Irvin Freyhofer

ENC 2135
Doran
September 2016
Cannabis, marijuana, bud, dope, pot, or simply weed, a simple plant which, over the
years, has stirred up about as much controversy as religion (roughly). Whether its propaganda
against
653cannabis or documentaries for the Devils Grass, marijuana in discussions can create quite
the elephant in the room (or in marijuanas case, a skunk), for, having such a very distinctive
smell, marijuana is easily identifiable by the nares, often resembling a skunk-like odor. The
aromas which different strains of marijuana can emit have differing effects on people; for
example, some may turn their heads and revere the smell of some good ole reefer burning; in
contrast, some may recognize the smell of dope and immediately discern the effects of
degenerates; nonetheless, marijuana is offered to all in many forms, aside from the (seemingly)
obvious dry herb form. Marijuana, in its raw form, hemp, is potentially one of the most
versatile of plants, and with its versatility, comes instability in public opinion, but that is simply
due to many negative perceptions; additionally, that cannabis is labeled as dangerous as heroin
(as far as the federal government is concerned) more often than not brings about serious
misconceptions. The origin of marijuana being deemed a bad drug starts in 1936, one year
before the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. One film Reefer Madness had families in disarray
regarding an herb, an herb which had been in many medicine cabinets for decades. Reefer
Madness depicts marijuana as a highly-dangerous drug which can overpower ones morals and
ultimately result in crime. Thankfully, the pro-cannabis community is only growing larger, and
there are plenty of ways one can find out the truth behind cannabis.

Arguably the most popular genre for cannabis, hip-hop, many celebrities openly endorse
and advocate the use of cannabis. One rapper Dizzy Wright advocates marijuana in his song I
love weed as follows: I love weed, weed, weed, weed, weed, weed I do adore. In contrast to
the criminal properties of cannabis, the rapper also goes on in I love weed to explain how the
herb eases his mind quite the opposite from committing mindless criminal acts. Another
advocate for the cause, Gucci Mane of the 1017 BrickSquad, voices his opinions in his song
Kush is my Cologne: Im inhalin it, exhaling it, it makes me more intelligent. Gucci Mane
even further challenges the marijuana stereotype that weed smokers are only trying to buy more
weed with his most recent charity. Soon-to-be released from prison, Gucci Mane plans to host a
boxing match, with all the proceeds going to charity. Verbatim, Mr. Mane explained, Im
challenging any rapper friend or foe in the ring to a boxing match. Put yo money up. Who got
hands, not raps. Who wants the challenge. The proceeds from the ring will go to charities. You
scary a** Rappers. Perhaps its is not the most orthodox of charities, but, nonetheless, Gucci
Manes actions prove that even the most gangster of marijuana users can have a soft side for
those in need, and Mr. Manes actions greatly challenge the message in Reefer Madness and
similar con-propaganda.
With shining examples of marijuana not causing violence and crime, there are always the
counterparts. Possibly the most popular piece of anti-weed propaganda, the abomination that
sparked dissent towards marijuana, Reefer Madness, portrays violent illegitimate side effects
from consumption of marijuana (marihuana in the film). In one scene a doctor relives a traumatic
event caused by marijuana, Yes. I remember. Just a young boyunder the influence of
drugs[marijuana]who killed his entire family with an axe (Meade 1936). Contrary to the film,
Live Science suggests marijuana actually decreases interest in completing tasks and

relaxation frequently being reported, so it seems highly unlikely one in a relaxed and
disinterested state could spontaneously murder his family with an axe. Nonetheless, the actions
fictionalized in Reefer Madness still, unfortunately, have effect on opinions towards marijuana.
With the federal government stating weed is as dangerous as heroin [by schedule class], those
oblivious to scientific facts could legitimately be convinced that weed kills, as shown in the
anti-weed propaganda poster below.

That marijuana has the ability to kill is not entirely false; however, according to the
Drug Library, throughout all tests done in marijuanas documented existence, there has never
been a fatality resulting from a toxic amount of marijuana. Evidently, to overdose, an average
(154 pound) human would need to consume approximately 1,500 pounds of marijuana at once
to die. Even with test monkeys being pumped full of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main
component in marijuana that causes the high, greater than a supposed lethal dose, not even one
fatality was reported; additionally, science (The Drug Library) adds another counterpart to the
nay-sayers weed with, Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active
substances known to man. By any measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safely used
within a supervised routine of medical care (DEA Judge Young). Due to its nature, science
holds as the Supreme Law of the Land in the area of marijuana, for, no matter how many
people are convinced that weed kills, science will always be true; that weed or marijuana

should be a federally banned substance, even deemed as dangerous, is essentially ludicrous, so

says science.