Why People Think Potheads Are Lazy

Far from being a downer, cannabis lightens the heart and mind. Over the many, many centuries of its use, it has always been hailed as a benefit for mankind.

Rather than slowing down aspirations and innovation, many of modern societies greatest business successes have used cannabis. Oprah Winfrey, Richard Branson, Steve Jobs, Hugh Heffner, Jay-Z, George Zimmer, Mark Cuban, John Mackey, Bill Gates, and countless others both admitted and still in the closet.

That sums up the lash against cannabis in the early 1970’s. The Nixon administration, faced with overwhelming public criticism, realized they could not condemn being black or protesting the war.

Suddenly, Black Rights groups and anti-war protestors were free game for the government to silence through arrest and incarceration. The government painted a picture for conservative America: All cannabis users were lazy, doped out hippies, sucking off the teat of society, rather than socially active Vietnam War protesters.

Over the years, Partnership for a Drug-Free America and Nancy Reagan’s Just Say No  campaigns have only deepened that stereotype. The “This is Your Brain on Drugs” ads were masterpieces of misinformation created by some of the greatest minds in advertising.

Suddenly, Black Rights groups and anti-war protestors were free game for the government to silence through arrest and incarceration. The government painted a picture for conservative America: All cannabis users were lazy, doped out hippies, sucking off the teat of society, rather than socially active Vietnam War protesters.

Even now, groups like Smart Approaches to Marijuana receive money from organizations who care about dangers to their profits more than the people. In addition, political powerhouses like Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who decried marijuana legalization until recently, get major support from the alcohol industry.

The manipulation continues, but people have begun to wake up. The public has played puppet to the whims of secret hands for too long. Those who use cannabis know the truth. Those who hold power do as well.

The difference is that they deny that truth until they have no other choice. Dear Debbie found that out quite recently. Now she cautiously supports patient rights to use cannabis in the face of losing her office to another candidate who actually does.

We need to spread the fear of the truth instead of the fear of lies. Cannabis doesn’t turn us into lazy idiots. It awakens our passion, creativity, and intuition. It is the manipulation by and the unquestioning support of those powers that be which turns us into lazy idiots.