cannabisnews.com: American Thinking Fuzzy on Marijuana





American Thinking Fuzzy on Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on January 13, 2003 at 07:38:05 PT
By David Macfarlane
Source: Globe and Mail 
I see that marijuana is now sort-of decriminalized. This doesn't seem so very far along from marijuana being sort-of criminalized. But I ask you: Was Rome built in a day? Not if there were any politicians involved, it wasn't.I also see that one of the few remaining rational arguments against outright legalization of marijuana in Canada is that such a step would really irritate the Americans.
My view is that after a brief display of national bravado, and after a few weeks of standing on the highway selling blueberries, we'd realize that it would be best to avoid that.One underestimates American irritation at one's peril. As King George III figured out a little late in the game. As, I have a feeling, Saddam Hussein soon will. But as much as I respect Americans, and as much as I like to take the repercussions of their irritation into account, I have to say that there are certain subjects that Americans are just a little bit nutty about. And marijuana is one of them.It's hard to figure Americans out on this one. They are a reasonable people -- bright, likable, educated, savvy -- and if their own publicity is anything to go by, not only do they have fun, they invented it. As to the persistent grip of Puritanism on their national psyche, I think it's fair to say that they're a little equivocal here. My observation is that they take the occasional drink. And while it may well be the supposedly aphrodisiac qualities of marijuana that get their governments so legislatively rigorous in this regard, it hasn't escaped the attention of every conscious inhabitant of planet Earth that Americans take some passing interest in sex. Nobody thinks we should criminalize Christina Aguilera. Although if you're interested in circulating a petition, let me know.But when it comes to marijuana -- a non-addictive substance that doesn't come in bottles that you can smash over people's heads -- the governments that Americans keep electing when 40 per cent of the population is looking the other way, seem a little, shall we say, obtuse.No, not obtuse. I think stark-staring, raving mad captures the spirit of American drug policy a little more accurately. It's not as if it's something that any sane person would come up with, is it? After all, do you know anyone you'd trust with a butter knife who thinks that a joint and a Discman is a dangerous combination, but that a few hits of speed and a fighter jet armed to the teeth with smart bombs and cruise missiles isn't? I wonder if, in his latter days, Howard Hughes wrote the policy himself, or whether he just added the finishing touches.Trimming our sails to accommodate a wind that blows straight out of Cloud Cuckooland does present our legislators with some real challenges. Fortunately they are conversant with idiocy -- have you ever actually tried to register a gun? -- and will no doubt rise to the occasion. Still, you've got to wonder. What's the big deal with marijuana?And please don't say, "Why add one more problem to the list we're already dealing with?" As if all the disturbed, angry and addictive personalities out there are holding back, biding their time in whist circles and sewing bees, but that when marijuana is legalized they're going to start getting into real trouble.No, I feel that the knock against marijuana, as opposed to alcohol, has always been less to do with the substance itself, and more to do with the activities that follow its consumption. So let's see: With alcohol you laugh, then you fight, then, if you're smart, you take a taxi, and then, if you're a man, you lie in bed and mumble your apologies about having had too much wine. Then you pass out. Traditional and very American ways of killing time, you have to admit. One can picture, all too vividly, John Wayne doing each of them. And tellingly, what these five activities have in common is that none of them have anything whatsoever to do with art.Can it be that a deep-seated fear of a population that sits around and gets a little too carried away with art appreciation, followed by sex, as opposed to Monday Night Football, followed by snoring, is what's at the heart of all this nonsense?Could it be that the threat of too many people listening to too much music, reading too much poetry and staring at too many paintings is behind the vast and unconscionably expensive machinery of America's legislative antagonism to marijuana? Do objections to films with subtitles and avant-garde jazz and contemporary opera carry so much weight? I wonder. America's reasoning is not always entirely clear. In case you hadn't noticed.Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)Author: David MacfarlanePublished: Monday, January 13, 2003 – Print Edition, Page R1Copyright: 2003 The Globe and Mail CompanyContact: letters globeandmail.caWebsite: http://www.globeandmail.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmPM To Move on Decriminalizing Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15171.shtmlPot Possession Not Illegal, Judge Ruleshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15099.shtmlCanada Marijuana Charge Tossed in Dispute http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15097.shtml
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Comment #13 posted by Sam Adams on January 13, 2003 at 13:12:48 PT
Great article
Nice one, he's very politely telling the USA to F-off.Here here! Let's all raise a glass of urine to Cannada! ooops, I mean wine! 
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Comment #12 posted by fearfull on January 13, 2003 at 12:30:44 PT
less than you think
"outright legalization of marijuana in Canada....would really irritate the Americans."Not this American!!!
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Comment #11 posted by p4me on January 13, 2003 at 12:17:08 PT
Canada says "The Empire Needs Clothes"
I think stark-staring, raving mad captures the spirit of American drug policy a little more accurately. It's not as if it's something that any sane person would come up with, is it?It is obvious to anyone that puts down their old propaganda paper and takes to reading the news on the web that the Empire needs to be told to put some clothes on its naked body. Corruption rules and not good policy.The Ontario ruling saying 6 months or else may make Canada the place to celebrate the concept of freedom this July 4th. If I were not on boycott I would be scheduling a room in Montreal for the July 4th holidays. The US has had 29 straight months of job loses in the manufacturing sector. Tourist dollars become all that more important and anyone that takes a vacation in Canada will only make the screams for money louder.Did you $4.20 today?
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on January 13, 2003 at 11:39:09 PT
Just a Comment
I'm sure most of your have found Google News. I like this page because it has top news from around the world. Thought I'd post the link for you to check out.http://news.google.com/news/gnmainleftnav.html
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on January 13, 2003 at 10:33:42 PT
The GCW
If the Globe and Mail changed it's style I would feel lost. 
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Comment #8 posted by The GCW on January 13, 2003 at 10:29:05 PT
Isn't the G & M 
Cannada's national newspaper?And Yes this is a good one, like so so many that are being printed against the practice of caging humans for using a GREEN plant.Kinda paints a picture of prohibitionists as less than NORML...
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on January 13, 2003 at 10:27:31 PT
Doobinie
Thanks for telling us about your papers. I know when I go to the Globe and Mail to see if there is any news about Cannabis I often find news that I just want to read because it is so forward and honest in the way it presents all the news. We don't have a major paper here anymore that even seems to be trying to be honest particularly about our topic. That's scary because if you know they avoid talking about Cannabis what else are they keeping from us? All we see now is war, war and more war on the news channels on tv. I turn the news off because it is so bad and if they aren't talking about war they dwell on news that isn't important. 
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Comment #6 posted by Doobinie on January 13, 2003 at 10:12:51 PT
Floyd is correct.
I believe that the Globe and Mail is one of only two national newspaper. I am glad that FoM and others have mentioned their appreciation for the paper. I am unsure as to its circulation numbers, but it is definitely one of the best quality newspapers in the country (the best, by my estimation), and I am sure that it would be among the top in the world. The Globe and Mail's major strength is its fearlessness in the face of opposing opinions. Though it is a more liberally minded periodical, it does not fear publishing opinions contrary to those of the paper's editorial staff. They present views opposite to their own, which permits readers to become informed and to formulate informed opinions for themselves about the issues. This is a pillar of any democracy, and democracies that do not have this kind of media involvement suffer from it.The other national newspaper is the National Post. This, my friends, is almost the polar opposite to the Globe and Mail. They recently bought the Southam chain of newspapers and their infinitely wise owner, Israel "Izzy" Asper
tried to impose editorials from head office on all newspapers, local and all. Needless to say, it did not go over well with the Canadian public (see below about Russell Mills). Another exemple of his narrowmindedness is exemplified in his position (faithfully adhered to by staff, for fear of being fired- for more on this, search the net for stories on Russell Mills, former editor (or was he the publisher?) of the Ottawa Citizen who was fired for daring to publish views contrary to those of The Great Izzy) on the Middle East crisis. From reading the National Post, any opinion expressed that in any way criticizes Israeli policy or action in the current standoff with the Palestinians is tantamount to anti-semitism. Talk about stiffling a debate. At least he is faithful to his namesake. To top it all off, I think that the National Post's blind pro-americanism would probably make even most patriotic Americans want to puke.Anyway, I apologize for my little rant. I would encourage all of you to read the Globe and Mail online (www.globeandmail.com). It is definitely one of the best news-sources out there. Love and Peace from Soviet Canuckistan,Doobinie
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Comment #5 posted by Floyd on January 13, 2003 at 09:35:02 PT:
Globe and Mail
I believe the Globe and Mail is one of the top few in our country and read from coast to coast...I am pleasantly surprised to see such a progressive article in their paper, yet they seem to be doing that a lot lately. I think we may finally be winning!!!!! =)
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on January 13, 2003 at 08:48:35 PT
Kegan
Thank you for telling us about your papers. I know I really respect the Globe and Mail. That is my favorite Canadian newspaper.
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Comment #3 posted by Kegan on January 13, 2003 at 08:23:31 PT:
Globe
Dude....the Globe and mail is like The New York Times.We have the National Post, which I guess is the biggest most respected paper in Canada.Ottawa Citzen is okay, but the sun is crap. The Toronto Star.All Online... check them out...Dig this weather! Ottawa in Winter!?!? sssss-WEET!
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on January 13, 2003 at 07:55:39 PT
greek_philosophizer 
Yes it is very big and well respected. I think it is one of the largest papers in Canada. Maybe someone from Canada could mention how big it really is.
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Comment #1 posted by greek_philosophizer on January 13, 2003 at 07:53:23 PT:
 Globa and Mail size ?
Is the Globe and Mail 
a large paper in Canada?
That was a good editorial.
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