like any other product, STOP LISTENING TO BANKS TELL YOUR HOW TO SPEND YOUR MONEY. Our Financial System was set up to fail, they knew it from the beginning

    Report Post »  
  • omgfolks
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 11:38am

    The sad truth is the goverment will not legalize it because it will cost them money, it will cost them jobs, it will reduce the need for the fire power they are providing LEO’s and it will make them look like hypocrites. Goverment has long known the marijuana as bad as they have said it to be, however if they take steps to legalize it it will reduce the amount of taxes citizens pay for the so called war on drugs, and reduce the need for more police. Their need for police is not because of the war on drugs it because they are systematically stripping the Constitution say they can control each citizen as the see fit. We the people who once had the power are no longer in power today, we are made to believe through media that we are, however when one takes a stand against how goverment is abusing its authority we are labled with subversives, anti goverment or some other such lable. This gives them even more power to control. America needs to stand up, face goverment and take back what is ours to begin with. My dad said many years ago that there will be a revolution again in the US, this was over 20+ years ago he said this. now look, everywhere we turn people are mobilizing in a common interest, and what is goverment and media doing? Labeling them, watching them, controlling them Goverment is getting scared folks, they just moved the G-8 out of this fear, watch out because they will react soon and take away yet another Right we have under the Constitution.

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  • whoopthat
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 11:31am

    The best way to destroy a business is to let the government regulate it, legalize it and the consumption would go down

    Report Post »  
    • texasbeta
      Posted on March 9, 2012 at 12:41pm

      As a user of pot, I would agree with you to an extent on this. If it becomes legal, it becomes much higher priced. However, I would sacrifice the higher price for the ability to go buy it at 7/11.

      Report Post »  
    • MammalOne
      Posted on March 9, 2012 at 1:27pm

      @TexasBeta
      Screw buying it – I’m growing a field of it the second it becomes legal. Considering all the nasty stuff that’s done to tobacco, I wouldn’t trust any corporate marijuana farming operation.

      Report Post » MammalOne  
    • Mark0331
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 1:53am

      Mammalone…crops and crops of it could cure and revitalize this nation,economically and spiritually..abuse is no good….‘Use’ with accomplishment is a subject most would not address…I like your style…this nation was built on ‘spiritual’ differences. You get it I see…awesome…majority of Vets with PTSD,(shell shock to be correct), use it..beats FDA approved pills…

      Report Post » Mark0331  
  • Vechorik
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 10:41am

    It’s time to send drug offenders to TREATMENT centers, not jails (as long as they are non-violent offenders).

    Jails are bursting at the seams and many criminals are released simply because there is not enough room.

    Courtrooms are overworked and packed to the gills — it’s time for some RELIEF!

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  • BlackCrow
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 9:47am

    It’s called dementia. We have enough trouble with drunk drivers without putting a bunch of stoners on the road.

    Report Post » BlackCrow  
    • MammalOne
      Posted on March 9, 2012 at 10:06am

      Hate to break it to you but you already have a bunch of stoners on the road.

      Report Post » MammalOne  
  • Watchyer6
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 9:44am

    Wow. Pat Robertson actually said something that makes sense! Miracles do happen.

    Report Post » Watchyer6  
  • dnewton
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 9:25am

    Every times taxes go up, the incentive to get into drugs goes up. I suspect that once legalized, the establishment of a tax on it will again produce legal versus illegal crops. People make wine and beer for their own consumption even though you can get it in some drug stores. Everything we save by not chasing down all of the weed will be transferred to chasing down the remaining untaxed weed. People should be licensed to used drugs. That way, we minimize machinery operators on drugs. We can select a lawyer, doctor, school administrator or minister based on their drug taking habits.

    Report Post »  
  • jrandolph1200
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 9:15am

    First of all I am a Bible reading, God fearing, Christian, right wing conservative American. One of the things that I find the funniest about this issue is that conservatives are constantly condemning the left for not looking at ALL the information that is available to them. And that they take smaller bits of information, focus primarily on the information that they want to, in order to push an agenda down people’s throats. For instance, Global warming aka global climate change. We all know that there is a ton of data and studies that present a solid case for debate on the issue of global climate change, and complain about the lefts refusal to even look at and acknowledge that the data even exists. Meanwhile the useful idiots just repeat the things in which they are told to say. Same goes for the argument on the legalization of hemp. Without even researching into the issue most of us just repeat what we are told without even really understanding the facts of the argument, and become the useful idiots of the progressive right. And just like there is with global climate change, there is a ton of data to support that most of the things you hear about the use of marijuana are false. Don’t be a useful idiot for the progressive right or left. Know the truth and the facts, because the truth really will set you free.

    Report Post » jrandolph1200  
    • TiocFaidhArLa
      Posted on March 9, 2012 at 10:44am

      Uhh what? Most of us just repeat what they say? I have been using mj medically for 7 years. What do i have misconceptions about? Ive never drove high, never hurt anyone, never stole. I guess people like you are the ignorant ones huh

      Report Post »  
    • resme
      Posted on March 9, 2012 at 6:22pm

      Hemp was used in America for hundreds of years.

      WAS EVEN A CRIME TO NOT GROW HEMP IN THIS COUNTRY.

      Report Post » resme  
  • KidCharlemagne
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 9:12am

    The more things change…….the more they stay the same:

    ————————————-
    “The effects of Prohibition were largely unanticipated. Production, importation, and distribution of alcoholic beverages — once the province of legitimate business — were taken over by criminal gangs, which fought each other for market control in violent confrontations, including mass murder. Major gangsters, such as Omaha‘s Tom Dennison and Chicago’s Al Capone, became rich and were admired locally and nationally. Enforcement was difficult because the gangs became so rich they were often able to bribe underpaid and understaffed law-enforcement personnel and pay for expensive lawyers.”
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volstead_Act

    Report Post »  
  • ronbo51
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 8:10am

    There are so many compelling reasons to legaliize: economics, right now huge amounts of money flow to Mexico where it is used to undermine authority, when that money could be used here in the communities that generate it. Taxes: taxes to grow, taxes to sell, taxes everywhere. Legal reform: Prisons are full and cost society a lot. Release non violent drug offenders and make room in prisons for real criminals who need to be incarcerated. Everyday products like Tylenol and Ibuprofin are way more dangerous than pot. Almost all pharma products have a long list of strong side effects, Pot has never killed anyone. You can’t OD from it. What’s the problem?

    Report Post »  
    • KidCharlemagne
      Posted on March 9, 2012 at 9:32am

      ronbo51
      Posted on March 9, 2012 at 8:10am

      There are so many compelling reasons to legaliize: economics, right now huge amounts of money flow to Mexico
      =================================

      This behavior is actually by design.

      The profits are laundered and then recycled back into Wall Street (where the funds can eventually be used to speculate in energy markets, purchase politicians/police/judges, etc., etc.):

      “Banks Financing Mexico Gangs Admitted in Wells Fargo Deal
      By Michael Smith – Jun 28, 2010 11:00 PM CT”
      http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-06-29/banks-financing-mexico-s-drug-cartels-admitted-in-wells-fargo-s-u-s-deal.html

      Very few folks in either New York or Washington would EVER want to upset the apple cart (the way it is now, at least).

      Report Post »  
  • soybomb315
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 7:05am

    Another example of how Ron Paul always is always proven correct. Republicans like to criticize him on many of his positions and call him crazy – but his ideas are all backed by the constitution and therefore are in line with the proper role of the federal government. We must start downsizing the federal behemoth one layer at a time. Drugs are not included in the constitution and therefore the feds have no business with it – it is a state issue (dont even bring up the general welfare clause – that is a liberal doctrine that allows them to do anything they want).

    The United States has 5% of the worlds population but 25% of the worlds prison population, something is wrong here…

    Report Post » soybomb315  
  • KingCanon
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 6:29am

    Compromise is always costly!
    Legalization, as with alcohol, will be astronomical!

    Report Post » KingCanon  
  • grannyrecipe
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 5:59am

    Just legalize it. Take advantage of all that underground income and eliminate a good part of the violence associated with drug dealing.

    Report Post » grannyrecipe  
  • resme
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 3:34am

    Legalize hemp, You can use it for so many things….

    It can even be used as fuel.

    Report Post » resme  
  • OperationNorthwoods
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 2:29am

    You can make fuel out of hemp and all you need to get more is plant more. There is no reason whatsoever that industrial hemp should be illegal to grow in the U.S. Not much reason for the other kind being illegal either.

    Report Post » OperationNorthwoods  
  • sillyfreshness
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 2:22am

    No matter how many people want it legalized, it never will be. The “powers that be” that don’t want it legalized. The best evidence of this is Barack Obama. He knows how blacks like dope and how many of them are in prison because of pot laws. In his Marxist mind, pot laws are racist. Blacks voted for him because they thought he would relax the pot laws. If anyone was going to legalize pot, it was Obama. However, Obama is actually toughening laws on pot. He is having the feds shut down medical marijuana shops in California. Obama is actually cracking down on pot laws. Now what does that tell you? Someone higher up than Obama (hard as that may be to believe) has told Obama “we don’t want pot legalized“ and Obama said ”yes sir”. Marijuana will never be legalized, because the government is making too much money arresting and fining people for it as well as law enforcement getting all kinds of weapons to carry on their “war on drugs” which is a never ending war.

    Report Post » sillyfreshness  
  • npbreakthrough
    Posted on March 9, 2012 at 1:49am

    its a shame that the legalization of cannabis has been labeled as part of the far left agenda by most conservatives……..

    its a worthy cause, and i wish both sides would compete to see who could legalize it faster.

    Report Post » npbreakthrough  
    • Susie
      Posted on March 9, 2012 at 7:12am

      Great idea. Let’s legalize one of the leading catalysts to addiction to more deadly substances. Let’s pretend that smoking pot is necessary for terminally ill patients who say they need to smoke it even though they can get the same effects from a pill. Let’s legalize it so that instead of drunk drivers on the road we can deal with high drivers or high employees on the job – boy I sure can’t wait until pot is legalized and our kids can get at it faster and sooner than they already are. They could even get its beneficial effect as newborns when their parents smoke it at home.
      Can’t light up a cigarette anywhere, but the left wing liberal potheads and now the dotty old conservative dupes say no problem with second hand smoke as long as it’s making them high.
      What crap !!!

      Report Post »  
    • soybomb315
      Posted on March 9, 2012 at 7:48am

      susie
      you are full of misconceptions and paranoia. suffice it to say – you do not know what you are talking about

      Report Post » soybomb315  
    • TiocFaidhArLa
      Posted on March 9, 2012 at 10:40am

      Lol Susie, your embarrassing your self with all your mis information!! Control is a Conservative idea? ….Uhhh i don’t think so I am right as can be and i have a med card, yet people like yu show up and open there big mouths on things they don’t understand. Stop acting like you know anything, you are just making yourself look ridiculous.

      Report Post »  
    • texasbeta
      Posted on March 9, 2012 at 12:49pm

      Susie, you just don’t get it do you? Pot is considered a gateway drug because all of our lives we are hounded with the drugs will kill you, drugs are bad, they destroy your brain, make you an addict, etc. Then, most of us try pot at some point…then we realize that these campaigns were lies, as it is so passive, doesn’t kill anything, relaxes you, helps your stomach, pain management, and you go to bed. Simple enough. SO, we try other stuff….and that is not simple enough as many of us know.
      Make it legal or start being honest, and it loses the “gateway drug” link. Simple enough.
      Further, until the 30s it was the foundation of our economy, the Declaration of Independence was written on it, the founders grew it and at one point required it; it was used as currency in our country’s early days, it is from the earth to be used without a single thing being changed or added to it, and would eliminate the need for countless prescription drugs that actually have side effects. Pot hasn’t a single side effect that affects you medically in a negative way…unless you smoke it. The smoke screws your lungs. We all know that. So, if you don’t want that…make brownies.
      PS – Don’t eat more than 1 brownie. Trust me on this. You can drink too much water and die. Too much pot won’t kill you, and won’t hurt, but it can make for an unpleasant hour with too many brownies, until you just go to bed.

      Report Post »  
  • teebubba
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 7:58am

    Pat forgot to say he thinks marijuana should be used the way he does….anally.

    teebubba  
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