US Rep. To Deputy Director of Drug Policy: You're 'Part of the Problem'

[@Dredster747]

I've never seen someone avoid answering so many questions in my life. That's why he's part of the problem. Young people watch this and see that Botticelli can't even answer those VERY simple questions. People only avoid questions when they know the correct answer goes against what they want. And young people know that.

[@eagle0468]

But the parents, but the children, but but but.... Yeah, kind of where his head is at, right up his butt.

[@philipmoseman3696]

He said nobody would dispute the toxicity related to those substances. You might assume any explanation, other than a simple yes or no, is dishonest. What he is doing is actually correcting the question in regards to danger, so that it can be answered factually. This is the equivalent of asking a physicist if rocks are heavy. There is no yes or no answer. The question itself is wrong and suggests you do not understand the concept of weight. It requires giving an explanation, rather than a yes or no. It is not his fault drugs are complex and their properties difficult to explain. That is the why hundreds of studies and meticulous reports are being put together in order to answer the question. This process will span decades and this particular question may never be fully answered or accepted. What about addiction? It is addictive enough. Being more addictive or less addictive is not a hard fact. Addiction is tricky to define. To one person cocaine is not addictive while marijuana is. We are still trying to understand the basis of addiction and abuse, but we know enough to say it fits the criteria. Sometimes a thing is dangerous because we think it is safe, sometimes it is safe because we think it is dangerous. A bottle of mouthwash is clearly less toxic than a can of gasoline, but people are more likely to die from the mouthwash, so which is more dangerous? It is an ambiguous question. So the answer he gave was that gasoline is more toxic (ie meth and cocaine).

[@philipmoseman3696]

Marijuana has been been attributed to deaths and being high increases the likelihood of visiting an emergency room. Marijuana is not illicit for being as toxic or dangerous as other schedule 1 substances. It is schedule 1 because it is not a medicine and has a certain potential for abuse. Blaming him for the issue is showboating. Any member of Congress should understand the law regulating marijuana has nothing to do with how harmful it is relative to other drugs. We never debate gun control or drunk driving... on the moon. As a ninja and a robot I must say, you are causing me brain damage.

[@Dredster747]

Philip Moseman The fact that it's a schedule one drug is complete bullshit. You and I both know it has countless medical benefits, and if you don't then that only proves how little you know about marijuana. Also, I can definitively say that weed is not dangerous. Go ahead, try to overdose on it. You can't. And you also won't become addicted to it. Like you said, addiction is tricky to define. People become addicted to weed, not because weed is addictive, but because those people have no self control to stop. People can also become addicted to watching porn, but is porn itself addictive? No. It's the person who's watching it that caused themselves to be addicted to it. Not the porn itself. Back to how the deputy can't answer those questions: He's protecting his money. That's ALL he's doing, and that's the ONLY reason weed is still illegal. Without illegal drugs for these people to go out and try to "protect" the public from, they'd have no job. And if weed became illegal, people in the pharmaceutical industry would also lose their job. Now you might say that that's a terrible thing, but half of those companies and/or doctors that prescribe those medicines deserve to be out of work. They create and distribute all these pills like they're candy, causing people to use and become addicted to more of them than they need. Why? Because the more pills people have to take, the more money those companies and doctors make. They're willing to risk countless lives just to protect their pockets, and to me there's something very fucked up about that. These doctors and companies lobby against weed being legalized because they know damn well that it would replace almost all the medications they make their money on, and they're not willing to let something/someone mess that up (even if it would save thousands of lives every single year). They're selfish assholes who only care about how much money they bring in. As far as legalization goes, I believe that not only should weed be legalized, but ALL drugs should be legalized. And here's why: We as a generation have decreased the use of cigarettes dramatically. How? Because we started focusing on educating people about the dangers that are involved, and people began to realize that it's not a good idea to smoke them. If the government would stop using all their resources to put drug users in jail, and use those resources instead to educate people about the real dangers of every drug out there, I guarantee it would be more effective than just making them illegal. That way people can make their own decision on whether they want to use it or not. And if they look at heroin/meth and still want to use it after seeing how dangerous they are, then they should have the right to. It's THEIR life. Not yours or anyone else's. If they want to fuck their life up then that's up to them. Of course I don't want people to go out and use those dangerous drugs, but there's something fucked up about one human telling another human that they can't go do/try something (as long as it doesn't put other people in danger. i.e. murdering someone). You could bring up the argument that these drug users will go get high and then get behind the wheel, and that endangers other people, but that's not the drug's fault. That's the dumbass who decided to get behind the wheel's fault. We don't go out and tell people they can't go mountain climbing even though there's a very real chance they could fall to their death, so why are we telling people that can't use drugs? If I came up to you and told you that you weren't allowed to do your favorite hobby because it might kill you, what would you say? You'd probably tell me that it's your life, and that you're willing to risk it, right? And you're willing to risk it because you know the dangers of doing it. So if we focused on educating people on the different effects that these drugs have, those potential drug users would be able to look at those drugs and say "I probably shouldn't use this drug since it does this and this and that to my body, and could kill me." But what this drug deputy is causing these people to say is "I shouldn't use this drug because you're telling me I'm not allowed to? Screw you I'm gonna try it anyway." Now do you see the problem with what this deputy is doing?

[@philipmoseman3696]

You can overdose marijuana and it is addictive, meaning no self control to stop, and even though you can't take a lethal dose you wouldn't be able to take a lethal dose of 200 proof vodka either. Most benefits are not proven scientifically and marijuana dispensaries are pharmaceuticals. What "questions" are you talking about? The only question I remember is, "which is more harmful the chicken or the egg". Cigarettes, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, levamisole, and many other drug had usage reduced by enforcement of laws restricting their use. A direct correlation was found between marijuana use and penalties from studies done when it was "decriminalized" in the '70s. People being educated is great and does affect use but education can go both ways. It is obviously immoral to peddle drug abuse.

[@giovannicazares3110]

so legalizing tobacco and Alcohol sends the right message to our youth then?

[@Werdxp]

Good response bro. Wish he could have asked that

[@brianchampney7077]

Does lying to them send the right message?

[@brettconv83]

giovanni cazares Nope, but the government makes billions from taxes and so do the states, so alcohol and tobacco aren’t going anywhere. Even thought they both kill thousands and thousands a year.

[@1000supernatural]

Dude, tobacco and alcohol is already legal, and has been for a long while

[@DrewDubious]

No, but taxing it does. ;)

[@HelicopterShowdown]

When all else fails, tell a story about some dead kids.

[@zsswimmer2]

Wont somebody think of the children?!

[@nicotate07]

thats the sad true... that man can't even answer a shit

[@denisbezjak510]

zsswimmer are u able to get it in your brain? marijuana can't kill. there is no record, that a human person (child or adult) has ever died from cannabis! they threat tumors on kids u know? successfully u know? not with chemotherapy... learn somthing about it... u have the fucking internet available...

[@McFartyPants]

denis bezjak dude, please don't take anything on the internet seriously. Plus the !? obviously indicates sarcasm. Just say it out loud like the reverend's wife on simpsons.

[@zsswimmer2]

denis bezjak Wow talk about completely missing the joke, lol. Maybe you should 'get it in your brain'.

[@bestieswithtesties]

How does Botticeli not see the complete irony in his closing statement? He tries to argue parents of kids who died to overdoses don't support marijuana. Yeah, because just as the Representative tore you apart for, because they're misinformed and afraid of marijuana because of HIM and the propaganda they create, not because it's actually dangerous

[@monadahems]

bestieswithtesties exactly! not to say most of these parents are probably now having drinks and smoking cigarettes.

[@TheReapersSon]

+bestieswithtesties You pretty much put it exactly as I would have.

[@rudai123]

The DEA is trying to save it's agency. If marijuana is legalized, there goes half of the reason for the existence of DEA. Botticelli is trying to cover his and agency's ass by sticking to their asinine taking points.

[@wideopen5578]

Big Pharma too. It's been estimated that with 100% cannabis legalization, Big Pharma loses 25-40% of it's prescription drug sales.

[@davidporowski9512]

rudai123 I Have A Perfect Rationale To Keep DEA In Existence: Testing & Certifying Cannabis Strains (DNA) & THC/CBD % ratios// don't buy your legal hashish wo your DEA seal. ( They already H8 Me !!)

[@mactavish313]

David Porowski that'll probably be handled by the fd(m)a

[@darrenspohn8376]

Legalizing pot would actually help the dea as it would free up people and resources to tackle dangerous drugs.

[@grendelum]

rudai123 - half is a bit excessive... I for one would be much happier if the DEA spent the time they would on cannabis on drugs such as meth, crack and heroin.

[@nicktheg00]

This man NEEDS to run for president

[@firecrakka]

Get Botticelli to smoke a bowl and he would be able to answer all the questions in great detail... possibly with a few digressions and a munchies break.

[@wideopen5578]

LMAO

[@itspapaj4732]

That's the thing, a lot of these people who are in positions like Mr Bottecelli actually smoke weed. My brother in law comes from old money, and he told me weed is pretty common amongst people who hold power and/or money. 😉

[@sourcehauntings8851]

firecrakka hahaha- the best comment here!

[@TxxT33]

its papa j more like snort cocaine, those boys like the power drugs. Make them feel better about themselves

[@tinalouiseking]

😂

[@robgoren8628]

Girl in the background: "God, I need to smoke a joint right now."

[@warofages4498]

Oh hell yes I was thinking about posting the same damn thing and then seen you comment....love it 🤣🤣🤣

[@yes.2144]

She looks like she hits the dabs or a bong.

[@churchdog]

She thinking bout all the weed at home 😂

[@FauxToez]

Parents of kids who overdosed on prescription pills should be worried about things other than medical marijuana being legal.

[@davethetech]

excellent!

[@dharmindergill6638]

I couldn’t have said it better

[@dharmindergill6638]

If anything if I was the parent who lost a child I would be for legalizing marijuana knowing that could have possibly save my child’s life If he would’ve just smoke instead of shooting up

[@macabredanceparty5277]

Let me give them an alternative to their experience. Lil Johnny your son, did start smoking pot when you first lost your bond, and he was different, but because the federal government has made it so ugly to buy weed from a licensed trusted source lil Johnny had to interact with drug dealers, who just wanna make a quick buck, hey but he also sells a lot of other things. Like the pills he died on, so take some responsiblility, put your big mom and dad pants on a realize it wasn't weed that was the gateway, but the gate keeper who is an illegal drug dealer looking to get the most money out of your kid. Stop blaming the pot.

[@mandyrobbins1]

@@macabredanceparty5277 Well said, sir

[@420captain]

Botticelli said parent's of kids who are addicted too or died of overdose of"Prescription drugs" are against marijuana? Don't they know prescription drugs are way more dangerous and deadly than marijuana could ever be? Don't they realize no one is suggesting kids smoke marijuana? Just like people can't drink alcohol till they are 21 pot should be 18 and over only unless for medical reason's. And the fact he wouldn't answer the question "what is worse Meth or Marijuana"? Talk about holding back the true information about that? Everyone should know by now marijuana is not a dangerous drug and no one has ever overdosed and died,yes you can abuse it and that's not good usually but I know around 50 people who use it every day and they are all fine,high functioning people. I'm so mad at the government for their bullshit lie's and drug war, It's caused me so much hassle. Legalize Now! and end the Drug War!

[@TheNacho1717]

420captain well said. I, as well as millions more feel the same way. Why is it always some ignorant Italian who’s against innocent marijuana?!?

[@chelleoj]

Blumenauer, u a rock star in a bow tie, dude! Freakin awesome!

[@blacksawjohnnyhex310]

chelleoj that dude that’s stuttering doesn’t know a damn thing honestly he should get fired

[@erik22lax]

Self preservation and protectionism of big pharmaceuticals companies.

[@ChrisKunzler]

*MR. Botticelli cant answer simple questions about the dangers of marijuana. Oregon congressman calls him out on the equivocation.* Time for a new Deputy Director of Drug Policy.

[@samanthaguttsy9072]

Wanda Gustin Do you know what else causes car crashed? Drowsiness. Yet we dont go throwing millions of people in jail a year for driving first thing in the morning, or after spending extra hours at work. The criminilization of marijuana, a substance far less dangerous than several things that are currently legal to us, ultimately just results in otherwise innocent civilians, disproportionately black and hispanic men, being thrown in jail.

[@WingCustom0]

Wanda Gustin Yeah advil, tylenol, vicodin, oxycotin, perkaset, ITS ALL BAD.

[@ChrisKunzler]

Wanda is more clueless than Botticelli. At least he was being evasive on purpose, and not just a moron.

[@ShaunGooProductions]

Wanda Gustin But the word drug is loosely defined...caffeine is also a drug, so is alcohol and prescription drugs. Do you want every drug illegal? Car wrecks are a horrible example of the dangers of marijuana because alcohol is far more dangerous on that level, yet is legal. The point is the line needs to be drawn. When your arresting millions of people for marijuana use it means this is more like prohibition in the 1920's than people doing marijuana irresponsibly. You're the one who needs to be educated.

[@ChrisKunzler]

Shaun G I wonder how many people have car accidents due to drugs like NyQuil. Maybe that's a good question for Botticelli.

[@lifeofshawn134]

Legend has it he's still not answering the question.

[@bluenickels]

Keeping substances illegal does little to nothing as far as keeping people away from said substance. I call as an example... Prohibition!!!

[@iNSaNiTY_714]

he's right, meth is dangerous, we should make it illegal so people wont use it, O wait, we are, and they still get it... so what's the point? educating people on it's direct effects will stop them better than cops invading your home and shooting your dog

[@garrasdeoso7324]

@@iNSaNiTY_714 meth and cocaine and heroin are such a huge problem because they spend most of their budget on arresting and criminalizing people for smoking marijuana a non addictive and not harmful drug instead of worrying about the big drugs affecting the nation theyre still stuck in the war on drugs from the 30s

[@KerayZ]

I fucking LOVE that dude! I was expecting this video to have millions of views for how awesome it is! Marijuana has killed zero people from overdose. I smoked marijuana for the first time at age 14, now I'm 29 and NEVER have I smoked crack, meth, coke, heroin, etc.

[@fmfdocbotl4358]

I've never smoked marijuana, cigars yes though. But after serving in the military and getting injured I've been on all kinds of pills that have killed people. This country needs to wake the fuck up

[@involuntaryanalysis]

@Waylon Lupus got a source for that. Sound all kinds of suspect.

[@FlyingD]

I hate the "won't someone think of the kids" argument. As long as politicians constantly appeal to emotions we'll never have a reasoned debate on this.

[@samogden1525]

It doesn't help that most of the kids want to smoke pot anyways. Ehehehe.

[@icameheretolaughatyou4820]

Well, they won't be smoking it in jail.

[@PhreakinPhilip]

honestly like, most people who smoke weed just leave it at that. we don’t want meth or cocaine or pills, just cannabis. those parents are just scared, which i don’t blame them, but whenever it is legalized they would not see any of this overdose and addiction that they speak of. if anything addiction might go down since cannabis would be legal and they would not get messed up with the wrong people in school or the neighborhood. cannabis can be habit forming for some people, but it’s not addictive. we do it because we enjoy it and it’s fun, not because our bodies react negatively if we don’t have it everyday like with tobacco.

[@raymondperez9414]

He kept changing the subject he knows something is wrong in this government

[@arsenal7117]

I love you Mr. Blumenauer. I have the same views.

[@awfullyawful]

"But what about the children!?"

[@94SexyStang]

what about the PARENTS

[@awfullyawful]

Mike Fu Come on, bro. The kids, bro. The kids.

[@philipmoseman3696]

Did you make a fair and complete comparison?

[@ItsxAxLiger]

Sal C "what about my job?"

[@thelispinglizard5458]

Sal C were smoking pot and getting high as Fuck man we chillin.

[@biggestchampsyouknow]

and on that day, not a single question was answered

[@paulwildridge7798]

Thank You Mr. Blumenauer,,,From the State of Indiana...

[@paronzoda]

All respect to Mr Blumenauer! This was an amazing video!

[@jaythompson5813]

So he spent time talking to parents about prescription drug use and many of them over dosed? So how does that have anything to do with Cannabis, medical or other wise.. You can not "OVER" dose on cannabis. As well it seems to me that if he wanted to help those same parents, he should start by learning the differences between Homeopathic medicine and Allopathy. Peace and much love everyone.

[@Dredster747]

"Some random parents don't understand why weed is becoming legal in some states, so obviously we should keep it illegal." When the fuck did we start making things illegal just because a few random people can't understand something?

[@theupsetterer5126]

+Dredster747 It began with the election of Richard Nixon.

[@s.d.c5513]

When we started giving creedance to loudmouth ignorant minorities.

[@TM-ui6wx]

I overdosed on weed and I died.

[@TweEkc]

get well soon

[@wideopen5578]

Died laughing or of the munchies?

[@TheDavinci314]

I think I'm in heaven

[@icameheretolaughatyou4820]

Did you get better?

[@JS-oh7if]

Jackie M we’ll pass that shit

[@Rogier7305]

The woman behind you knows the answer to that question! She just had a spliff or 2 !

[@richyrich88]

"What kills more people, tobacco or marijuana?!" When your parent asks you a question they already know the answer to lol.

[@moogle68]

*is asked for the last time to provide straight forward answer with facts as a professional* *talks about how he asks parents with very little education on the subject and very biased views about what to do* Yeahhhhhh.... if you ask the parents of kids who have died from overdose, then you are only asking a very, very specific demographic. And again, a demographic with NO professional knowledge on the subject, and most likely a heavy bias. The amount of dodging reminded me of the times in GYM class where we would play dodgeball and there would be one player vs. the 6-9 that were left on the other team. He might as well have just resigned then and there, because after this it is inevitable.

[@Pepper360]

Spot on. I would have loved to have heard the response to this.

[@denisbezjak510]

none of those kids died from marijuana overdose, but from heroin... etc.

[@moogle68]

Adam TheSim Who are you talking to?

[@TheNacho1717]

Kristopher Wilson exactly.

[@mrschneebly9691]

My god, this is more than six years old and things are still moving so slowly.

[@BrownChino]

Legalizing Marijuana is sending the wrong message? Alcohol is actually bad for you but it's legal and all over TV and other media outlets.

[@Agwings1960]

When you ask them simple obvious questions, and they give you the deer in the headlights look, you know they're on the side of a big lie.

[@SemiProBombers]

The worst part of this is Botticelli is a recovering alcoholic himself. He knows that the war on drugs is bad and it's not working. Unfortunately he's still fighting for keeping marijuana illegal. It's sad to see.

[@midnitegirl007]

Thank you for sharing the truth on mmj

[@swillwilson8766]

Q: (from hysterical parents and commenters alike) Legalize marijuana?? B..b..but what about the children??? How will making pot legal be better for teh children???? A: Because *drug dealers don't card.*

[@sanchopancho1918]

Swill Wilson very true

[@codyklein3112]

They can’t admit they’ve been wrong for 70 years

[@TheNacho1717]

Cody Klein Exactly!

[@natthidasw]

at the end he was pulling "truthiness" trick because obviously, truth is more real than facts...

[@lawnman3638]

God! Just legalize it already!

[@mikestearns2685]

Finally someone with sense!!!

[@FLSHSANT]

This are the kind of people we need in this world

[@Rob02150]

"equivocation" is a word that can stop you in your tracks.

[@mreshadow]

Depending on your vocab

[@bbieger2]

Proud of my representative Earl Blumenuer

[@thyduck7542]

Most of those parents probably generalize Democrats as lazy and dependant on the government, but will then blame the government for their kid. Honestly if a kid is smoking Marijuana it's the parent's fault.

[@thyduck7542]

And to be honest 95% of these claims are even close to true. They'll just find the weed then assume they're addicted, sign them up for rehab, then someone who is clearly not addicted is added to the number of people 'addicted' to marijuana.

[@veno8mm]

No no. When kids are drinking underage its their parents fault.. Every weekend teens across the US are desperately in search for someone that's "cool with" picking up the alcohol... They already have somebody's place where the parents left them unsupervised... A location for the 'get together' established... Next step is to secure xtra smoke. (Gotta bring the party favors.) Pot is easy... No ID required & open for business 24 hours. If I recall correctly. Setting up the alcohol run was the penultimate party requirement that sometimes became difficult. The final most difficult party prerequisite that remained (and often skipped) Enduring the stigma and anxiety standing in line at the grocery store for a box of condoms. Terrified that someone will recognize me waiting as the cashier unlocks the case. Then calls you over to point out which one. Its silly as I think back on it... Lol.

[@zacharywilbur3459]

Treating cannabis like hard drugs is like treating shoplifting the same as armed robbery. Yeah, I don’t want people or kids shoplifting, but we should be clear that shoplifting is not in the same category as armed robbery.

[@thehorizontries4759]

Why can't anyone in these videos EVER SAY FUCKING YES OR NO

[@juiceboxdestroyer6773]

I was high one night making a pot of mac 'n cheese and that turned into me starting a business. 2 weeks later I was already putting everything together and by next month we should be open. For me it makes me creative, I smoke and Journal, I study Italian, draw, and start new fun things. To where my brother used to get drunk and scream at me in my face and break our whole house, and eventually his alcohol addiction led to a heroin addiction. Choose Marijuana.

[@DubuqueSwineAttorney]

is why , young people dont listen

[@babuddha]

Thanks, Earl.

[@TranscendentBen]

Boticelli is a "Friend of Bill W." (member of AA and/or other 12-step programs) as are virtually all "drug treatment professionals" in the US, and this undoubtedly affects his attitudes and beliefs on the "disease of" addiction. For more on Boticelli, search for the news story with this title: New face of recovery: White House drug czar (also intentionally posting on G+)

[@Ilovethedeepsea]

love when he points with his pin

[@yanyu8989]

pure straight up lies at the 6 min mark

[@samtraygis1337]

This is unreal

[@c0ntra605]

Mr. Botticelli looks like he’s being strong armed by big pharma ngl

[@TenMilL]

This is a blessing that Mr Blumenauer has stood up and finally recognized the truth. This is exactly 100% accurate and true! I agree with mr. Blumenauer 120% non-stop 24 seven.

[@Ronniedell1]

SIMPLE..LAW ENFORCEMENT THRIVES ON POT LAWS, CITY COUNTY STATE FEDS ALL CONFISCATE PROPERTY AND FINES AND INCARCERATION. COURTS JAILS AND PRISONS RELY ON THE MONEY FROM POT LAWS

[@kennyyouanthadany6128]

You know what sends the wromg message? Telling people what they can and cant do

[@nealfeldman8486]

When you cannot immediately answer the question of what is more addictive and dangerous... tobacco, cocaine or meth or cannabis, you are clearly without any credibility. If I had been this Rep I would have said: "I will make it VERY easy for you. You will either state in answer directly and without equivocation or the typical dodge and dance... which is more dangerous and addictive, tobacco or cannabis, or I will seek to have you found to be in contempt of Congress, have you tried and convicted on that charge, have you removed from your position and have you jailed. So, will you please answer the question?" These Reefer Madness propaganda spewing bureaucrats are beyond belief!

[@davidhudson6786]

I know you didn't mean it this way but you presented four options, two of which were cocaine and meth, on which is most dangerous and addictive. Kinda hard to decide between coke and meth on which is more dangerous. Also, you don't see the hypocrisy of CONGRESS grilling him about the enforcement of the laws THEY MADE? IF they think weed is less dangerous, addictive, etc... why are they keeping it a schedule one drug? They set the policies themselves. Just pointing out that congress is in the wrong here too.

[@cease1337]

A long time ago I was on chatroulette I remember there being a small little kid from Colorado I jokingly asked him if he smoked weed. he proceeded to tell me that no "I cannot smoke until I'm 21" it was one of the most beautiful things I heard in my life still remember to this day

[@007REAPER007]

wow director of drug policy skating around a question he should be able to answer easily, probably on the back end of the Pharma industry ! And the Parents he spoke to ? their kid died of OD on pharmaceuticals but they want weed kept illegal ? that doesnt even make sense !

[@sandramcbee1413]

He must of been having a blond moment

[@larzy5249]

Mr Botticelli admits they don't assess the danger of one drug in comparison to another. That's your problem right there, that's what your organisation should be doing! P.S YOUR FIRED!

[@LesGrossman1]

wow #owned

[@junbug1love]

It's amazing that any time politicians or government employees are put under the spotlight they rarely ever answer a direct question

[@TheNacho1717]

j G I KNOW RIGHT??

[@junbug1love]

@@TheNacho1717 and what's worse is they get away with it

[@TheNacho1717]

j G they’re not getting away with it anymore.

[@eagle0468]

Mr. Botticelli is a typical federal policy patsy.

[@Beanmachine91]

we need more brave men like this bro!

[@TJayKy]

What about legalizing cigarettes, alcohol, prescription drugs, and chewing tobacco. What message does that send when millions of people (kids and adults) have been killed meaning they are bodies in the ground. While a drug that has never caused major damage besides the incarceration of millions is described by the damn government to be as bad as schedule 1 drugs.

[@maz5540]

unbelievable...smh

[@Feyd01]

"..........they understand in a very dramatic and real way." Strikes me as a bit of an oxymoron that statement. It illustrates nicely how dramatic and emotional arguments (Mrs A and Mrs B said so) seem to be the basis for making policy, and no facts. Perhaps we need the bureaucrats with the facts making the decisions, and not the game-show hosts. We have exactly the same bullshit in the UK, politicians using emotional rhetoric to justify their idiotic policies, not the facts/truth.

[@dp20102]

thats politics for you. the guys who speak logic and facts are way way behind on votes come election time. maybe social media one day in the future could change that. maybe there is a ray of hope

[@Feyd01]

MukeshPandya1985 I'd like to think you're right, certainly the internet has changed and continues to change politics for the better. However I think there's a danger in social media too, in that people have found the ultimate distraction, and are not interested in politics any more. As Aldous Huxley has often been paraphrased, the truth will be drowned in a sea of irrelevances.

[@dp20102]

yea your probably right. more chance of people messing up politics via social media than making it better

[@angelinaalvarado9586]

GOD BLESS Mr. BLUMENAUER😇💜🙏

[@GeorgeinLakeTahoe]

WEED SAVED MY LIFE. (My life)

[@JamesRichardWiley]

"How many deaths... If you are referring to overdoses... No. How many deaths? If you are referring to overdoses..." No. How many deaths? If you are referring...

[@Smash_Gravy]

duhhhhhhhhhhhh. uhhhmmm. mmmmhmmmmm. wait...........duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[@wendelllee316]

PLEASE PREACH,MR BLUMEMAHER!!!!!

[@dp20102]

for everyone jumping on this bandwagon, I just have a question: Why arent there any clips showing Michael Botticelli's account, or his statement regardless of how stupid you may assume it to be? Why is it we just see Earl Blumenauer's. It is dangerous just to take one snippet of such a conference without hearing the argument of the other side?

[@dp20102]

***** 4:34-4:52 - watch that again. I think you've missed the point of Blumenauer. Didnt he say earlier in the video that he DOESNT want people to smoke marijuana??? "they know its harmless".....lol are u serious?? blumenauer NO way whatsoever is saying its harmless. young people think its benign "2:19"........you've completely missed his point.

[@dp20102]

***** 2:38-2:48 - doesn't blumenauer use the words "we are failing to educate them about the dangers, I dont want people smoking marijuana". The "dangers" he is referring to by the way, are the dangers of marijuana. They both AGREE that marijuana use has DANGERS. Its sad that you translated this whole video into an advocation that marijuana use is "harmless", that theres nothing wrong with it.

[@SophiaMaria023]

MukeshPandya1985 When she said "they know it's harmless" she was referring about Mr.Botticelli & the government's opinion..... not Blumenauer's opinion. The fact that he doesn't want to answer the question shows us that he's trying to avoid saying something, which some may ASSUME is because marijuana isn't that bad & they assume this cause they're avoiding questions like "is meth more dangerous?" or "how much deaths are there?" which is EXACTLY what Blumenauer was explaining to him, the fact that he can't answer the question is why teenagers don't believe the propaganda when a professional is CLEARLY trying to avoid the question which shows he doesn't want to admit something. which is what sarahs thinking.

[@dp20102]

SophiaMaria023 Wrong sophia. I agree with you that Botticeli is avoiding the questions, which makes teenagers assume marijuana isn't that bad - i completely agree. But sarah is exactly that type of teenager who believes that marijuana is "HARMLESS". "They know its harmless" - is a false statement. Because no one there KNOWS its harmless. And thats a bonified 100% fact. Neither Botticelli nor Blumenauer know, or think that marijuana is harmless. But Sarah and teenagers like her DO think its harmless, when it isn't. Thats my point. Everyone - you me sarah boti and blum all know that it is not as dangerous as crystal meth or heroin. But all of us do not believe that marijuana is harmless.

[@dp20102]

SophiaMaria023 Even if Boticelli had been able to talk (which im sure he does and we do not get to see his side of the argument), teenagers like sarah and others on here would STILL have believed that marijuana is HARMLESS. Whilst Boticelli avoided the obvious answers which we all know, it still doesnt change anything! Have you ever seen a marijuana video which explains the harmful effects of it with more "likes" than "dislikes"?? These guys dont give two craps whether a government official says its harmful or not harmful or less harmful than meth. They ONLY believe its harmless, and they get this info from conspiracy documentaries which they watch when they're high. Everyone's acting as if Mr.Boticelli not answering those questions is SUCH A BIG DEAL and PROVES that marijuana is harmless where as if he had answered those questions teenage marijuana users wouldv started to take notice of what he had to say or even cared - YEA RIGHT. People need to wake up. This is politics, each side is going to avoid certain things because they have their own motives. Obama and Romneys debates were full of avoidance. Thats politics for you. It has no relationship to health and scientific evidence.

[@Jinipoem]

He's right, Alcohol consumption is more dangerous. No pot head gets violent, they get hungry.

[@ItsaRomethingeveryday]

Just answer the question!!!!

[@crazyamericangamer7036]

If you smoke you smoke, if you dont you dont, just legalize it and move on with life. It looks like its done good things too people more than bad

[@18Ty18]

Earl's face expression at the ending is priceless!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Totally explains it all.

[@mikehogan5087]

He ripped him a new one

[@Eller4President]

Contempt of congress, throw him in jail.

[@jesus91freak]

God I would hate to have his job. The answers are straight forward and he knows that but still protects what he is instructed to protect

[@jackburton4224]

prohibition didn't, doesn't, won't, can't & shant work.

[@williamolsen20]

They get these guys, and they never give a straight answer.

[@heatherwells3525]

No one has ever died from Marijuana. Marijuana is an Herb and is natural medicine. Marijuana has many different positive benefits for the human body. Marijuana has been known to help people with P.T.S.D. which is post-traumatic stress disorder. Marijuana has been known to help with anxiety. These are the facts and the Truth.

[@user-bm4di5ns4g]

5:20 "I'm very discouraged by your inability to answer questions." "Parents don't understand medical marijuana. It's bad for you, it's bad for kids. That's all."

[@rybohm9829]

the bicycle on his suit is an LSD reference, love the guy

[@anthonyford9800]

He avoids the question

[@nickpavloff8977]

God bless the man in the bow tie

[@nickpavloff8977]

Botticelli doesn’t belong in his position soo badly it makes me sick physically they let him in.... fake man

[@mikehoage5261]

right on earl

[@raybrightwell8338]

We need Rep's like REP. EARL BLUMENAUER , brains and good lookin' too!

[@brokkoliomg6103]

Mr. Blumenauer bei like "I DONT REMEMBER ASKING YOU A GOD DANG THANG"

[@forerunner6629]

When Botticelli was talking about the parents that lost kids to opioids being angry about cannabis, I had the same look on my face as Blumenauer did when the camera focused back on him and I couldn't help but crack up

[@TheSurrealist.]

So Mr.Botticelli’s whole argument is “well I dunno”.

[@jamescunningham4418]

most dangerous thing about pot is getting caught with it

[@TheNacho1717]

For sure!

[@mr.brightside8491]

FIRED!!!!!!!

[@robertjamerson7473]

Mr. Brotticelli can't give a straight answer because he knows our us rep. Is right.

[@SF9513-y1h]

That Jim Halpert lookalike in the back is laughing haha when The deputy director dodges questions hahaha

[@enzoferrarii4800]

RESPECT ✊

[@gmnd2454]

You all gotta vote ASAP

[@joesammy4343]

Get rid of his office. Useless if he doesnt participate with his boss