Despite it's pregnant absence from the "liberal media" cannabis reform - by which I specifically mean the ending of cannabis
prohibition - is a mainstream American value.
From farming to medical cannabis to a freedom of choice issue, it's a significant winner for Dems.
Dems can use the issue as a way to both siphon off votes from the GOP as well as give the GOP fits. The GOP has itself painted into a corner and can't reverse course and Dems deciding to JUST TALK about reform will cause the GOP to escalate thier talking point rhetoric against marijuana, creating fine opportunities for Dems to point out just how out of touch the GOP is with "American Values".
So, here is a sample speech/talking points approach for the Dems, since they cannot seem to get this important needle threaded right.
They can't seem to realize how important it even is.
It's not about pot smoking - it's the Prohibition
"For too long, we in the Democratic party have had out doubts about the issue of cannabis prohibition. These doubts have evaporate.
We have recognized the passionate back-and-forth debate that has ensued for almost 40 years.
We have seen and many times have been complicit with the Republicans who, for a variety of reasons, have stood solidly against the ending of cannabis prohibition.
But we have recognized that this has been wrong.
We have been counseled and admonished by a wide variety of Americans to begin enacting changes in the US policy of cannabis prohibition.
We recognize that cannabis prohibition has not significantly deterred "drug use".
We recognize that cannabis prohibition has eliminated a vast source of income for those Americans who wish to use the plant for it's agricultural and industrial potentials.
We recognize that these potentials have existed for thousands of years and that they are an integral part of this nation's great history.
Farmers want to grow it again. Industrial entrepreneurs want to make a wide variety of products from it and not import it from other nations.
And we have seen there is great medical potential inherent in this amazing plant, potentials being exploited and developed in other countries and not in America.
We know there is bi-partisan support for change: Dana Rohrbacher and Ron Paul, both fine Republicans have joined with Barney Frank, Dennis Kucinich, and others to initiate and pursue industrial and medical legislation to allow American business the opportunity to begin competing with the rest of the world in the markets of hemp and medical cannabis therapies.
We know there is widespread support among Americans from all walks of life to end the "war" on cannabis. We know there is widespread support among Americans for unfettered and safe access to medical cannabis.
Medical cannabis deserves more studies, it is true. We know that political ideologies have sought to stifle the scientific approach to this and we see other countries forging ahead with promising cannabis-based medicines and therapies. We have decided it is unacceptable for America to be held back by a policy that has outlived whatever usefulness it may have had.
From this day forth the Democratic Party of these United States will pursue a policy of ending cannabis prohibition and we encourage legislators from both sides of the isle to join together for the good of these United States and the betterment of Americans.
The time has come.