5 Things You Can Do To End Cannabis Prohibition
by Doug Nowiski
1. Educate Yourself
Learn all there is to learn on cannabis. One of the biggest impediments of ending this prohibition is the ignorance surrounding cannabis. So read up on cannabinoids, the history of its use, the culture surrounding it. Read Jack Herer's The Emporer Wears No Clothes; Dean Kuipers book about the Rainbow Farm tragedy right here in Michigan, Burning Rainbow Farm. But don't even stop with pro-cannabis material, read what opponents of legalization are arguing. Point is: learn everything you possibly can about both sides of this issue!
2. Educate Others
Now take what you've learned and spread that knowledge! Tell all of your friends, and even family if that's possible. We need to spread the truth about cannabis: about its medicinal value and how it's far less harmful of a recreational substance than alcohol. The best way to circumvent the anti-drug propaganda is by educating others with the truth. Give them the facts: cannabis has been used for thousands of years (eg. found with mummified persons) and has yet to claim one life.
3. Contact Your Congress-people
Email, write, phone, telegram...whatever! Just let your elected representatives, State & Federal, know where you stand on the issue of legalization; let them know you do not want to be treated like a criminal any longer for such a harmless recreation/medication. Do it with respect and civility for better results. Granted, you will probably get a cookie-cutter response (at least at first) that may merely say they will "keep your thoughts/views in mind". They depend on YOU, remember! (Contact us, if you'd like help drafting a letter/email or need help finding contact info for representatives.)
4. Join MI-NORML and/or other groups
Get involved with any cannabis advocacy groups as you can, even if this simply means subscribing to email updates (refer back to point one). Sometimes being a member might mean paying a (small) yearly membership due -- $15 for MI-NORML. But if you can't afford the dues your help and enthusiasm will surely NOT be turned away. This cause, like many others, will truly progress by simply increasing the amount of people believing in it. So, get involved as best you can!
5. Have Hope and Perseverence
Times are always a-changin'. Presidents, mayors, businesspeople, and Olympic champions have either admitted or been exposed to have enjoyed cannabis without harm to their "image". News media carry legalization stories now with honest questions about cannabis' economic viability. Governor Schwarzenegger, along with other lawmakers and even cities, has called for discussion of legalization. Just keep thinking: "In my lifetime!" The reality, the logic, and the truth will eventually overcome these past 70+ years of propaganda and ignorance.
