Where do you stand on the legalization of Marijuana?

[Payaso]

This commentary from the Berkeley Live Music Examiner seems to be spot-on accurate as far as California is concerned.

CALIFORNIA is on the forefront of a revolution, and in the works to make history as the first state to legalize the possession and distribution of Marijuana. A measure to decriminalize the drug has already qualified, and will be on the ballot for Californians to vote on, come November. Marijuana, although currently illegal, is surprisingly accepted throughout California, and often promoted in mainstream media, especially music.

Marijuana, weed, ganja, cannabis, and many other names all refer to the same beloved drug that is being currently promoted and pushed by many. Megan Fox, one of the biggest names in Hollywood, has openly admitted to the use and enjoyment of marijuana, as well as stating that she is all for the legalization of the drug. Along with its home in Hollywood, weed has always held a huge undertone in the music community, and it seems now, more than ever, artists of all stature are coming forward to push for the legalization of Marijuana. Many artists admit to using when writing and recording, as it, ‘clears their mind’. Top rappers such as Lil Wayne and Asher Roth avidly promote the use of Marijuana through their music as well as interviews, and can be seen smoking joints and blunts in numerous videos all over Youtube. In an interview last year with High Times, Roth states, “Smoking marijuana brings me back down to Earth,” to Senior Cultivation Editor Danny Danko. Roth adds, ““Some people think pot hinders your thoughts, but for me, it just kind of straightens me out.”

The bay area, specifically San Francisco, has gained notoriety for its leniency towards Marijuana. The hip hop group Cypress Hill, who also serve as avid legalization activists, celebrated ‘Weed Day’ this year in San Francisco, as the group performed at the Warfield Theater this past Tuesday. The celebrations were not limited to the concert, as San Francisco’s criticized acceptance of marijuana was clearly visible on Tuesday, as pot smoke clouds filled the sky as thousands upon thousands gathered at ‘Hippie Hill’ in Golden Gate Park to celebrate this ‘Weed Day’, or ‘420’, which is it’s most commonly used name, as it occurs every year on April 20th.

It was an unbelievable sight at ‘Hippie Hill’, as men, women, boys, girls, and even some children, packed the park to what seemed like capacity. There was marijuana everywhere. Look to the left; there’s a high school-aged boy taking a rip of the bong. Look to the right, and there’s a beautiful 35 year old, professional looking woman taking a bite out of her weed cookie. Surprisingly, it was not just the average hippie who was enjoying the weed smoking festivities. As music played from a PA system on the grass, attendants looked closely at their watches, waiting for the 4:19pm time to turn over. As the clock struck 4:20pm, a huge cheer erupted from the hill, shortly followed by billows of smoke that looked like they could’ve belonged to a freight train. As the park filled with smoke thicker than peninsula fog, the celebration continued, with chants for legalization, and sing-a-longs performed by attendees who had brought along their acoustic guitar. Although the celebration makes marijuana seem loving and peaceful, and almost convinces one to support the legalization of the drug, there are still many concerns. Pictured is a woman, holding her infant baby, right in the heart of the Marijuana haze. For, or against the legalization of marijuana, most can agree that exposing a baby to something of this nature, is taking it too far, which stirs up more skepticism of how ‘harmless’ Marijuana really is.

While weed itself has never been pinned to real negative physical affects and diseases, it is known to increase the chance of a miscarriage, and cause birth defects when used during pregnancy. Marijuana is commonly referred to as a, ‘gateway drug’, and is said to lead users to heavier, and extremely dangerous substances. This, again, is seen crystal clear in the music industry, as so many legends have put an early end to their career with an accidental drug overdose, after their marijuana use and carefree ways brought them to hard drugs. If weed is legal, what will the children of California do in the ever so cliché act of teen rebellion? Will they start out with cocaine, potentially ruining their life with the first line? Weed is also known to decrease motivation in some smokers, as well as skew judgment. But, in defense of the weed smoker, the drug’s effects do no worse to the mind, than those of alcohol, when consumed in large portions.

Although personal use is widely accepted, many have directed hate towards the media for projecting pro marijuana stances. Many movie stars and musicians alike openly support the legalization of Marijuana, only practicing their 1st amendment rights, but is advocating the use of marijuana, to the youth and future leaders of the nation, crossing the line?

As many Californians have already spoken, it is time for the bay area music community to speak. The question is posed; the date is set.

Where do you stand on the legalization of Marijuana?

For the full story click here.

 

[Skip]

Pictured is a woman, holding her infant baby, right in the heart of the Marijuana haze. For, or against the legalization of marijuana, most can agree that exposing a baby to something of this nature, is taking it too far, which stirs up more skepticism of how ‘harmless’ Marijuana really is.

While I agree that this kind of thing might look bad to the uninformed, and isn't great for the health of the baby, I'm sure the kid wasn't exposed to an excessive amount of smoke since he was OUTSIDE, and a few minutes after 4:20, the quantity of smoke probably began to dissipate.

Now compare that to the MILLIONS of parents who smoke deadly tobacco around their children in tightly closed homes every day! And not just infants, but all ages of kids... And who is supposed to pay for their health care down the road, esp. the parents who will be a burden on their families and societies thanks to their filthy, addictive and dangerous habit?

An infant is far better off outdoors where an occasional waft of cannabis comes their way then 24/7/365 exposure to tobacco smoke at home.

Now some might say parents who smoke cannabis indoors will expose their kids to the same thing. In reply I say this: From my experience pot smokers seem to be far more aware of where their smoke goes (due to years of paranoia) than tobacco smokers who don't care enough to even put their butts in the trash. Plus there has yet to be any study of how cannabis side stream smoke affects non-smokers or children...

The statement just assumes cannabis smoke is a NEGATIVE without any proof of that. And that is the problem we face. Decades of propaganda, restrictions on scientific research into cannabis and its effects, resulting in NEGATIVE attitudes without any proof of danger...

 

[Hydro-Soil]

Thank you Skip.... I was going to say pretty much the same thing.


The only reason Cannabis isn't totally and completely legal is because of......


IGNORANCE OF THE TRUTH.


Those of us who have spent the time and research.... already know.



Stay Safe!

 

[HydroManiac]

I think smoking tobacco with your kids around should be a felony it is clearly child abuse and 2nd hand smoke from tobacco is a lot worse then mj is if mj is a controlled substance so should tobacco!

 

[ijimunot]

Smoke is smoke. Smoke from any source is dangerous. Especially to adolescents that are still developing. I have friends that have never smoked tobacco in their lives and have died from smoking and its not second hand smoke BS. They are having increases of respiratory failures in cannabis friendly countries such as Holland and Spain as tobacco use declines and cannabis smoking increased.
I have been pro legalization for 45 years and love the taste and aroma associated with smoking. But I now use a vaporizer, cannabutter, baked goods and hashish to reduce the amount of poisons and pollutants I ingest. If cannabis is to legalized then we must address the hazards of its use and clear our lungs as well as our minds.

 

[johnnybhang]

What kind of bs is this. You cant ban a plant, people are slowly waking up that they have been bamboozled. Cannabis has always represented a slighty different view of the world. Maybe 3 degrees off center. Its only a matter of time before the truth of cannabis use wears away at the false foundations of the anti use crowd. They cant ban different ways of thinking, they cant ban a different outlook. The change is on the horizon if not already here. We will see in november how many people are for this. Count me in as one.

 

[ryjy]

The only reason legalization is even an issue is because CA is broke as a joke and wants tax money. Every grower I know of is scared shitless and is busy pulling down as much as possible before it goes to the polls.

Personally I think it won't pass anyway. All the old conservative types dominate the polls, and the young college kids who promote legalization stay at home with their fucking Playstations on election day.

Color me one CA smoker who is anti-legalization. I fear change.

 

[ryjy]

Smoke is smoke. Smoke from any source is dangerous. Especially to adolescents that are still developing. I have friends that have never smoked tobacco in their lives and have died from smoking and its not second hand smoke BS. They are having increases of respiratory failures in cannabis friendly countries such as Holland and Spain as tobacco use declines and cannabis smoking increased.
I have been pro legalization for 45 years and love the taste and aroma associated with smoking. But I now use a vaporizer, cannabutter, baked goods and hashish to reduce the amount of poisons and pollutants I ingest. If cannabis is to legalized then we must address the hazards of its use and clear our lungs as well as our minds.

As for the vaporizer, I personally have developed asthma from using one. Actually 2, the v-rip tech piece and the volcano. I switched back to smoking and feel better, although I'm probably stuck with that problem for good. Vapes makes me feel like I took a huge binger of pure thc, chokes me right up.

 

[inphu510n]

I think we all want legalization but we want it in a way that doesn't exclude people from growing it and selling it to co-ops.
Basically we don't want big business taking over sales. Which, I figure is what will happen anyway. Only remedy is to know your producers and buy only from co-ops.