1/09/2012
The Project
Creating a blog instead of writing a paper, or creating a poster has been interesting. I found that because we were given a week for research before starting any writing,I got to know my topic in detail and had time to develop my position on the issue of marijuana prohibition. Although this is my first blog, I have followed others in the past, and am familiar with the layout and concept of blogging. I found it difficult to keep entries short because there is a lot of interesting details concerning marijuana legalisation, but otherwise came across no challenges during this project.
In terms of viewing other blogs linked to this project, I much prefer this to in class presentations. Because I have access to all the class blogs at all times, it was much easier to stay focused and read the entries that interested me when I wanted to, rather than back to back. I also found leaving comments more efficient than in class, as not everybody gets a chance to speak in classroom settings.
In terms of viewing other blogs linked to this project, I much prefer this to in class presentations. Because I have access to all the class blogs at all times, it was much easier to stay focused and read the entries that interested me when I wanted to, rather than back to back. I also found leaving comments more efficient than in class, as not everybody gets a chance to speak in classroom settings.
Legalising Marijuana
I chose this topic because an a Vancouverite I have witnessed alot of activism on this topic. I thought it would be interesting to do a topic that is widely relatable, and effects everyone, whether in reference to the violence resulting from prohibition, the accessibility of marijuana as a therapeutic drug, or the arrests and enforcement surrounding this drug.
I know people eligible for medical marijuana, and understand that in certain situations anything that can ease the pain, or nausea, or other ailments is one of the greatest reliefs. I was also familiar with Marc Emery and Tommy Chong prior to this project. I have now learned alot more about these two activists, but at the time I was already confused as to how one qualifies for extradition, the events leading up to both arrests, and the circumstances in which those arrests were justified.
I was also curious as to whether there was anything I could do to discourage the apparently negative outcomes of prohibition. And there is. I sent my letters on the arrest of Marc Emery today: One to Mr Vic Toews, the Canadian Minister of Public Safety; one to the US Department of Justice; and one to Peter Julian, a MP. I also sent a painting and letter to Mark Emery explaining my project and wishing him the best of luck in hopefully being transferred back to Canada to serve his sentence at home.
I have learned alot researching this project, but what stands out the most to me is that marijuana prohibition was started with the assumption that cannabis is dangerous, and at the time the technology needed to support or oppose such a statement was not available. The issue is that the prohibition has not yet been adapted to today's knowledge of marijuana. But slowly, people seem to be reconsidering what is consistently drilled into them: "Drugs are bad."
I know people eligible for medical marijuana, and understand that in certain situations anything that can ease the pain, or nausea, or other ailments is one of the greatest reliefs. I was also familiar with Marc Emery and Tommy Chong prior to this project. I have now learned alot more about these two activists, but at the time I was already confused as to how one qualifies for extradition, the events leading up to both arrests, and the circumstances in which those arrests were justified.
I was also curious as to whether there was anything I could do to discourage the apparently negative outcomes of prohibition. And there is. I sent my letters on the arrest of Marc Emery today: One to Mr Vic Toews, the Canadian Minister of Public Safety; one to the US Department of Justice; and one to Peter Julian, a MP. I also sent a painting and letter to Mark Emery explaining my project and wishing him the best of luck in hopefully being transferred back to Canada to serve his sentence at home.
I have learned alot researching this project, but what stands out the most to me is that marijuana prohibition was started with the assumption that cannabis is dangerous, and at the time the technology needed to support or oppose such a statement was not available. The issue is that the prohibition has not yet been adapted to today's knowledge of marijuana. But slowly, people seem to be reconsidering what is consistently drilled into them: "Drugs are bad."
1/07/2012
How I Feel
Clearly I am for the legalisation of marijuana. The prohibition and human rights seem to run along two parallels, never crossing eachother's paths. It has invited a new excuse for violence, and blurred the consequences of all things marijuana related.
"How could we be sending Mark Emery to prison for life in the United States, if even our own police aren't finding it worth their while to bust people smoking [marijuana] right in front of them?" (The Union: The Business Behind Getting High)
This quote illustrates my feelings exactly. If one is to create a prohibition, it must clearly be forbidden. This prohibition has governed great inconsistency, resulting in quite justified confusion. There is also the situation in which privately owned prisons profit off prisoners, increasing the demand for prisoners, which, in turn, makes marijuana consumers, dealers, and producers easy targets. Is this not an example of corruption? I cannot believe the private prison industry is legal.
I am also bothered because of the dedication being put forward to promote an entirely natural medication, proven to have therapeutic properties in many situations, as negative. As if choking back synthetic substitutes or man-made medications is the healthy alternative. Every year prescription medicines kill more than 100 000 people yet they are hesitant to sell marijuana because of the side effects (a high). (The Union) Modern medicine is highly experimental, dangerous, toxic, and kills. It is fantastic that certain areas such as Canada and California have legalised the use of medical marijuana for patients with the appropriate illness', but why, if cannabis is as damaging as claimed, is it only legally securable to the ill population of these communities? And if not, why is there a perception that healthy people would be affected differently by the drug in question?
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| Google Images: Inconsistency; www.baqmar.be |
This quote illustrates my feelings exactly. If one is to create a prohibition, it must clearly be forbidden. This prohibition has governed great inconsistency, resulting in quite justified confusion. There is also the situation in which privately owned prisons profit off prisoners, increasing the demand for prisoners, which, in turn, makes marijuana consumers, dealers, and producers easy targets. Is this not an example of corruption? I cannot believe the private prison industry is legal.
| Google Images: Poison |
MARIJUANA PROHIBITION = EXPLOITING HUMAN WEAKNESS
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The Solutions
The current marijuana prohibition is failing. There are two views on how to change this: legalise marijuana, for once and for all; or create stricter laws and consequences for those involved with this drug. 44% of the US public support growing marijuana for legal use. ("A Federal Misstep with Medical Marijuana") This is a much lower number than Canadians who support the same cause.
Although throughout this blog I have spoken to Canada and the United States almost interchangeably, regarding "solutions" these two countries seem to have opposing positions.
"Drug policies [in America] are more punitive and counterproductive than in other democracies." The Global Commission on Drug Policy, a group of former presidents and prime ministers, a former secretary general of the UN, human rights leaders, and business and governmental leaders, recommended that the US bring more effective control over the illicit drug trade. The solutions suggested were to substitute treatment for imprisonment when regarding users that do not harm others, and focusing on the violent crime organisations which are essentially creating the dangers in the drug trade. (Jimmy Carter, "Call Off The Global Drug War")
In Minnesota, The Medical Marijuana Bill was amended to only apply to the terminally ill. ("A Federal Misstep with Medical Marijuana")
These efforts may temporarily solve issues related to the illegal drug trade, but long term legal regulation seems to be the only responsible solution.
Canadians spend $3-500 000 000 a year on law enforcement and the justice system to enforce marijuana laws. (The Union: The Business Behind Getting High)
Thus, Canadians have there own ideal solution. From Stop The Violence, to Cannabis Day, to The Green Party, much of the population sees the benefits of legalisation. It would dramatically reduce violence; regulate use, decreasing accessibility to kids and teenagers; and embrace an ever growing culture in North America. After all, throughout this ordeal it seems that those against the legalisation of marijuana have relied on stereotypes, and repercussions to make this drug bad, not factual evidence.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
If you are a concerned individual when it comes to marijuana legalisation take action! There are many organisations with the sole purpose of fighting the injustices this law has created (see the link panel above). If you are bothered by the unfair treatment of activists such as Marc Emery, support him by writing letters to the people in charge, and publicising what he has faced. If you are of legal age, you also have the influence of your vote. There are many solutions to the issue of marijuana legalisation, the above is just a sample.
"The more marijuana growers and drug dealers went to jail, the more the violence in the streets increases as young people and others fight over the vacuum created by the arrest of the dealer, producer, or consumer of illegal substances." (Marc Emery, bcmarijuanaparty.com)
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| Google images: map with Canadian American; www.profari.com |
"Drug policies [in America] are more punitive and counterproductive than in other democracies." The Global Commission on Drug Policy, a group of former presidents and prime ministers, a former secretary general of the UN, human rights leaders, and business and governmental leaders, recommended that the US bring more effective control over the illicit drug trade. The solutions suggested were to substitute treatment for imprisonment when regarding users that do not harm others, and focusing on the violent crime organisations which are essentially creating the dangers in the drug trade. (Jimmy Carter, "Call Off The Global Drug War")
In Minnesota, The Medical Marijuana Bill was amended to only apply to the terminally ill. ("A Federal Misstep with Medical Marijuana")
These efforts may temporarily solve issues related to the illegal drug trade, but long term legal regulation seems to be the only responsible solution.
Canadians spend $3-500 000 000 a year on law enforcement and the justice system to enforce marijuana laws. (The Union: The Business Behind Getting High)
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| Google Images: Legalise marijuana rally; www.wral.com |
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
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| Google Images: Legalise marijuana rally; www.streetroots.wordpress.com. |
"The more marijuana growers and drug dealers went to jail, the more the violence in the streets increases as young people and others fight over the vacuum created by the arrest of the dealer, producer, or consumer of illegal substances." (Marc Emery, bcmarijuanaparty.com)
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