I’M THANKFUL to have seen, in my lifetime, what many had thought would never be seen — the flip in public perception of “offenders” who have acquired and possess or use marijuana.
It may seem like long ago, but the dominant public narrative during all of my life was that marijuana users were dangerous criminals.
Reckless fools, they were. If they weren’t fools going in, marijuana made them stupid coming out, to lead lives of ruin.
But, almost overnight, Hey… it’s a new day. That was then. This is now. Don’t look at the past. Just move on and be happy.
Somehow, moving on won’t be so easy for me.
Recently published on Politico is a recap of where things stand in Congress, and why the national economy (banking, marketing) still cannot accept the flow of marijuana products.
The news is not so good.
Instead of a simple agreement that recognizes how people are born free to conduct their lives and decide things for themselves, and move on with that outlook, Congressional committees, with imagined God-like sensitivity and power, must right the scales of cosmic injustice, through reparations bestowed to those who were harmed by the earlier prohibition.
Whoa..! Whatever deal is reached using this hammerlock move will not be in the public interests, to be sure.
A better alternative, I’ve always believed, is to draw out those who implemented the marijuana prohibition, in the first place, try them for villainy, adjudge them guilty, and then whip them, publicly..!
By bringing public disgrace to former government actors for vile misuse of power in office, this might stamp an impression deep enough that prohibitions like the ones already seen in America may not be attempted again..!
It is too much to hope for — but I did live to see the flip in public attitude toward marijuana offenders.
(smile)
Thwarticus 