WEED AND GREED

A Look at the Marijuana Subculture and the Laws That Suppress It

To a lot of people, April 20 may be nothing special.

Unless, of course, they smoke marijuana.

April 20, or "4/20" is widely considered to be "National Marijuana
Smoking Day." Although the recreational use of marijuana dates back
to prehistory, there is a social stigma attached to it in modern society.

"We should be able to discuss anything in an open environment," said
Dr. Thomas Kersen, a UNA professor of sociology. "Should we
incarcerate people or should we tax it [marijuana] It's a good dialogue."

A 2006 FBI investigation found that 786,545 people were charged with
marijuana violations in the U.S. in 2005. That averages to one arrest
every 40 seconds.

"Marijuana is kind of a gateway drug," said Chuck Hearn, a Drug Task
Force officer with the Florence Police Department. "I believe
marijuana leads to other destructive substances."

Hearn said that many of the hard drug addicts he encounters, such as
cocaine users, started smoking marijuana in their early teens.

"It's a game that the U.S. plays with its people," said a UNA
international student who wishes to remain unidentified. "It forces
outcasts to smoke more It's in the U.S. pop culture."

The student went on to say that he believes the U.S. government is
not making a true effort to defeat marijuana use within the nation,
and is in fact subtly encouraging its use.

"There are kids who are gonna do it [marijuana] and there are kids
who are not going to do it. You aren't going to change anybody's
mind," said Deborah Soule, the executive director of The Partnership
for a Drug-Free Community, in Huntsville.

The herb Salvia Divanorum is an alternative to marijuana that is
legal in Alabama.

However, Alabama legislators are pushing SB-8, a bill that would
criminalize its use within the state.

"People are beginning to see that [Salvia] is dangerous," said Soule.

Students for a Sensible Drug Policy is an organization that seeks to
find more constructive ways to deal with drug abuse.

In their mission statement, they say they "strive toward a just and
compassionate society where drug abuse is treated as a health issue
instead of a criminal justice issue."

There is a UNA chapter of SSDP, but it is unofficial, and only really
exists on Facebook.

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is
a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization whose goal is to
"move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of cannabis
prohibition so that the responsible use of the drug by adults is no
longer subject to penalty."

Their website contains information on marijuana, marijuana laws, and
even tools for finding lawyers.

"I'd personally rather smoke marijuana than other drugs. Nobody robs
a gas station for marijuana," said one female UNA student.

According to NORML, in Alabama and 20 other states, drug owners are
required by law to purchase and affix state-issued tax stamps onto
their contraband.

In Alabama, the tax is $3.50 per gram if the owner possesses 42.5
grams or more of marijuana. NORML sees this practice as a means of
pinning an additional tax evasion charge onto drug offenders, rather
than actually being a source of state revenue. Most drug possessors
won't purchase the stamps because doing so would be self-incriminating.

"If the government would legalize it and taxed it, we could be out of
debt," said Shane Thompson, a student who says he will be happily
celebrating 4/20.

The origins of 4/20 are debated, but one account is fairly widely
believed. Students at San Raphael High School in California would
meet each day at 4:20 p.m. to smoke marijuana at a statue of Louis
Pasteur on campus. "420 Louis!" became the salute of the group.
Eventually, 4/20 was deemed an underground holiday.

"It stimulates thought, increases euphoria, and helps you enjoy
food," said one male UNA student, defending the use of recreational marijuana."

"And helps you sleep," said Thompson.

Marijuana comes from the Cannabis Sativa plant. It can grow under
practically any conditions that support life.