I think we are seeing a political landslip here. Perry isn’t running for Governor again and he has virtually zero chance at the Presidency (though he might be the GOP nominee if he runs). Obama isn’t running for anything again either. So they can both take a rational position on pot without risk.
But the more important thing is that it gives other pols cover. From Rick Perry to Barack Obama is a pretty broad chunk of the political spectrum. The only significant part of the spectrum left out is to Obama’s left and those folk are not the holdouts.
A part of the explanation for this sudden shift is surely the fact that marriage equality shifted so suddenly. Pols who were late to that party may want to get out ahead on pot. The costs of keeping pot illegal are huge and mostly fall on state governments. California could save hundreds of millions a year by releasing inmates held on pot charges. They can make more from taxing weed.
I think Obama’s statement is very significant because he is very rarely a political trailbreaker and almost never since becoming president. He is a very astute politician and he does not start quixotic fights he can’t win. The fact that he has waded into the pot issue is a big sign that he expects movement to happen.
It could be a problem for the GOP’s presidential hopes as well. Potheads are not going to vote for a social conservative who is pledging to take their weed away.
