Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Purveyor

(29,876 posts)
Sat Apr 20, 2013, 07:05 PM Apr 2013

Pot Is Safer Than Booze: So Why Is Celebrating 4/20 a Crime, While It's OK to Get Wasted on St. Padd

April 19, 2013 |

I spent last St. Patrick’s Day at the marijuana policy reform group NORML’s conference in Philadelphia. It was pouring rain when I arrived, and as I ran from my car through the University of Pennsylvania campus, I tried to discern the green-clad marijuana activists from St. Patrick’s Day revelers. I quickly realized it was not that hard: the pro-pot advocates, as quirky as the some of them were, appeared to have better control of their footing.

St. Patrick’s Day, though an Irish holiday rooted in history and tradition, is regarded by many Americans (perhaps on college campuses, in particular) as an opportunity to get wasted. Meanwhile, today, April 20, is known as the marijuana user’s holiday, 4/20. Across the country, stoners are gathering to defy the law and get high.

Both holidays, to some extent, celebrate mind-altering substances, but they couldn't be seen as more different by the law. You wouldn’t speak with your boss about your 4/20 plans or come to the office in weed-themed garb. That’s because while alcohol is legal, m arijuana is grouped alongside drugs like heroin in the most restrictive category of the Controlled Substances Act, Schedule I. This is despite the fact that marijuana is by far the safer substance of the two. A scene full of stoners is far more peaceful (and safer) than a bar or city full of people who are trashed. But while weed is the subject of a decades-old onslaught of government propaganda decrying its supposed harm, our society glamorizes alcohol.

Unlike alcohol, marijuana use is not linked to increase in injury or reckless behavior, nor is it linked to violence or sexual assault. Alcohol, however, is.

MORE...

http://www.alternet.org/drugs/pot-safer-booze-so-why-celebrating-420-crime-while-its-ok-everyone-get-wasted-st-paddys-day?akid=10349.260530.DP2tsj&rd=1&t=10

10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Pot Is Safer Than Booze: So Why Is Celebrating 4/20 a Crime, While It's OK to Get Wasted on St. Padd (Original Post) Purveyor Apr 2013 OP
'Cause one is illegal and one's not? OneMoreDemocrat Apr 2013 #1
And you completely missed the point. - n/t fleur-de-lisa Apr 2013 #7
I don't know if you've been in the Lounge today, TexasTowelie Apr 2013 #2
Thanks for the tip. LOL Purveyor Apr 2013 #4
Hypocrisy LuvNewcastle Apr 2013 #3
Because we have irrational laws tabasco Apr 2013 #5
You can celebrate any day you want. It's a free country. nt Honeycombe8 Apr 2013 #6
Dow Chemical wanted to replace gejohnston Apr 2013 #8
Most people wil go " thats just the way it is " olddots Apr 2013 #9
Alcohol also causes birth defects, GiveMeFreedom Apr 2013 #10

gejohnston

(17,502 posts)
8. Dow Chemical wanted to replace
Sat Apr 20, 2013, 08:07 PM
Apr 2013

hemp with newly developed nylon, distilleries had better lobbies (and Prohibition was fresh in people's minds in 1937) but, like many of our restrictions on liberties, just down right racism.

GiveMeFreedom

(976 posts)
10. Alcohol also causes birth defects,
Sat Apr 20, 2013, 09:46 PM
Apr 2013

does pot? I do not know. Google is not, I repeat, not my friend, we are just acquaintances. Peace.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Pot Is Safer Than Booze: ...