Marijuana: Savior of the World?
I'm convinced that marijuana can play a smmmokin' role in saving our planet. And here's how.
First of all, let me say I am NOT advocating doing anything illegal.
It's been many, many years since I've partaken of pot.
And even if marijuana WERE legal, I'm not really interested in using it or encouraging anyone else to do so.
I do, however, heartily believe that people should have as much right to fire up a joint as they do to smoke a tobacco cigarette, imbibe an alcoholic beverage, or worship an imaginary being.
Disclaimer done....
I'm convinced that marijuana can play a smmmokin' role in saving our planet. And here's how.
Think of the countless billions of dollars we've spent and continue to spend on marijuana law enforcement - including passing the statutes, catching the "offenders," cache-ing their stashes, prosecuting them in our courts, and in many, many cases, locking them up for far too long. One example: in the early 1990's, my friend Dave was handed a sentence of 15-years-to-life for a non-violent drug offense. Yet someone convicted of RAPE around the same time served a mere 11 years. Never mind that our courts are desperately backlogged and our jails are dangerously overcrowded. And aren't far more cases of vehicular homicide, domestic violence, murder, rape and other crimes committed under the influence of alcohol than under the influence of ganja?
Think of all the enforcement money we'll save by legalizing marijuana! Plus, we'll have more efficient courts and safer jails....
Then tax that stuff. Tax marijuana like you tax liquor and cigarettes now. Then, not only is legalization a significant money saver - it's also a significant money maker. And pass a law to invest all that money in green technology - including solar panels (beginning with all government buildings), windmills, geothermal and even clean-coal technology. This will eventually lead to further savings, plus help us to rid ourselves of foreign oil dependency and create enormous numbers of jobs throughout the country. And no one will be able to outsource these "green collar" jobs, because someone will have to do tasks like installing the solar panels right here in America. We would be setting an example for the world to follow - as well as making the green technology more efficient and appealing as we go.
Mary Jane - the new Messiah?
By legalizing the green we can more swiftly and affordably make our nation and our world green.
We'll save (eventually) billions on enforcement, make billions on taxes, invest the savings and profits in green technology, create countless good-quality jobs, and help save our planet before it's too late.
Marijuana:
Good for our economy,
Good for our environment,
Good for future generations.
Something to think about....
This is fabulous! Just don't let Obama get ahold of this idea. (or that little twit, Stephanie)
Reply to this
Haha! Thanks, Terese! I'll be sure to remember that....
Reply to this
Who would sell it? Who would grow it. More drug people with bigger guns.. ha Just wondering. I am not against pot. Not at all. I think it should be legal myself.
Can you see the shy getting high haha. Don't answer that you!
Reply to this
Hahaha....
Heck... the sales and distribution alone would create jobs, too... lol.
Perhaps we should require licenses to sell - kinda like we do with tobacco and liquor.
Reply to this
The reason it's outlawed is because a lot of free thinkers use it. The Power uses anti-drug laws to stigmatize & marginalize & oppress.
Grass expands consciousness. I advocate its use.
Reply to this
Thanks, Lady! Sadly, I've seen other laws used to "stigmatize & marginalize & oppress" as well.
And for the sake of brevity I left out the civil liberties argument, though I'm glad you've kinda touched on it.
If I had a joint in my hand, I would pass it to you.
Reply to this
lol my rehab counselor would have a field day with this blog. His opinions aside, you could very well be right my friend. I can't see how we're doing all that hot in some respects in pain management for horrible sicknesses like cancer. If Mary Jane helps with the pain of cancer treatment, let the people use it.
Reply to this
Thanks, Kat! Although I limited my blog to the financial and environmental reasons for legalization, I think it makes sense for many other reasons as well. I'm glad you brought up the medical issue!
Reply to this
The love of my life had MS and he did smoke pot. It really seemed to help him when he was in all that pain. I agree. Those that really need it.. Should be given the right to use it. I hate all this control over people. As to be careful on the WWW. He did pass away last year. One can't be to careful these days speaking of such.. I have a blog to post one of these days about "careful what one says on the net" haha.
Reply to this
Maybe it would help with typos too. UGH!!! JK haha.. That should of been blog not blot..*rollingeyes*
Reply to this
What does it hurt to let hurting folks alleviate a bit of their pain with marijuana? Absolutely nothing. And yet Big Brother is always seeking whom he may devour.
Thank you for sharing this, Shyloh. And I'm very sorry to hear about your love.
Peace....
Reply to this
when my mom was having so much chemo, which didn't do anything but make her sick, we used to smoke together. i made her feel much better.
have i missed a comment about glaucoma?
Reply to this
http://norml.org/
http://www.myspace.com/natlnorml
hang on. i need to write leary.
love,
kesey
Reply to this
leary, and several others have been contacted...
more later...
Reply to this
Maybe I should have included an mp3 of Peter Tosh's "Legalize It" with this blog.
Reply to this
don't criticize it!
Reply to this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HcXcYlF3_0
no... i'm not a little manic tonight... haha
Reply to this
It looks like Peter's been practicing what he preaches!
Have you seen this one? Although I despise his liberal use of the N word, I have to say that in every other regard he's pretty darned funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93jQI_6G5Cw
Reply to this
Excellent site on myspace. Thank you.
Reply to this
you're welcome!
i have friends who are not only actively involved with NORML, they have worked form them as well.
Reply to this
I think I'm friends with them on one of my profiles - maybe City Buddha. I can't remember.
Reply to this
i thought it would funny if it was dick 'n george, but it's not
Reply to this
Very well done Crisis. I didn't smoke pot for 20 yrs, played around with dirt weed back in the 70's, in my early teens, then at 40 I got cancer.
I'm such a nerd I rarely even drink, so I REALLY researched this plant. NO WAY was I accepting the prescriptions for Oxycodone and Vicodan the doctors were more than happy to prescribe, legally. (Do you know how many people DIE from that stuff every year, not to mention get addicted?)
Anyway, my research brought me to the place where you are now. It's an underutilized, natural herb. Can be used safely medicinally (deaths from marijuana=0), used for fuel, as feed...hard to say since research is restricted by federal laws.
BTW, before I EVER needed it medically...I was just pissed my tax dollars were wasted on it when we have things like crack and rampant alcoholism to attend to.
Bless You...a beacon of sanity in an insane, expensive, life destroying prohibition.
Hugs,
Suzette
Reply to this
Thank you, Suzette! You make some very good points and I very much appreciate your comment.
Best wishes to you, my new friend....
Reply to this
I have never had the desire to do any drugs, even when young, but it should be a personal choice, as long as it's done responsibly, like drinking alcohol and not driving, etc. What people choose to do in their own homes should be their business as long as it's not hurting another person.
Pot is not as harmful as cigarettes or alcohol. So,smoking it once in a while is OK, but like anything else, it can be abused.
Marijuana is a useful tool for medical conditions such as glaucoma and cancer pain. So it should be readily available for that purpose.
Sometimes our laws make no sense to me. Why are alcohol and cigarettes OK, but not other drugs? Cigarette smoke infringes on other's right to breathe, yet people still do it,perhaps not as before, but they do still smoke and second hand smoke is very harmful.
So, all in all, I agree with you, I just don't think it will ever happen. So, I think that means that SOMEONE is making a lot more money by it being illegal.
Reply to this
Thanks, Susan - and you make some very good observations.
You're right that someone is making a lot of money by it being ILLEGAL - and that's one reason I think the best way to get the government to give this a fresh look is to convince them that making marijuana legal can be uber-profitable. The best way to get their attention is to show them that something is "worth their while" in more ways than one.
Reply to this
...oh boy...where to start...back in the day, when an ounce was usually around $35, i smoked A BOAT LOAD of pot. ...seemed proper, at the time. ....over time, i noticed that my sinuses where nasty and getting nastier, the more i smoked (pot)...and then the paranoia started.....so, pot lost its luster, with me. ...just didn't do it for me, anymore. HOWEVER, i now find myself in a situation that has me re-thinking my marijuana daze... i am nauseated almost constantly and i am to the point of wanting to smoke again, just for the relief....marijuana SHOULD be legal, regulated and prescribed-- especially before the drastic measure of something like Vicodin or Oxycontin!!....(there is a man knockin' at the door...could it be??)
Reply to this
I've seen what Oxycontin can do to people, and it's not nice. Never tried that, and never want to, even if a doctor prescribes it....
There was a time in my early adulthood, however, when I smoked marijuana more than once or twice. Probably the worst effect that it had on me was inspiring some of my worst poetry. But I've also written some god-awful poetry while completely straight and sober. So maybe the reefer had nothing to do with that... lol.
Reply to this
this comment reminds me of the blog when i became friends with leary *laughing*
ummm... i'm a little distracted to add much to the conversation...
*waves to sandy*
Reply to this
You mean this one?
My First Hit of Acid [from my old journals]
Reply to this
ding ding ding ding ding!
jackPOT!
Reply to this
I stopped drugs many years ago...I hardly drink, stopped everything for about 10 years even but every once in awhile (and not that often) I like to get a buzz on. No hangover, no gnashing of the teeth, no liver damage. I get really creative and draw and paint. sometimes I write. I've never had a bad experience or wanted more, more, more. Great for a headache, especially migranes. I think it would really be great for old people. Why the F*ck should anyone care if your 81 years old and your whole body hurts and you wanna get happy. I believe it to be one of the sillest laws around. Stop the violence, the corruption and give farmers a new cash crop!
Reply to this
Thanks, bro... you, too, have made some good points. Locking the 81-year-old up because he has a bag of reefer would be ludicrous. Marijuana's a completely different animal than something like crack cocaine, crystal meth, or heroin. It's not like the guy's going to rob a bank, steal a VCR, or stab somebody to get another joint. Glad you mentioned the farmers, too... I thought of that after I posted the blog.
Reply to this
I have said this and more for YEARS! There is so many uses for hemp aka mary jane not too mention all issues that could be focussed on the tax $ that could be made and the happy wives like me at home! LOL
Reply to this
Hi, Sandy!
Maybe they'd even consider changing the name of our state to O-high-O... lol.
Reply to this
Hmmm I might have to move there. In Flint there is a street named Hemphill.... oddly enough I never knew anyone that lived on it?
Reply to this
LOL... the closest thing we have here is a High Street.
Reply to this
Love this blog. I like the idea of legalizing it and then taxing it and using the revenue to help fund "green technology" stuff... a novel idea. And a wonderful pun...
But knowing the government they would really screw something like that up... and have it grown by factory farms and give them government tax right-offs... We would then lose money on it...
But it really would make sense to legalize it... no doubt about that.
Reply to this
Think of the money the governments are getting on both tobacco and alcohol. This makes sense but is anybody listening? I really like the comments and the blog. You have such great ideas on how to improve the planet. Green, green, green. Aren't marijuana plants green also? I remember once my son was growing a pot plant, (I mean a plant in a pot), and the neighbor kid noticed it and told her dad (who also smoked a lot of pot) so he had to dump it down the toilet. Too bad, it was a pretty little plant doing nobody any harm. We are a very puritanical country. Remember that we had prohibition. It didn't stop anyone from bathtub gin. lol
Reply to this
Thanks, Elena! Great story about Marc... gives new meaning to the phrase "potted plants."
And imagine bathroom marijuana, instead of gin. It would give mew meaning to the name "chamber pot."
Reply to this
Oh CRAP, what if they only grew/harvested "dirt weed" ... that would make life worse. Uh oh ... need to be sure there are regulations on QUALITY!
Reply to this
lol... Just say no - to dirt weed!
Reply to this
I hear that marijuana stimulates the appendix.
Reply to this
Wow... it just might!
That could improve digestion - and also help explain the "munchies."
Reply to this
LMAO! you just reminded me of having the munchies in high school and my best friend and i tried dill pickles in sweet and sour sauce. ohhhh... it was GOOD!
ummm... i don't think i'll try that again anytime soon though...
Reply to this
Yuck! I much preferred Apricot juice and Funyuns!
Reply to this
hee hee..
i have response to that. i'm too distracted.
Reply to this
Here, Here. I totally agree with your logic.
Reply to this
Thanks, Mama!
Thanks again for lunch today, too!
Reply to this
Awwww, Jesus has a mom!
Reply to this
And believe it or not, her name's not Mary.
Reply to this
You know, I think I've written about twenty college papers with this same main idea for other people. They're always well-written, and always get mixed grades depending on the opinion of the professor, it seems.
But yes, I agree, although I don't smoke it (no moral objection against it or anything... I just don't like the paranoid/depersonalized sensation it gives me), that the proof is in the pudding, and until all the stubborn conservatives finally die off, which will hopefully be sooner than later, pot's going to keep ruining people's lives, not because it's a dangerous drug -- just dangerous to be caught with.
Also, alcohol had to be illegalized by an amendment. Marijuana didn't. Therefore, marijuana (or any other drug) being prohibited is kinda... unconstitutional.
Reply to this
Thanks, Brandon! You make some good points - and thanks for your guestbook comment as well.
You remind me of when I gave a speech on legalizing marijuana for my oral communication class in college in 1990. Maybe if I can find my outline for that I'll post it on this blog. I know I have it somewhere.
Reply to this
But think about it, the use of marijuana is virtually impossible to curtail as it is. What makes you think it would become any easier if it were legalized. I think the greater possibility is that more people would be guilty of evading the tax laws that might be put in place. Plus many people just would not get much word done. Not that I know personally.
Reply to this
LOL... And for all the tax evaders... don't put them in prison, just garnish their wages...
Hmm.... Why does the word garnish make me think of parsley, which in turn makes me think of "the other green plant"?
Here's a good name for a brand of legal marijuana: Green Lantern: the Superhero of Smoke!
Reply to this
in my 20's i thought it would be funny to have a brand of rolling papers called "laughter", and the slogan would have been "you'll be rolling on the floor with laughter papers".
must run!
*hugs*
Reply to this
haha!
Reply to this
ROFL!
Reply to this
How about Acapulco Gold? I have been in Acapulco but never tried it? Of course it would have to be imported if made legal and that could cause problems also, perhaps tax problems at the border.
They do allow up to 4 bottles of wine,liquor or tequila to be imported without taxes but any more than that they slap a tax on it. Maybe they could sell Acapulco Gold at the duty free in airports if legalized. Then all the Mexican drug dealers in Chihuahua would go out of business. And the Mexican police would be poorer because they wouldn't get the graft money they are used to. LMAO (whatever that means!)
Reply to this
Laughing My Ass Off! I don't believe you don't know what that means.
What about beer? Only four bottles of Dos Equis? Or do they have an ounce/litre limit?
Reply to this
Dugg this!
Reply to this
Thank you, and welcome to my blog!
Reply to this
Some doctors consider pot therapedic for cancer however thats legal, so I agree they should just legalize it so the government can have a slice of that as well...pass the bong this way...lol
Reply to this
Haha... Thanks, Lysa!
If I had one here, I'd pass it to ya!
Reply to this
One more point. I've got some really cool hemp clothes. Soft, comfortable, more durable than cotton and takes a lot less water to grow. Smokin blog JC!
Reply to this
Are mushrooms legal? How about peyote in Indian rituals? All are grown in the ground or at least ground. Then there are poppies. They grow in my neighbor's garden. I have coca tea bags from Peru.
Coca leaves are legal aren't they?
Hey Simon, what does ROFL mean? Does it have an "F" word? These comments are so "60s" Let's get green and go back to natural plants. Prescription drugs are too expensive and they often have side effects. Duuuhhh...
Reply to this
I think mushroom ARE legal - but I'm not 100% sure. And I know certain Native Americans who are members of a certain registered church are permitted to use certain hallucinogenics. In prison, there were a few inmates who joined that church by mail and tried (unsuccessfully) to procure permission to have and use their "religious essentials" in prison. They were, however, able to gain an excemption to the prison haircut policy.
While I'm here, I may as well answer your question.
Rolling On the Floor Laughing - or something of the sort.
Reply to this
with laughter papers?
Reply to this
ROFLP!
Reply to this
Thanks, Simon! I once had a hemp baja hoodie I loved. I think they still sell them at Birdie's, down the street from my house. Might have to get another one, one of these days....
Reply to this
Marcel Duchamp! hee hee...
Reply to this
i got kicked out of the u.s. naval academy in 1968 for smoking grass. ain't stop since. that puts me in my 41st year of smoking weed. i'm healthier, happier, and more successful than anyone i know, i'm still living life, having adventures, and most my friends envy my life.
anyone looking for a marijuana poster boy, come sign me up.
Reply to this
Damn! And I'm only 41 years old.
One day I'll tell the story about how I got kicked out of the US Marine Corps in 1984.
Reply to this
Dugg This!
Reply to this
I appreciate you reading my blog and Digging it.
Reply to this
Dugg this
Reply to this
I'm grateful!
Reply to this