Pubdate: Mon, 20 May 2013
Source: Northern Express (MI)
Copyright: 2013 Northern Express
Contact:  http://www.northernexpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3079
Author: David Petrove

MARIJUANA, THE VULGAR DRUG

Thousands of Americans die every year from Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms. That is why the federal government set up a bureau to
regulate these products a century ago, but they still are legal to
possess and use.

Thousands of Americans die every year from common pain medicines
including the likes of aspirin, Tylenol and Motrin. These drugs are
also regulated but they are legal to possess and use.

Thousands of Americans die every year from consumption of sugar and
junk food. Thousands die from sporting activities, and thousands die
from occupational hazards. There are some regulations on some things
but they will always remain legal in a free society.

We can make lists of many mechanical, chemical and life-choices that
are known to be harmful when used as intended and yet they are
accepted and legal.

Now, compare the known risks of everything else we allow in America to
the documented risks of marijuana use:

No one dies from marijuana use (even the "super potent" stuff grown
today); No one gets addicted to marijuana; No one "progresses" to hard
drugs from marijuana, (the drug experiences are different, and do not
psychologically or physiologically connect).

The only true risk from using marijuana is a criminal
arrest.

Why is that? Why is a benign and safe substance that can be grown
almost anywhere, which can be safely enjoyed with very little health
risk, and possible medicinal benefits outlawed?

Answer: Because it is a "vulgar" drug, just like some four-letter
words are vulgar.

Check the historical definition of the word vulgar: "of, pertaining
to, or constituting the ordinary people in society: the vulgar
masses." ... "the common people" Marijuana, like some words, is not
acceptable to the elitist class of America. It is not acceptable to
the "one-percent." It is not acceptable to the ruling class because it
is something the poor, the working class, the people of "We the
People" can grow in a flower pot, enjoy, and not spend a lot of money
to produce.

Legal marijuana won't make anyone rich.

That is the only reason it is outlawed. Which makes me one of the
vulgar masses, because I think our lawmakers are full of spit.

David Petrove  Interlochen
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MAP posted-by: Matt