CANNAWARENESS

 

In March of 2014, I officially received approval from the Student Government Association from the university I attended to start up arguably the most controversial group within the school's history.

However, no one understood what exactly what this group stood for. Ignorance from others is always present regarding my cannabis ambitions.

 

I started up CannAwareness Group, which was strictly an educational group focusing on spreading awareness around the economical, environmental (hemp), medical, political, physical and social aspects of the cannabis plant, whether the information is positive or negative. 

We had regular meetings about up-to-date cannabis news that is constantly coming out, I gave a number of lectures regarding specific topics, we attended the Boston Freedom Rally, and we even had a couple of documentary screenings along with guest speaker, Matt Simon from Marijuana Policy Project.

 

Our first year, we had the biggest line at the annual Student Involvement Fair. However, once people started seeing this was actually an educational group and not just about "smoke weed and legalize it", a lot of interest didn't follow through.

 

Unfortunately, there are a lot young people who want to have cannabis legalized, decriminalized, or medically available for those in need, but they don't take action to make that change and to educate others properly. Change needs action.

 

That's what I tried to fill in the void with with CannAwareness, but the interest never reached to where I hoped it would have.

 

So, I had to find another way to get my voice and realistic viewpoints on cannabis heard. And so, I planned and created "Hello (Legalize)" as a start.

 

HELLO, LEGALIZE

 

I really hope you LISTEN to the song's message.

Prohibition doesn't work. We knew that after our first failed prohibition - alcohol. It is literally an endless battle and causes so many social and economical problems.

 

Reclassify cannabis. It's listed as a Schedule I drug which doesn't allow us to research easily at all (which is why there are not enough clinical trials), and it's listed as dangerous as other harmful drugs like heroin. Could you really give me a reasonable answer as to how cannabis is as dangerous as heroin? You can't. Cannabis may not be a harmless plant (no substance is harmless - especially a psychoactive susbtance), but it is far more safer than heroin.

 

Decriminalize. Stop making cannabis a criminal issue. This is absolutely terrible and some states have extremely harsh penalties more than others where simple possession can truly cost you your future - and even years in prison. Why don't we make it a public health issue if anything? It should not be a crime.

 

Regulate the industry. This is going to be like any other industry - except even bigger than most. Why are we not regulating and taxing this and treating it like alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceutical drugs, etc.? We can actually control it, generate revenue for every state, and stop cartels and the black market from thriving. Don't start with the "but what about the kids?" thing. That's where education and research comes in by reclassifying and fully understanding it, educating children just like we do with other drugs (but with proper research), and it will not be readily available in the black market for them to get. Besides, if you ask any kid what the easiest drug for them to obtain is today, it's cannabis. Obviously keeping it illegal has done nothing for that. So, let's actually regulate it. 

 

The movement and acceptance continues to grow. Just like I mention in the song, it's inevitable. Acceptance is rapidly growing, and you can't stop this. So, let's stop the fights and together find out what the potential of this plant can be for medicine (cannabinoid research), let's find out how we can use it responsibly and properly (like alcohol and other substances), and let's find out any harms that it can possibly bring.

 

We have so much to learn, and it will inevitably happen soon.

 

So, I think it's time we legalize.