For almost 100 years, millions of innocent Americans have struggled with the unjust and racist marijuana laws. Since the black Jazz era in the early 1900’s, racism has been part of the charge against marijuana, as newspapers in 1934 editorialized: "Marihuana influences Negroes to look at white people in the eye, step on white men's shadows and look at a white woman twice." In the Prohibition Era a newly employed member of the Bureau of Narcotics named Harry Anslinger took an even more extreme stance against marijuana before cocaine and even opiates; Anslinger’s agenda once again played upon the racist ideals of conservative America: "Reefer makes darkies think they're as good as white men," and he utilized the newspapers to propagate its “dangerous” psychological effects; "marihuana makes fiends of boys in thirty days -- Hashish goads users to bloodlust." This onslaught of negative connotations in the media and government resulted in The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, in which a battle between yellow journalism and medical science found that factually, none of the stated rumors about pot were found true, but unfortunately through political corruption it was made federally illegal.
So it’s been that way since. We’ve been through three wars and a civil rights movement that was founded on ending racism, yet marijuana remains illegal. How has it been this long? Perhaps it’s the outdated political system, or maybe the lack of true racial equality in society, or it could be the politicians who are too afraid of red America to state their true feelings on the issue. Whatever it is, the attitudes of people and the media indicate that America is ready for change.
Hollywood is a direct indicator of the public’s opinions towards marijuana. Take the recent blockbuster Pineapple Express, a movie that glorifies the smoking and sale of pot, which grossed over 100 million dollars worldwide, and was ranked 6th on the yearly R rated billboards in 2008. When the trailer was released, smoking and non-smoking youth alike were frothing at the jowls to watch the stoned cinema as well as watch the cinema stoned. With it’s use in trailers for the film, M.I.A’s “Paper Planes” rebounded on the US charts in July 2008, entering the Billboard Hot 100 chart at position 55 and eventually peaking at number four, selling over two million copies of the single in the United States, proving that marijuana is no longer viewed a social faux pas and is becoming increasingly marketable.
Comedians have jumped on the pot train as well. Recently famed comedian Katt Williams (who dresses in all green during his defining performance) takes immense pride in his marijuana smoking and is not afraid to talk about it on the stage. With outlandish statements like “some of ya’ll just need to smoke some weed and see if it don’t help the quality of yo’ mutha fuckin’ life”, Katt has caught the attention of the millions of pot smokers across America and has developed into a highly quotable cultural phenomenon. Since the release of the marijuana-induced Pimp Chronicles in 2006, Katt has earned a spot in more than ten major productions, including two features on Comedy Central and an appearance in the larger-than-life video game Grand Theft Auto IV. It is evident in this man’s success that marijuana as a topic of humor has a drastic impact in the entertainment industry as more and more smokers tune in and drop out.
So why have the moods and motivations of the millennial generation, above all others, embraced the cannabis culture to such an extent? We’ve been exposed to the anti-drug commercials our whole lives, we’ve been through the D.A.R.E. programs, we’ve been lectured by our family and teachers, we’ve been propagated in every direction for so long that’s it’s a surprise that most of us still smoke. Although I can’t speak for my entire generation, I personally can sift through the irrationality and ignorance to find the truth and reason. I along with the rest of the millenials have entered college and have become directly exposed to the drug, as well as the factual evidence that negates the governmental lies concerning it.
The truth campaign ads have tried to convince us millenials that pot makes your dog hate you and that aliens will take your girlfriend away because she would rather be with an intergalactic space rapist than a degenerate stoner. The real truth in it is that every time one of the aforementioned ads is aired, we millenials laugh heartily. We find the ads ignorant and outdated, because we’ve been exposed to the medical truths. With more and more reports about the harmlessness and even usefulness of medical marijuana being released every day, it’s hard to still think of pot as the Mexican devil weed, even for the most ignorant of people.
The factual evidence is there and is just now being properly presented. Take comedian Doug Benson’s documentary film, “Super High Me”, which satirizes the recent blockbuster “Supersize Me” by turning it into a stoner flick. Benson follows the same concept of “Supersize Me”, but instead of eating fast food, he doesn’t smoke weed for thirty days, and then smokes like a paper plant for the next thirty. His journey is medically documented, and at the end of the thirty days of non-stop toking Benson is tested as healthy or healthier as he was when he wasn’t smoking except for eight pounds of weight gain; damn the munchies. Recent scientific studies have proven that pot can cure anxiety, stimulate appetite and even inhibit cancerous tumor growth, proving that its place in the medical world is even more legitimate than Advil.
So why is there still so much drama? Eight time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps was recently exposed smoking a bong in a picture from college, costing him millions of dollars in expenses and a loss of an endorsement with cereal brand Kellogs. Call Kellogs around the controversy of the photo and you would find yourself talking to an extremist voice mail, "Thank you for calling the Kellogg Company. If you would like to share your comments regarding our relationship with Michael Phelps, please press one to speak to a representative. If you're calling about the recent peanut butter recall, please press two now. Otherwise, press three or stay on the line. Thank you."
All these elements, including the election of half-black, former pot-smoker Barack Obama, are pointing towards change. We now have black president, a light of hope that racism in politics is no longer existent, but now he must eliminate that what is still controlled by racism in our government; marijuana laws. The ideal “By the People, For the People” will not be fully carried out until the people are treated equally.
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