Opinion

Busting Reefer Madness

It’s not about Reefer Madness, it’s about Reefer Legislation. Cannabis tax revenues can be used to address systemic inequality and to repair city infrastructures.

“The illegality of cannabis is outrageous, an impediment to full utilization of a drug which helps produce the serenity and insight, sensitivity and fellowship so desperately needed in this increasingly mad and dangerous world.” Carl Sagan, anonymous essay writer Mr. X, in“Marihuana Reconsidered” 1971 [excerpt, The Dog Eared Page, The Sun Magazine], July 2021

FLASHBACK — I steered my Chevy toward the far end of our high school parking lot, Greaser turf I had never invaded. Two long weeks remained before our June graduation in 1969. My best friend and I were on a long-awaited mission to get high.

Kay and I slouched low in the seat, transforming into Obvious Girls, as she handed me the joint I had prerolled. Tests were finished and so were we. Time to finally pollute our brains with the evils of pot in a last high school hurrah.

We lit up the first joint to pass our 18-year-old lips. A seed immediately exploded, landing in my hair. We attacked my wild curls in a frenzy.

“I thought you picked the seeds out!” I protested. “Okay, so I missed one. Don’t bogart that joint my friend” she replied, making a grab at the small missile I had constructed.

We toked and hacked our virgin lungs away as I regaled her with a sibling episode. I was 14 when I caught my Beatnik, older brother puffing away in our back yard. He had been mean to me when I was young and had returned from college with a reformed, even friendly demeanor.

One night I spied a dancing light in the garden. Compelled by curiosity I was drawn to the mists, or wait, smoke?

“Are you smoking pot?” I inquired, batting at the cloud.

“Yeah, it’s great. You want a hit?”

“No! I’m only 14. My brain is still developing! You shouldn’t be offering it to me!” The sudden emergence of Little Ms. Normal, a hidden archetype, surprised me.

He laughed and took another drag. “Let me know when you want some so you get the good stuff and not that rabbit weed.”

My story was the funniest thing Kathy ever heard, at least since we started passing the joint. Another seed popped, burning a tiny hole in the seat upholstery. We enjoyed that too. Suddenly everything was so perfect.

I was experiencing a fully relaxed nervous system for the first time and I really liked the feeling. I had discovered a plant ally in a humble weed.

Going Green used to refer to environmentally friendly practices and construction. It’s taken on a new meaning in the American quest for decriminalization and legalization of cannabis. Less than 20 years ago, marijuana was illegal in all 50 states. Thirty three states now have legislation in place allowing the use of pot in some form.

Oregon was the first state to decriminalize marijuana in 1973. You could only be fined $100 for possession of an ounce but manufacturing and selling remained illegal. The tide has turned.

All but four states now have some form of medical marijuana law. In 2012 Washington and Colorado became the first states to legalize cannabis for recreational use. A recent graph shows the steady march toward legalizing and decriminalizing weed.

PRESENT TIME — Seattle, a liberal cannabis zone, has almost as many pot shops as coffee havens. My neighborhood has five distributors within walking distance. Employees are often young and vastly entertaining in their brand descriptions.

A couple of months ago I visited my favorite shop. A guy in his 30’s greeted me. “Yo dude, what’s up?” Everyone’s a dude in there. Have you tried the new shipment of Hindu Kush bud yet?” He started extolling the virtues of its unique high until I held up my hand.

“Yo yourself dude. I smoked Hindu Kush bud in 1973 above the pot fields of Mazari Sharif, Afghanistan before you were even born.” I couldn’t resist the share. He was so excited I thought he was going to ask me for my autograph.

I continued perusing the latest offerings in amazement.

“Who comes up with these names?” I inquired, holding up a cartridge labeled “Inzane in the Membrane.”

Those creative stoner dudes are valued, he informed me. They’re gourmet users and have a discerning radar for flavors and effects. Labels provide an accurate reveal of the journey to come.

“Hmmmm,” I held up a cartridge called “Legends of Nigeria.” “What about this one?”

“That’s a trip to the Arabian Nights. Highly advised for any creative work.”

I wrapped up my shopping with that description and received an unasked for 20% discount because my server thought I was “an awesome senior who deserved it.” Small perks. I went home, inhaled once, and worked in the garden for four solid hours. He was right, a magic carpet ride down the rabbit hole to Nigeria in my own wee patch.

There are many misconceptions about people who choose cannabis to alter their perspective. Clientele in my healing arts practice was based on word of mouth. Since some of my first clients were psychiatrists and psychotherapists, I ended up with quite a few of them in my yoga studio and healing space.

Way before cannabis was on the path to legality, these professionals had done their investigating and were legally acquiring medical marijuana to work with their patients. Our therapy sessions included discussions on the powerful effects cannabis could have on PTSD, anxiety, phobias, epilepsy, and other mental health and physical challenges.

When they understood I was weed-friendly and had done my own extensive research through use and reading, they began leaving small gifts of high-quality bud as a tip. My point being, these people were responsible professionals with very engaged lives and they were not a rare species. So much for the lazy hippie stereotype.

Public figures like Pullitzer prize-winning scientist Carl Sagan became undercover, avid users of cannabis. Initially, Carl had reservations about pot but did his research and realized there was no physiological addiction to the plant. He also coveted the euphoria he witnessed in his pot-smoking friends.

He became an enthusiastic imbiber after experiencing a strong enhancement in his appreciation of art, nature and a general quickening of his intellectual curiosity. After reading his 1971 anonymous essay in a small book titled “Marihuana Reconsidered,” I speculated if he was flying high when his PBS mini-series “Cosmos” was filmed.

Compounds in cannabis interact with our human endocannabinoid system which our bodies produce on their own. We have inbuilt receptors to receive the endocannabinoid compounds in marijuana. Are you curious how a plant, considered a weed because it can thrive on its own, contains keys which fit into our biological locks?

It’s a part of our human nature to explore within and without ourselves. Consciousness argonauts have always existed and used herbs, plants and flowers nature readily provides to facilitate voyages to other realms.

A couple of years ago I read about a Shaman’s 35,000-year-old grave being unearthed in China. He was buried with 30 large casks of perfectly preserved marijuana to guide his entry into the afterworld.

I have been an explorer in that regard too and realized early on cannabis was my one consistent and benign alteration ally. My body rejects alcohol. My only allergy is to red wine, rather odd considering my ancestry is over 50% Italian.

I drank one-half a shot of Irish whiskey in Dublin and practically had to be carried back to the hotel. Spirits, wine, and beer are not for me. Every few months, I join friends in a cocktail, providing them with a source of amusement as I weave my way to the bathroom.

I went through a period of purification and abstinence for eleven years from the ages of 28 to 39. I wanted to know if marijuana had affected my spiritual outlook and decided on a long fast to determine that possibility. Six years of that period involved a marriage and divorce.

A good friend came over the day I signed my divorce papers. I felt like a butterfly released from a chrysalis after a mighty struggle and was in the mood to celebrate. He walked in the door and guided me over to my new, pristine, white couch, a symbol of my resurrection.

“I’ve been waiting to offer this” he said as he opened the palm of his hand, revealing a perfectly rolled joint. We smoked together, watching the sunset in a state of deep contentment and compatible silence. I finally turned to him and said “If I had done this during my marriage, I would’ve been divorced five years ago.” It was a true statement.

I’ve kept pretty quiet about my own use of cannabis. Judgment can descend fast and hard, even though it may come from steady drinkers. What’s that hypocrisy about? I don’t know and prefer not to investigate other’s drug biases. Each to their own.

Cannabis is not for everyone just as alcohol is not for me. I would never recommend a pregnant or nursing woman using pot, although some do. It can affect a developing fetus as well as crossing over during lactation. Kids need a clean start entering this polluted world of ours and we owe it to them to grant it. I had more wisdom than I realized at 14 when I turned it down.

Can we get over our antiquated notions of the dangers of cannabis and the discouraging disparity it invokes with its criminalization? Minorities are tagged and prosecuted to a much higher degree than white people and land in prison for possession of a mere plant. This is disgraceful and needs to stop.

The ridiculous games going on between U.S. states where it's legal and those where it's prohibited are unnecessary and harmful to our society’s ability to move forward with truly pressing agendas.

No one is going to stop using pot because its illegal in their state. One look at the lengthy prohibition period of alcohol is a demonstration of that fact. There’s a lot of societal good that can be accomplished with pot revenue.

As for me, I’m not interested in your drinks but I have no problem with your inclinations. Please try reframing your opinion if it’s judgemental and buzz off my joint. Unless you want a hit. Whatever happened to the concept of live and let live?

Peace and love to all from your Forever Hippie friend.