15 years later, and it's shameful how little progress has been made by medical marijuana at the Federal level. Hitch was spot on: It's an apparatus of control.
I agree, but much of the responsibility has to go to those people who use it in a recreational manner, to the point they are unable to function in society. I live in a place which is rife with chavvy wasters and cannabis fuelled pocket philosophers, who live in a constant state of lethargy, and it is these people who are the cause of the negative reputation it has amongst respectable people, who may otherwise have helped to advance its progress.
@@elvisleeboy I think that's sort of just absolves the justice department. THATS where the blame belongs. It's not stoners with no jobs keeping legalization out of reach. If they're doing any damage its undetectable compared to the state and its (decades-long) use of radical anti-drug propaganda. But, agree to disagree.
@@elvisleeboy I think you'll find that the Nixon administration did far more damage here than the stoners have ever done. Because the hippies protested the Vietnam war, they started a propaganda campaign against them labeling them as weed somking nobodies at are up to no good. Also the "war on drugs" was launched at the same time to take attention away from that other war being fought half a world away.
I wish I could articulate half as well as Mr. Hitchens. I would be spreading the word discussing the very same issues especially the scourge of religion.
States are leading the way in the decriminalization of marijuana use for recreational and medical use, my own state (RI) being the latest; but there is still resistance on the federal level, for the reasons Hitchens gives.
Ending the war on drugs is as easy and difficult as having the discovery of the cure to addiction be known to save infinite lives. Addiction is the tormented psychology of an unforgiving liar, only liars get hooked and only honesty gets freedom. The tragedy of addiction is children who revenge a childhood hurt or trauma, against their parents learning from example becoming victims of themselves so as to conceal the hatred to hurt others, advertising self as victim stealing attention. Humanity are dying deceived deceiving because are not honest.
@@MiguelPerez-ty1vb This post has a lot of moralizing, zero medicine, and zero proposals. You've named something to blame: that and an empty sack is worth the sack.
Shame you weren't able to convince your brother of the insanity and immorality of drug laws, in particular cannabis prohibition because not only does he support drug laws but he thinks they should carry stronger criminal punishments.
Ending the war on drugs is as easy and difficult as having the discovery of the cure to addiction be known to save infinite lives. Addiction is the tormented psychology of an unforgiving liar, only liars get hooked and only honesty gets freedom. The tragedy of addiction is children who revenge a childhood hurt or trauma, against their parents learning from example becoming victims of themselves so as to conceal the hatred to hurt others, advertising self as victim stealing attention. Humanity are dying deceived deceiving because are not honest.
@@MiguelPerez-ty1vb I don't really understand most of what you said but ending the war on drugs can be very easy. We just end it. There is zero logic or justification for criminalizing people for what they put in their own bodies or trade with consenting adults. Addiction and the wisdom of people's personal choices is a separate issue and does not justify the violation of individual autonomy. A far bigger problem society faces than drug addicts is authoritarian scum bags who think they have the right to criminalize other people for drug use.
@@matthewsands1572 what don’t you understand when i say that addiction is not a brain disease, that addiction is the psychology of a liar and addicts are victims of themselves? Only liars get hooked and only honesty gets freedom. I am a recovering addict and i have discovered the cure to addiction. Do you understand?
@@MiguelPerez-ty1vb What don't you understand when I say that none of that changes the undeniable fact that drug laws are counterproductive, idiotic and immoral to the point of evil? Your theories on how to cure addiction has zero relevance to the insanity and immorality of drug laws. Do you understand that?
I’ve been amazed for decades on end, how in the Netherlands and especially in Amsterdam most everything is legal, in particular cannabis, yet locals will tell you, they use it moderately and it works in spades treating a myriad of maladies. I truly admire the Dutch people, they love art and music, they know how to smoke cannabis responsibly drink moderately accompanying a meal, then walking to the red district to have a wonderful powerful f*ck,..now that’s what I call living life to the fullest.
Yay, paying money for rape, so progressive. Read up real stories from those women, this is not a "powerful fuck", you twat, this is rape with few extra steps.
Ending the war on drugs is as easy and difficult as having the discovery of the cure to addiction be known to save infinite lives. Addiction is the tormented psychology of an unforgiving liar, only liars get hooked and only honesty gets freedom. The tragedy of addiction is children who revenge a childhood hurt or trauma, against their parents learning from example becoming victims of themselves so as to conceal the hatred to hurt others, advertising self as victim stealing attention. Humanity are dying deceived deceiving because are not honest.
@@at8630 that's actually a bad example because we can't ban alcohol and that's one of the reasons why the war on drugs needs to end because its a failure and their are cases with things like marijuana where its just beyond the pale
A society engaged in a ”war on drugs” does not simultaneously elevate narcotic use to the status of a celebrated lifestyle. From this logically follows that no such societal effort ever actually occurred. Contrary to popular belief, addicts enjoy tremendous freedom to indulge their moral weakness.
I think it's absolutely hilarious how we insist on telling the kids that "drugs are horrible, dangerous things." yet every time you turn on the televisiion you're deluged with drug commercials telling you how wonderful drugs are. It's not surprising that we are a schizophrenic, nutso country.
It is "hilarious" but it's also incredibly sad..I tried all the drugs out for myself because I didn't have closed minded oppressive parents growing up, and I found a few drugs that work great for me that I love to this day and can't wait to use again, but I'm in so much trouble with the law because of them that I can't risk it atm
As Bill Hicks said: "We meant those untaxed drugs, those are the ones that are bad for you. Our drugs? Good drugs, coincidentally taxed drugs...wow how does this fucking work?" LOL
It doesn't take trauma to want to "Ease the pain that living brings" (the Springsteen lyric from "My Beautiful Reward). The desire for relief from the stresses of life is inherent to our existence. The key is balance and making choices that facilitate, rather than interfere or become detrimental to our lives. Restricting our options based solely on economic interests, that in turn direct our laws and influence politicians who write them, does not prioritize the people. However, it is the people who vote for such endorsements. It remains our responsibility to choose wisely...
Starting with the covid19 vaccines!! No wait I mean that in reverse except the Covid-19 vaccines which should be banned before its too late which it sadly already is.
@@billjones261 Stop telling other people what to do with their own lives. If drug takers simply off themselves with drugs, it's that much better for humanity.
Marijuana is still banned in India to this day in almost all forms because of the international pressure by the US even though it has been a core part of the Indian culture forever.
Yeah, i can handle a joint but my neighbor can't so i ll make it illegal and maybe make other countries even at the other side of the world criminalise it, that should keep me safe
The challenge with this issue, or any other Hitchens and people like him bring up, is that he was far more informed and articulate than almost anyone else commenting on the topics. While it is true that a "war" and a "czar" were really poor choices of words, the intentions behind them were (and are) real and sinister That said, while there may be some efficacy in decriminalizing marijuana and perhaps other drugs this fails to take into account the rampant cost of caring for those who misuse the two most popular legal drugs already to say nothing of all the others. Less crime and less victimizing is a great idea, but legalizing marijuana just reinforces the idea of America as a culture enamored with drugs and the escape from reality that underlies all mind altering substance use. Not this simple and America definitely isn't alone but in this instance, short of a more details account of Hitchens' point, I have to disagree with his general premise here. Simply legalizing isn't going to eradicate the harm mind-altering drugs have on people. It may reduce the impact but it wont solve the problem by any means even though I am certain Hitchens wasn't suggesting that it would.
Ending the war on drugs is as easy and difficult as having the discovery of the cure to addiction be known to save infinite lives. Addiction is the tormented psychology of an unforgiving liar, only liars get hooked and only honesty gets freedom. The tragedy of addiction is children who revenge a childhood hurt or trauma, against their parents learning from example becoming victims of themselves so as to conceal the hatred to hurt others, advertising self as victim stealing attention. Humanity are dying deceived deceiving because are not honest.
So, legalising marijuana comes with a cost that some people will abuse it? How then do you reconcile the legalisation of driving an auto, gun ownership or prescription drugs? They each have a phenomenal rate of abuse.
@@MiguelPerez-ty1vb This post has a lot of moralizing, zero medicine, and zero proposals. You've named something to blame: that and an empty sack is worth the sack.
@@scronx marijuana has been used as a painkiller, appetizer and digestive for thousands of years, there's historical and archaeological evidence for that. Today marijuana is used to counterbalance the effects of chemotherapy (mainly loss of appetite). It treats symptoms not the problem itself, people who tell you that marijuana is medicine are snakeoil salesmen of pro marijuana lobbies. But since marijuana is less addictive than opioids, doesn't have an influence on the hormone cycle it is a better alternative than pharmaceutical competitors in some cases. someone I knew used CBD cream for her menstrual cramps instead of taking the pill (externally) and it worked wonders. My stepmother used THC to regain appetite during her chemo. I also knew someone who claims she cured her mycosis by smoking pot . I doubt that smoking pot could cure buccal or vaginal mycosis but it is true that smoking pot dries up the mucous membrane
@@scronx Why does that matter? It's proven through medical science and serious medical journals have written on its positive effect on among other things cancer patients. And if you're wondering what positive effects it has, google is your friend.
![Christopher Hitchens - Free Speech (2006) [HQ]](/img/n.gif)
15 years later, and it's shameful how little progress has been made by medical marijuana at the Federal level. Hitch was spot on: It's an apparatus of control.
I agree, but much of the responsibility has to go to those people who use it in a recreational manner, to the point they are unable to function in society. I live in a place which is rife with chavvy wasters and cannabis fuelled pocket philosophers, who live in a constant state of lethargy, and it is these people who are the cause of the negative reputation it has amongst respectable people, who may otherwise have helped to advance its progress.
well, the current administration traded legalization of marijuana for freedom of speech, so...
@@elvisleeboy I think that's sort of just absolves the justice department. THATS where the blame belongs. It's not stoners with no jobs keeping legalization out of reach. If they're doing any damage its undetectable compared to the state and its (decades-long) use of radical anti-drug propaganda. But, agree to disagree.
Legal in Canada. We can self prescribe.
@@elvisleeboy I think you'll find that the Nixon administration did far more damage here than the stoners have ever done. Because the hippies protested the Vietnam war, they started a propaganda campaign against them labeling them as weed somking nobodies at are up to no good. Also the "war on drugs" was launched at the same time to take attention away from that other war being fought half a world away.
I wish I could articulate half as well as Mr. Hitchens. I would be spreading the word discussing the very same issues especially the scourge of religion.
You mean Islam?
@@wereham ALL religion. No difference to me between the big 3,
@@DeanColfax what about all the raping and killing statistics
@@werehamWhat do rape statistics have to do with manipulative, misogynistic mythical religions?
@@wereham If I'm understanding you correctly my response would be "What about all of the Catholic pedophilia?"
States are leading the way in the decriminalization of marijuana use for recreational and medical use, my own state (RI) being the latest; but there is still resistance on the federal level, for the reasons Hitchens gives.
Ending the war on drugs is as easy and difficult as having the discovery of the cure to addiction be known to save infinite lives. Addiction is the tormented psychology of an unforgiving liar, only liars get hooked and only honesty gets freedom. The tragedy of addiction is children who revenge a childhood hurt or trauma, against their parents learning from example becoming victims of themselves so as to conceal the hatred to hurt others, advertising self as victim stealing attention. Humanity are dying deceived deceiving because are not honest.
@@MiguelPerez-ty1vb Um, ok.
@@jeffallcock4561 humanity is brain dead and don't understand the importance of the discovery of the cure to addiction. Um, ok.
@@MiguelPerez-ty1vb This post has a lot of moralizing, zero medicine, and zero proposals. You've named something to blame: that and an empty sack is worth the sack.
Don't you just miss CH
Trump and Biden BOTH said on the campaign trail that weed should be made legal at the Federal level, yet here we are; still not legal.
Shame you weren't able to convince your brother of the insanity and immorality of drug laws, in particular cannabis prohibition because not only does he support drug laws but he thinks they should carry stronger criminal punishments.
Ending the war on drugs is as easy and difficult as having the discovery of the cure to addiction be known to save infinite lives. Addiction is the tormented psychology of an unforgiving liar, only liars get hooked and only honesty gets freedom. The tragedy of addiction is children who revenge a childhood hurt or trauma, against their parents learning from example becoming victims of themselves so as to conceal the hatred to hurt others, advertising self as victim stealing attention. Humanity are dying deceived deceiving because are not honest.
@@MiguelPerez-ty1vb I don't really understand most of what you said but ending the war on drugs can be very easy. We just end it. There is zero logic or justification for criminalizing people for what they put in their own bodies or trade with consenting adults. Addiction and the wisdom of people's personal choices is a separate issue and does not justify the violation of individual autonomy.
A far bigger problem society faces than drug addicts is authoritarian scum bags who think they have the right to criminalize other people for drug use.
@@matthewsands1572 what don’t you understand when i say that addiction is not a brain disease, that addiction is the psychology of a liar and addicts are victims of themselves? Only liars get hooked and only honesty gets freedom. I am a recovering addict and i have discovered the cure to addiction. Do you understand?
@@MiguelPerez-ty1vb What don't you understand when I say that none of that changes the undeniable fact that drug laws are counterproductive, idiotic and immoral to the point of evil?
Your theories on how to cure addiction has zero relevance to the insanity and immorality of drug laws. Do you understand that?
@@matthewsands1572 drugs would be legal when the truth addiction is the psychology of a liar is known.
I recommend an anti-Prohibition amendment to the Constitution.
Health tips from Chris.
I’ve been amazed for decades on end, how in the Netherlands and especially in Amsterdam most everything is legal, in particular cannabis, yet locals will tell you, they use it moderately and it works in spades treating a myriad of maladies. I truly admire the Dutch people, they love art and music, they know how to smoke cannabis responsibly drink moderately accompanying a meal, then walking to the red district to have a wonderful powerful f*ck,..now that’s what I call living life to the fullest.
Yay, paying money for rape, so progressive.
Read up real stories from those women, this is not a "powerful fuck", you twat, this is rape with few extra steps.
It's actually never been legal there, only tolerated. Bizarrely enough it is illegal to grow and import it.
I see you decided to go for the supremely juvenile take.
Ending the war on drugs is as easy and difficult as having the discovery of the cure to addiction be known to save infinite lives. Addiction is the tormented psychology of an unforgiving liar, only liars get hooked and only honesty gets freedom. The tragedy of addiction is children who revenge a childhood hurt or trauma, against their parents learning from example becoming victims of themselves so as to conceal the hatred to hurt others, advertising self as victim stealing attention. Humanity are dying deceived deceiving because are not honest.
This post has a lot of moralizing, zero medicine, and zero proposals. You've named something to blame: that and an empty sack is worth the sack.
if you've ever known people destroyed by drugs you'll think twice about spreading them through the community
True, alcohol and tobacco have killed hundreds of thousands and weed has killed...well, we are still waiting for the first death.
he didn't argue against all drugs there are obviously discrepancies he specifically mentioned marijuana
@@at8630 that's actually a bad example because we can't ban alcohol and that's one of the reasons why the war on drugs needs to end because its a failure and their are cases with things like marijuana where its just beyond the pale
@@thedoctor.a.s1401 yeah, then before you know they'll be a "Drug" Store in every town.
@@FlatOutMatt that is true....but marijuana causes brain damage
A society engaged in a ”war on drugs” does not simultaneously elevate narcotic use to the status of a celebrated lifestyle. From this logically follows that no such societal effort ever actually occurred. Contrary to popular belief, addicts enjoy tremendous freedom to indulge their moral weakness.
I think it's absolutely hilarious how we insist on telling the kids that "drugs are horrible, dangerous things." yet every time you turn on the televisiion you're deluged with drug commercials telling you how wonderful drugs are. It's not surprising that we are a schizophrenic, nutso country.
It is "hilarious" but it's also incredibly sad..I tried all the drugs out for myself because I didn't have closed minded oppressive parents growing up, and I found a few drugs that work great for me that I love to this day and can't wait to use again, but I'm in so much trouble with the law because of them that I can't risk it atm
As Bill Hicks said: "We meant those untaxed drugs, those are the ones that are bad for you. Our drugs? Good drugs, coincidentally taxed drugs...wow how does this fucking work?"
LOL
@@Consumer0001 It's New Zealand.
@@feonor26 Tax drugs, nicotine and alcohol.
The biggest drug in the US is alcohol.
As long as there is unresolved trauma there will be a need for drugs.
absolutely encapsulates the human longing at the root of all habitual drug use in one sentence. Gabor Mate would be proud.
It doesn't take trauma to want to "Ease the pain that living brings" (the Springsteen lyric from "My Beautiful Reward). The desire for relief from the stresses of life is inherent to our existence. The key is balance and making choices that facilitate, rather than interfere or become detrimental to our lives. Restricting our options based solely on economic interests, that in turn direct our laws and influence politicians who write them, does not prioritize the people. However, it is the people who vote for such endorsements. It remains our responsibility to choose wisely...
End the ban on controlled substances.
Yes lets sell coke, crack, meth and heroin at your local drug store.
That wont hurt humanity at all ?????
Starting with the covid19 vaccines!! No wait I mean that in reverse except the Covid-19 vaccines which should be banned before its too late which it sadly already is.
@@billjones261 Then lets take it to the logical conclusion and ban alcohol and tobacco. And gambling.
@@billjones261 yes with strict quality control measures and liability measures
@@billjones261 Stop telling other people what to do with their own lives. If drug takers simply off themselves with drugs, it's that much better for humanity.
Marijuana is still banned in India to this day in almost all forms because of the international pressure by the US even though it has been a core part of the Indian culture forever.
Yeah, i can handle a joint but my neighbor can't so i ll make it illegal and maybe make other countries even at the other side of the world criminalise it, that should keep me safe
Same in Norway. Also here you can get arrested for picking magic mushrooms that sprout naturally out of the ground. Insane!
Don't call it by their name. Call it by what it is. It is cannabis, not marijuana
a Politian with guts AND intelligence ?
you gatta be joking right ?
The only ones I've seen with that are Mike Gravel in the US and Tony Benn in the UK. True statesmen right there, but unfortunately very rare.
The editing is a bit weird... I liked the helicopter thou,
I agree with him should be used medically if it’s better than other medicine & treatments.
It should be regulated on the same line as nicotine and alcohole.
քʀօʍօֆʍ
The challenge with this issue, or any other Hitchens and people like him bring up, is that he was far more informed and articulate than almost anyone else commenting on the topics. While it is true that a "war" and a "czar" were really poor choices of words, the intentions behind them were (and are) real and sinister That said, while there may be some efficacy in decriminalizing marijuana and perhaps other drugs this fails to take into account the rampant cost of caring for those who misuse the two most popular legal drugs already to say nothing of all the others. Less crime and less victimizing is a great idea, but legalizing marijuana just reinforces the idea of America as a culture enamored with drugs and the escape from reality that underlies all mind altering substance use. Not this simple and America definitely isn't alone but in this instance, short of a more details account of Hitchens' point, I have to disagree with his general premise here. Simply legalizing isn't going to eradicate the harm mind-altering drugs have on people. It may reduce the impact but it wont solve the problem by any means even though I am certain Hitchens wasn't suggesting that it would.
Ending the war on drugs is as easy and difficult as having the discovery of the cure to addiction be known to save infinite lives. Addiction is the tormented psychology of an unforgiving liar, only liars get hooked and only honesty gets freedom. The tragedy of addiction is children who revenge a childhood hurt or trauma, against their parents learning from example becoming victims of themselves so as to conceal the hatred to hurt others, advertising self as victim stealing attention. Humanity are dying deceived deceiving because are not honest.
So, legalising marijuana comes with a cost that some people will abuse it?
How then do you reconcile the legalisation of driving an auto, gun ownership or prescription drugs? They each have a phenomenal rate of abuse.
@@MiguelPerez-ty1vb This post has a lot of moralizing, zero medicine, and zero proposals. You've named something to blame: that and an empty sack is worth the sack.
Proven medical efficacy?
mostly stimulating appetite in cancer and AIDS patients, but also as a non addictive painkiller and local anaesthesia.
@@juleswoodbury58 Have you used it thus, or personally known anybody who did?
@@scronx marijuana has been used as a painkiller, appetizer and digestive for thousands of years, there's historical and archaeological evidence for that. Today marijuana is used to counterbalance the effects of chemotherapy (mainly loss of appetite). It treats symptoms not the problem itself, people who tell you that marijuana is medicine are snakeoil salesmen of pro marijuana lobbies.
But since marijuana is less addictive than opioids, doesn't have an influence on the hormone cycle it is a better alternative than pharmaceutical competitors in some cases. someone I knew used CBD cream for her menstrual cramps instead of taking the pill (externally) and it worked wonders.
My stepmother used THC to regain appetite during her chemo.
I also knew someone who claims she cured her mycosis by smoking pot . I doubt that smoking pot could cure buccal or vaginal mycosis but it is true that smoking pot dries up the mucous membrane
@@scronx Why does that matter? It's proven through medical science and serious medical journals have written on its positive effect on among other things cancer patients. And if you're wondering what positive effects it has, google is your friend.