Thoughts on Marijuana

By Z. Samoila - November 15, 2010 

 

Marijuana is an extremely prevalent substance in today’s American culture – whether it’s in the media, society, or on an individualized basis. Although cannabis has been used for thousands of years, both spiritually and medicinally, it has much more specific uses in today’s social atmosphere and medical fields that have been explored, and yet outlawed. But why is this so? Why did the government, that is apparently ‘for the people and by the people,’ decide it’s alright to persecute, and even incarcerate for years, up to life, people of solely marijuana charges, whether buying, selling, growing, smoking, or a combination of charges. Psychologically, the drug has several uses that are not properly represented by the government. Marijuana allows people to more easily connect with each other on a personal level, allowing for people to feel less alone, raise their overall happiness levels, and help them deal with a falling economy and other situations that are simply out of their hands – distress & decompress.

Musically, Marijuana has had a huge impact on popular culture. Instead if smoking, getting bored or “too high” and just continuing to smoke more or turn to other drugs, music which is catered to pot-smokers allows people to get their mind on other things, to rejuvenate and de-stress for the days ahead. Artists like Shwayze, Snoop Dogg, and Pink Floyd are just to name a few. These musicians have transformed the ideals of “Freedom of Speech.” And despite their talks of illegal activity in both music and interviews, they are completely untouched, and are even played on the radio for entire areas to listen! The band Pink Floyd, which is mainly inspired by thoughts of the artists while under the influence of Marijuana and LSD, was at the peak of a huge culture shift in the 1960s and early 1970s. With lyrics that actually inspired people to attempt use of certain psychotropic substances such as Marijuana for personal development, experience, and understanding, Marijuana became the drug of choice among teens and college-level youth. The creative aspects of the human mind that Marijuana opens portals to is fascinating; and in my opinion should be studied in much further depth. The creative aspects of Marijuana also carry over into the realms of creative thought, personal expression, word choice, and self-introspection, from a purely psychological standpoint. Art can be therapy, and if Marijuana helps to propel the creative drive required to procure art, then Marijuana can not only be physically relaxing, but also healthy for the soul.

It should also be taken into account that most current users of just Marijuana, and no harder drugs, have probably already made up their minds about drug use – meaning no governmental changes will affect or change their lifestyle, nor will it influence heavier drug use. Those drugs are still illegal, and still have the same biological drawbacks as they ever have – so that is a myth in and of itself.

The book Reefer Madness, by Eric Schlosser, goes more into depth as far as the societal impact as far as the legalization of Marijuana goes. Schlosser argues how the idea of a ‘rational’ drug policy,’ rather than a zero tolerance policy, would be a start (Schlosser 73). The first step to this new order of laws would include the decriminalization of Marijuana. Personally, I believe that a more rationalized and averaged-out drug policy would greatly help the spiritual community of the United States see the light in the use of Marijuana as a psychoactive therapy medicine, as well as a recreational smoke. It would become far less a taboo; more so a pastime and mind-opener, so long as set and setting are appropriate. Personally, I believe that Marijuana should be legal to smoke if and only if the buyers are educated on the health and judgment impairment risks that are so strongly associated with the high.

The Psychological influences of Marijuana also include subculture; more specifically, the American counterculture of the 1960s, which has propelled into what today is known as the “underground” scene. This is the setting of the ravers, drug users, abusers, and dealers, that all culminate to form a situational mind-altering “safe zone.” So, this underground scene includes not only the black market, but anti-society movements in general. This is very detrimental to our economic stance as a nation, as well as our state of being in the eyes of our people. It may have positive benefits, but the negatives also must be noted. To the majority of society today, there is hardly any point in continuing to follow the laws, especially those regarding self-indulgence; the laws are too easy to break, the drugs too easy to obtain, and the police force too privacy-bound in order to prevent the highlights of drug crimes from going uncharted. So, many American teenagers and young adults who have grown up alongside these traditional mentalities, may feel as though they do not have any say in society, any chance for changing it, thus pushing them away from even caring about society in the first place. Many teen drug users are completely isolated and ignorant from and to the government. They rely on their close friends for emotional support, not doctors, and usually not family members. And even their own friends are usually battling addictions as well, if it is an average, middle-class town. So, rehabilitation centers become a must if and only if the kids choose to attend. I am speaking, of course, from my own personal experiences with friends. I am unaware of how to complete those reference citations.

However, apart from these negative effects of the drug in teenage subculture, there are also very many positive side effects to smoking Marijuana that should be noted as well. Psychologically speaking, of course.

Marijuana, though used for several millennia throughout human existence, has somewhat evolved to an interesting type of cash crop. But this cash crop has special characteristics that separate it from the rest- it gets you high. It takes you on a journey of learning and self-introspection, if you allow it to take you there. This is one of the primary reasons why I believe Marijuana should ultimately be entirely legalized. However, I do not see myself as a low-life; I view myself as an intellectual young college student. I love my life, I love my classes, and I greatly look forward to the future. One step at a time, I ease myself into a new environment, for the purposes of learning, experience, and personal growth. I would not enter new friend circles by any means, if I had never smoked Marijuana.

I believe that if people are properly introduced to Marijuana, under the proper conditions and supervision regulated by the FDA and DEA, we will progress through to a new age. Everyone has something to bring to the table, but first, we, as a society, must demythologize and de-symbolize Marijuana and its users, and even abusers. This idea of a rational drug policy pops up again, when we see look at the notion of a serious lacking in information on Marijuana, including health risks. This serious lacking in information has actually led to more self-experimentation than statistics can record, which is not only unwise, but it is unsafe (Schlosser 23-33).

It is an intrusion of peace and basic human rights to force a drug test upon a person. How is it, that we can go from a President (Carter) who was entirely pro-legalization, which actually let to the 1960 uprising of subculture youth, to Reagan, who actually began the drug war! Clearly, our Presidents’ views on drugs (among many other things) are not coplanar. So, if we can agree that we don’t always agree with our Presidents, can’t we also agree on the fact that we have different motives than our Presidents, and therefore we should be able to practice our full rights as Americans, Freedom of Religion, and practice Rastafarianism, the smoking of Marijuana for spiritual purposes. It has actually been scientifically proven that your standards of living can actually improve from recreational use of the herb. “’A good hit off the homegrown’ every now and then simply does wonders to revitalize the spirit,” says an interviewee from “Regarding My Self-Outing.” This person claims that the smoking of Marijuana is simply a hobby, and cannot be judged otherwise. And I am of accord.

Naysayers may argue that psychologically addicted subjects are unable to work, stay in school, or be useful members of society in general. However, if we look at this form a more observant standpoint, we will see that if Marijuana were legalized, there would be regulation as far as how much could be purchased, and education on the scientific aspects of Marijuana, including actual health risks, would be required in order for people to purchase it. This is so users not only realize what they are putting into their bodies, but also realize their value and duties they have in their own society, beyond tax paying and mere existence.

Works Cited

1. Schlosser, Eric. Reefer Madness. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2004. Print.

2. “Regarding My Self-Outing…” - blackboard

3. “Intended and Unintended Consequences” –blackboard

4. “Physiological Effects of Cannabis Consumption.” The Medical Feasibility of Marijuana, by Blue Minor Young. 1997. <http://www.whitman.edu/biology/Stuproj/YoungB/index.html>