Don Lemon Asks If Former Surgeon General Would Smoke Pot If It Was Legal

video

by Steve Krakauer | 9:03 am, October 18th, 2010

» 16 comments

Marijuana legalization has become a major election issue this year, and is on the ballot in South Dakota, Oregon, Arizona and, most notably, California.

CNN’s Don Lemon had on former U.S. surgeon general under Pres. Bill Clinton, Joycelyn Elders, and asked her a unique, very personal question: would you smoke weed if it was legal?

Elders was quoted in a New York Times story over the weekend, saying, “I think we consume far more dangerous drugs that are legal: cigarette smoking, nicotine and alcohol.” With Lemon, she said marijuana should be legal “for adults,” should be taxed and it should be “illegal to sell to children.”

Then this exchange happened:

Lemon: If it was legalized, would you do it?
Elders: Would I do…
Lemon: Would you smoke marijuana if it was legalized?
Elders: Well, I never smoked marijuana when it wasn’t legal. I don’t think – when you get my age you aren’t going to start something new so I don’t think I would smoke marijuana now.

It seems odd for a news anchor to ask a marijuana legalization advocate whether she, personally, would smoke it if it was legal (especially someone who is, you know, 77-years-old). But the issue itself has been a major topic on CNN this election cycle. “Marijuana” has been mentioned 114 times on CNN just in October, according to TV Eyes. FNC has mentioned it a lot as well, at 81 times, and there have been 64 mentions on MSNBC (but that includes the doc block shows also).

But the issue itself is less one of left vs. right as it is generational. In the same NYT story that quoted Elders, Adam Nagourney reports the Obama administration’s Justice Department, “intends to prosecute marijuana laws in California aggressively even if state voters approve an initiative on the Nov. 2 ballot to legalize the drug.” If state’s do legalize marijuana, it will likely be because of younger generations and not necessarily overwhelming Democratic (or Libertarian-leaning conservative) support.

One other note: check out Elders’ views on a “sexually healthy society.” And check out the video below, from CNN:

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CNN, CNN Newsroom, Don Lemon, Joycelyn Elders, Marijuana, Pot, weed

Jackie_Treehorn

Eh boring…

How about a write up on Joe Miller’s security detail kidnapping the editor of the Alaska Dispatch because they didn’t like him asking questions?

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/dispatches/news/7187-miller-guard-says-editor-refused-to-leave-private-event
The Real Royal King

I didn’t know it was illegal.
tatboy

The Real Royal King said:
I didn’t know it was illegal.

King (Robert), I think we finally found something we can agree on. Lets go with that.
The Real Royal King

Jackie_Treehorn said:
Eh boring… How about a write up on Joe Miller’s security detail kidnapping the editor of the Alaska Dispatch because they didn’t like him asking questions? http://www.alaskadispatch.com/dispatches/news/7187-miller-guard-says-editor-refused-to-leave-private-event

Thread up now. Isn’t that fascinating?

And what of Rand Paul? He seems to think Christianity and the warped ideology of his namesake are compatible. He hasn’t read the Fountainhead or the Bible or either, obviously.

And not shaking his opponent’s hand? We have a Republican gubernatorial candidate in Texas, most famous for his rape jokes, including:

John McCain should have been fundraising in the Texas oil patch yesterday alongside his good friend Clayton Williams. In the town of Midland, Republican heavy-hitters were lined up to sign some equally weighty cheques for their man’s presidential campaign.

Instead, the candidate was busy trying to salvage an already shaky reputation after America’s female voters had been reminded of derogatory remarks that “Claytie” Williams made about women and rape nearly 20 years ago. While running unsuccessfully against Ann Richards for governor, the Texan was overheard comparing rape to the weather: “As long as it’s inevitable, you might as well lie back and enjoy it.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/rape-joke-returns-to-torment-mccain-campaign-848499.html,

refuse to shake Governor Richards’ hand.

http://www.klru.org/texasmonthlytalks/archive/williams.php

The consequences for Williams were disastrous. Of course, a man refusing to take a woman’s hand once offered is a serious breach of etiquette, and we are dealing with Texas, a couple of notches, at least, above Kentucky. Still boorishness, loutishness, childishness and simple rudeness are not the hallmarks of a classy guy.
http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

RRK is defending women? LOL. Oh, that’s right, he is a washed up divorce lawyer.

RRK is getting as funny as Glynnis.
The Real Royal King

gordonbloyershow said:
RRK is defending women? LOL. Oh, that’s right, he is a washed up divorce lawyer. RRK is getting as funny as Glynnis.

What? You find rape jokes funny? Why am I not surprised Marceaux, I mean Blower?
Big Eddie

Lemon is no Sanchez .
Anne 1

The Real Royal King said:
And what of Rand Paul? He seems to think Christianity and the warped ideology of his namesake are compatible. He hasn’t read the Fountainhead or the Bible or either, obviously

How does any of this pertain to the story Mr. King ……….?
The Real Royal King

Anne 1 said:
How does any of this pertain to the story Mr. King ……….?

Not in the leased, Dearest. But, it advances an important story about the crippling pathologies of the Tea Party candidates.

By the way, as a Brit, you certainly know “Mr.” is not the appropriate salutation or address for me. I do expect the correct decorum be shown.
pakattak

People need to listen to this woman. There is absolutely NO REASON why pot shouldn’t be de-criminalized.
The Real Royal King

I probably ought to add that, although the story is weighty, Ms. Elders, much maligned by the righties for her activities to get a handle on the AIDS crisis, seems to be much more highly regarded these days and attributed with a most successful approach.
The Real Royal King

pakattak said:
People need to listen to this woman. There is absolutely NO REASON why pot shouldn’t be de-criminalized.

Decriminalized, regulated and taxed!
http://www.storminsmorningjava.blogspot.com/ stormin1961

i think Jocelyn Elders is guilty of doing something much harder than marijuana
Anne 1

I’m sure that the title , like the sentiment , was leased , and only for a short while. Therefore ,you will remain now and forever , Mr. King .

Good Day .
writer

Anne, with someone as egotistical, arrogant, and petty as the King, a more appropriate name for him is ‘asshole’. This would apply here or in England. Glad I could help.
Nahu Tuk

I tend to think she’d go along with her sons and just wait til crack became legal.

I’ll never forget her line to a group of seniors, who were asking why there was so much funding to cure AIDS and not alzheimers, prostate cancer, parkinson’s disease, etc.

“Everybody gotta die of sumpin’”