All posts by editor

Editorial, Featured

Legalizing marijuana isn’t about social justice

By Will Jones III

The Philadelphia Inquirer asked advocates for and against legalization/commercialization of marijuana to weigh in on the topic.  Here’s what Will Jones, of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) wrote:

Calls to legalize marijuana often lead with the cry of social justice. Many advocates argue that legalization will right the wrongs of our racist past in the criminal justice system.

In reality, legalization would make our society much less just than it is now. Legalization would lead to increased commercialization of marijuana, playing into the hands of an intoxicating, addictive, for-profit industry that is appropriating problems of systemic injustice to the tune of billions of dollars in profits. Pennsylvania should instead focus on decriminalization. Continue reading Legalizing marijuana isn’t about social justice →

Politics

Lowell Protesters demonstrate against pot dispensaries

“Prohibitionists” against marijuana are alive and well in Massachusetts. They’re a growing army.  Hundreds of people participated in a Peace March from Lowell Auditorium to Lowell City Hall on September 28 to demonstrate concerns about marijuana in the city.

Many people held signs, proclaiming “We have a Dream,” and “Keep Kids Safe.”   One sign proclaimed a “War on Addiction.”  Organizers planned the march to express problems associated with the  marijuana stores in the City of Lowell.

Many in the immigrant community joined the group.   How can anyone live the American dream, if a community promotes drug use?

After the march, several people gave speeches in front of city hall, explaining their opposition to marijuana.  They talked about psychosis and suicide, and the deaths of young people.  

We found many photos on the website for Citywide Ministries Network of Greater Lowell.   Other groups joined in the march. The turnout was huge. 

Lowell, the fourth largest in Massachusetts, lies 30 miles north of Boston.   

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker took a courageous step last week, banning all vaping products, for four months. The CDC warned that 77% of the lung illnesses from vaping were from marijuana vapes, some of which were mixed with nicotine.

Mental Health, Testimonies

The marijuana of the 1960s sent me down a path of mental illness

As far as I’m concerned, those who claim that marijuana is harmless don’t know what they’re talking about.   Also there’s a misconception that only the stronger pot of today is dangerous.

What you don’t know is that I became addicted to marijuana in my early 20s, and suffered a psychotic breakdown shortly after my 25th birthday. Ever since then I’ve struggled with mental illness, especially depression with frequent thoughts of suicide. Continue reading The marijuana of the 1960s sent me down a path of mental illness →

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding, Teens

Surgeon General, HHS Secretary issue blunt warnings About Marijuana

Parents from every part of the country tell us that their teens claim “marijuana is safer than alcohol.”  That’s because many teens take messages from social media and fake news.

The Surgeon General and Secretary of Health and Human Services issued a blunt warning today, clarifying why cannabis is not safe.  Together with the heads of SAMHSA and NIDA, Dr. Jerome Adams and HHS Secretary Alex Azar spoke at a Press Conference today, detailing the risks of pot.

Continue reading Surgeon General, HHS Secretary issue blunt warnings About Marijuana →