United States, prohibition and persuasion strategies

7TH JULY 2019

Do not read this article for any reason.

If you have decided to continue, you are confirming the antiprohibitionist thesis.

In other words, prohibiting increases the desire to transgress. Since the earliest times, the human being has felt attracted to what he cannot achieve. It almost seems that the forbidden is covered with a halo that irresistibly attracts us. After all, it is an almost natural manifestation that arises when something intrigues us or when we want to conquer freedom. 

THE STATE TAKES ADVANTAGE OF SOCIAL WEAKNESSES

The issue becomes much more delicate  when we talk about drug use and addiction as two very powerful forces come into play, it is awareness and will. Awareness is innate in man at a potential level, both in the more evolved being and in the less evolved one; in the first case it is simply more developed, expanded and therefore evident, in the second case it is hidden or latent: it waits to be revealed. For this reason, those who fall into the temptation of the forbidden often  find it difficult to distinguish what damages health from other substances which, despite being illegal, have the ability to improve the quality of individual health. The properties of cannabis are an example of this.

CLASSIFICATION ON THE BASIS OF THE DANGER OF DRUGS

Physical damage, addiction and social damage: on the basis of these three factors, the ranking of the 20 most dangerous drugs in the world has been drawn up , thanks to a study conducted by  David Nutt of the University of Bristol  and published in the prestigious journal " The Lancet " 

1. Heroin
2. Cocaine
3. Barbiturates
4. Methadone
5. Alcohol
6. Ketamine
7. Benzodiazepines
8. Amphetamines
9. Tobacco
10. Buprenorphine
11. Cannabis
12. Solvents
13. 4-MTA
14. LSD
15. Methylphenidate
16. Steroids
17. GHB
18. Ecstasy / MDMA
19. Nitrates
20. Khat

In 3rd position  we find the barbiturates , powerful sleeping pills  belonging to the class of so-called hypnotic narcotics and are drugs used in the treatment of anxiety above all thanks to their sedative effect. They derive from barbituric acid, were discovered in the nineteenth century by Von Baeyern, were initially used as painkillers and for anesthesia, then as anxiolytics and hypnotics. Currently they have been almost completely supplanted in medical use by benzodiazepines, but recreational use is very intense due to its relaxing abilities. Unfortunately, barbiturates are highly addictive and easily lead to lethal overdoses, the effect varies from individual to individual or from other substances taken simultaneously. Also available online and until recently even without a prescription, for some years the Italian state has taken full control. 

In 5th position we find alcohol. Clearly in this case we are referring to addiction to alcoholic beverages, not to its limited and occasional use. 15.9% (almost 9 million) of the Italian population records regular excess consumption behaviors ( ISTAT survey ). The long-term damage of alcohol is tremendous: liver damage , circulatory system damage, permanent brain damage, gastritis, tumors. Alcohol is estimated to be the leading cause of addiction deaths .

In 9th position  we find the Tobacco . The most toxic and socially common substance, over 15 million are habitual smokers. Among the few substances whose carcinogenic effect is proven, as well as on the circulatory system, there is tobacco. its addictive capacity is remarkable and difficult to overcome, as people who try to quit smoking know well.

Only in 11th position  we find cannabis with over 6 million regular users. Always known for its industrial , eco-sustainable and medical capabilities.  Today in Italy the production and marketing of the cannabis sativa plant with an active ingredient (THC) lower than 0.5% is allowed. A very important substance for benefits and prevention is CBD, identified as an excellent ally for the treatment of tumors, autoimmune diseases and chronic nicotine addiction (available  in different forms on our website  bongae.com ) 

PROHIBITIONISM HAS FAILED

In 1937  the  Marijuana tax act was approved , which prohibited, directly and indirectly, the cultivation of cannabis for any use, including industrial or therapeutic. From here on, many Western countries, including Italy, have adapted to the American decision (with some distinctions such as Holland). The consequence of all this is that cannabis, since then, has been considered a dangerous drug , to be prosecuted by any means, giving drug traffickers on a silver platter the chance to create one of the biggest businesses on the black market. Today it is the United States itselfto review their position. In fact, in many American states, the use and consumption of cannabis has returned to being legal. And this is true not only for industrial or therapeutic hemp, but also for recreational weed, so demonized in the past.

The most striking example is that of California which in 2018 was the first US state to make cannabis legal in all respects, the  green light came after a 2016 referendum, where 57.1% of citizens expressed their opinion in favor of the so-called Proposition 64

We hope that also in our country, a serious 360 ° legalization process will start with the same speed.

BONGAE