Not literally though, it’s a reference to the site name.  Toad, get it…to get high…

photo credit: Alexodus

Maybe I should explain.  The first raids on medical marijuana dispensaries since Obama took over went down recently, and there’s a lot of indignation over it.  Specifically from Obama supporters who thought things would change, or at least hoped they would (see what I did there).

It’s not hard to understand why people had hope.  When asked at a debate if he inhaled, Obama responded, “I inhaled many times, that’s the point.”  After hearing this, along with Obama’s statements about how it’s a waste of resources to go after pot,  the entire community of pot smokers rejoiced.  Then promptly forgot what we were talking about…

Now, some people are saying that these are the actions of the old administration, and that Obama hasn’t appointed a new head of the DEA or drug Czar yet.  (On a side note, what ever happened to not granting titles of nobility?)  They say we have to wait and see who the new administration puts in charge.  I, for one, am interested in who will be picked, because since the election– and even Obama’s nomination– the marijuana reformers have been treated like the guy who has the tickets to the party, but whom noone really likes.

I’m pretty sure that after any election where a coalition is built there’s a fair amount of fat trimming, and the cannabis aficionados are that fat.  They have been bombarding change.gov, Obama’s website for interacting with the people on issues they care about, but to no avail.  The best they get is the curt response, “President-elect Obama is not in favor of marijuana legalization.”  Nothing about the failed drug war, medical uses, or the reluctance of government to even allow research.   They’ll hand out speed, coke, and heroin all day for studies, but don’t bother asking for weed.

The lack of response is telling.  I seriously doubt that many of the hopes people took to the voting booth will come to be, at least for one group.  The raids on medical dispensaries will probably end once the new administration pulls Bush’s picks, but that’ll likely be the best change.   It’s not easy to continue raiding the medical supplies of old people with cancer.  It’s very easy to brush off supporters who are looking to legalize a substance that has been vilified by the government for decades.