TRUTH, CULTURE, AND MARIJUANA

An Interview With Author Louis Silverstein

IT IS THE subject of countless films, songs, debates, studies, and
books. If you live in a city it is probably easy to find, and in fact
if you are reading this, you have probably smoked it at some point in
your life.

The "it" is pot and one of its proponents, Louis Silverstein, a
liberal arts professor at Chicago's Columbia College, is trying to
raise marijuana conciousness. Silverstein's book, Deep Spirit and
Great Heart, comprises the chronicles of the life of his friend Ganja,
whom he met while travelling in the South Pacific. Silverstein himself
wrote the preface and epilogue, the rest was written by Ganja.

The title Deep Spirit and Great Heart refers to "the god and goddess
within, which is universal and a source of compassion, joy, and love,"
according to Silverstein. The book is Ganja's (the subject) diary, a
record of forty years' worth of the man's journeys, and it explores
the reality of "marijuana consciousness" and the high life.

"I have shared many experiences similar to Ganja's," says Silverstein.
"I have used marijuana in countries where it is both legal and
socially acceptable to do so. There, it is often referred to as a
plant teacher or plant guide."

In many countries, marijuana is considered to be a great teacher,
especially during puberty, when children want to figure out "the true
teaching of their heart and soul," according to Silverstein. This
self-discovery process usually involves a vision quest, where these
individuals take a substance, for instance marijuana or mescaline,
under the guidance and supervision of an elder. The vision that is
thereby obtained serves as a guide for the rest of their lives. In
these cultures, Silverstein explains, there is little to no drug
abuse, since people understand full well that these plants can be both
wonderful and harmful.

But just like the "spiritual experience is not the spiritual life,"
the high experience is not the high life. Thus, living in marijuana
consciousness is about "taking the experience of being high and
bringing that back into your daily life," Silverstein explains. He
asserts that the attaining of new spiritual and mental heights through
controlled marijuana use is a disciplined undertaking.

"The use of marijuana in a respectful and disciplined manner can yield
very deep spiritual insight," adds Silverstein. "Of course, it can
also be misused. There is a huge difference between use and abuse.
Here in the West, marijuana is often used as a means of escapism."

"There are many different ways to get high. If people choose to get
high, it is our responsibility to teach them how. However, if we do
that, then we're accused of corrupting youth. So people only hear how
to misuse marijuana," he says with frustration.

"It's hard to have an open discussion about marijuana use here in the
US; kids are taught to say no or say nothing."

"We need an improvement in reality," he continues. "The [American]
government has slashed funding for sports, youth, and the arts. In
this country, a third of all black males between the ages of 13 and 25
are either in jail, on parole, or on probation. When youth are in
trouble, the only place for them is juvenile detention centres. School
funding is below average, but there's no problem finding money to fund
prisons."

Silverstein believes in "education, not incarceration" and advocates
the controlled legalization of marijuana, much like how alcohol and
tobacco are regulated (with restrictions such as minimum ages and
punishments for driving while under the influence). He also believes
that public education campaigns should be used to dispel some of the
myths, rumours, and fallacies shrouding marijuana use.

"The war on drugs has been going on for thirty years, and cost $100
billion, and has caused far greater harm than drugs themselves," he
states. "The highest number of prisoners are incarcerated for
non-violent, drug-related offences. If convicted of an offence
involving drugs, you can't ever get student aid, but people convicted
of rape can."

"For those who make money off of prisons, such as prison construction
companies, [the war on drugs] is wonderful," he continues with obvious
distaste.

"Prisoners are also cheap labour; they make goods for companies [for
very little money], and they can't protest. The war on drugs is big
money [for these companies]."

Silverstein is concerned not only about the current state of drug laws
in America, but also about the effect of the upcoming election on these laws.

"Neither [of the two major candidates] has a public position on
marijuana," but Silverstein nonetheless steers towards Kerry. "Kerry
is more likely to take steps towards allowing states to pass medical
marijuana laws, which is a positive step. That is not a possibility
with the current president."

Even so, Silverstein has found support in his students and youth in
general.

"Youth cheer me because I'm brave enough to share a novel perspective
on marijuana," he explains. "Any young, college-age person deserves
the right to choose and make up their own mind about marijuana."

Deep Spirit and Great Heart is available through www.amazon.com and
www.barnesandnoble.com and in selected stores.