Weed, What is it Good For?

We've all heard of it: weed, pot, reefer, ganja, hash. It's had our nation in a uproar since as far back as the 1930's. The 1970's brought it back to life and even led to the legalization of small amounts by states such as California. Only later to be abolished by the Reagan administration as the country shifted to a more conservative view. Still today, for a big green bush, marijuana remains mighty controversial.

Much of the recent controversy has surrounded laws passed in 1996 by voters in California and Arizona legalizing marijuana for certain medical conditions. The opposition will argue that there are no proven medical advantages to taking the drug, instead it is looked at as a drug that will only lead to faster, better, stronger drugs. In fact, the opposition believes that marijuana will harm the root of our very being, family. On November 2, 2010 the residents of the state of California will vote on Proposition 19 which will allow certain legalization of the drug, which brings this subject to the forefront of national scrutiny once again. With so many opinions and a clear line of division will California's Proposition 19 survive? What does the future hold for our friend or enemy, (depending on your views) the marijuana plant? Only time will tell... as the controversy marches on the two sides are presenting the opinions of medical doctors, people of political power, and even the general public.

I happen to stumble upon the following interview conducted and blogged by Laura Flanders. Ms. Flanders is a supporter of Proposition 19 and the host of GRIT TV on Free speech TV, as well as other radio programs such as RadioNation. She is also the author of two political novels. Posted on her blog is an interview she recently conducted that gives an interesting point of view on the subject of the legalization of marijuana. A view that belongs to our nations 15^th surgeon general, Joycleyn Elders. Ms. Elders was the surgeon general during the Clinton administration, but was fired after a comment she made regarding masturbation. After her short lived position as surgeon general Ms. Elders is now a professor at the University of Arkansas School of Medicine and also works at Arkansas Children's Hospital. The article shows Ms. Elders' support for the legalization and taxation of marijuana in order to reach audiences that may be on the fence about the subject and lean California voters to the polls to vote “yes”. With Ms. Elders extensive medical background it is a good source of opinion on a subject that divides so many of us. With that said Ms. Elders' tarnished reputation, as a result of her firing from the Clinton administration, as well as her somewhat controversial views on many popular debatable subjects, could lead readers away from her opinion. Despite how some people may view Ms. Elders it does not stop her from blatantly telling her opinion on the subject, which is a notable act of courage and evidence of true beliefs. In the interview when asked, (Laura:) “But what about the fear of the impact on young people? You're an associate there at a children's hospital. A lot of parents, not even very political folks, but parents are worried, 'if they smoke marijuana, who knows what happens next?'”. Ms. Elders responds, “ Well, they don't mind that they drink alcohol, that they smoke cigarettes, both of which are much more harmful. Marijuana has been used for 5000 years. It's never been associated with a toxic death or death from marijuana so I feel that it's more of a medicine and we should use it, regulate it, and tax it. And stop all of our fears and our myths that are going on.” I believe that, that particular statement sums it up. The myths need stop. We need to base the future of not only Proposition 19 in California, but also the legalization of marijuana in our country as a whole, on fact, not opinion or fear.