uTube Obama on Marijuana Policy
Sen. Obama has publicly promised to end the federal raids on state medical marijuana patients and their caregivers. Sen. Obama also voted against an amendment in the U.S. Senate that was intended to undermine state medical marijuana laws.
Obama Marijuana Policy (MPP-TV)
Barack Obama stated support for marijuana decriminalization in 2004 but has backed off that position during the 2008 presidential campaign, the Washington Times reported Feb. 1.
While running for Senate in 2004, Obama told a group of Northwestern University students, "I think we need to rethink and decriminalize our marijuana laws. But I'm not somebody who believes in legalization of marijuana."
An Obama spokesperson, Tommy Vietor, first told the newspaper that the candidate had "always" supported decriminalization, but later said campaign officials later said that Obama does not support eliminating criminal penalties for marijuana possession and use.
Barack Obama and Medical Marijuana (interview Q&A)
On April 19, 2007, Sen. Obama voted against the Coburn amendment, which, if enacted, could put medical marijuana patients and caregivers at even greater risk than they already face and could be used by opponents to attempt to shut down state medical marijuana programs across the country.