“The answer is no, I don’t think that [is] a good strategy.”

Following up on my previous article Obama Town Hall: What’s Really On People’s Minds?…MARIJUANA, President Barack Obama pledged to open up the White House to the American people...well, sort of!

Of the 3.5 million people that voted, “There was one question that was voted on that ranked fairly high and that was whether legalizing marijuana would improve the economy and job creation, and I don’t know what this says about the online audience,” he laughed.

Some people didn’t find this funny? The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) prepared their own heated response titled  “What Is So Funny About Taxing And Regulating Marijuana?” The audience didn’t have to laugh, and NORML shared their 2 cents on the matter. Their article ends on a witty note: “Sorry Obama, this time the joke’s on you.“

It seems major publishes have picked up on this topic as well:

1. Huffington Post: Obama Takes Pot Legalization Question During Townhall (VIDEO).
2. Christian Science Monitor: For Obama, an online do-over of Tuesday’s press conference
3. Fast Company: The Banality of Obama’s “Cutting-Edge” Web Event
4. The Associated Press: AP Top News at 3:29 p.m. EDT
5. US-News: Obama: Marijuana Legalization Not Good For The Economy

Overall I think this online Town Hall approach to getting the people involved is pure genius. This is a small example of how it is a bit controversial, but now adays, what isn’t? I have a feeling this is an issue that won’t go away and I predict that NORML and marijuana supporters will be a bit more prepared for the next Town Hall. I imagine President Obama will have something more to say as well.

Posted under Events, Online Marketing, Online Video, Viral Marketing