I have discussed the numerous benefits and positive aspects of medicinal marijuana in many articles. But it’s not surprising that there is still a certain stigma surrounding marijuana as a whole. There are numerous threats and obstacles that cause many people to fear marijuana. And before it can be accepted and embraced by the masses, before the hold-outs and possibly close-minded individuals can possibly change their mind or willingly be informed, we need to address some things.

“REEFER MADNESS” (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reefer_Madness) as Wikipedia states, is a propaganda movie about, “the melodramatic events that ensue when high school students are lured by pushers to try marijuana—from a hit and run accident to manslaughter, suicide, attempted rape, hallucinations, and descent into madness due to marijuana addiction.”

It was originally funded by a church group to apparently help parents sway their children away from the evils of pot smoking.

Unfortunately, some people still believe the over-the-top “effects” that marijuana has on people.

There has been a long and loud propaganda machine working against marijuana for decades. And it has tainted its name and eternally blinded a large number of people to whatever health benefits it has.

There are numerous “negative aspects” of marijuana that anti-pot people have been peddling for years ad nauseam.

Unfortunately, some of this propaganda is still used as a reason why marijuana is apparently evil.

What are some of these tired and extremely wrong facts?

“Marijuana is addictive!”

The truth is, EVERYTHING can be addictive. Especially if it makes you feel good in some way. Alcohol is addictive and way more poisonous and dangerous, but I’d be surprised if the anti-marijuana people didn’t have fully stocked bars in their basement.

Marijuana is even less addictive than caffeine. Anything we become reliant on for any sort of joy or distraction or inspiration can become an “addiction”. So yes, people can become dependent on Marijuana. I’m dependant on BLADE RUNNER to bring me happiness. I don’t see anyone making that illegal.

“Pot is a gateway drug!”

One of the main arguments against marijuana is that it will lead to harder drugs. Pot isn’t a gateway drug unless that gate leads to a KFC drive-thru.

A lot of hard drug users have tried pot.

But that doesn’t mean that a lot of pot users have tried hard drugs. ESPECIALLY if they’re using pot for medicinal purposes. Just because someone needs & uses insulin, doesn’t mean they’ll start taking morphine just because.

“Pot can drive you insane!”

Marijuana doesn’t even have a fucking driver’s license, it can’t drive you anywhere.

“Pot makes you lazy and unsuccessful”

Well here’s a list of 50 extremely successful and powerful and influential people that have consumed marijuana (https://www.mpp.org/news/press/top-50-most-influential-marijuana-consumers-named-by-nations-largest-marijuana-policy-organization/).

If they’re all lazy, then we should all hope to aspire to that level of laziness.

This article (http://m.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/stupid-arguments-against-legalizing-marijuana_n_5175880) discusses the above mentioned (and many other) myths of propaganda in greater detail. But basically, most (if not all) of the horrendous and evil and negative side effects or outcomes of marijuana consumption that you have been inundated with for generations are either wildly exaggerated or flat-out false.

And with this new thing called the internet and free will, it’s not hard to educate yourself. And while doing that, feel free to check out some of these old, hilarious bits of marijuana propaganda (http://sobadsogood.com/2015/09/19/laughable-anti-marijuana-propaganda-from-1930s/).

I’m not saying that you (yes, I’m talking to You directly), or anyone else HAS to ever smoke marijuana. I’m just hoping that whatever choice you make is based on facts and truth. There’s a reason why propaganda is called propaganda and not referred to as the truth.

The only madness caused by reefers is an unexpectedly empty bag of chips… but they only fill those bags halfway, to begin with! When I was a child, those bags were at least ¾ filled! Big Potato is trying to control our chip intake while charging more money. That’s where the real outrage should be directed!