“Herb is the healing of a nation, alcohol is the destruction.”
― Bob Marley
Since the 3rd Millennium B.C. it has been documented that Cannabis (marijuana) has been utilized in some form of facet by individuals, whether for medicinal, recreational or spiritual usage. It is often considered, yet highly debated, to be the “gateway drug” towards the use of other hardcore recreational drugs. Since the 20th century, Cannabis has been under legal restrictions regarding its possession. It is not until recently in this country, that we are now on the cusp of a transcendent move that will legalize both the purchase and consumption of Cannabis without legal recourse. The state of Colorado is now ” in the green” come January 1st of 2014, as it will become legal for anyone 21 years of age and older, to purchase up to an ounce of Cannabis (approximately $200.00) from recreational “pot stores”. The Cannabis will have a state tax of 25%, plus Colorado’s standard state tax assessed to it. It is estimated that the sale of Cannabis will generate some 67 million dollars for the state, with approximately 27 million dollars of that sales revenue being reconstituted into the construction of public schools. It will become one of Colorado’s most highly taxed consumer products. Cannabis is the third most used recreational drug in the country behind alcohol and tobacco. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that alcohol in itself, causes 4 percent more deaths than AIDS, tuberculosis and violence, yet receives weaker control policies in its regulation in spite of the heavy toll it places on society as a whole (I.E.: road accidents, violence, disease, absentee parenting). The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that cigarettes are responsible for 1 out of 5 deaths in the United States annually. Such stunning statistics for recreational drugs that are legal to purchase when you reach a certain age requirement, yet the stigma associated with Cannabis still resonates as being taboo and the forbidden key to Pandora’s mystical box. Why is there an asterisk next to the word Cannabis? If it was about our health and public safety, than alcohol and tobacco should be banned as well. Could it be that the lobbyist from both alcohol and tobacco are pressuring the government to not legalize it, because they would suffer a great loss in profit if recreational stimulation could be found right next to the basil and tomato plants in your personal “Garden of Eden” and not at your local convenience store? You can purchase weapons of destruction at your local Walmart, yet a botanical life form is suddenly a pandemic disease? Our foods contain harmful drugs and our prescriptions have deadly side effects, yet they are all obtainable for consumption and purchase. It is naive to not speculate that regulation and taxation are the key reasons why Cannabis always receives such strong opposition. But such is the case with Colorado and the state of Washington in the latter part of 2014, we will start to see other states begin to become economically enlightened, as they will realize that being “in the green” will put their financial ledgers in the black. The old adage goes “legalize and I will advertise”. Well you can trust your bottom dollar, that our government will do just that. #your brain is no longer on drugs #it was only a test