“As has been well documented, I smoked pot as a kid, and I view it as a bad habit and a vice, not very different from the cigarettes that I smoked as a young person up through a big chunk of my adult life, I don’t think it is more dangerous than alcohol.” -President Barack Obama, The New Yorker
The United States finds itself in the beginning of an era. One of moral, civic and patriotic rediscovery. An era where the people once again find their voice and remember that the power has always resided with the American majority and not the élite few. It is every conscientious individual’s responsibility to inform the public of the truth when that truth is so obviously being disregarded by those who’s very duty it is to inform. Even with all that has shifted due to the current Marijuana Movement, many officials of both authoritative, and political standing continue to state proven misconceptions and flat-out lies.
“Marijuana is a gateway drug. We have an enormous addiction problem in this country. And we need to send very clear leadership from the White House on down through the federal law enforcement. Marijuana is an illegal drug under federal law. And the states should not be permitted to sell it and profit from it.” – Chris Christie
Political agendas have always had a way of blurring the distinction between fact and fiction to suit the needs of its architect. It is for this very reason that it is important to educate oneself and not be cowed along by the agendas of men who’s only true allegiance is to money. The current facts courtesy of Drugpolicy.org:
Fact #1: Roughly 750,000 people are arrested for marijuana each year, the vast majority of them for simple possession, with racial minorities over-represented.
Fact #2: Most marijuana users never use any other illicit drug.
Fact #3: Increasing admissions for treatment are a reflection of the criminal justice system’s predominant role, rather than increasing rates of clinical dependence.
Fact #4: Marijuana potency is not related to risk of dependence or health impacts.
Fact #5: Marijuana can be good for mental health.
Fact #6: Marijuana can be protective against the formation of cancer.
Fact #7: Marijuana has been proven helpful for treating the symptoms of a variety of medical conditions. The body’s endocannabinoid system may explain why.
Fact #8: Rates of marijuana use among young people tend to DECREASE when a state adopts medical marijuana.
Fact #9: Marijuana does not cause long-term cognitive impairment in adult users.
Fact #10: There is no compelling evidence that marijuana contributes substantially to traffic accidents and fatalities.
(Just so there is no confusion on this issue, these facts are undisputed by the scientific community.)
The American people have seen many great triumphs in the fight for legalization in recent years, one in particular being of paramount importance. Many found it shocking that President Obama would publicly acknowledge that marijuana is, in his opinion, ‘not as dangerous as alcohol’ of which has free reign over this country. Cannabis remains in its current drug class of schedule 1 along side LSD and heroin, meaning no medical value and extreme danger to users. Many found it hypocritical of Obama to admit this opinion with no follow-up action to properly classify this very useful plant.
In his State of the Union speech Obama stated that 2014 would be a “Year of Action” claiming that he would utilize his ability to initiate executive orders and bypass one of the least productive congress’ in our history, passing only 66 laws in the first year, the lowest in four decades, and only 58 of those bills became law, many of which did nothing more than name post offices.
The average citizen is awakening from their McDonald’s and Wal-Mart induced slumber to find that those entrusted to take action and lead this country in a direction of sustainability and security have in fact been in a slumber of their own. However their slumber is one of complacency and self-indulgence. So when the public hears Obama state an opinion of such contrast to the status quo, it stirs the beast. It was most likely not his intention to rally the American majority into a frenzy of desired action but that proverbial cat is out of the bag. Now the public calls for action.
The banks have recently been allowed to legally provide financial services to marijuana related business and restrictions have been removed that made it illegal for the Drug Czar to even consider new medical evidence for marijuana legalization. It is time for Obama to strike down the outrageously incorrect classification of cannabis. There is no longer a viable reason to not take action on this matter. Every law surrounding marijuana is shrouded in lies and deception. The public will no longer stand for it, which has been shown in almost every state legislature over the past year. The fact that a government office could allow a restriction (like the one recently removed) that would stop the Drug Czar from even considering new evidence or discussing legalization, shows with amazing clarity just how bias this issue is.
“Prohibiting the drug czar’s office from studying marijuana legalization is like prohibiting the Environmental Protection Agency from exploring new ways to reduce pollution.”– Dan Riffle, director of federal policies for the Marijuana Policy Project
Overcoming the incredible obstacles that many have placed in the path of legalization, this country has shown just how resilient and united it truly is. Step by step Americans are reclaiming their rightful place in the driver’s seat and telling those intent on greed and destruction, no more, “We the People” have returned.
