Many drug policy reformers are quick to agree that “kids” shouldn’t
smoke pot; but there’s a problem with that statement; large numbers of
kids HAVE been smoking it for thirty-five years. Not only are they
very unlikely to stop, the best available evidence is that–– aside from
the risk of arrest it subjects them to–– the practice is far better for
their mental and physical health than the alternatives.
In November 2001, when I began screening medical cannabis applicants at
the largest buyers’ club in the Bay Area, I had no idea I was
starting a project which would soon take over my life. I now also
realize that I had bought into the same mind-set that prevents many
reformers from agreeing with a concept I’ve been trying to explain to
them them since tumbling to the truth in early 2003: pure
“recreation” is an unlikely explanation for the repetitive use of an
agent at the risk of felony arrest over an indefinite interval. In
fact, most repetitive use of any drug is for purposes beyond mere
recreation— whether the user cares to admit it or not. I’m also of the
opinion that–– in any sane world–– self-medication with pot shouldn’t
require a prescription any more than one should need a one to buy
coffee at Starbucks, a six pack at the 7-11 or a pack of
cigarettes at the local smoke shop. Beyond that, pot not only treats
the same symptoms more effectively than either alcohol or tobacco; it also
diminishes their use. In other words, prohibition of pot–– to the
extent it’s effective–– boosts juvenile consumption of alcohol and
tobacco.
I also think getting a “medical marijuana” initiative on the 1996
ballot was a brilliant political move because it took advantage
of the public’s compassionate response to credible news that some very
ill patients were being helped by it. What was NOT brilliant was
“reform’s” immediate knee-jerk denial of a political motive when
defenders of our drug policy accused them being “legalizers” with a
political motive.
Of course “medical marijuana” was political.
Do right-to-lifers clamoring for a ban on “partial birth” abortion ever
deny that they oppose all abortion and want to overturn Roe vs Wade
ASAP? Who said drug policy reformers had to endorse their opponents’
rhetoric by agreeing that pot is ‘bad’ for adolescents; especially when
data from pot users themselves shows just the opposite? In fact, my
data shows quite clearly that ever since large numbers of
troubled teens first began smokng pot in the late Sixties, the age at
which they first try it has been declining steadily; right along
with the rate at which they also try heroin.
