POT'S SHOT

The Smell Of Marijuana Reform Is In The Air

There is a war being fought inside America's borders. More than 700,000 are
captured every year, with over half a million being taken out of the fight
for years at a time. All of this is being carried out by our government on
its own people with scare tactics, propaganda, brute police force, prison
sentences and the inertia of ignorance and silence. All of this means that
thousands of otherwise upstanding citizens are being locked away for one
reason: a plant. America is up in arms over a little weed, Cannabis, that
got caught up in America's "War on Drugs."

Many concerned citizens have chosen to break the silence and speak out
about a plant that is not physically addictive, has caused zero deaths,
grows in almost any climate, provides fuel, food, clothing, shelter and
comfort to millions and has been one of history's most useful medicines.
They have begun calling for a change in the laws, because it is time for
the ignorance and fear to subside, allowing a safe, natural medicine to
reach the sick. First, let's take a look at how we got in the current
situation regarding Cannabis.

According to Jack Herer, an activist and author of "The Emperor Wears no
Clothes," Cannabis prohibition began to take shape in the 1930's following
a string of racist scare tactics led by William Randolph Hearst, who
introduced the word "Marijuana" into major news publications. It was known
prior to this time as hemp, a benign plant used as medicine and source of
fiber. Hearst used his power to paint a stereotype of the lazy Mexican
migrant worker infiltrating America. Also of concern was Cannabis use among
African Americans, which was being attributed to Jazz music and Jim Crow
law violations. With films like "Reefer Madness" and headlines like
"Marijuana-assassin of youth" creating even more public outrage, Congress
hastily moved to outlaw Cannabis.

In 1937, Harry Anslinger, director of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and
Dangerous Drugs, testified before Congress, saying, "Marijuana is the most
violence-causing drug in the history of mankind." Anyone who has ever
smoked pot can refute that outright lie from first-hand experience.

The American Medical Association (AMA) made the case that, in effect,
federal testimony in those hearings was based entirely on tabloid
sensationalism. The AMA revealed that no real testimony had been presented
before Congress on behalf of the medical establishment. And since 1937,
very little congressional energy has been spent addressing this outrageous
situation. In 1976, Congress outlawed all research on the therapeutic
effects of marijuana.

Since then, coalitions - such as the Partnership for a Drug-Free America,
which is funded largely by private interests and supported by major media -
have continued denouncing marijuana with scare tactics and "Just say no"
campaigns. The hypocrisy of promoting alcohol and cigarette use while
condemning marijuana with the same tools of advertising is reprehensible.
Unfortunately, companies, as well as prison workers' unions and illegal
drug test manufacturers, have a vested interest in maintaining the
perceived threat of marijuana. Job security based on increased prison
populations and paranoia about pot-smoking workers means big business those
profiting in the "War on Drugs."

For decades, a movement to educate Americans about the benefits of Cannabis
and hemp has been building. In recent years, Alaska, California, Maine,
Oregon, and Washington have passed legislation allowing patients access to
often-necessary medical marijuana.

Local Libertarians have been pursuing an initiative to legalize marijuana
for medicinal purposes in Ann Arbor as well. To get the proposal - which
would prevent city police from arresting medicinal pot users - on the
November ballot, petitioners must collect 4,300 signatures.

An initiative is also under way to put the issue to voters statewide.
Called the Personal Responsibility Amendment (PRA), this would allow
medical marijuana for anyone with a prescription. It would also give any
Michigan resident over 21 the right to grow and possess up to three ounces
of cannabis, provided it is within the confines of his or her own home and
kept away from minors. To get this on the ballot in November, over 300,000
signatures must be collected. The PRA is Michigan's chance to repeal unjust
Cannabis prohibition laws.

This Saturday, May 6, thousands will flock to over eighty cities worldwide
to promote awareness of the medical marijuana movement with the Millennium
Marijuana March. Protests will be held locally in Lansing, Flint, Grand
Rapids, Detroit, and Traverse City. Anyone outraged by the government's
history of Cannabis prohibition should get involved to show support for
troops on the front line of this unjust war.