420, 4:20, or 4/20 is a 'code' used when referring to the consumption of cannabis [pot, smoke, weed, marijuana] and/or to associate oneself with cannabis. All current forms of "420" refer to date and/or time when one smokes pot, or many gather to get high.
In North America, this day has a political identity attached to it, namely, the legalization of marijuana. 4/20 is somewhat of a celebrated holiday to weed smoking subcultures. In America, it is currently illegal under Federal Law to use, sell or possess marijuana. Recently, a few states have legalized marijuana for medical use only. In Colorado and Washington, medical and non medical use of marijuana is legal.
Regardless of the reason as to why one decides to get high, the Federal government still has the right to regulate and criminalize cannabis.
Below is a radio interview with myself and Ruthann Amarteifio of Air Amarteifio out of Chicago. Ruthann raises extremely essential questions to me, one who is undecided about the ethical ramifications behind the general public, non medical legalization of marijuana.
In this interview, we present to you various scenarios that already exist in society, as well as possible outcomes of the legalization of marijuana for public use. This is indeed, a complex issue.
In the first 15 minutes, we speak of Palestine, Spirituality and The Human Condition. After 16:20, we focus solely on 420.
Click HERE for Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act
Click HERE for factual medical data on Cannabis Sativa
Click HERE for NORML [National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws]
The Controlled Substances Act reschedules controlled substances by petitioning the Drug Enforcement Administration. The first petition was filed in 1972 but denied after 22 years of court challenges.
A pill form of cannabis' active ingredient, THC, was rescheduled in 1985 for prescription under schedule II. In 2002, advocates for use again petitioned, yet were denied by the DEA in 2011. Americans for Safe Access filed an appeal in 2012 with the D.C. Circuit.
As of August 2013, 20 states and Washington D.C. have legalized the use of medical marijuana.
Images © Fox 31, AP, Deviant Art, Huffington Post
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