SpinnerofTales
Posts: 1586
Joined: 5/30/2006
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I found it very interesting that some of the conservative voices on this board spoke out in favor of legalization of marijuana. Not that I think conservatives don't get high. After all, they did elect Dan Quale and Bush the Younger. But I wonder how many of you out there know the reason that marijuana is illegal in the first place. Since I was asked by a very delightful co-user to do so, allow me to spin the tale.....
Marijuana comes from the hemp plant. In addition to a very interesting smokeable, the hemp plant can also be used to produce paper, textiles, bio degradable plastic and fuel. In short, a very useful little plant. Also, because it is a weed, it can grow damn near anywhere with minimum fuss and muss from farmers.
In the early 20th century, a great number of uses were known by the general public but the recreational drug aspects were known mainly among blacks and Mexicans on this continent. Keep this in mind, because it becomes important later.
Now let us focus on Mr. William Randolph Hearst. Mr. Hearst was an enormously wealthy and powerful capitalist who derived a very large part of his vast wealth from timber and newspapers.
As you well know, timber is used in the production of paper. It is neither as cheap, renewable or efficient as paper made from Hemp but it does make paper. Therefore, the idea of paper being made from hemp was not a very good one to Mr. Hearst. Further, the textile and other products obtainable from hemp could have possibly interfered with the immense fortunes of a family of Mr. Hearst's very good friends, the DuPonts.
Well, Mr. Hearst wasn't about to take that lying down. He proceded to appeal to the reason of the government and the American people by using his newspapers to publish story after story about dope crazed Mexicans rampaging, raping and killing (although not always in that order) innocent white peope. Let us examine some of the fine, rational arguments Mr. Hearst put forth in his splendid publications:
"Users of marijuana become STIMULATED as they inhale the drug and are LIKELY TO DO ANYTHING. Most crimes of violence in this section, especially in country districts are laid to users of that drug."
"Was it marijuana, the new Mexican drug, that nerved the murderous arm of Clara Phillips when she hammered out her victim's life in Los Angeles?... THREE-FOURTHS OF THE CRIMES of violence in this country today are committed by DOPE SLAVES -- that is a matter of cold record."
The government, at this time, had it's own problem. Prohibition had just ended. This left the government with a large force of law enforcement personel who's only special skill was the detection and confiscation of a mind altering, dangerous drug...alchohol. When Mr. Hearst came to the government with this stunning array of logic, the government, as was his wont at the time, said "Hey, he's rich, he MUST know what he's talking about."
And so the partnership was sealed. Marijuana was made illegal, starting the trend to criminializing drugs. Billions began to be spent in the intradiction of the marijuana trade and the incarcaration of it's practitioners and the dangerous (to Mr. Heart's wallet) hemp industry was stopped in it's tracks.
So, when you think of how wonderful it is to let those men of vision who have ammassed great wealth run the government and make policy for the country, when you think of how the effects of well practiced capitalism is the only path to the land of the lotus eaters, may I suggest you go find your nearest cop, light a joint, and use your time in jail to think of the tax revenues lost, the technology unrealized and the money wasted on enforcing these particular laws and maybe by the time you are released, you will have realized a thing or two.
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Maijuana and Capitalism - 
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