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With marijuana arrests doubling over the past decade, it’s safe to say that the War on Drugs, both at home and abroad is intensifying. Recently National Geographic aired Drug Inc. a documentary exploring the role in marijuana in drug trafficking and use around the world. Popularly known in the US as a gateway or Schedule I drug, the use of marijuana is prohibited within borders, with the exception of the 14 states where it enjoys some form of legalized status. A clip from the film, paints a strikingly accurate portrait of what the drug war is like for many in Middle America. In preparation for the battle for America’s clean air, Newark City Police Chiefs mutters a prayer asking God to protect his “fast reflexes, good judgment, and excellent self-control when in the presence of gorditas”. Yes, that is what he thinks of you.
As he places upon his armor and leds his troops toward the home of a local drugpin, the Police Chief enters into the backyard of the alleged dealer and to his fortune, discovers two users attempting to flee the home. Upon arrest he asks the fugitive if he had been smoking marijuana. The fugitive answers “no” and upon exhalation breathes what appears to be a light vapor towards the chief. Despite 20 years of servitude in the army of the lord and a particularly strong confundus charm the chief falls immediately upon the ground and begins to seize.
Meanwhile some thousands of miles away in Northern California, Reverend Steve Cherms of the Church of Cannabis begins preparation for his weekly service. New to the sphere of entheogen-based religions, the Church of Cannabis is organized around the premise that cannabis is the legendary “Tree of Life” plant mentioned in annual bestseller, The Bible. A cross between a very stoned Kid Rock and Benny Hinn, Cherms takes a relaxed approach to service. Members of the congregation are seen taking ‘sacraments’ in the form of what appears to be parsley filled debbie cakes, while passing an inflamed water pipe from person to person, all in continuous motion. After about 30 minutes of so-called ‘bong rips’, the camera shakes and the narrator’s drawl reports that “eventually, the service has begun”.
Cherms invokes discussion among his members by asking if they agree that Cannabis is indeed the Tree of Life Plant. The congregation echoes his question with a critically thought out “Yes!”. Unlike many religions, the members of the Church of Cannabis are in fact seasonal workers (clippers) who have come to California to capitalize on this century’s Green Rush. Clipping is hard work, a fact manifested in the calloused hands of the clippers, most of which are shaky with poor manual dexterity. The workers assist Cherms in harvesting the crop, and are in turn paid in marijuana. Unlike in Texas, agriculture in California seems to survive through means of a barter economy. After harvest several clippers are seen walking to the local outlet to purchase their goods for the next week. When questioned as to what method of currency he used to purchase his goods one clipper retorts “2 grams of afghan kush and a yu-gi-oh card”.
Having met one clipper before, I can say that in comparison to other seasonal workers, their work conditions are enviable. The young man I met was about 21 years old, traveling through town after a spring harvest. His co-worker and roadmate, described as “wearing a turban and being well-versed in technology” had apparently disappeared on the young man leaving him stranded without a ticket at the Greyhound Bus station. When I asked him if he had a cellphone, he said he was without money or a way to get in contact with Hassan but that it was a fine time to tell me of a mystical place where he had spent many months harvesting the cannabis plant and receiving government benefits, all for 20 dollars an hour. Curious about the possibilities of such an opportunity for myself, I pressed him for more information. Just where, was this land where people ran free, uninhibited by illnesses such as multiple scleroris and my own means for suffering, glaucoma? Unfortunately for me, the man stated that he and his long-lost roadmate had consumed large amounts of cannabis prior to leaving this land, but that a mysterious Queen Frostine would point me to a place about 60 km north of Candy Mountain. Google map results remain inconclusive.
You know that look Kobe sometimes gets when a reporter brushes past him, just to find Ron Artest and ask him what it feels like to be the voice of the team? That’s exactly what I felt the first time when watching the documentary. Just ugh, I’d rather have a schizophrenic be the voice of my movement. In my opinion Cherms seemed too illegitimate to be a proper poster boy for any of the Pro-MJ movement’s mainstream goals, and yet was too normal to ever achieve any cult-like status of his own. I kept getting the urge to jump through the screen and coach him on his cult-skills. Bitch, it’s puff, puff pass, puff, puff pass, keep fucking up and I’ll have you lemon-liming all over this floor.
Upon second watch, I was more inclined to believe that Cherms somewhat unconventional approach to activism also had his place within the Pro-MJ movement. After all, aren’t spiritual needs just as important as any other? If the debate on marijuana’s medicinal and agricultural value is still polarized then surely the spiritual use of marijuana should be a more neutral territory. Considering that much of the opposition tomarijuana’s legalization cite moral and religious beliefs as evidence for supporting arguments, is it entirely unlikely that they too could glean something from the use of marijuana in worship? Religion remains culturally strong because it evolves. Even the efforts for legalization have owed just as much to scientist’s research as they have to their own hard work and passion.
That said, where are all of these volunteers when a serious and unbiased argument in favor of legalizing marijuana is needed? I won’t question where the funding for some of these documentaries comes from, but it seems curious that well-established organizations such as NORML would be skipped in favor of characters such as Cherm. As the number of arrests for marijuana continues to rise and debate remains heated, the access to objective and useful information when making a decision to use should be considered a right within the United States. Even if citizens do decide to use in light of the consequences, the jail system is a costly and counterproductive method to punishment. If you ever want to meet the group of people with the most pride in what they do, go talk to a group of repeat offenders. In 2007 alone, the total cost of fighting marijuana to the American budget was 42 billion. One can only imagine how this number has and will continue to skyrocket over time. With those kind of numbers in mind, when will we fight for our rights and say enough is enough?
Link to Drug Inc. Documentary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_KP5IIQqCk
Sources:
http://legacy.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20051115/news_1n15pot.html
http://www.alternet.org/drugs/64465/
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