So, You Wanna Get High? [420: A Radio Interview]

420, 4:20, or 4/20 is a 'code' used when referring to the consumption of cannabis [pot, smoke, weed, marijuana] and/or to associate oneself with cannabis. All current forms of "420" refer to date and/or time when one smokes pot, or many gather to get high. 

In North America, this day has a political identity attached to it, namely, the legalization of marijuana. 4/20 is somewhat of a celebrated holiday to weed smoking subcultures. In America, it is currently illegal under Federal Law to use, sell or possess marijuana. Recently, a few states have legalized marijuana for medical use only. In Colorado and Washington, medical and non medical use of marijuana is legal. 

Regardless of the reason as to why one decides to get high, the Federal government still has the right to regulate and criminalize cannabis. 

Below is a radio interview with myself and Ruthann Amarteifio of Air Amarteifio out of Chicago. Ruthann raises extremely essential questions to me, one who is undecided about the ethical ramifications behind the general public, non medical legalization of marijuana.

In this interview, we present to you various scenarios that already exist in society, as well as possible outcomes of the legalization of marijuana for public use. This is indeed, a complex issue.

In the first 15 minutes, we speak of Palestine, Spirituality and The Human Condition. After 16:20, we focus solely on 420.

Click Here For Audio

Click HERE for Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act 

Click HERE for factual medical data on Cannabis Sativa

Click HERE for NORML [National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws] 


The Controlled Substances Act reschedules controlled substances by petitioning the Drug Enforcement Administration. The first petition was filed in 1972 but denied after 22 years of court challenges. 

A pill form of cannabis' active ingredient, THC, was rescheduled in 1985 for prescription under schedule II.  In 2002, advocates for use again petitioned, yet were denied by the DEA in 2011. Americans for Safe Access filed an appeal in 2012 with the D.C. Circuit.

As of August 2013, 20 states and Washington D.C. have legalized the use of medical marijuana.


Images © Fox 31, AP, Deviant Art, Huffington Post

On Speaking Out

"And therefore, all of those for whom authentic transformation has deeply unseated their souls must, I believe, wrestle with the profound moral obligation to shout from the heart—perhaps quietly and gently, with tears of reluctance; perhaps with fierce fire and angry wisdom; perhaps with slow and careful analysis; perhaps by unshakable public example—but authentically always and absolutely carries a demand and duty: you must speak out, to the best of your ability, and shake the spiritual tree, and shine your headlights into the eyes of the complacent. 

You must let that radical realization rumble through your veins and rattle those around you. Alas, if you fail to do so, you are betraying your own authenticity. You are hiding your true estate. You don’t want to upset others because you don’t want to upset your self. You are acting in bad faith, the taste of a bad infinity." 

- Ken Wilber

Valhalla

 ON AUDIO HERE 
On Social Justice Poetry 

 photo © Ronald Sorrento, Vietnam Vet, a peace sign made from m-79 high explosive grenade rounds

We are building roads to roads
that build roads to
nowhere

people are at the same time
sane and insane

are you listening
to the wind
as she whispers
when dawn drags her belly
pregnant and full
across the purpling skyline
as the sun
places her hand
ever so warmly
upon the nape of your neck

and the sea
bellows
stop
stop
stop
just stop and listen

no
do not even try
just be

good
follows
good follows
nature and trees
and all that is
Earth and dirt
and sand
and you and me

you
see
it is not easy
to
simply
be

left to right
to
center

as the Earth bellows
bombs
like airstrikes
on the innocent
and we keep voting
and protesting
and dying while alive
living in a
free state of
mind controlled
flight

where do I turn
when the world has gone mad
and everything is on a
merry
go round
and
rounds
of bullets fly
from lips, pursed
in hate
and anger
rising
like Valhalla

and the Valkyries scream like
eagles scrying

thunder

We are building roads to roads
that build roads to

nowhere

© Susan Marie