The Consequences of Marijuana Prohibition

[RadiationTherapy]

What are some of the consequences that you or loved ones have experienced due to marijuana prohibition? To some, it seems like there are “more important” things to address right now, but the consequences of marijuana prohibition are far reaching in the lives of millions of Americans. It affects their earning potential, social status, and limits opportunities in “the real world”. Some of the experiences I can think of are:

- Difficulty networking: Networking can often involve drinking and socializing. When one is averse to alcohol and prefers smoking marijuana for a buzz, many opportunities that arise in the golf clubs, bars, and restaurants are off limits due to prohibition. As a matter of fact, revealing oneself as a pot smoker jeopardizes one’s employment, so there is a general lack of bonding with co-workers.

- My brother, the Addict: My brother is an alcoholic. I am not forgiving his need to “escape” but the fact is, he prefers pot to alcohol. He buys alcohol and is now addicted to it because he “doesn’t want any trouble.” The alcohol is ravaging his body. When he does occasionally smoke, he says he drinks less than half as much.

- Dishonesty with loved ones: Trying to keep oneself and all of that smoke in the closet is stressful and dishonest. The stigma created by prohibition and the propaganda campaign makes the revelation of use even more threatening. The fact is, in a free world, one steps outside (or to some “inoffensive” place), smokes, and returns to life a bit lighter and perhaps more forgetful. It is nothing more gruesome or bizarre than that, yet the lies and distortions around acquiring and “using” marijuana can build walls of dishonesty between loved ones. These deceptions probably ruin more relationships than use of marijuana does.

While what I have written can be seen as “light fare”, many have lost years of their lives in prison; many have been killed and beaten because of marijuana prohibition. Please share any thoughts and experiences you have about prohibition and the impact it has one’s humanity. Thank you.

[Romulox]

1. Joe Biden sponsored the RAVE act, and wrote the law that put Tommy Chong in prison.

Prohibition will be yet another one of the issues on which PE Obama will be "bipartisan" (read: won't rock the boat.)

[RadiationTherapy]

3. Fear of a high nation?

It takes a nation of police to hold us back?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Loss of medical help marijuana gives people

This is a very real consequence of marijuana prohibition.