While trolling the news circles of Canada I was delighted to come upon several quotations from some of those who have been influential to the fluctuating legal status of Cannabis.
Some of these seem shocking, jumping the borders of ignorance and malicious disinformation; as well as some which offer a surprisingly fresh air of budding enlightenment.
The follow came from the website of newsgroup CBC~
"Persons using this narcotic smoke the dried leaves of the plant, which has the effect of driving them completely insane. Addicts to this drug, while under its influence, are immune to pain, and could be severely injured without having any realization of their condition. While in this condition they become raving maniacs and are liable to kill or indulge in any form of violence to other person, using the most savage methods of cruelty without, as said before, any sense of moral responsibility."
-Emily Murphy,influential woman, helped form laws in Canada around 1920's
Now that you see the type of mentality that helped created the air of illegality around Cannabis; lets look at some current attitudes which help keep the truth locked in the vice grip of gripping vice. Though outlandish claims are swiftly rebuked by reputed scientists, today's politicians still resort to vague and inaccurate name calling to attack the main antagonist in their self proclaimed "war": most notable amongst these "quotees"-
"You expect your friends to stop the movement of poison to your neighbourhood."
-John Walter, U.S. drug czar John Walter,
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And a quick scan of the "Great Reefer Madness Quotes" offers the following insights...
"In the past we have had officers of this department shot and killed by marihuana addicts and we have traced the act of murder directly to the influence of marihuana, with no other motive. We have found from long experience and dealing with this type of criminal that marihuana is probably the most dangerous of all our narcotic drugs."
~J.F. Taylor, Chief of Detectives L.A.P.D- [Fraternal Order of Police Journal- Jan 1933]
and to expose the bigotry, racism and generally abhorrent namecalling which the opponents of a sensible cannabis policy resort to deploying:
"Marihuana leads to pacifism and communist brainwashing" Federal Bureau of Narcotics Chief Harry J. Anslinger, 1948
"Marijuana leads to homosexuality... and therefore to AIDS." White House Drug Czar Carlton Turner 1986
"Marihuana influences Negroes to look at white people in the eye, step on white men's shadows and look at a white woman twice." Hearst newspapers nationwide, 1935
We must look past the racist, outdated ideas which outlaw Cannabis in all it's forms. Allowing ourselves to remain backwards in our policies around this beautiful plant is not only stupid, it's dangerous. Before we move past the clear ignorance in labelling marijuana as a schedule 1 controlled substance which states that there is no medical benefit, I implore you to watch the a clip from "The Union" documentary which emphatically proves otherwise. Take the time to search "interview with Greg Cooper"
The next post will be dedicated to the use fullness and beauty of hemp.
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