Herb Fellow
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To a lot of people, April 20 may be nothing special. Unless, of course, they smoke marijuana. April 20, or "4/20" is widely considered to be "National Marijuana Smoking Day." Although the recreational use of marijuana dates back to prehistory, there is a social stigma attached to it in modern society.
"We should be able to discuss anything in an open environment," said Dr. Thomas Kersen, a UNA professor of sociology. "Should we incarcerate people or should we tax it [marijuana]... It's a good dialogue."
A 2006 FBI investigation found that 786,545 people were charged with marijuana violations in the U.S. in 2005. That averages to one arrest every 40 seconds. "Marijuana is kind of a gateway drug," said Chuck Hearn, a Drug Task Force officer with the Florence Police Department. "I believe marijuana leads to other destructive substances." Hearn said that many of the hard drug addicts he encounters, such as cocaine users, started smoking marijuana in their early teens.
"It's a game that the U.S. plays with its people," said a UNA international student who wishes to remain unidentified. "It forces outcasts to smoke more... It's in the U.S. pop culture." The student went on to say that he believes the U.S. government is not making a true effort to defeat marijuana use within the nation, and is in fact subtly encouraging its use.
"There are kids who are gonna do it [marijuana] and there are kids who are not going to do it. You aren't going to change anybody's mind," said Deborah Soule, the executive director of The Partnership for a Drug-Free Community, in Huntsville.
The herb S****a D*******m is an alternative to marijuana that is legal in Alabama. However, Alabama legislators are pushing SB-8, a bill that would criminalize its use within the state. "People are beginning to see that is dangerous," said Soule.
Students for a Sensible Drug Policy is an organization that seeks to find more constructive ways to deal with drug abuse. In their mission statement, they say they "strive toward a just and compassionate society where drug abuse is treated as a health issue instead of a criminal justice issue." There is a UNA chapter of SSDP, but it is unofficial, and only really exists on Facebook.
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization whose goal is to "move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of cannabis prohibition so that the responsible use of the drug by adults is no longer subject to penalty." Their website contains information on marijuana, marijuana laws, and even tools for finding lawyers.
"I'd personally rather smoke marijuana than other drugs. Nobody robs a gas station for marijuana," said one female UNA student.
According to NORML, in Alabama and 20 other states, drug owners are required by law to purchase and affix state-issued tax stamps onto their contraband. In Alabama, the tax is $3.50 per gram if the owner possesses 42.5 grams or more of marijuana. NORML sees this practice as a means of pinning an additional tax evasion charge onto drug offenders, rather than actually being a source of state revenue. Most drug possessors won't purchase the stamps because doing so would be self-incriminating.
"If the government would legalize it and taxed it, we could be out of debt," said Shane Thompson, a student who says he will be happily celebrating 4/20.
The origins of 4/20 are debated, but one account is fairly widely believed. Students at San Raphael High School in California would meet each day at 4:20 p.m. to smoke marijuana at a statue of Louis Pasteur on campus. "420 Louis!" became the salute of the group. Eventually, 4/20 was deemed an underground holiday.
"It stimulates thought, increases euphoria, and helps you enjoy food," said one male UNA student, defending the use of recreational marijuana."
"And helps you sleep," said Thompson.
Marijuana comes from the Cannabis Sativa plant. It can grow under practically any conditions that support life.
Source: Florala
Copyright: 2008, The Flor-Ala Online Edition
Contact: Ben Montgomery
Website: Weed and Greed: A look at the marijuana subculture and the laws that suppress it - Life
"We should be able to discuss anything in an open environment," said Dr. Thomas Kersen, a UNA professor of sociology. "Should we incarcerate people or should we tax it [marijuana]... It's a good dialogue."
A 2006 FBI investigation found that 786,545 people were charged with marijuana violations in the U.S. in 2005. That averages to one arrest every 40 seconds. "Marijuana is kind of a gateway drug," said Chuck Hearn, a Drug Task Force officer with the Florence Police Department. "I believe marijuana leads to other destructive substances." Hearn said that many of the hard drug addicts he encounters, such as cocaine users, started smoking marijuana in their early teens.
"It's a game that the U.S. plays with its people," said a UNA international student who wishes to remain unidentified. "It forces outcasts to smoke more... It's in the U.S. pop culture." The student went on to say that he believes the U.S. government is not making a true effort to defeat marijuana use within the nation, and is in fact subtly encouraging its use.
"There are kids who are gonna do it [marijuana] and there are kids who are not going to do it. You aren't going to change anybody's mind," said Deborah Soule, the executive director of The Partnership for a Drug-Free Community, in Huntsville.
The herb S****a D*******m is an alternative to marijuana that is legal in Alabama. However, Alabama legislators are pushing SB-8, a bill that would criminalize its use within the state. "People are beginning to see that is dangerous," said Soule.
Students for a Sensible Drug Policy is an organization that seeks to find more constructive ways to deal with drug abuse. In their mission statement, they say they "strive toward a just and compassionate society where drug abuse is treated as a health issue instead of a criminal justice issue." There is a UNA chapter of SSDP, but it is unofficial, and only really exists on Facebook.
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization whose goal is to "move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of cannabis prohibition so that the responsible use of the drug by adults is no longer subject to penalty." Their website contains information on marijuana, marijuana laws, and even tools for finding lawyers.
"I'd personally rather smoke marijuana than other drugs. Nobody robs a gas station for marijuana," said one female UNA student.
According to NORML, in Alabama and 20 other states, drug owners are required by law to purchase and affix state-issued tax stamps onto their contraband. In Alabama, the tax is $3.50 per gram if the owner possesses 42.5 grams or more of marijuana. NORML sees this practice as a means of pinning an additional tax evasion charge onto drug offenders, rather than actually being a source of state revenue. Most drug possessors won't purchase the stamps because doing so would be self-incriminating.
"If the government would legalize it and taxed it, we could be out of debt," said Shane Thompson, a student who says he will be happily celebrating 4/20.
The origins of 4/20 are debated, but one account is fairly widely believed. Students at San Raphael High School in California would meet each day at 4:20 p.m. to smoke marijuana at a statue of Louis Pasteur on campus. "420 Louis!" became the salute of the group. Eventually, 4/20 was deemed an underground holiday.
"It stimulates thought, increases euphoria, and helps you enjoy food," said one male UNA student, defending the use of recreational marijuana."
"And helps you sleep," said Thompson.
Marijuana comes from the Cannabis Sativa plant. It can grow under practically any conditions that support life.
Source: Florala
Copyright: 2008, The Flor-Ala Online Edition
Contact: Ben Montgomery
Website: Weed and Greed: A look at the marijuana subculture and the laws that suppress it - Life
