First of all, let me say I have spoken as loudly as I can (sorry Washington, no $50,000) to our leaders. I've phoned, emailed, voted, sent letters, etc. Obama is not likely to push hard for decriminalization/legalization early in his administration. When the Clintons first took the White House, they tried to push left hard and fast. Gay rights, abortion, and health care were all pushed very hard. Many White House aides were overtly homosexual (not that it's wrong, this is just a fact). This was done to send a message. Not we're here and we're queer, but we are here and whether you like it or not and this is what we are about.
Old school republicans, and old school Washington does not care to have things thrown in their face. If you remember in Clinton's first term, his/her health care initiative was shot down on Capitol Hill repeatedly. This was not because it was a bad idea. It was 100% backlash from old Washington. Obama will likely steer clear of a very liberal social change agenda initially. Sadly, there are bigger issues at stake. If he is able to get some good accomplished (economy, health care, Iraq, etc) without alienating 1/2 of D.C., then we might see some laws changed regarding marijuana social policy.
The political capital like Obama has now is very hard to come by. It would be foolish to spend it early on anything other than a really big idea. I'm not saying marijuana policy isn't a big deal. I'm just saying from a political standpoint, it is barely on the radar for most politicians. Voting in these surveys is definitely A way to let those in charge that this matters.
I think most of these guys know what is right. Just as cocaine was popular in D.C. in the 70's and 80's, I would imagine marijuana shares a similar although smaller constituent. It's just a matter of timing, political capital, and public support. No elected official wants their name on a failed drug policy bill that involved being "softer on crime", "easy on drug dealers", or "marijuana friendly". No matter how noble the cause is, this just provides too much ammunition for the opposition come election time. No candidate wants to spend their entire campaign defending their views on marijuana use. While most Americans support decriminalization or medical marijuana, they don't neccessarily vote along that line.
All this being said, PLEASE let it known some way, some how that you support more lenient marijuana laws. These surveys are easy and fairly anonymous ways to do that. Phone calls are also effective. Some of us are in a position in society, that our jobs and livlihoods could be taken from us if it were known that we smoke. For those people, it is prudent to avoid talking to one's coworkers, friends, and neighbors about marijuana to avoid drawing undue attention to ourselves. If you can't do that, PLEASE do this. If not this, do something!!!
but with the way the economic downturn at the moment, it would be a good time to start regulating cannabis and also creating thousand if not millions of jobs, this would also help inject a lot of cash into the economy
