MPP-TV Profiles in Marijuana Reform: Milton Friedman, Ph.d.

Think what you may about Dr Friedman (I believe he is one of the main reasons we have the failure “Free Trade” that we have today) but on this subject, he couldn’t be more correct:

MPP (Marijuana Policy Project) has the second half of this conversation exclusively posted at the website. Please visit and see how many people who are questioning the antiquated system of failure (the drug war) are speaking out.

Second Part of Friedman Interview

This country has become so determined to squash marijuana that it has deluded itself with lies about the drup, its users and the truth of its health benefits for those who need it.

The fact is that there are far more partakers than will admit. If you hear a number quoted, I quarantee you that number is low. This is for a couple of key reasons: its illegality and the stigma that is attributed to it. Of course, when in church, the message was always something about hell for those who did it. In business, people screen for traces of a substance that stays in the system so long that there is no way to prove if the person is on the effects or just a risidual test. In either case they are fired.

I can rememeber when I was about 9 years old, my dad was best friends with a very prominat attorney in Tupelo, MS. We were visiting him and all went to the store to grab some steaks for the grill. I always loved this guy (he had, maybe still has, a 56 or so Thunderbird that was given to him by Elvis Presley… they were very good friends) because he was always so cool.

Anyway, he smoked a pipe and as we were getting out of the vehicle and walking in to the grocery store he fired it up. As we were walking through the store I knew what the smell was (even at 9… another weird, long story) and so did my dad. he grabbed him by the arm and asked wtf he was doing. Apparently, he grabbed the wrong pipe. This was the early 70’s, so he said f*ck it and kept her going. To this day, I admire him for that for some reason.

I personally know many older adults who occasionally partake in a social setting. I just met a guy last week who is over 70 who tells me he partakes every day and has for over 40 years (he is in excellent health, btw). I have had a few doctors admit their usage and know some that wish despreately that they could prescribe it to their patients. (I have a brother who hangs in that crowd and I get a chance to party with them when I’m down that way)

But to many people ‘outside’ or as we used to say, “uncool”, there is a nasty image. If they only knew.

Hence the issue I am getting at. With alcohol prohibition (that failed so miserably) there was over 50% of the citizenry that opposed it and spoke up. With only 10 or 15% or Americans who claim to participate speaking up, there is no real reason for America to turn back the stupidity of the prohibition.

Look at the savings in money, in lives, in productivity.

Look at the help to those who need it health-wise. Look at the many consumible products that can be made from it (including bio-fuels).

We could make this entire country a much bettre place if this idiotic brainwashing were to be undone.