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Newsbusters' Sheppard is outraged that CNN hosts know what marijuana smells like

November 10, 2009 6:07 pm ET by Jamison Foser

Newsbusters associate editor Noel Sheppard is outraged that CNN's Wolf Blitzer and Lou Dobbs know what marijuana looks and smells like:

There were some potentially interesting and concerning admissions on CNN Monday night when Wolf Blitzer said he thought he could identify a marijuana plant by its smell, and Lou Dobbs followed by saying he could recognize it "rather readily" by sight.

...

Granted, this exchange might seem trivial.

However, there is a push towards illicit drug legalization in America. Many believe California will legalize marijuana in short order. 

...

With this is mind, a couple of middle-aged, high-profile CNN anchors matter-of-factly discussing what marijuana plants look and smell like adds to the ongoing desensitization of the public towards "casual" drug use.

Those against legalization should find such casual discussions by prominent media figures concerning.

Notice that Sheppard's complaint isn't that Blitzer and Dobbs advocated the use of marijuana; they didn't.  Nor is his complaint that they advocated the legalization of marijuana -- they didn't do that, either.  His complaint isn't even that they acknowledged having used marijuana, for they didn't do that either.  No, Noel Sheppard thinks it is "concerning" that Blitzer and Dobbs know what marijuana looks and smells like.  Apparently he won't be happy unless reporters respond to mention of marijuana by claiming never to have heard of the plant.

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    • Author by shaggles (November 10, 2009 6:15 pm ET)
      4  
      I know what a bottle of whiskey looks like.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by magnolialover (November 10, 2009 6:19 pm ET)
        2  
        I definitely know that. I might go home tonight, and have a glass, or 2.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by bintx (November 10, 2009 6:20 pm ET)
      1  
      I know what marijuana smells like . . . anyone who is "of a certain age," and attended rock concerts in their youth knows what marijuana smells like. Did I smoke it? Nope. Not much of a drinker, either.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by dmhack (November 10, 2009 7:13 pm ET)
      1  
      Anyone who went to college has a good idea what pot smells like.
      Guess that means Sheppard didn't go to college. Not really all that surprising.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by DellDolly (November 10, 2009 7:24 pm ET)
        3  
        I wouldn't trust anyone under 60-65 who says that they don't know what marijuana looks like or smells like.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by mattcable250650 (November 10, 2009 8:18 pm ET)
           
        Eh, he probably did, but he probably went to some goody-two-shoes Christianist college where women were scolded if they didn't wear heavy, formless clothes and where men were condemned if they weren't in their bunks by 9:00 and where evening activities were carefully planned.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by shaggles (November 10, 2009 8:39 pm ET)
           
        I take his stance on "illicit" drugs exactly as seriously as I take David Vitter's stance on family values.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by ifthethunderdontgetya™ł˛®© (November 10, 2009 7:36 pm ET)
      1  
      Captain Renault: I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!

      Croupier: Your winnings, sir.
      ~
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Ecotopian (November 10, 2009 8:12 pm ET)
         
      Leave it to the guy drunk on right-wing kool-aid to throw stones at people familiar with less-damaging narcotics.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by tharri874 (November 10, 2009 8:44 pm ET)
         
      Sheppard is simply asking why CNN would be willing to employ two people are among the 42% of Americans who have tried marijuana.



      Report Abuse
      • Author by political_left-religious_right (November 12, 2009 1:22 pm ET)
           
        Not necessarily. I would guess that CNN is employing two people who are among the 97% of people who have at one time or another been near others who smoked marijuana even if they never did it themselves.

        Okay, that 97% is a guess on my part, but it's probably not far off. I'm one of that group, by the way. Never smoked it myself, but had friends who did, and a brother that did a ton of it. I know the look and smell, so Sheppard can go ahead and be shocked at me, too.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by MickD (November 10, 2009 10:24 pm ET)
         
      eeeeeeww, eeeeeew, that smell, can't you smell that smell? (spologies to Lynyrd Skynyrd)
      Report Abuse
    • Author by piniella (November 11, 2009 3:35 am ET)
         
      Apparently he won't be happy unless reporters respond to mention of marijuana by claiming never to have heard of the plant.

      Nah, he then would say that they are lying. It's almost always lose-lose with wingnuts.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by RFWoodstock (November 11, 2009 8:39 am ET)
         
      Valid medicinal value, it’s a victimless crime, the War on Drugs WAY too costly, too many arrests for simple possession, tax it and use the money to pay for health insurance and to reduce the deficit…Need I say more?

      Woodstock Universe supports legalization of Marijuana.

      We will giveaway a Woodstock Universe Prize Package to the best member blog on “Why we should legalize marijuana?”

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      Join Woodstock Universe to blog. Add your vote in our poll about legalization at http://www.woodstockuniverse.com.

      Current poll results…97% for legalization, 3% against.

      Peace, love, music, one world,
      RFWoodstock
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    • Author by ProgLib (November 12, 2009 8:36 pm ET)
         
      noel and the gang of misfits at newsbusters cracking down on the "liberal bias", as usual. great job... now we know two media pundits recognize what weed looks and smells like. big shock!
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