Marijuana

I dislike crusaders, as I dislike almost all blind fanatics. There are always people telling us to change our ways, or to change the ways of others, save them from themselves, save society from their influence. Get the government to ban… 

Well we all know about US prohibition. And it is the nub of the problem. Our species, like many, enjoys the effects of alcohol. But these effects can be disastrous in the short run, debilitating in the long run, especially if drink is abused. 

The clear solution – to crusaders – is to simply ban it. Most of us know someone who has had awful experiences or even ruined their lives from alcohol. We also mostly know many more who have glasses (and even a lot of glasses) day after day and are quite happily normal. Experience tells us that it is not quite the “demon” portrayed by fanatics. 

And crusaders never really consider trade-offs. We endanger our lives every day we leave the house, but life is a pretty poor thing if we are afraid of everything all the time. Some people enjoy the dangers of swimming, or hiking, or eating a good dinner. Or, yes, having a glass of wine or smoking a marijuana cigarette. 

There are substances that mostly kill, and surely they should be controlled. But there are others – like alcohol and marijuana – which are simply part of the many awesome contradictions of life for most of us.

And the reason for existence for some crusaders.