I continue to be dumbfounded by the debate over the marijuana issue. On one hand we have, perhaps, the most generous and useful plant ever created by nature. This simple, hearty plant offers a cornucopia of benefits for humankind. It makes the best fabric of all the natural fibers. Hemp rope helped the U.S. Navy in WWII, it makes excellent paper. Plastics and epoxy can be created from hemp oil. Hemp oil is a superior lubricant and fuel. It has the most nutritious seed that we can eat. It is high in protein, has the proper balance of omega 3 and 6 oils, and is teaming with minerals. Finally if that weren”t enough, cannabis has been clinically proven to be an efficacious agent for fighting cancer.
And yet, on the other hand, there are a few people who are laser focused on seeing this intriguing plant as somehow bad. A few people tenaciously hold to a point of view that is shaped by misinformation, prejudice and the acceptance of propaganda such as “Reefer Madness”.
The hysteria produced by the failed “war on drugs” has created a monster far worse than all of the drugs combined. Far more people have been injured, killed and adversely affected by the bad laws surrounding some drugs, than have been injured or killed by the drugs themselves. Of all the illegal drugs, marijuana is the lightweight.
Oft trotted out as a reason for the war on drugs is to protect our children. Few will argue with this sentiment. The current approach is not working. Juvenile use is astronomical. Where are the parents? A society that assigns law enforcement to raise the children is a scary concept. There are no easy answers. Punishing responsible adults who neither endanger nor harm anyone, clearly, does not fit well in a society of brave and free people.
The plant has been around humans for several millennia. It was used 100 years ago and is described in the United States Pharmacopoeia for a variety of medical issues. Listed as the side effect for this substance is euphoria.
Marijuana is in huge demand because if offers so much benefit to so many people.
The plant is not the problem. It is the pathological laws and misguided information that surround this otherwise useful herb. Lake County struggles with new zoning requirements that will simply make criminals out of innocent citizens. Measure N is a relic behind the times and needs to be placed in the trash bin of history.
While our politicians continue to waste our time and money and send our thinly staffed law enforcement to terrorize otherwise innocent people, millions upon millions vote with their dollars to obtain the clarity, vision and great health benefits offered in cannabis. We”ve got huge problems in the world, marijuana is not one of them.
Eric Striedieck
Lake County
