DOPERS’ HOLIDAY Legalizing Marijuana – Part Two

“Even if one takes every reefer madness allegation of the prohibitions at face value, marijuana prohibition has done far more harm to far more people than marijuana ever could.”
-William F. Buckley Jr.-
There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Many Americans take a casual outlook towards marijuana. The Asian attitude regarding cannabis use is at the polar extreme of the legalization debate. Punishment in some Far Eastern countries is spelled out in one word; D-E-A-T-H! When travelers enter Singapore Changi Airport there’s a large poster of a hangman’s noose warning visitors of the ultimate penalty for controlled substance use. The Republic of the Philippines that lone Asian outpost of Christianity and American ideals holds a similar view towards marijuana use.
In the Philippines there are certain groups that argue for the legalization of marijuana paramount among them the Philippine Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (PORMAL). They attest that “marijuana, also known as hemp and cannabis, has shown ‘established’ effects in the treatment of nausea, vomiting, premenstrual syndrome, unintentional weight loss, and the lack of appetite” (Kimberly Jane Tan of GMANews.tv). PORMAL reports that legal weed treat mental disorders, ADHD, autism, bipolar disorders, childhood mental disorders, depression, alcoholism, Tourette’s Syndrome; judging from their report a zillion other afflictions physical and psychological.
Reader if marijuana can cure all that cannabis would have been legalized decades ago. Back in the day when reefer was legal why did people die so young if weed was a universal remedy? Today medical professionals treat a myriad of afflictions with pills, a shot in the butt, or with salves. Doctors don’t tell patients to “go home, light up, and call me in the morning.” PORMAL accuses governments of keeping the drug illegal for fear of billionaire lobbyists not wanting cannabis products to siphon off the millions made from tobacco and liquor sales.
PORMAL has many critics. General Dionisio Santiago director of the Philippine Enforcement Agency is understandably opposed to legalization. As with his US counterparts he claims marijuana use would lead to widespread drug abuse back home. Santiago cites “That’s why we call marijuana a gateway drug, so I’m a little afraid we might become a loose cannon [Sic].” The director challenged PORMAL. He demanded them to justify their position regarding legalization.
Philippine Senate Majority Leader Vincente ‘Tito’ Sotto III ex-chief of the Dangerous Drug Board also challenged PORMAL saying the group is “…misguided…completely wrong…” Back home there hasn’t been a single piece of legislation to legalize the drug for recreational, medical, or industrial uses (GMANews.tv).
Here’s a hypothesis,; let’s pretend that marijuana was decriminalized in the United States what then? My guess is that the tobacco industry would convert their operation over night into a multi-billion dollar marijuana industry. Such fanciful future brand names as ‘Acapulco Gold’ (View: Cheech and Chong-Acapulco Gold-You Tube) made famous by Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong a comedy pro-drug tag team popular among pot heads during the 1960’s and ‘70’s. Reader you want a good laugh? Watch this video. Still in a humorous mood try watching the colorized full movie version of cult classic ‘Reefer Madness’ that follows Cheech and Chong also on You Tube. The ‘Science of Cannabis Part 1’ and ‘Chronic History of Cannabis Part 2’ is on the same frame as the comedic videos.
Does marijuana contribute to lung cancer? Dr. Matthew Naughton lead author in a recent study published in ‘Science Daily’ (www.sciencedaily.com) quoted “since marijuana is inhaled the fumes are extremely hot; since the smoke is retained in the lungs much longer than regular cigarette smoke reefer smokers are in serious danger of exposing themselves to much greater risk of contracting bullae a lung deteriorating disease much faster than cigarette smokers.” Marijuana smokers might not get lung cancer but something just as dangerous. Bullae cause lungs to deteriorate more rapidly than cigarette smoke. Reefer smoke is more concentrated than cigarette smoke hence more dangerous. His findings were published in the January 2008 edition of the ‘Respirology Journal.’
Last year an article based on a marijuana study published in Chicago written by Los Angeles Times writer Shari Roan bluntly stated that “smoking a joint once a week or a bit more apparently doesn’t harm the lungs, suggests a 20-year study that bolsters evidence that marijuana doesn’t do the kind of damage tobacco does.” The data suggest that among heavy users those who smoke two or more joints daily for several years might suffer lung disease. The gist of her article is that reefer is alright if smoked cautiously and moderately. The study was done by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The study further implied that the chemical THC used in marijuana counteracts the effects of more irritating chemicals in the drug which could act as a guard against lung cancer.
Drug abuse researcher and preventive medicine specialist Alabama’s Dr. Stefan Kertesz theorizes that unlike cigarette smokers, marijuana smokers tend to breathe in deeply when inhaling a joint which may strengthen lung tissue. This Federally funded study was released by the American Medical Association taken from a random sampling of 5,115 men and women taken in selected American cities. Half the subjects were black the others white; source Huff Post/San Francisco.
Reader, I’ve read the pros and cons regarding legalization. Both sides made valid points supporting their arguments. If medical science offers conclusive evidence as to the drug’s harmless nature then by all means legalize it post haste. Release those incarcerated for marijuana use/possession. If there’s supporting evidence that cannabis is harmful, continue to criminalize it. Scientific studies aren’t 100% accurate in some cases. They can be forged, facts hidden or findings distorted. Play it safe and obey the law. Your argument may be sound but society has more guns and police personnel than you do. Remember this, prisons are now privatized; the more people incarcerated the more money made by the American legal justice system and its minions. There are more people imprisoned in this country than in any other country. Don’t feed the system with your precious freedom!
During my teaching years we had a mail carrier visit our school. She gave an all school assembly. The topic was her incarceration on false drug charges. She pulled a 4 year stretch in Joliet. Her crime; being in a car with drug users! During her stay as a ‘guest’ of the State of Illinois the young woman lost her liberty, family, and her good paying civil service job working for USPS because she was in a car with known drug users. I wasn’t at her trial. I don’t know all the facts. I didn’t serve on the jury but I do know this; until weed is decriminalized use your head and stay out of jail! If you’re unsure of your state’s marijuana statutes go online and search your state’s marijuana laws.
Human beings are forever curious in search of higher highs. If marijuana is legalized across the board people will seek greater thrills. Many people are forever pushing their moral boundaries to see how far they can go. For many weed is a stepping stone towards more ‘challenging’ highs; for others just something to wind down with after a hectic day at the office; If marijuana is decriminalized, then roll one for me; next edition ‘Turbulent Afghanistan;’ peace and all things good.