So I came here with a purpose today. I am about to graduate, and ive been looking at whats next for me.
To cut a long story short, my main focus during my degree has been cannabis. Ive specifically analysed (dissertation) the differences between the American cannabis movement and the UK movement. And ive found some striking similarities but also some stark differences between the movements (which is contributing to a lack of progress here in the UK.)
Im am simply asking American activists one question.
What do you think makes the American movement so efficient?
What made cannabis popular in the mainstream?
How did a Conservative Christian country grow fond of cannabis?
Opionoids to many people addicted.
That along with getting rid of the lies. But then again the lies are being gotten rid of because of the opionoid adictions.
I think, on a citizen level, nothing is different. We are in it together to have it 100% out of government hands. But, I think that, here in the US at least, the newer generation of representatives and local government just have a different view.
Hell, I grew up with a local state rep here. We used to snort blow, drop acid, get absolutely ripped. Even went off the deep end one night and smoked fry. Freakin conservative AF too lol. Always has been. The only ones in government still demonizing it are the ones that have monetized that demonization. Like @DoneDeal said, just follow the money lol
Wow, there is alot to unpack when it comes to cannabis in America.
Sure you are aware of Anslinger and Hoover. It has alwys been race directed, biased and 100% based on lies. Marijuana isn’t even a real word. Cannabis is what it is called. Reefer madness was ridiculous. More propaganda aimed at white folks to scare them into getting onboard with outlawing it. Prohibition failed and they went after our plant. Reagan instituted mandatory minimums and said things like “Gateway” drug and worst drug known to man yada yada. I was sentenced to 15 years for cannabis by the Feds and had zero product when pulled over. Loose lips and all that. Our Gov’t will only do what is in their best interest, not ours. Fortunately, one of the biggest lies and 2 points for it being listed as a Schedule 1 drug along with Meth and coke and whatever else is in there, is High risk of abuse and no Medical uses, due to research, we now have proof of the lie. I would say most people today know that is not true at all.
Efficient movement? I do not think so. We are held back at every step along the way with all the lobbyists and now with legalization for 33 states in some form, Big Pharma and Big AG are in the mix. I am just glad I live in a state where I can grow my own, smoke in public and cannot go to jail for another 15 years for a plant. I have been partaking in this plant in some form or other since 1974. I am intelligent, work hard, care for my family, do not commit crime, pay my damn taxes and just want to retire. For someone like me, it is sad I had to spend so much of my life in the pen and then I get out, here comes covid and dispos here in Denver were considered essential and remained open. You ordered online and the driver would pull up to the curb with his mask on and pass your bud through the window. If that don’t sound like 1980 I don’t know what does and the worst part is I get nothing from Sam for spending all that time based on outdated laws and lies. 40k per year while locked up equals 600,000k I did not make working. They should run that check to the house.
Good question, but I don’t think they did.
Just my opinion, as long as they have any significant political influence, then I think the USA runs the risk of legal/non-medical weed going bye-bye, regardless of the money it makes.
I’m enjoying this time of growing, especially that I don’t take it for granted.
If legal/non-medical weed goes bye-bye, it would most likely be due to the conservative christians making it yet another special interest of influence on politicians.
Headed to Vegas with the wife tomorrow to see Dead and Company on Sat night. I saw the originals a few times, but the Sphere graphics are crazy, pretty pumped. I have the needed supplies to make those graphics come alive .
Dont blame me lol. Im just the messenger.
The cannabis movement recieved unprecedented funding from people such as:
George Soros
Peter Lewis
John Sperling
Sean Parker
Bob Wilson
And celebrities such as :
Woody Harrelson
Seth Rogan
Susan Sarandon
Whoopi Goldberg
Made contributions through advocating and public influence
Not blaming you at all! Soros should just die and go away, along with most of the “elites” who just want total control. Imma just stop, don’t want to shit can my good mood! lol Next subject please….
The debate around cannabis changed from a debate about rights to a debate about health.
Same thing in the UK.
However, what seems to have happened in America is that debate led to very constructive conversation by the general public who know longer saw cannabis as a danger. Rather, seeing it as an untapped misunderstood natural resource with unrealised potential.
In the UK the debate only reached public attention very briefly, when Billy Caldwell had his medication confiscated at Heathrow. The law was quickly changed to allow medical prescriptions, but afterwards the issue was entirely forgotten by everyone except the movement itself.
No doubt. One of my arguments is that cannabis was made illegal simply to create a market for it. And because it served the interests of the capitalists at the time, by crafting stigma which associated it with race and communism. Because since prohibition, usage has done nothing but increase.
Now it no longer poses a threat to capitalism, and there is a big enough market to sell over priced herb too. Discourse has changed, and policy will change too.
Thats why im not pro-legalisation but pro-decriminalisation.
I also think the structure of the democracy in America is key. The direct democracy you have at state level has allowed the movement to undermine federal government.
That couldn’t happen in the UK. Westminster is sovereign. End of.
The change over the last 10 years is simply due to the government(s) figuring out how to tax it. When the others say because of the money, this is the reason. I’m sure the people you mentioned have a role in portions of portions of the movement, but they’re not all the same role or that impacted the movement in the same way. As far as I’m concerned you can have everyone you mentioned to help there as long as you don’t send them back. You couple that with some positive research data and politicians doing/saying whatever they can to get votes and here we are.
It’s worth pointing out that several “legal” states only allow it if you’re buying their weed. It’s not legal to grow or possess weed that doesn’t have the states tax stamp. And some of these taxes are in the 30-50% range. On top of that, you still can’t legally buy a firearm if you smoke, and you can still be subjected to a drug free workplace. The states don’t care and aren’t doing much about this because they’re still getting paid. We can thank the people who said it’s not great but you have to start somewhere. Now states that had very loose legislation are starting to tighten up and add or increase taxes just because they can. So it’s certainly not all rose colored glasses here.
For what it’s worth, Christian extremists only make up a small portion of conservatives. It’s probably equivalent to the amount of liberals that personally want to pay more taxes. I know several “Christians” that smoke and a good portion that don’t but are plenty good with others doing as they please. But one party needs you to believe the other is unreasonable on any grounds, and it certainly goes both ways.
