[ShiningSkull]

EDITORIAL

Questionable drug decision

Portions of the US public and media have praised the unilateral decision by President Barack Obama to partially legalise possession, use and sale of so-called ''medical'' marijuana. The legal issue is a local matter, but the fallout will not remain inside US borders. The sudden turn-around on an important drug issue by the US leader will have ramifications in many other countries, including Thailand and its neighbours. As the public debate over this controversial step shows, the issue goes well beyond the intent of the Obama government to put anti-drug agents to work on more important cases than people trying to alleviate their pain through a drug.

First and foremost is the question of whether the term ''medical marijuana'' is warranted and deserves recognition by a government. Thousands of anecdotes attest that sufferers of advanced glaucoma, back pain and other often untreatable symptoms feel better after smoking marijuana. But hundreds of medical studies have found no physiological support for the claims. In addition, hundreds of herbal and medical drugs are available over the counter or through prescription to treat pain. The available scientific evidence hardly supports the decision by the US federal government to legalise a prohibited drug for the first time in many generations.

Sale and use of medical marijuana in the US and other countries has already become a joke. In Europe, Canada and in several US states, marijuana shops sell tonnes of the drug annually. Prescriptions allowing purchase, storage and use are simple to obtain from licensed ''medical workers''. There is no reason to believe that more widespread licensing of marijuana shops is likely to end the fraud: a tiny number of pain sufferers targetted for benefits from marijuana are almost lost in the crowd of scammers who simply want to smoke marijuana.

The debate about marijuana _ whether it is harmful, whether it is rightly part of the worldwide ''war on drugs''' _ is beside the point. The decision by the US government, especially after President Obama specifically promised there would be no moves towards drug legalisation, will reverberate in many quarters. At the least, the effective if restricted legalisation will encourage illegal marijuana farming. The most ignored question in western countries which have blithely and unilaterally legalised recreational drugs is where the supplies come from. The US, like other governments, has made it legal to use a product that remains largely illegal to grow, harvest, package or sell in wholesale lots.

In Thailand, of course, the US government's decision has no legal effect. Possession, sale in drugstores and use of marijuana may now be legal under government supervision in the US. But it remains illegal here. In both countries, it is illegal to grow, harvest, ship across borders or sell marijuana in large quantities. The profits for illegal drug dealing are therefore not going to be reduced, in Thailand and other countries, or in the US.

While drug legalisation is a domestic US issue, there is great danger in the actions of the Obama government. The decision to support, rather than to target, the sellers and buyers of medical marijuana might deserve support except for one problem. By assuming control of the market, the US government now becomes both the regulator and more importantly the tax collector in a portion of the illicit marijuana trade in the US. This is potentially a dangerous and slippery slope. A government dependent upon taxes from the drug trade will naturally extend the scope of that business. One need only look at the virtual explosion of gambling in the US, let alone the expanding gambling business under the Thai government's supervision, to envision a government with a ''drug dependence'' and deeply involved in such a morally controversial subject.

[BrattonBasher]

So we get lectured by a country that people go to to have sex with children. Thats rich!

[ShiningSkull]

Yeah, lol!

This attitude is also the result of the overt US government policy (as opposed to their covert drug policies) of outlawing cannabis all over the world in the 20th century.

[rubberguard]

I lived in Thailand for 4 years.. not sure why the Bangkok post is concearned about anything but their own drug issues. Thailand is the biggest dope hang out for expats for hard stuff like Heroine etc. Let alone the weird drugs they have only in Thailand like "Ya Ba" or crazy medicine which is a pill that is speed and heroine mixed up and they free base it then snort the resin leftover on the inside of the pipe....

Little more serious stuff than marijuana :)

[ShiningSkull]

Originally Posted by ShiningSkull

Yeah, lol!

This attitude is also the result of the overt US government policy (as opposed to their covert drug policies) of outlawing cannabis all over the world in the 20th century.

For instance, our policy in Japan is explained in this article posted earlier. I re-post here:

*******************

Here's an interesting article that discusses the resurgence of cannabis culture in Japan after sixty years.

Under the American occupation of Japan after WWII, a “Cannabis Control Act” was enforced which severed ancient Japanese cultural ties to the plant.

Apparently, since the occupation, American patronage has been great enough to keep the Japanese cannabis prohibition in effect.


Global Ganja: The History of Marijuana in Japan | The Marijuana Observer

The History of Marijuana in Japan

The Land of the Rising Sun is well known for many reasons:

1. The Japanese have given the world sushi, the Playstation 3, and robots that can walk up stairs.
2. They cram an insane amount of vertical real estate into a country roughly the size of California.
3. More recently, Japan has become notorious for its unusual quirks such as Maid Cafés, the Otaku who inhabit Akihabara, and other novelties such as capsule hotels and fugu.

Americans now eat up Japanese culture with a bottomless appetite. So it is fitting that the United States has now given something back to Japan in return. In recent years, the American marijuana sub-culture has begun to influence Japan’s young. The Japanese youth, eager to soak up anything American have taken to cannabis culture in increasing numbers, but lost in a society of neon, smoke, and towering monoliths, the truth of Japan’s history with marijuana may have become lost to this newer generation of Japanese.

Japan actually has a long history of cultivating marijuana, dating back to the Jomon period (14,000 B.C. to 400 B.C). Most researchers believe that cannabis seeds first came to Japan from China via Korean traders who were bringing rice over. There are strong cultural connections between the Japanese and Chinese, despite what they might admit to, so it is plausible and most likely true that marijuana came to Japan from China. The Japanese Shinto religion utilized cannabis as a part of their ceremonies, and the fiber from the hemp plant was used to make clothing and other items. The Shinto religion is a polytheistic and animistic religion and the great majority of Japanese seem to have a dual belief in both Buddhism and Shinto. One of the deities worshiped by Shinto practitioners is Amaterasu, the Shinto Sun Goddess. Amaterasu was so special that Shinto adherents practiced a special ritual just to pray to her, called ‘Taima’, which translates as Cannabis. This ritual is fitting because Amaterasu is considered the mother of rice, as well as marijuana.

There are numerous images depicting geisha smoking what is believed to be marijuana.

There are various other examples of marijuana use in Japan’s history. Ancient accounts left behind by samurai often describe the inspirational effects of marijuana in creating haiku, as well as various combat techniques. At this point in Japan’s history, marijuana seemed cemented into Japanese culture. However, the World War II would eventually arrive and change everything. Until that point marijuana grew freely both in the wild, and in private gardens. Japan’s southern islands, known as the Kyushu islands, are warm and sunny and served as a perfect environment for marijuana to grow wild. In addition, marijuana allegedly grows in the northern-most island of Hokkaido, which is probably more famous for its abundance of onsen. After the occupation started American soldiers were quite surprised to find marijuana growing as freely and openly as it was. At this time, the American occupying force had no knowledge of the long history between the Japanese and cannabis. The American forces might not have realized it at the time, but they would soon be eliminating a culturally important aspect of Japanese religion.

With the end of the War and the re-writing of the Japanese Constitution by General Douglas MacArthur, marijuana was demonized and its use criminalized, just as it had been done back in the United States. The Taima Torishimari Ho, which translates as “Cannabis Control Act” was introduced and quickly put an end to Japanese marijuana use as the nation had grown accustomed to. However, the break-up wouldn’t last long. Now, decades after the passing of the Taima Torishimari Ho, marijuana has once again sprouted into Japanese life and it is with some irony that Americans are partially to blame. The popularity of hip hop in Japan is perhaps at its peak, and along with our fondness for fresh rhymes and tasty beats, the Japanese hip hop culture also adopted our love of marijuana. These neo-tokers take huge risks and continue to smoke despite the Cannabis Control Act and the severe punishments given to those who violate the law. Nonetheless, it is refreshing to see Japanese beginning to embrace marijuana again, because as they experience their second renaissance with cannabis, they are reconnecting with a culturally important part of their history that has been all but forgotten.

Related Articles:
SHINTO
Cannabis in Japan




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[ShiningSkull]

Originally Posted by rubberguard

I lived in Thailand for 4 years.. not sure why the Bangkok post is concearned about anything but their own drug issues. Thailand is the biggest dope hang out for expats for hard stuff like Heroine etc. Let alone the weird drugs they have only in Thailand like "Ya Ba" or crazy medicine which is a pill that is speed and heroine mixed up and they free base it then snort the resin leftover on the inside of the pipe....

Little more serious stuff than marijuana :)

Obama is signaling that "Ya Ba" may soon be legalized! LOL!

Boy, Bangkok sounds scary! Scary and gross.


I swear they must write this anti-mj stuff just for american audiences!

[inthegame]

What studies was this editor reading? And yes that's what I want...an over the counter or prescribed drug that I will DEFINATELY get addicted to and they'll prescribe more meds to get me off the first ones that was prescribed all while my kidneys are failing...yes that's what we need more of that and less marijuana.........

[Smilodon]

I could be wrong, but I don't remember "President Obama specifically promised there would be no moves towards drug legalisation" that happening. He did say legalization was not in his vocabulary, but I remember no promises.

[tooweirdtolivetooraretodie]

Originally Posted by BrattonBasher

So we get lectured by a country that people go to to have sex with children. Thats rich!

Beat me to it BB. Not only do people go there for sex with children, they make a substantial income from it. The Thai government fights any attempts by outside entities to help with the problem. They insist they have it under control. They sure do, there are resorts listed on their state tourism websites, that advertise child prostitutes among the amenities. Under control indeed.
It'll be a cold day in hell before I'd take any advice from Thai officials.

[Col. Kif]

Please keep in mind Thailand still has a death penalty for drug offenses.

It's no wonder they are strongly anti given thier unstable goverment and society.

[VooDoo Chile]

Originally Posted by Smilodon

I could be wrong, but I don't remember "President Obama specifically promised there would be no moves towards drug legalisation" that happening. He did say legalization was not in his vocabulary, but I remember no promises.

You ain't just whilstlin' Dixie my friend! I don't recall Obama ever using the word "promise" period.

[anotherdimension13]

The Bankok Post is a complete joke.


If whoever wrote that complete rabble was paid by the lie, it's obvious they just bought a new hut.

[Greenbud]

Yeah, well FU. Go take the Thailand Express.



GB

[Dubbsacks]

Hey all, let me just say one thing....

IGNORE THIS IDIOT.

There are shitloads of pot heads and stoners in Thailand.
TRUST ME.
The idiot who wrote this is obviously lost in the world of out of date propaganda.

THAI PEOPLE LOVE THE MARIJUANA, THATS WHY OUR LANDRACE/HOMEGROWN IS SOME OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD.
The shit being that good is not just a coincidence...

IGNORE THIS IDIOT.
99% OF THE THAI PEOPLE I DEAL WITH ARE DOWN WITH THE WEED.

Dont believe the hype.

[E.T.]

I think the Thai stick came from Thailand. Not to be confused with the downtown L.A. "tie" stick.