Old and in the Way, Sessions and the War on Cannabis

As an American Citizen, I am repulsed by the absolute refusal to accept the facts that Attorney General Jeff Sessions displays in his position. He continues his malicious propaganda campaign against cannabis and, much like him, it’s old and in the way. The lies have absolutely no basis in fact and he fails to disclose any evidence to support his ridiculous fallacies. I am deeply disturbed with Sessions and his lack of ability to read a scientific report. This could equally apply to the Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill.

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I would like to reference the 1972 committee called the “National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse”, better known as The Shafer Report, commissioned by former President Richard Nixon. The commission stated “The actual and potential harm of use of the drug is not great enough to justify intrusion by the criminal law into private behavior, a step which our society takes only with the greatest reluctance.” and “Therefore, the Commission recommends ... [that the] possession of marijuana for personal use no longer be an offense, [and that the] casual distribution of small amounts of marihuana for no remuneration, or insignificant remuneration, no longer be an offense”. The DEA was also involved with the study and the only argument they could possibly make is that there wasn’t enough research on its effects. It’s interesting that anyone who would like to study Cannabis have to get permission from the DEA. Many of which request are denied or unanswered. This report, commissioned by Nixon, was tossed because it didn’t say what Nixon wanted. Instead of listening to the report, Nixon knew he could jail his political opponent’s constituents by making cannabis illegal.

I would also like to note that the U.S. Heath and Human Services, a federal agency, filed for a patent in 2001. Patent #6,630,507 lists Cannabinoids as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectants, which immediately contradicts the government’s argument that Cannabis has no potential for medical benefits. This is echoed by reputable institutions like Harvard. In a blog post by Dr Peter Grinspoon, he provides supporting real life experiences of patients. “In particular, marijuana appears to ease the pain of multiple sclerosis, and nerve pain in general. This is an area where few other options exist, and those that do, such as Neurontin, Lyrica, or opiates are highly sedating. Patients claim that marijuana allows them to resume their previous activities without feeling completely out of it and disengaged” (2). Let us not forget the FDA approved synthetic cannabis Marinol, made by the same company that brought you Durogesic (aka Fentylan). Of course the company that is contributing to the opiod epidemic would get approval from their friends at the FDA to approve a drug for their profit. But as soon as you try to grow it in a plant form, you get shotgun raids and mandatory minimums.

Another excuse often raised when speaking about cannabis is “What about the children?”. I can only respond by asking if the current system is “Protecting the children”? Who is more likely to ask for an ID? A licensed storefront or a drug dealer? According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, “For adults and adolescents, past-month marijuana use has not changed since legalization either in terms of the number of people using or the frequency of use among users.” (1). This lack of evidence that the anti-cannabis group throws in the face of freedom is often followed up with claims that cannabis is a ‘gateway” drug and children will eventually try harder drugs. However they have yet to cite a psychopharmacological property of cannabis that will make someone move to harder drugs. That theory can only hold water if cannabis is kept in a black market and sold along side other hard drugs. This theory obviously isn’t held to alcohol with the same vigor.

One more “concern” that is raised is the “increased crime rates” around the cannabis industry. This concern has remain unsubstantiated, yet oddly won’t go away. We simply need to look in the not too distant past to see this just won’t play out that way. The prohibition of alcohol just caused a massive increase in crime and violence. Al Capone made his money in selling what people wanted when the government made it illegal. It surprises me that our elected officials have no concept of the basic economic principle of supply and demand. By placing an in-demand product in the black market, you are only increasing revenue for crime organization. That money should be allowed to stay in their community and in the pockets of the people. However, to be less philosophical, a study conducted by 2 Professors in Los Angeles showed that there was no increase of crime around dispensaries. That actually the closure of dispensaries increased crime around the area.

It’s about time we stop this foolish war on cannabis. It’s time to be free citizens again. It time to stop voting for the republicans or democrats, who both have shown their commitment to preventing the freedom of the people.

(1)- Retail Marijuana Public Health Advisory Committee – Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0tmPQ67k3NVc2lFeDFoMUJ1N2c/view

(2)- Medical Marijuana – Harvard Health Blog – Peter Grinspoon, MD –
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/medical-marijuana-2018011513085