Why We Fight For Reform – by Mark Kichman

Martin Luther King Jr. has been admired in my family well before I was born. In virtually every house in my family, there are pictures of Mr. King hanging on the walls, and quotes plastered on everything from coffee mugs to school projects. Martin Luther King Jr. was an amazing person, and I am delighted to celebrate his life and achievements on Martin Luther King Jr. Day every year.

As a cannabis activist, I often wonder what Martin Luther King Jr. would think of the marijuana reform movement. I like to think that not only would he be proud of the reform movement’s victories, but that he would have been a cannabis activist himself. I don’t think that Mr. King was a cannabis consumer, as there’s zero evidence that he ever consumed marijuana at all. But supporting marijuana reform is much more than just being a consumer and fighting for your personal right to consume.

I’m happy to say that I know a lot of people that support marijuana reform, yet have never consumed cannabis. Those people support marijuana reform because they support equality, because they support compassion, and because they support social justice. Those of course are all things that Martin Luther King Jr. stood for too.

Martin Luther King Jr. stood up for what was right, even when it wasn’t popular, and even when it meant risking everything. His efforts are what ultimately cost him his life. To say that Martin Luther King Jr. is honorable and amazing is one of the biggest understatements of all time. Marijuana activists should strive to be like Mr. King. Marijuana activists should be willing to risk it all in the name of truth and justice, even when it isn’t popular or easy, and especially when it isn’t popular or easy.

On MLK Day remember why you fight for reform, and strive to be more like Mr. King. Below are some of his quotes, all of which I feel apply to the battle to end marijuana prohibition:

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

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Freedom from Tyranny

Fifty-three years ago I was standing in a sea of black people when Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech. It was a peaceful crowd. There were a few whites, but not many. My sister and I were standing near one of the TV cameras and near the end of the speech I saw the red light go on. We were on live TV. At the time we didn’t know how important that day was.

We are still working on Dr. King’s dream to be free from tyranny. President Nixon’s war on marijuana began a decade later. That war has ruined the lives of many blacks. It was a clever ruse. Prohibiting marijuana has no rational basis. Cannabis is a medicinal herb that is also used socially. Today we are creating a new paradigm where Cannabis is no longer demonized.

The healing properties of Cannabis are recognized by the vast majority of Americans, but the laws are slow to change. Anti-marijuana propaganda has produced an irrational fear. The Cannabis Wave community is revealing the truth and creating a new landscape. The tyranny of the past will no longer stand.

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Trust is Essential

Let’s talk about trust. Why do we trust some people? Why don’t we trust some people?

When you trust someone, you believe that they will do what they say they’re going to do. If you don’t believe them, you don’t trust them.

Trust is essential to cooperation. Without trust, anger and frustration boil to the surface.

Who do you trust? First you have to trust yourself. Then you can find other trustworthy people like you. Cannabis Wave guides are trustworthy helpers who can show you the way.

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Respect for Cannabis

Let’s talk about respect. As a member of Cannabis Wave, you are one of the people who respects Cannabis. Too many people don’t respect the cannabis plant. They think it’s just garbage. They’ve been told a lot of stories about the “devil weed”. They blame it for making them do stupid things.

In reality, cannabis changes the way you perceive the world. It shifts your focus onto the now. Thoughts about the past and future recede into the distance. This adjustment allows new ideas to percolate into your mind.

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The “Laugh Factor”

One of the issues we need to address is the “laugh factor” associated with cannabis. After decades of propaganda and jokes about marijuana, people tend to laugh when talking about the medical use of cannabis.

We need to put that behind us so we can let people know that cannabis is a valuable medicine.

Why does marijuana make people laugh?

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