Frylok

This is a very significant ruling. I disagree that this suit has no chance, with the change of administration, if the perception is there, on the judicial bench, that, given the current political climate, change is possible, likely, or less dangerous to those making the rulings, then I believe it will happen.

President Carter's administration made the mistake of underestimating the power of the growing christian conservative movement when President Carter suggested, on national television, that marijuana should be decriminalized.

Under Reagan, Bush I & II, and Clinton, the political climate was very closed to any kind of relaxation of the drug laws, mainly due to the backlash against the Carter administration's push to decriminalize.

Now, in 2008,l I think the climate is just right to elicit real change. Medical Marijuana is a foregone conclusion, the polls are right at 50% on decrim/legalization, and tons of jurisdictions are passing ordinances making marijuana the lowest priority for law enforcement, and, most significantly, conservatism is in catastrophic decline.

So far, I see the Obama administration making extremely pragmatic choices filling cabinet positions and govenment posts, and hopefully they will either abolish the ONDCP altogether or use the office to bring about real and significant changes in our national drug control strategy.

I am hopeful and optimistic, but it's tempered. There have been so many setbacks and letdowns for our movement in the past that it's hard to get excited, but never before have we had the organization, funding, or political climate we have now, so there is reason for hope and optimism.