In the heart of the west coast a bitter battle has been brewing for the better part of the last 15 years. On one side, there are pro-legalization who have over the years come to realize that Marijuana is something that the government has stigmatized for no good reason. They argue that THC, the magical substance in Marijuana, has many more benefits to offer than harm. Doctors around the world have advocated medical marijuana use for the chronically ill because of its highly effective treatment of pain, anxiety, nausea, and lack of appetite. It has been documented numerous times how medical marijuana has helped cancer patients regain some of their appetite and combat nausea by either smoking marijuana or ingesting it in baked goods. On the other side of the debate are the big government, pro-pharmaceutical company individuals who believe Marijuana is a hazard to society because it is addictive and acts as gateway drug. This undoubtedly stems from the highly successful propaganda campaign beginning in the early part of the last century that portrayed marijuana smokers as out of control and highly unambitious and sub-intelligent. This was continued in the 1970′s with Nixon’s all out campaign against Marijuana and the beginning of the highly toxic war on drugs. In the late 70′s the attack on Marijuana ceased for several short years during Carter’s presidency. Perhaps, the most lenient of all presidents on drug related crimes, he was a closet supporter of marijuana legalization. Too bad he was highly unpopular and lasted only one term. He was reasonable.

Today we see a federal government who really does not have enough time to deal with the out of control war on drugs. Recently, the white house instructed all of it’s prosecutors to take it easy on medical marijuana users in areas where states had legislated its used for medicinal purposes. We are seeing more and more dispensaries open up, more and more bakers and chefs spring up with great innovative ways to deliver THC to those who need it most; those who suffer from pain and chronic illness. A terminal patient should not have to fight an expensive and time consuming legal battle against the federal government. This is inhumane.

Although, I am not going to venture a guess on when full out legalization will happen, I say that the results of the California experiment are highly encouraging. Perhaps one day highly indebted states can use tax dollars generated from hemp, marijuana, and glass pipes sales to pay down their massive debts, provide great investment spending to small businesses and help reform the broken health care and education system. At one point in the Republic’s history it was illegal to refuse growing hemp. This was for good reason. The benefits of this plant are far too many to count and it can help us reform our outdated economies, create new products and industries, help farming through soil rejuvenation (something the founding fathers did strive for), and give our ill and anxious an alternative to dangerous and side-effect riddled pharmaceuticals.

We also need to appreciate glass pipes and water pipes for their benefits. A part from being more environmentally friendly than papers, they are an extremely unique and personal accessory. There are thousands of great glass artists around the world who are involved in the creation of beautiful pipes with original designs and they need to have better channels to display their work. By prosecuting glass pipe retailers, the government is effectively driving these precious artists in to extinction. Please take a minute to call your congressional representative and tell him/her that you are against the costly war on drugs and that you support marijuana and hemp legalization as well as the sale of so called ‘paraphernalia’. Support your local glass retailers and artists and educate as many people as you can.Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com