How to break the stereotypes and finally be taken seriously as a movement?

[jd4083]

to the starter of the thread, where have you been lately? 15 states have decriminalized/legalized for medical use, California wasn't that far off from all-out legalization, I'd say we are being taken seriously and I'd call that progress. We have a long way to go and a lot of ignorant people to enlighten, including some in our own movement as I pointed out in my last post, but we are getting there. The advancements are undeniable, and victory is inevitable it's just a matter of when, not how, and it won't be long now.

I've stated my concerns with the legalization movement in no uncertain terms a couple of times already in this thread. Take a look for yourself, I'd rather not repeat them unnecessarily.

Did that poster act in the way you suggested we should act here? And if not why did no one call him on it until I just did?

While he used some...coarse verbage... he did not direct his statement at anyone in particular, nor did he specifically call out one group. You, on the other hand, directly attacked him and did everything that I respectfully requested people who decided to post in this thread NOT do. I understand that you are passionate about the issue, but so is everyone else, and we've managed to keep it on a friendly level thus far. Try not to rock the boat too much, yeah?

 

[Red Fang]

well I think I have the right to disagree with him, I apologize if I rocked the boat or used coarse verbage of my own. But in my opinion, he did call out one group, basically anyone who disagrees with him and thinks cannabis CAN cause enlightenment. But I will not post any more if alternate views are not respected here. peace bro
edit: I see now you do respect my views as well, thanks for that!

 

[jd4083]

well I think I have the right to disagree with him, I apologize if I rocked the boat or used coarse verbage of my own. But in my opinion, he did call out one group, basically anyone who disagrees with him and thinks cannabis CAN cause enlightenment. But I will not post any more if alternate views are not respected here. peace bro

I think you misunderstood what I was saying if you feel that I don't want your opinion in the thread. The post you made explaining your opinion was well-stated and though I don't agree with much of it, I respect your position and your passion as I already mentioned. You are more than welcome to stay and participate if you can try to ignore what you feel may be a slight on a group that you identify with (which I also understand, btw) and keep it friendly! I mean that sincerely...

 

[whodair]

I feel you Whodair... but sometimes I wish I could make a living doing what I love without passing my days in fear and mistrust.

I sometimes doubt I'll ever see the day... But hope is what Cannabis brought back to my life (MMJ) so I'll keep hoping.

dont worry homie we aint gettin caught !! (as I cautiously look down my street for surveillance vans...)

 

[OjoRojo420]

dont worry homie we aint gettin caught !! (as I cautiously look down my street for surveillance vans...)

You and me both!... LOL

"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance"
Thomas Jefferson

 

[LittleMissGrow]

people are beging to realize smoking weed isn't so bad. i know someone who grows legally as a caregiver here in canada and in doing so he associates with the cops, he says even they are begining to see that being high is better then being drunk. drunk drivers can't drive for crap, kill people. they are agressive and just stupid most f the time.... not all of drinkers s9ome can handle their booze lol. but in general more and more people are realizing the good it does, my grandpa had cancer and he smokes..... i was shocked as hell lol. things are changing.... but not quick enough!!!! we need a pot smoking president for the usa and pot smoking prime minister for canada,..... gotta get some real stoners into politics. loll. sorry i'm not as serious or educated sounding as some of yous

 

[Red Fang]

well we disagree, who knows you may be right or I may be. Either way, we are on the same side. All I am saying is we should not make enemies of one another by judging one another. We are on the same side! How can anyone disagree with that?

edit, well Little miss can't be wrong, now was that offensive cuz it was a joke!
anyway, eloquent or not I agree with all of that! We as "stoners" are as diverse a group as any, some conservative to the core even though I can't understand that as they seem to be all out against us, and some like me that are borderline commies! Some slackers, some engineers and doctors and lawyers, and who's to say the "rolling stone" among us is wrong and the conformist is right? We have to all respect each other's differences, not down each other. And did I say you are right on?

 

[jd4083]

well we disagree, who knows you may be right or I may be. Either way, we are on the same side. All I am saying is we should not make enemies of one another by judging one another. We are on the same side!

I agree! Glad we're on the same page.

 

[TurboDog]

Im not labeling any one, but seriously. if We, the cannabis community want to be take seriously. We cannot be parading around weashington on 420 or protesting where every one is all ghettofied, or dreaded otu with soem multi colored hair and a bob maryley shirt on looking like their in the fucking circus.... You know how many protest and shit I see pictures of where a group of people trying to be taken seriously are wearing tophats with weed on them, and weed sunglasses and a pink mowhawk or a cape wrapped around their neck with a potleaf on it and shit. the people you are trying to convince DON'T DRESS LIKE THAT, AND WILL NOT TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY. they immediately look at a group of delinquents and dismiss them and fucking idiots dressed liek clowns smoking joints everywhere. shit I even ask WTF these people are doing wearing the shit they do in a protest to legalize marijuana......loose the "lazy stoner" look and dress decent at a protest or a organized event...FUCK


on another note, one thing that pisses me off, is hightimes with certain adds. How about not advertising porn in you mag, or an advertisment that is advertising videos on how to make crystal meth, lsd and other drugs liek mdma right from your home....YES THEY HAVE ADVERTISMENTS FOR THIS SHIT....WTF, pisses me off. fucking weed magazine advertising videos for how to make crystal meth and acid....give me a fucking break. if some one pics up the mag to read about pot, you have naked woman phone sex ads everywhere and meth videos. o and treating yourself magazine.....dready, the magazine mascot looks liek A COMPLETE FUCKING BURNOUT. anyone who picks up the mag to read about medical cannabis and sees this guy with his eyes all red, his ears all gauged out, a green dreds and baggy ass shirt andbaggy ass cargo jeans trying to explain the benefits of medical marijuana is gonna think the cannabis community are a bunch of fuckign morons.....these people are fucking it up for us....we will not be take seriously if we don't change out presentaion to the community we are trying to convince. They need to see, WE ARE LIKE THEM, WE WORK JOBS AND HAVE FAMILY LIKE THEY DO. not that we dropped out of high school, pierced teh shit outta our body and tatted it the fuck up and parade around at protests in weed capes wrapped around our necks. Slap that on cnn or fox news and see the reaction from horrified mothers and old people. how about dispensaries with dress codes, nice outfits, or even a professional looking outfit like a pharmacy technician would wear, so when you see the inside of one on the news, or you are new to cananbis and are curious to go into one, the palce looks clean and people look professional. Not like some high school drug dealer. Please don't hate on me, but people are missing the point on how to present the image THE NON BELIEVERS WOULD WANT TO SEE. remember, your not trying to convince me, your trying to convince martha stewart or a nun.

 

[Red Fang]

thanks jd, glad we are on the same page. Sorry Turbo, did not have the patience to read all that, but I think got the jist of in in the beginning. You should not be so judgmental dude.
That being said, I agree the "mainstream" non-pot smoking public sees all that as evidence of weed does, turns you into crazy radicals kind of thing, and then reacts reflexively against it because they are freaked out by it. Now most of those folks wouldn't be convinced if Jesus himself came down and said we should all smoke for enlightenment, so that make me reflexively want to be as freaky as I can in response. That being said, I am as straight and narrow looking as they come. Short hair, modest dress, almost goofy looking, but almost makes me want to go out of my way to dye my hair and wear a marley shirt and pot leaf tophat to show them asshats they don't control me! But I will continue being the straight looking dude I am and fight for justice. I suggest you do not judge and do the same.

 

[ambition]

This in particular brings up a good point -- how seriously can the powers that be, mainstream America, or even our own community take the MMJ industry as it currently stands? Many folks on this site alone have issues with the way greed seems to be so ubiquitous in all aspects of medical marijuana as it stands, as well as the way that some people take to using herb as a "miracle drug" rather than as a supplement to their primary treatment plan.

Are we really better off playing the medical card? No pun intended, of course. Should we focus more on decriminalization and let Darwin worry about the rest?

I think we have to prioritize morally before we consider the politics.

If you are against cannabis legalization, I think you're not just wrong, but very, very silly. This isn't economic theory, or some complicated political algorithm. Pot is an easy one. But I wouldn't call someone who opposes across-the-board legalization names. It can be a little complicated. For example, while some studies suggest canna-usage will not increase via legalization, some studies- conducted by legitimate sources- suggest use will increase. That's nothing to sneeze over. I don't think it's a reason to outlaw it, but it's something to consider at least.

By comparison, if you oppose medical marijuana, you are a fucking sadist; a genuinely evil cun*, using your intellectual sloppiness as a vehicle to cause pain and suffering.

As a non-medical patient, I say medical patients first. Prioritize federal resources to fight that fight. Then we go after sending parents to prison and their children in foster.

 

[ambition]

Im not labeling any one, but seriously. if We, the cannabis community want to be take seriously. We cannot be parading around weashington on 420 or protesting where every one is all ghettofied, or dreaded otu with soem multi colored hair and a bob maryley shirt on looking like their in the fucking circus.... You know how many protest and shit I see pictures of where a group of people trying to be taken seriously are wearing tophats with weed on them, and weed sunglasses and a pink mowhawk or a cape wrapped around their neck with a potleaf on it and shit. the people you are trying to convince DON'T DRESS LIKE THAT, AND WILL NOT TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY. they immediately look at a group of delinquents and dismiss them and fucking idiots dressed liek clowns smoking joints everywhere. shit I even ask WTF these people are doing wearing the shit they do in a protest to legalize marijuana......loose the "lazy stoner" look and dress decent at a protest or a organized event...FUCK


on another note, one thing that pisses me off, is hightimes with certain adds. How about not advertising porn in you mag, or an advertisment that is advertising videos on how to make crystal meth, lsd and other drugs liek mdma right from your home....YES THEY HAVE ADVERTISMENTS FOR THIS SHIT....WTF, pisses me off. fucking weed magazine advertising videos for how to make crystal meth and acid....give me a fucking break. if some one pics up the mag to read about pot, you have naked woman phone sex ads everywhere and meth videos. o and treating yourself magazine.....dready, the magazine mascot looks liek A COMPLETE FUCKING BURNOUT. anyone who picks up the mag to read about medical cannabis and sees this guy with his eyes all red, his ears all gauged out, a green dreds and baggy ass shirt andbaggy ass cargo jeans trying to explain the benefits of medical marijuana is gonna think the cannabis community are a bunch of fuckign morons.....these people are fucking it up for us....we will not be take seriously if we don't change out presentaion to the community we are trying to convince. They need to see, WE ARE LIKE THEM, WE WORK JOBS AND HAVE FAMILY LIKE THEY DO. not that we dropped out of high school, pierced teh shit outta our body and tatted it the fuck up and parade around at protests in weed capes wrapped around our necks. Slap that on cnn or fox news and see the reaction from horrified mothers and old people. how about dispensaries with dress codes, nice outfits, or even a professional looking outfit like a pharmacy technician would wear, so when you see the inside of one on the news, or you are new to cananbis and are curious to go into one, the palce looks clean and people look professional. Not like some high school drug dealer. Please don't hate on me, but people are missing the point on how to present the image THE NON BELIEVERS WOULD WANT TO SEE. remember, your not trying to convince me, your trying to convince martha stewart or a nun.

I think I stand beside you on two fronts:

A) People who use marijuana as an identity really need to get a life. It's creepy and unhealthy. "It's just a plant." Yeah, exactly. Go fishing or something, dude.

B)Most white-picket fencer's are grossed out when they see hippies and career weirdo's parading their locks' around in protest.

Here's the thing, though: that's who those people are. I think they suck, but we can't go asking people to change just because it will help the cause. Ask almost any hippy about their dreads and they'll probably beam with a story about what it means to them. That's OK. I think it's dumb but then, who the hell am I?

If we ask a bunch of our fellow smokers to change their 'live and let live,' not-so-materialistic (and perhaps not so big on employment, lol) ways in order to "win," we didn't really win.

 

[Greensub]

"I Want To Be Different... Just Like Everyone Else Wants To Be."
- King Missile

Are you saying conform???

In some ways the problem is the same as the LGBT community has. The ones who are most flamboyant are the most likely to come out of the closet.

The vast majority of us do conform... look normal, dress normal, act normal... believe normal things.

The problem is nobody would even think we smoke weed... nobody in my family knows, I don't really go around telling people. Nobody knows we're making a good example of ourselves.

Do we really have a place telling those who are brave enough to come out publicly with their support for cannabis not to be themselves?

 

[El Toker]

......Again who the fuck are you to say all this? STFU? I'd like to see you make me! Who are you to say someone is mad or narcissistic for believing cannabis helps open new doors and windows in the mind? And to tell people with a view other than yours to STFU? I think you need to take your own advice on that one! I have to ask have you ever inhaled?....

Yeh, that's deep man, I can see that your intellect has really been enhanced by cannabis.

 

[juicepuddle]

Yeh, that's deep man, I can see that your intellect has really been enhanced by cannabis.

He didnt say it was he was saying who are you to say it is not

 

[El Toker]

He didnt say it was he was saying who are you to say it is not

he did

Who are you to say some DON'T get enhanced ability to understand things from cannabis? It has been a mind-opening experience for me, and I assure you I am not alone!

Post #17

I only spotted it because of my cannabis enhanced intellect.

 

[SmilinBob]

Doesn't matter how much work we do. It will take 100 years for it to pass legislation to become federally accepted. Even then got to be scrutinized.

So, you want to get cannabis legal? Change the way pharmaceuticals are evaluated in this country. Good luck with that.

Beer doesn't have to pass placebo tests. Bringing the medical with it to the feds is asking for a long processes of stalling in legislation. Scrutinized by science that is tainted with money from special interests.

1 million people camping on the white house door step chanting, smoking, politely campaigning our side, but who is actually going to do that?

The people that run shit are the representatives of the state. We keep getting the same bs, because the same mofos keep putting the same scum back in office. Contact them bitches and tell them what you want. Eventually if enough people are telling these people, "Yea, it's time now." Someone will help us where we need it. Trying to convince scum that theirs enough voters that people running on a pro legalization platform have a chance.

That's what it's all about. Job security. Nobody is going to stick their neck out. Politicians or citizens.

If you're state doesn't have medical marijuana it's because not enough people are willing to stand up for their rights, and it sucks.

 

[crazybear]

This in particular brings up a good point -- how seriously can the powers that be, mainstream America, or even our own community take the MMJ industry as it currently stands? Many folks on this site alone have issues with the way greed seems to be so ubiquitous in all aspects of medical marijuana as it stands, as well as the way that some people take to using herb as a "miracle drug" rather than as a supplement to their primary treatment plan.

Are we really better off playing the medical card? No pun intended, of course. Should we focus more on decriminalization and let Darwin worry about the rest?

Where do you get this idea that cannabis is NOT "miracle drug" & why do we NOT want to use the medical card! Do yourself a favor look google "Sativex"! Seriously cannabis is a very good medicine a lot better for nerve pain than anything out of a bottle I know from personal experience! You act like you really don't believe that cannabis is medicine!

 

[SpasticGramps]

This in particular brings up a good point -- how seriously can the powers that be, mainstream America, or even our own community take the MMJ industry as it currently stands? Many folks on this site alone have issues with the way greed seems to be so ubiquitous in all aspects of medical marijuana as it stands, as well as the way that some people take to using herb as a "miracle drug" rather than as a supplement to their primary treatment plan.

Are we really better off playing the medical card? No pun intended, of course. Should we focus more on decriminalization and let Darwin worry about the rest?

I say push the med aspect first because if you look at the Gallup Polls some ~70% are for legalizing for medicinal use only and only 46% are for legalizing for recreational use. Mainstream America will be much more willing to go ahead with legalizing for medical use first. After that is done nationally then it's only a matter of time before it will be completley decriminalized or legalized. This would also get it off Schedule I which will allow for a lot more flexibility in our fight.

Again, suits ties and Washington lobbyist is what will make us a contender in Mainstream America.

 

[SacredTHCRitual]

good thread


A lot of good points from all sides


I used to have dreads all the way down my back, long beard, and would sport the stone look. didn't give a damn about fashion or identifying as a smoker, I just liked having them and being able to do it.

Problem is in America, it's easier and a lot of the times, smarter, to keep it low profile. So I cut the hair and dress down. I do it because I want to divert added attention from myself which in itself is good but also bad. If you keep it low profile you may be able to get different people to take your opinion more seriously.

Sure it would be cool to have more smokers that were casual in a magazine but most people want to read about the crazy ones who have escaped the "norm" and made it out. I sometimes would like to use my perspectives from both sides and put together some information. For legalization efforts, yeah we need everyone being honest and respectful.