It’s a good piece on America’s prohibition and its impact on the rest of the world.

Pretty good indeed.

What’s more interesting is the second comment on the post. It starts with:

I suppose it’s easy for someone who doesn’t use Marijuana to argue against its legalization, but this isn’t about the effects it has on its users. It’s about personal freedom…

And these 2 things are what today’s post is all about. First, we haven’t won anything (and I don’t think we are close enough to celebrate). Second, I don’t think segregation among the people is a good idea, even in thought. Let’s discuss.

I don’t use marijuana, and haven’t for almost 12 years now. Perhaps I will entertain the idea again, but I don’t see it in my immediate future. However, I whole heartedly believe that marijuana should be legal, even for recreational use.

No, I don’t think it’s a case of users vs. non-users. I think it’s a case of misinformation by a noneducational system perpetuated by our government. Pair those things with the greed associated with the war on drugs and we are on the losing side of this battle.

Make no mistake. I love articles like this, but I really don’t think we are even remotely close to a national reform. It feels like it, but that’s only because our government let’s us feel like it.

This is all the more reason to act, and NORML is a perfect place to do that. Get involved, donate, tell a friend; it doesn’t matter, just do something to help others become educated and get this “war on drugs” to end. But whatever you do, don’t place yourself on the other side of the non-users. This creates an exclusion and can be perceived as aggression (however passive or subtle it may be). This would make us look just like the government, and they have more money.

No, instead I think we need band together, users and non-users alike. You can’t reason with America’s government. They are like umpires; right or wrong, they stick with their answers. They don’t care who loses.

So what do we do?

Educate

I think the most important thing you can do is educate the people around you. Marijuana use comes up all the time, whether you partake or not. These conversations happen. Take it as an opportunity to educate rather than debate or argue (leave that to the lobbyist, they are better at it).

If the setting is appropriate, perhaps you could show a documentary on the subject. I spoke about the manner in which I talk to my oldest child in this post. Maybe that’s right for you, maybe it isn’t, but education starts with our kids. Maybe even purchasing a book for kids would help.

Action

I posted on an idea posed by NORML themselves. I think it’s a really good idea. This is a physical action that will be noticed. People, especially those that comprise our government, don’t always hear words or logic; they sure as hell pay attention to physical actions if on a large enough scale (please keep it non-violent though, as violence just gives more reason to keep it illegal).

Even if you don’t do that, there are plenty of gatherings across the nation that offer open arms to those that want to participate. You can even start a NORML chapter in your area if there isn’t one already, and perhaps brainstorm some gatherings and actions of your own.

Voting

I know it doesn’t seem like it most of the time, but voting is how we the people exercise what little power we have. Show your government that you aren’t some lazy pothead, but a pothead that pays taxes, and has a belief regarding the direction of YOUR country.

In the same respect, tell your elected officials who are already in office that you think marijuana should be legal, and that this topic is a large part of the determining factors when deciding on your ballot submission.

Money

Our government is arguably the most powerful on the planet. They use that power to make a lot of money. And they use that money to get what they want. We aren’t going to stop that cycle for sure, but we can get some money of our own. I know we don’t have much, but every little bit helps. NORML also has plenty of opportunity to do so.

For crying out loud. I’ve typed “NORML” so many times on this post, maybe I should approach them about a kick back or something.

Rest assured I don’t actually get anything for sending you there. I would gladly take donations here, but to be honest I wouldn’t know what to do with it, and would probably just send it to them anyway.

Learn More

No matter what you know, you can always learn more. Learn more about the problems facing the legalization of marijuana, and think of ways to get through them. The first article that comes to my mind is that by Jon Gettman on the Top Ten Obstacles to Marijuana Law Reform. Believe you me, there are plenty more out there.

In Closing

We haven’t won anything until it is over. This is not that time. We need everything we can get, and that includes non-smokers. I’m a non-smoker, and proud of it. If I were a smoker, I would be proud of that too. That doesn’t matter. What matters is the amount of research I’ve done on the subject, and my willingness to stand up for what I believe in. You…do that too.

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