A 420 For the Ages
I was 16 years old, it was April 20th 1999 at Terre Haute IN South Vigo High School. This was the date of my first encounter with the “War on Drugs.” But it would be far from the last.
I had just gotten my drivers license. Growing up in my house there was little freedom or autonomy until this milestone. I was elated. In true 4/20 fashion I had just drove to school for probably the second time ever to pick up my friends so we could smoke out before returning to campus
My two friends who were my juniors had taken the bus to school and I was waiting in my beat up ’88 Camaro for them to come to out so we could burn. In predictable 16 year old fashion they had some Mexi-brick roach weed in a Newport cellophane. As they came over to my car my friend Darrin handed me the cellophane for me to smell and as I had the weed put up to my nose I look up and I’m staring eye to eye with the dean.
Long story short we get busted and I spent the next 24 hours in solitary confinement as the fascists in juvenile detention apparently forgot about me. This was for a couple grams of roach weed that I possessed for all of 2 seconds.
The War on Us Disguised as a War on Drugs
For the uninitiated the War on Drugs is a farce. You used to be able to obtain cannabis at a pharmacy leading up until the 1930s. Also the only reason cannabis became illegal to begin with was because of the ending of alcohol prohibition, which led to a racist smear campaign vilifying this essential medicine. For a detailed dissertation of this time in history I recommend reading The Emperor Wears no Cloths by Jack Herer or The Culture High by Bret Harvey. This goes without mentioning the fact that we naturally produce cannabis compounds in our own body, for more information on this I recommend Emerging Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.
My knowledge of cannabis as medicine is obviously far more evolved now as a grown man than it was at 16 years old, but looking back and thinking how as a child I was put into this abysmally corrupt system only due to racism, greed, and a complete moral bankruptcy of the US government.
I continue to fight because we have such a long way to go, I do this through not only posting on social media, but by trying to convince people I meet who believed the lies (just like everyone else did), that they are in fact lies. Most impactful of all I work with social justice groups like the Cannabis Equity IL Coalition and lobby congress to to try to make effectual change. Something I’ve done successfully in Denver as a board member of Denver NORML.
I encourage you to get involved to make a difference and be the change you want to see in the world. If you’re not sure how to get started please email me and I will help you. One love.
Related Articles:
My Second Experience with the War on Drugs
My Parents Putting me on Drug Tests
Misinformation Perpetuated in Cannabis Use and Cultivation
The Real Reason Cannabis was Made Illegal, Corruption
