"I used to smoke marijuana. But I'll tell you something: I would only smoke it in the late evening..... Oh, occasionally the early evening, but usually the late evening - or the mid-evening...... Just the early evening, midevening and late evening. Occasionally, early afternoon, early midafternoon, or perhaps the late-midafternoon. Oh, sometimes the early-mid-late-early morning. . . . But never at dusk. I would never do that."
- Steve Martin

"There is definite evidence in this study that the marihuana users were not inferior in intelligence to the general population and that they had suffered no mental or physical deterioration as a result of their use of the drug."
- Comparison Between Users and Non-Users from the Standpoint of Mental and Physical Deterioration, from The La Guardia Committee Report:The Marihuana Problem in the City of New York

"In describing the most common reaction to the drug they always stated that it made them feel "high." Elaboration of just what the smoker meant by "high" varied with the individual. However, there was common agreement that a feeling of adequacy and efficiency was induced by the use of marihuana and that current mental conflicts were allayed. Organic illness was not given as a cause for smoking "reefers."
- The Mental Attitude of the Marihuana Smoker Toward Society and Marihuana from The La Guardia Committee Report:The Marihuana Problem in the City of New York

"I wish I could show you what a small marijuana cigarette can do to one of our degenerate Spanish-speaking residents. That's why our problem is so great; the greatest percentage of our population is composed of Spanish-speaking persons, most of who are low mentally, because of social and racial conditions."
- Federal Bureau of Narcotics Chief Harry J. Anslinger

"Reefer makes darkies think they're as good as white men."
- Federal Bureau of Narcotics Chief Harry J. Anslinger, 1929

March 23rd, 2003

I think you can tell from what's written above where this one is going. If anyone is going to play Jedi Mind Tricks with me, I prefer it NOT be the government. I understand that they are an old hand at this but can't they do something that won't involve me not enjoying myself?

If this were Ireland and their government said "No more Guinness!" - You'd see heads roll.... literally.

You can only push, manipulate, take advantage of, and tax people so far before yet another revolution takes place. Why does our government which is so full of hypocritical idiots insist on outlawing cannabis? I don't know maybe it has something to do with not being able to regulate it. It could also be because all of the beer lobbyists petition to say, "Beer is better than Pot". I could debate that with the simple, "Pot gives you no hangover."

My question is "Why? Why so much fuss over a simple little plant?"

This weed has been outlawed since the beginning of the last century despite the fact that it was being smoked in other countries for thousands of years without any ill effects. Did you know that George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp (cannabis sativa)? At one time, hemp was one of this country's agricultural farming staples. It's strong, stringy fibers could make clothes, rope, paper, and sails. It was high in protein and oil and it was pulped in animal feed. Our first American flag as well as the first and second drafts of The Declaration of Independence were most likely made of hemp. The canvas that was placed over the covered wagons - hemp.

By products of hemp (hashish) were combined with maple sugar to make candy that was sold by Sears Roebuck. The pharmaceutical industry also used cannabis extracts in oils for their potions and lobbied against attempts to restrict its production.

I can think of at least two really big contributors to the prohibition of cannabis: William Randolph Hearst and Harry J. Anslinger.

Hearst who was "in bed with" the Duponts had a vested interest in protecting the wood pulp industry. Hemp paper, which would have been much cheaper to produce if the technology were allowed to develop, would have wiped him out. He teamed up with Anslinger, who was head of the new born Federal Bureau of Narcotics to start the marijuana scare of the 20's and 30's. Anslinger, a hold out from the alcohol prohibition days, believed that the only way to have a proper God fearing society was through temperance.

Anslinger and Hearst launched a crusade against the "reefer madness" that threatened to grip our youth. They lied. They ignored, they pushed, and they manipulated the public into thinking what they wanted the people to think. Hearst for profit and Anslinger for his mission to a new level of modern Puritanism.

It is believed that Hearst used his power to slant the news to protect his pulp investments and created hysteria against marijuana.

Essentially, it all boils down to this: Anslinger used his power and his position to force American Society to be what he wanted. This mission took most of Anslinger's lifetime but not after billions of unnecessary tax dollars were spent to make marijuana illegal.*

I'd like to think that my tax dollars would be better spent elsewhere... like.. I don't know.. a cure for AIDS.. maybe.€

Now I don't know about you, but I prefer to make up my own mind on any issue. I don't like being told what to do and what to think. This is what scares me today. Anslinger's mission is continuing through the sheep-like youth that buy what Anslinger was shoveling for so many years. This entire rant was fueled by an ad I saw on the back of one of my comic books. The ad implied that the grass you smoke could be laced with cat vomit or other nasty stuff. The "Truth People" have been at it again as well on the media. Picture this scene: two kids getting stoned in Dad's study. One comes across his father's loaded gun and shoots the other while high. The subtitle TRUTH: THE ANTI-DRUG.

What a crock of shit.

Let me ask you this. How many people would have been stupid enough to smoke in Dad's study to begin with? Even if nothing happened, Dad'll come home and smell the reefer smoke. When you are a teen the point is to not get caught. And let that be a lesson to Dad as well: Don't leave a loaded gun lying around in the house. This is yet another case of the "truth" people making a worst case scenario out of something that is extremely improbable.

Scene number two shows a girl who just took a home pregnancy test and was apparently taken advantage of while under the influence of marijuana. Hey, guesswhat, the same thing can happen with alcohol or ecstasy. Pick your poison. This time I blame the parents.£ Family values instilled in a teen should keep them on the "straight and narrow" even when the parent is not around. They shouldn't be doing extra chemical activities under the age of 18 anyway. So, essentially because kids are idiots adults should be paying the price.

Screw that.

The mission of my site is to open eyes and have the reader form their own opinion. Rather than be manipulated by large institutions like the government or the Catholic Church, I want you kids to think on your own.

Back in 1944, Fierello LaGuardia, mayor of New York City, was not taken by the Jedi Mind Trick Harry J. Anslinger was trying to perform. Before he condemned cannabis, he decided to make a scientific study of it. Up until this time, it was never done. Through a long investigation he proved that marijuana was not harmful or addictive and certainly did not produce the results that Anslinger was preaching. New York currently is one of the states that stands for the non criminalization of marijuana.

Here are the conclusions to the LaGuardia Report:

  1. Under the influence of marihuana the basic personality structure of the individual does not change but some of the more superficial aspects of his behavior show alteration.

  2. With the use of marihuana the individual experiences increased feelings of relaxation, disinhibition and self-confidence.

  3. The new feeling of self-confidence induced by the drug expresses itself primarily through oral rather than through physical activity. There is some indication of a diminution in physical activity.

  4. The disinhibition which results from the use of marihuana releases what is latent in the individual's thoughts and emotions but does not evoke responses which would be totally alien to him in his undrugged state.

  5. Marihuana not only releases pleasant reactions but also feelings of anxiety.

  6. Individuals with a limited capacity for effective experience and who have difficulty in making social contacts are more likely to resort to marihuana than those more capable of outgoing responses.

Yes, there are some reasons why New York is better than New Jersey. New York will not arrest someone for possession of marijuana - they are fined. In New Jersey, a person will get jail time AND a fine.

Now, due to the idiocy of the Hearst/Anslinger crusade, such concepts as the medical use of marijuana are being shot down. Please don't be fooled by the "man behind the curtain". There are medical uses for marijuana. According to the AAMC (The American Alliance for Medical Cannabis)**, here are some of the things that cannabis therapy can aid:

  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Aversive Memories
  • Cancer cachexia
  • Cannabinoids in clinical practice
  • Skin cancer
  • Depression
  • Migraine
  • Neuroprotection
  • Treatment of Chemo Related Nausea
  • Compassionate Investigational New Drug Program
  • Chronic Pain
  • Diabetes
  • Hepatitis C
  • Lymphoma may be slowed by cannabis
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders
  • Pancreatitis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Sleep Apnea
  • Tourette-Syndrome

As you may have guessed, I have partaken in smoking a little reefer now and then. One of the things I can tell you is marijuana definitely fights nausea. One time when I felt a really bad case of stomach flu coming on, I thought a good idea was to smoke a little weed. I was not going anywhere and I was being troubled by a bout of nausea. I did not throw up but I felt I was going to. After I smoked, those feelings were gone and I felt much better. I went to sleep shortly afterward. I was as good as new the next day.

Medical cannabis, it's a reality.

Of course, the real reason most people are pro cannabis is that it's GREAT! Who gives a rat's ass for the medical uses of cannabis? What I know is this stuff can radically alter your consciousness. And after the type of stress that today's 9 to 5'er goes through in a bad economy, smoking a joint can really help a stressed out individual unwind.

Whenever I smoke, I get very introspective. Cannabis is great for self analysis. If you ever really want to study your id, smoke some. I find that things that have been buried for the longest time come forward to reveal themselves. Most of the time this is a good thing. I'm a big believer in self awareness.

Let's also not forget the "feeling good" feeling that a little reefer produces.

Here are my recommendations for DVD viewing, should you find yourself under the influence of marijuana:

  1. Yellow Submarine
  2. The Wizard of Oz (muted and set to the soundtrack of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon on infinite repeat)
  3. Help! (starring the Beatles)
  4. Willy Wonka
  5. Alice in Wonderland
  6. Any Mystery Science Theatre Episode (preferably from the Comedy Central years)
  7. The colorized restored version of Reefer Madness (set on Michael J. Nelson's Commentary)
  8. A Hard Day's Night
  9. Pink Floyd's The Wall
  10. Fantasia
  11. Fantasia 2000
  12. Godzilla 2000

If Yellow Submarine or the Dark Side of Oz fails to produce hilarity while high, nothing will.

I think the only real downside to smoking is that because everything tastes sooooo wonderful,*** there is a tenancy to gain weight. I have gone through bags of Doritos and pretzels. I have eaten pints of Hagendaas. I have drank chocolate shakes without regret or stopping for anything else. Food just tastes delicious. So, try to get to the gym before indulging.

Here's what I believe. I believe that marijuana like alcohol should be used responsibly. If you drive while under the influence of either you should be arrested and have your license taken away. Why do I say this after praising cannabis so much? Well, if a driver can't control his car, it becomes a murder weapon. I believe that if you're an adult and you smoke it in the privacy of your own home, you should be allowed to do that.

I know that when I smoke, I have very little desire to go anywhere other than my couch.

Is there anything wrong with marijuana? I challenge you, the reader, to make up your own mind.

Suggested Reading:

* - Incidentally, that is something for the government to consider. Save money on the people by dropping the war on marijuana and focus it on really bad things like cocaine and heroin which are harmful.
€ - Think about it. Legalize marijuana, have the government produce it, and reap the profits to cure AIDS or give us a budget surplus. Idiots.
£- I can play "holier than thou" on this one. I didn't start drinking beer until I was almost 19. So there.
** - For more information on this you may wish to investigate their site at www.letfreedomgrow.com.
*** - One of the times my wife and I decided to smoke we decided that the perfect munchie food would be roasted garlic. It was so good I was tempted to spread it on my wrist and eat it off my hand.