I use cannabis through a variety of methods, including smoking, ingesting, and as a lotion that eases aches and pains. Having some anger issues, cannabis helps calm my mind. It enhances my spiritual practices. It enhances perception of things like television and music. New medical and scientific studies show that cannabis likely has cancer preventative and curing possibilities.
My wife has a state issued certificate to consume and grow her own cannabis for legitimate medical purposes. I have chosen to source mine from local growers and take the risk of misdemeanor prosecution. (I never have more than is a misdemeanor offense.) A plant that my wife may legally grow in our house is now costing me my job. I am not complaining. I accept the consequences of my actions. I point out this irony to highlight the disparity in law. For instance, lets say Coworker A goes home has a few drinks after work. They may cop a buzz. It is perfectly legal. Yet if I want to go home and smoke a bowl or two and relax to some music, it is illegal. This is ludicrous. I don't approve of anybody who drinks and drives or smokes and drives. I am a big believer in personal responsibility. If the choice is made, the consequences whatever they may be must be acceptable. I do not partake while driving or at work.
So now I am on administrative leave pending the outcome of the urinalysis test I took this morning. By the end of the week I will likely be terminated from my job. I do not fault my company for enforcing its policies within the framework of the law. I implore those that read this though, to think about what cannabis prohibition really does to society. In some states possession of even a seed is grounds for felony charges. In this country we are putting people in prison who use a plant that will grow just about anywhere on Earth. These folks end up learning new criminal behavior and then end up back on the streets doing worse behavior, only to end up back in prison. We spend billions on policing and prosecuting millions of non-violent cannabis users. I support the exponentially growing support for decriminalizing cannabis in this country. Prohibition didn't work for alcohol. I suspect that some of my ancestors who lived through alcohol Prohibition, looked at the violence associated with it much as we look at the drug lords and cartels in Mexico and increasingly the Southwest U.S.. It is also likely that some of my ancestors were moonshiners or helped those who were, or were simply supportive of repealing prohibition.
