Marijuana Legislation

I’m not entirely sure if I will be able to keep this post up, but the subject is something I have many thoughts on, and I would like to share those with some who may not have been exposed to said ideas. I think if you take the time to read this and keep an open mind, you may see this subject in a very different light.

At least twice a day, while watching TV, I see anti-drug ads. This is all well and good, but I have yet to see one making an attempt to wean kids from the use of any drug other than marijuana. Why is this a problem? Use of drugs like methamphetamines and oxy-contin are sky-rocketing, and ruining lives. Where are the ads to prevent kids from these dangerous drugs? Since the very early 1900′s, when marijuana was initially made illegal, the government has spread what in my eyes, is not much more than propaganda in relation to the substance. Schools, and ads mentioned above use nothing more than blanket, generalized statements with little to no substance(no pun intended). This was used to progress an agenda that in all reality had nothing to do with the (minor) dangers of the drug.

The early 1900′s saw a massive influx in immigration from numerous countries, including Mexico. Being predominantly farmers, with much experience in farming marijuana, along with the great demand for marijuana (especially during the prohibition era), America held promise of great profit for these farmers. As over-crowding of the country became a concern, and with no solid plan for immigration, the government passed an act which essentially made marijuana illegal. This was done by requiring a stamp for possession or shipment of the drug. This was fair, as a mind altering substance, there is a need for some control, and the law passed. However, once the law was passed, the government refused to issue any of the above mentioned stamps. Now all these farmers had massive crops of marijuana, but the government wouldn’t issue them the stamp, even though they were attempting to abide by the laws the government had put in place. Then these farmers are arrested for having this crop, with no stamp, and then deported. Marijuana criminilization was motivated by little more than racial prejudice. An easy out for deporting Mexican immigrants in place of an immigration plan which had not yet been developed.

One can’t dismiss the possible dangers that are present whenever using any sort of mind-altering substance, but only very recently are researchers uncovering any substantial and reliable data concerning the effects of long-term marijuana use; and all research is pointing towards minimal dangers. Wether or not marijuana should be availible legally for recreational use is debateable, but when compared to the dangers of alcohol, which is readily availible at nearly every gas station(and incidentally damages every major sensory system with the exception of the auditory system), I see no reason for marijuana to remain illegal.

When it comes to medicinal use, I really can’t see how anyone could argue against it. Marijuana has been proven to provide relief for numerous, serious ailments. Marijuana poses less risks to health, especially when ingested rather than smoked, and carries substantially less risk for addiction than commonly prescribed pain killers such as vicatin. However, “clubs” which sell marijuana to patients who have proper identification and perscriptions, and operate legally under state law, are constantly raided and shut down by the FBI. Meanwhile, in the pharmacy down the street, a person can pick up their prescription for oxy-contin with no hassle. For those who don’t know, oxy-contin is a synthetic heroin, which can be swallowed, snorted, or injected. It is extremely addictive, and even after completing a detox treatment and rehab program, a close friend of mine still struggles with this addiction. This is a good place to make note that one condition that a person can “legally” treat with marijuana is drug addiction. But I guess if they start letting people everywhere use marijuana for all the different ailments it’s been shown to successfully treat, many of the big pharmaceutical companies would lose money. A lot of it.

I’d like to post more on the topic with a bit more focus, but this post is getting lengthy.

Edit: Heath Ledger is thought to have accidently(pill containers still had pills in them, which is not consistant with suicide) overdosed on sleep-aids and anxiety medication…both anxiety and insomnia can be treated with use of cannabis, with absolutely zero risk of overdose, and less risk of dependancy.

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Tags: Legalization, Marijuana, Medicinal Use