cannabisnews.com: Put That In Your Pipe and Smoke It Put That In Your Pipe and Smoke It Posted by CN Staff on February 19, 2003 at 10:46:05 PT By Danny Chodos Source: McGill Tribune A boy and a girl are sitting together on a couch, smoking several joints in what seems like a fairly short time span. As the girl eventually starts to pass out, the boy begins to unbutton her blouse while she meekly, almost inaudibly, pleads with him to stop...I was sitting on my couch, enjoying my breakfast while watching the 4:00 pm episode of The Simpsons on ABC. As I turned away from the TV, the image of a bong suddenly appeared onscreen. Curious, I fixed my gaze upon the idiot box once again, only to discover real idiots. Two teenagers are sitting in the den, getting blazed. After a while, one of the geniuses finds a handgun in a desk drawer, certain it's not loaded. Surprise! It is. Whoops, the other kid's dead. Shucks.This commercial is one of many in a new American campaign, shown on Canadian stations, which just don't make sense. It's time consumers all over North America step back from their television sets and ponder the problems associated with this situation. First off, many of these commercials are followed-up by a Budweiser ad. Hopefully, the irony's not lost on anyone. As anyone who's ever woken up muttering, "What happened last night?" can attest, alcohol's reality-distorting properties far exceed those of its narcotic partner in crime. The Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth recently declared that minors in the US are 60 times more likely to see alcohol ads than a message discouraging underage drinking or drunk driving. Maybe the government should shift its focus a little. Having visited the United States twice last month, and having both times successfully purchased beer without being asked for ID, I would say alcohol is readily available for minors. The only explanation for this advertisement is the unprecedented transfer of government funding over to "defence". Maybe the honest producers of the commercials didn't have enough jack left over to create a campaign that makes sense. Why the hell would anyone leave a loaded handgun in the top drawer of his study? This commercial only underscores the practically unacknowledged social problem of gun control in the US. The American conclusion: the pot definitely caused the kid to shoot his friend, not the presence of a deadly weapon.The first time I saw one of these ads, I thought I was watching a Saturday Night Live sketch. A favourite is "Dan's Cartel": Dan likes to smoke weed. Dan's dealer sells him weed. Dan's dealer's dealer's dealer is involved with a foreign drug cartel that is responsible for the murder of a family of four. The conclusion: there's no question Dan is fully responsible for the death of those poor folks. This is a very sad story. Unfortunately, it serves only to reinforce the desperate call for legalization; as such, the government could regulate the industry, thus cutting out the need for black-market dealing. As rumours swirl regarding the very real possibility of the Canadian decriminalization of 'wacky tabaccy', one can't help but shed a tear for those poor Americans who don't know any better than to trust this foolish poppycock. Imagine a couple of good ole boys down south, polishin' their guns an' drinkin' their 40s, chasing down a commune of hippies because they cause America's problems. McGill Sociology Professor Rod Nelson explains that industry responsibility messages of this sort, historically, have experienced very low success rates. "In most cases, the curve continues on with no blip at all," says Nelson. He elaborates that public service advertisers lack credibility, partly because they tend to frame social issues as personal problems, ignoring the larger structures that may be causing this effect. In other words, we are shown kids getting high, but left with the question: what is the role of the family? What about peer groups, and schools? These burning questions do not seem to be addressed at all.So what do fellow McGill students think about this controversial advertisement campaign? "Over-exaggerated," says Tara Wood, a U1 Anatomy and Cell Biology student. "They should direct their attention to more lethal drugs, like ecstacy... since nobody knows how pure it is.""They play upon the fears of parents who, in all likelihood, have never smoked up," says Matt Thompson, a U1 Psychology student, who thinks the commercials are misleading. "The government's resources would be better spent on improving destructive social problems, like use of date rape drugs and violence against women."Aside from quadruple-murders, accidental gun-firings, car crashes, unwanted teenage pregnancies and high school bathroom arrests, marijuana is known to cause a blissful, euphoric feeling and insatiable hunger. It's hard to say whether this campaign has experienced any success as of yet, but if history is any indicator, the US anti-drug task force would best serve to chill out, grab some munchies and head home. Note: US anti-marijuana campaign highlights pressing problems. Source: McGill Tribune (CN QU Edu)Author: Danny ChodosPublished: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 Copyright: 2003 The McGill TribuneContact: tribune ssmu.mcgill.caWebsite: http://www.tribune.mcgill.ca/Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htm Prohibition = Violence http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15311.shtmlDrug War Taking a Ridiculous Turnhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15173.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #13 posted by Ethan Russo MD on February 20, 2003 at 04:36:01 PT: Hemp Essential Oil Hemp essential oil has many important properties as a bronchodilator (opening up the broncial passages), analgesic (pain killer), anti-inflammatory, etc. I think it is an important item in aromatherapy applications. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on February 19, 2003 at 19:13:41 PT Dr. Russo I liked the part about mixing the herbs and coming up with an aroma you said that was pleasing. I believe in essential oils. I know they work. I wonder if the essential oils of Cannabis will have benefits like say lavender? Extracting the essential oil of lavender takes less flowers then say rose. Has that ever been seriously looked into? [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Ethan Russo MD on February 19, 2003 at 18:58:23 PT: FoM Thanks for the support. It was fun talking to Chris Bennett yesterday, and very gratifying to hear that people are listening to the show. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on February 19, 2003 at 18:21:32 PT Dr. Russo I just wanted to say I really enjoyed the interview you did with Chris Bennett on Pot-TV. I still don't understand the technical issues concerning Cannabis but I learned more listening to the program today. Thanks for all you do! [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by mayan on February 19, 2003 at 17:25:36 PT Oh, Yeah... Thanks,Doc, for the info regarding Friday's Dateline! I'll be sure to tune in! [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by mayan on February 19, 2003 at 17:14:57 PT Keep Running Them! "First off, many of these commercials are followed-up by a Budweiser ad. Hopefully, the irony's not lost on anyone. As anyone who's ever woken up muttering, "What happened last night?" can attest, alcohol's reality-distorting properties far exceed those of its narcotic partner in crime."Well, I don't know about know about cannabis being a narcotic, but the rest of this article makes good sense. The irony of these ads being run between all of the beer commercials is certainly not lost on any thinking individual. These ads are counter-productive, as they further expose the hypocrisy which fuels the war on cannabis. I hope they keep running them!The way out is the way in -Mohamed Atta and Rudi Dekkers Seen Together in Venice in Weeks Before 9/11 Attack: http://madcowprod.com/THE CRIMES OF 9/11(Part I) http://www.scoop.co.nz/archive/scoop/stories/64/a8/200302120048.89550632.htmlTHE CRIMES OF 9/11(Part II) http://www.scoop.co.nz/archive/scoop/stories/ed/f3/200302131156.4140ab57.htmlKaminski's Best 9/11 Sites - 4th Edition: http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00024.htm9/11 Prior Knowledge/Government Involvement Archive: http://www.propagandamatrix.com/archiveprior_knowledge9/11 Truth Alliance: http://unansweredquestions.org/alliance/index.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on February 19, 2003 at 16:52:52 PT Thanks BGreen I am listening to it now. Great interview! I put it on my medical page.http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by BGreen on February 19, 2003 at 16:16:19 PT Dr. Russo on Pot-TV This just came up today on the Pot-TV web site. I wanted you all to know about it. Sorry if it's old news.Bud Green Direct Action: Dr. Ethan Russo [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on February 19, 2003 at 13:02:21 PT Thank You Dr. Russo I saw the preview the other night but they didn't say the date and now I know. The preview was good. It's a miracle with war in the limelight that we are getting any news coverage and especially a network program like Dateline! [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Ethan Russo MD on February 19, 2003 at 12:52:33 PT: Related ED ON NBC'S DATELINE FRIDAY Tune in to Ed Rosenthal on NBC's DATELINE this Friday, February 21, 9-10pm ET/PT (8-9 pm Central). Stone Phillips talks to Ed and others about medical marijuana, his recent federal conviction, and the jury revolt. Check your local listings for details.LETTER FROM ED TO HIS SUPPORTERSDear Friends,As you probably know, I was recently convicted of cultivating marijuana for medical patients in a trial the very jurors who convicted me have since called "a kangaroo court." You can read the details on the Green Aid website at http://Green-Aid.com.I was disappointed by this defeat because I know that a jury presented with the whole truth would have acquitted me. I know this because the majority of jurors that convicted me have publicly said so and called for a new trial. They were not able to see through the government's lies. They did not realize that my defense was not allowed to present witnesses that would have placed my work with medical marijuana patients in a different light, including the city officials who had attempted to insure my immunity from prosecution. The judge and prosecutor insisted that no matter how "noble" my efforts, my intent could not be taken into consideration. Nor, they said, could "justice" be considered.Let me assure you that this trial was just the first battle in an engagement that will eventually exonerate me. My case is the "tipping point" for medical marijuana laws. The outcome of my appeal will affect all marijuana users in the U.S., whether medical or recreational. My conviction and the attention it's gotten place the country's marijuana policies under scrutiny for the first time in our lives.The government thought that they were choosing the battle to their advantage. Little did they realize that they were not netting a butterfly, but disturbing a hornet's nest. Please keep writing to newspapers, calling and writing your legislators and fighting for your rights.I'd like to thank everyone again for their support of my fight to keep medicine available for all who need it. In addition to my family and friends who have been so wonderful, I'd also like to thank the folks at Green-Aid: The Medical Marijuana Legal Defense and Education Fund.Green Aid is helping to fund the legal expenses and have helped place this case in the public's eye. Now they are also helping with the Santa Cruz WAMM bust and Lynn and Judy Osbourn in southern California. These are two more tipping point cases.Green-Aid needs your help so that it can change the marijuana laws. These legal battles are costly if you think of what it costs to defend one person. However, when you realize that this case and others that Green Aid is working on could knock down the marijuana laws, the $350,000-500,000 they spend on a case doesn't seem like a lot of money.Green Aid provides such vital services in changing the marijuana laws that I feel privileged to have their support. Don't think that you are doing them a favor by giving them a contribution. They are doing us the favor by being there and fighting to protect our rights. Please join with Green Aid by making a generous contribution at http://www.green-aid.com. Your tax-deductible donation makes you a part of history.With your support, we will change the laws.Justice and Love,Ed [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by JustGetnBy on February 19, 2003 at 12:06:47 PT: Dare To Compare ! The headlines on AOL's opening page, co-conspirator in 9-11 attack on U.S. sentenced to 15 years in Hamburg Germany. He will probably serve 10 years the article states. US federal courts sentence Bryan Eppis tp 10 years in prison, & Ed Rosenthal to up to eighty five years in prison... FOR GROWING A PLANT. My blood boils at this travesty of justice. Over 3000 people were murdered in the world trade center attack. Exactly who died at the hands of Eppis & Rosenthal? How can the people perpetrating these crimes against the American people (read prohibition} look in the mirror or sleep at night. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by pokesmotter on February 19, 2003 at 10:57:07 PT: complications Things is this country are getting so complicated. so many sides to each issue makes change difficult but not impossible. marijuana is harmless but yet is not very harmful. what everyone will realize eventually is that weed's prohibition causes more harm than the actual plant. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment