As more and more states, like Michigan and Massachusetts, legalize medical marijuana, the amount of money each state stands to save from passing such legislation increases greatly. And yet, if an answer to a direct question posed to President Barack Obama is any indication, marijuana legalization on the federal level won’t come to pass any time soon, despite the opportunity to revitalize the economy that legalization presents.

According to Time magazine’s Swampland blog, President Obama, on a multi-city tour to address the public on issues pertaining to the economy, fielded a question from a college student at Lehigh Carbon Community College in Allentown, PA. The student, according to Swampland, asked a question pertaining to legalizing nonviolent crimes--that is, drugs and prostitution--and whether or not Obama had considered the effects that legislative action would have on the economy.

While President Obama told the student he “appreciate[d] the boldness” of the question, he nonetheless added, “That will not be my jobs strategy.” Obama then praised the student for “questioning conventional wisdom,” while changing the subject and offering up his thoughts on reforming the economy. Swampland has the full text of Obama’s remarks, which you can read here.

This isn’t the first time that President Obama has harshed the mellow of legalization activists. Last year, President Obama answered this query submitted through the White House’s official Web site:  “Will you consider legalizing marijuana so that the government can regulate it, tax it, put age limits on it, and create millions of new jobs and create a billion-dollar industry right here in the U.S.?”

The site’s response? “President-elect Obama is not in favor of the legalization of marijuana.”

So what do you think? Is President Obama right not to want to legalize marijuana? Or is he missing an opportunity to stimulate the economy? Also, how about that student? Pretty bold question indeed, if you ask me. Leave a comment below!