Why Are Pelosi, House Democratic Leaders Such a Bummer on Legal Weed?

[brooklynite]

Daily Beast:

If you’ve wondered why many of the younger progressives taking over the Democratic Party have accused Nancy Pelosi and her fellow septuagenarian top generals in the House of being out of touch with voters look no further than marijuana policy.

With marijuana now legal in one form or another in 31 states as well as the District of Columbia, and with polls repeatedly showing a whopping 62 percent of Americans supporting its outright legalization, many rank and file Democrats are growing increasingly frustrated that their top leaders in the House are promising no more than merely maintaining the status quo on pot policy if they recapture the lower chamber in November.

“I’ve supported these initiatives in my home state of California, so we’ll see what’s possible,” Pelosi responded at a recent press conference when asked if she has a plan to even bring marijuana legislation to the floor if she regains the title of speaker of the House.

Pressed on specifics, she pivoted to Trump who, over the protests from his prohibitionist Attorney General Jeff Sessions, has seemed to endorse allowing states to decide their own marijuana laws.

[WeekiWater]

1. Pelosi supported legalization in her state and opposed Federal policy.

“Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision bulldozes over the will of the American people and insults the democratic process under which majorities of voters in California and in states across the nation supported decriminalization at the ballot box. Yet again, Republicans expose their utter hypocrisy in paying lip-service to states’ rights while trampling over laws they personally dislike.

“Congress must now take action to ensure that state law is respected, and that Americans who legally use marijuana are not subject to federal prosecution. Democrats will continue to insist on bipartisan provisions in appropriations bills that protect Americans lawfully using medical marijuana. Congress should now consider expanding the provisions to cover those states that have decriminalized marijuana generally.

“Democrats urge Attorney General Sessions to begin the New Year with a commitment to prosecute the real crimes devastating our nation, not to waste precious time and resources waging a pointless, unjust war against innocent Americans.”

Additionally, not sure what age has to do with it. The youngest Democratic Senator doesn’t support legalization. Murphy.

[Hekate]

14. Link? If that's a quote from Pelosi, let's see how many in this thread actually read it. So far...

...many seem to have not done so.

[WeekiWater]

15. Here.

https://www.democraticleader.gov/newsroom/1418/

From January of this year.

[Hekate]

20. Thank you. The hostility to Pelosi from some on our side ...

...is downright trollish. She has an outstanding record of achievement, and clearly her constituents are still fine with that. AFAICT, her major "flaw" outside San Francisco is that she is an older woman.

[SWBTATTReg]

31. To be honest w/ you, Pelosi has been good. The only reason that she's being viewed ...

negatively is that repugs painted her as such, w/ no truth in fact in reality. It's a shame, because we need everyone to go after our main target, rump and thugs. She's shepherding the democratic party in difficult times, and I've seen few candidates come up to the plate as well as she's done (Chuck S is another good person, but what the heck, we have lots of good people, all of them).

[vi5]

2. Dems are leaving a massive issue and large numbers of voters on the table with this....

...This issue and net neutrality are massive with younger voters, and the GOP is painfully out of touch on both issues. Just hammering these 2 issues alone would pick up a lot of voters who are not normally engaged and are in many ways just as much single issue voters as those on abortion, gay rights, etc.

Dems are not "bad" on the issue (although in my home state of New Jersey Dems are at this point the only things standing in the way of a legalization bill despite our Governer running on the platform of full legalization), but being better across the board would only yield electoral dividends and....it's the right thing to do.

[brooklynite]

3. "I don't know where the president is on any of this...."

“I don’t know where the president is on any of this. So any decision about how we go forward would have to reflect where we can get the result,” Pelosi responded.

If we're only going to do legislation that Trump will accept, this is going to be a very disappointing House session.

[Me.]

4. Strategy?

or just another reason to focus on Pelosi...seems to be such on her today

[WeekiWater]

6. Why is there such dislike for Pelosi here?

Most of the critiques seem pretty petty yet very persistent. People seem to be ratcheting up the attacks as we are poised to make excellent gains.

[Me.]

8. Don't Know

part of it might be that she doesn't jump, or high enough, as some people want. They ignore her experience and ability to read the vote/temper of the country. Young people want it, yes, but they don't vote so maybe she's focusing on those who do. After all she voted in favor of it Ca. There is some misogyny that the male leaders aren't facing and some Dems are falling for the Con meme. Finally there were/are a fair amount of backers of Ryan and Crowley both of whom wanted her position, though Crowley is now out of the running. Like with HRC, I think it's a confluence but it's sad to see it here on DU. It's been a long time since any Speaker has been speaker has been as successful as she and can raise as much money as she can. If the Dems take the House she will be Speaker again, because she is that powerful.

As to young people, if they want a change, then they need to vote.

[NurseJackie]

10. That's correct. Clearly, SHE isn't jumping as high as some want HER to do.

More exaggerated over-the-top and manufactured outrage and concern... it's so obvious and fake.

[Me.]

13. Hey There NJ

[WeekiWater]

11. I've never viewed Pelosi as anything other than an agent of change.

The status quo has never been her thing.

Thanks for the reply.

[jalan48]

5. Out of step with the times?

[underpants]

7. Eh, 6 years ago no one wanted to officially get near same sex marriage rights

but I think everyone knew how they really stood or felt. I put this in the same category - stay clear until the public shift is obvious. It's politics.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

34. I think the public shift is obvious. Seems like they ought to at least decriminalize it federally.

[underpants]

35. Prison industry

Especially private prisons and contractors for the public ones. Big money

Plus this could be sold as soft on crime or just hippie dippy liberals.

[Midnight Writer]

41. Much more than prison industry. Big pharma and alcohol beverage industry, for example.

[underpants]

42. Yes

[Calculating]

9. If I had to guess, they're waiting for the lingering stigma to diminish

We've made great progress on this issue, but there's still a weird social stigma attached to it. If things keep going at the current rate it's only a matter of time until it achieves the acceptance of issues like gay marriage. I agree that it's frustrating though. They're not afraid to just do the right thing up North in Canada.

The other possible option is that it's just all about the money and contributions form big pharma/LE/drug testing/etc.

[EffieBlack]

12. This just isn't a big issue for me and I suspect, lots of people feel that way

Moreover, unless and until these proposals also address equity and fairness for the people who have been locked up for doing what folks are now having temper tantrums because people like Nancy Pelosi won't fall on her sword to allow them to do with impunity, I just can't get excited about it.

I agree that pot should be legalized/decriminalized, but I admit I also resent watching folk - who happen to be overwhelmingly white - jump in and get rich trying to corner a market that, until a few years ago, people of color had their lives destroyed when THEY tried to make money on it.

When people start coupling their demands that Pelosi, et al go all in to fight for their right to use and sell pot with equally vociferous demands that our criminal justice system make whole the people whose lives and futures and opportunities were ruined for doing exactly that AND an effort to include people of color in the new industry, maybe I'll get more excited about it. But, in the meantime, I have a lot more important things to focus on.

[Me.]

16. Let Everyone Jailed For It Out

[EffieBlack]

18. Agree. But why isn't this part of the demand from folk insisting that everyone support legalization?

[SWBTATTReg]

27. Hey, locally there is a lot of demand for legalization, we did in STL City, MO...a small amount...

doesn't make sense to prosecute and the like and of course, its by overwhelming demand within city limits. This issue is being solely used by the repugs as a wedge issue, especially when viewed in face of the fact that it brings a lot of money in, and what's the difference in alcohol vs. this? Believe me, I've seen (and we all have) far many more people inhibited by alcohol unfortunately then this non-issue.

Too many states now making money off the tax revenues, and why not?

[JHan]

17. Author woke up and thought "hmm, what can I drag Pelosi about today?"

1) Cory Booker introduced marijuana legalization legislation earlier this year ( in fact he's the biggest proponent for marijuana legalization in the Senate as far as I know)

2) Pelosi has endorsed legal marijuana (see first response in this thread)

3) Dems are the ones making marijuana legalization a reality in America, with tangible results despite Republican opposition.

And can Cory get some credit, because he's the shoutiest one on this out of the lot? I'm constantly told that the key to big dem wins is weed legislation so surely the author could have fit in Cory's name in this article?

No? * checks article again* He didn't?

Cool.

[brooklynite]

19. In case you didn't bother to read the article, it's about the whole leadership team.

[JHan]

21. I read the whole article, and his dragging of Pelosi on this *is* ridiculous.

his criticisms lack depth and context.

[LanternWaste]

23. In case you didn't bother to read the reponse, it directly addresses that.

[Me.]

40. ...

[JI7]

49. yup, that's the main point of the article. i also find it interesting how those who claim this is a

big issue for them are so uninformed about it .

[JHan]

53. I remember a few months ago..

Reading a few confusing articles in mainstream publications claiming Trump would consider legalizing weed at the federal level by supporting a congressional bill which doesn't actually aim to legalize weed at the federal level (Warren Gardener Bill). What it does is strengthen protections for state-licensed marijuana activities. The Bill came on the heels of Jeff Sessions wanting to rescind Obama era policies which restricted prosecutors targeting marijuana sellers who comply with State Law. Pelosi is correct that Trump has been confusing on this issue - his A.G says and does one thing, and Trump himself cannot be relied upon to articulate clearly anything relating to policy.. or anything at all actually.

[George II]

22. With everything going on in this country and the the world, the last thing I'm concerned about is...

....legalized marijuana.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

24. +1

I totally agree with this. Though I hate to see people remain locked up for years on end over something that is increasingly becoming legalized in the states and/or tolerated.

[George II]

28. True. But even if it's not legalized, those in jail can be paroled, commuted, or simply released...

...their further incarceration isn't necessarily dependent upon legalization.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

30. That's true

That seems like an easier case than full-blown national legalization, at least at present.

[Calculating]

36. People having their lives ruined for no good reason is concerning to me

Every life ruined by our ridiculous mj laws is a tragedy. It's less harmful than legal alcohol, we need to stop ruining lives over it to enrich the vile private prison/LE/big pharma/etc industries.

[BlueWI]

48. Of course, we all know that there are huge racial disparities

in drug sentencing, including for marijuana offenses. Plenty of people will have a criminal conviction to go along with the usual challenge of looking for employment while black. In the wrong state, maybe a loss of voter eligibility due to a felony conviction.

So, we good Democrats are good to just roll this way?

Isn't there a clear justice issue involved here, when we all know that these drug laws have long been used to target black and brown communities?

Not to mention that the states who clung the longest to legal racism probably have the strictest laws and the longest sentencing for marijuana offenses.

But ignoring all this is also an option. This has been demonstrated. Wait till next year, next decade? Wait till who knows when to address an issue that is way less complicated that we are making it?

I guess it'll be this way until it changes.

[JI7]

52. that has to do with Racism, not the drug laws. if it wasn't drug laws they would bring up some other

reason to go after them.

white people claiming to be scared is enough to justify attacks on innocent minorities.

[BlueWI]

57. Ok then.

Instead of addressing laws that have clear and demonstrable discriminatory outcomes, we speculate that if one law changes, another racist practice will take its place.

Really? You want to use this kind of pretzel logic to defend the status quo?

Pretty strange reasoning for a progressive party.

[JI7]

59. it's not the law, it's racism. the law isn't making people racist.

that's why there are so many cases of innocent black men who have been in prison.

people will just make shit up.

[Glamrock]

51. No offense intended.

But that is extremely short sighted.That issue by itself would really bring out the youth vote. We do want to win elections, yeah?

[LanternWaste]

25. I can certainly understand your desire to focus on this

I can certainly understand your desire to focus on this, what with it being, relative to the damage Trump's administration has been doing, a rather minor thing that states are persistently and consistently doing without Federal assistance.

Bummer, indeed.

[redstatebluegirl]

26. Because like other politicians they are polling it.

They have made pot the demon, instead of showing how it helps millions of people and is much safer than alcohol.

[stonecutter357]

29. #facknews ! #Hyperbole !

[LuvLoogie]

32. Who are the younger progressives taking over the Democratic Party?

It seems to me that the newcomers that do best are the ones that embrace the leadership. Likewise, the leaders that do best are the ones that embrace the newcomers.

Nancy Pelosi is the leader she is because she combines the experience, the drive, and the energy it takes to see a cause through. She isn't going to crash the party onto the rocks over a cultural issue that is rapidly trending liberal.

[MineralMan]

33. Pelosi favors legalization. It's interesting that so many oppose her.

The Republicans use her as a whipping boy all the time. But why do some Democrats? It makes me wonder sometimes, when i read anti-Pelosi posts here on DU.

WTF? She supported legalization in California, for pete's sake. It can't pass right now in the current Congress. Let's elect a congress where it can be passed. That's the first freaking step, OK?

But, let's stop joining the Republicans in trashing Nancy Pelosi. It makes me wonder when I see it. Doesn't it make you wonder, too? Why are Democrats dissing a long-time Democratic leader? Why are they behaving like Republicans?

[JHan]

39. +++ I don't get why this is so hard to understand.

I really don't.

[Atman]

37. Because they're fucking ANCIENT.

I'd really love to have my kids tell me who the upcoming candidates are, instead of me trying to push the same fossiles that have been running for office since I was a teenager.

This is clearly a demographic issue. Voters, real voters, tend to be older. Millenials don't show up, so it's up to us old farts to choose. And all we know is that Old Joe has been with us forever. Freakin' forever. Sorry, it's time to start drafting creative younger minds, not the same people we hear about every four years.

[SunSeeker]

44. Why do you repeat misleading "Bummer" headlines?

Democrats are behind the push to decriminalize marijuana in all 50 states.

All Pelosi says in that article is that she supports such movements. And for that, she's called a "bummer."

[progressoid]

46. Want to get young people to stop registering as independents and support Dems instead?

Maybe take a stand on something like this!

This would be such an easy fucking win for us.

[JI7]

55. there is no proof of that. just look at how badly ben jealous is doing in a state that leans

democratic.

[RhodeIslandOne]

47. She's currently protecting her state's interests like a good Congressperson should

California is making a nice bit of coin off of the pot business.

[JI7]

50. it's Pelosi's fault that white guys vote/care/don't care about certain issues

[tritsofme]

56. That's why I roll my eyes at the prospect of a Joe Kennedy presidential run.

He seems even further behind this group.

[WeekiWater]

58. Pop Quiz.

Where does the oldest Democrat in the house stand on MJ policy today?

Where does the youngest Democrat in the house stand on MJ policy today?

Where does Pelosi stand on MJ policy today in comparison to our youngest member in the house?

Get ready for this. The media and those who are in fear of our march to the left(mainly pushed by some of our older members) are going to try to tamper down enthusiasm for the party with really poor propaganda pieces like this.

Rep. Janice “Jan” Schakowsky [D-IL9]
Rep. Mark Takano [D-CA41]
Rep. James “Jim” McGovern [D-MA2]
Rep. Charles “Charlie” Rangel [D-NY13, 2013-2016]
Rep. Judy Chu [D-CA27]
Rep. Keith Ellison [D-MN5]
Rep. Michael “Mike” Honda [D-CA17, 2013-2016]
Rep. Barbara Lee [D-CA13]
Rep. Eleanor Norton [D-DC0]
Rep. Raúl Grijalva [D-AZ3]

Ten of the most progressive House members. Brooklynite, want to add their ages?