HIGH AND MIGHTY

IT IS very nice having the freedom to write pretty much whatever you like in a column on a weekly basis. Some people use their freedom in many different ways — some, for example, use their weekly spot to talk about issues that affect the “Indo-Trinis” of the nation, some to speak on more historical points of view, some to talk about spelling and grammar, some to talk about their love of Vin Diesel, and some people use their space to poke fun at all of the above.

Last week I chose to use my weekly thousand-word space to talk, in a jokey kind of way, about the issue of ganja use, and much to my dismay got very little response (other than one young man coming up to me in a pool hall to tell me he quite enjoyed it). Either that means I did not write a very good column with clear arguments, or people simply don’t care about people going to jail simply for getting high. As is with issues that only affect certain sections of the population, most people tend to have an attitude that if it does not directly involve them, then they don’t really care what happens to others. For example, if you are anti-abortion, chances are you don’t really care what happens to those who may be pro-choice. The mentality is that abortion is illegal, so if you go and have some back-alley botched job and end up writhing in pain bleeding to death in the hospital, then that’s your problem, you deserve it.

The same applies to the drug issue. It’s not so much that smoking ganja is a big deal or some huge social ill — because even my own grandmother remembers the days when it was perfectly legal in Trinidad and sold in licensed shops — but it is currently against the law, so if you get caught in a road block, then hard luck for you. Go directly to jail, do not pass go, and do not collect $200. Unfortunately, we tend to be very hypocritical in this country when it comes to the law. We so want to believe that we are a righteous and conservative country with high moral standards, but at the same time we defy many laws on a daily basis, and do so quite proudly. We certainly flout traffic laws like it is going out of style — we speed, we overtake for the thrill of it, we drive on the shoulders, we drink and drive often without shoes, shirts or seatbelts, and we stop wherever and whenever we feel like it, and to hell with everyone else.

We start drinking from a very early age — usually by puberty — and we enjoy free drinks nights at the clubs before we can even drive. These two things in collaboration — bad driving and alcoholism — make for very unsafe roads, and many unnecessary deaths. But we do it, and we defend it, because we like it so. No? Laws are meant to keep the general society safe and sound – to protect its good citizens and punish and reform the bad citizens. But some laws are ridiculous and unenforceable and put people in jail for no logical reason. For example, why do we still have sodomy laws in Trinidad and Tobago? Does that mean it is an actual crime to be a homosexual man, or a straight man who enjoys something other than the missionary position? Do we really need laws in our bedrooms telling us what to do, who to do it with, and how to do it? Do we need the Government having a say in a woman’s fertility? Does it make sense to have laws that allow and encourage certain mind-altering and addictive substances, but prohibit select others?

Some people will say, “But murder is against the law and it happens anyway, so does that mean we should legalise murder?” No, of course not. That’s not even a logical argument. Free thinking and rational people know that in a free state you should have the freedom to live your life how you like, once you do not infringe on the freedom or safety of others. So you cannot compare smoking a joint to chopping somebody to death. Laws should ultimately be logical and for the good of society. Some believe that if ganja were legal, half the population would start their day off by getting high before going to work or school. However, many people go to work drunk as a skunk, and many people crash their cars and kill other people while under the influence of alcohol. So, logically, shouldn’t we prohibit alcohol and throw those who drink in jail because they may be a danger to society?

No, because prohibition simply doesn’t work and it never has. If you want to do or get something, you will find a way, regardless of the law. If tomorrow the Government made alcohol and cigarettes illegal, as was the case in America in the 1920’s, the only thing that would happen is an illegal cartel would take over the selling and secret distribution of cigarettes and booze, people would get caught trying to take a drink or have a smoke, and your average citizen would get put in jail for no good reason. Which is exactly what is happening with ganja today. Let me make this clear — I am not an advocate of drug use because it certainly can lead to drug abuse and addiction, but I am an advocate of the freedom to live your life the best way you see fit, once we all have respect for each other. Don’t like drugs? Great, don’t do them. Don’t believe in abortion? Then don’t have one. But this is supposedly a free country, and part of that freedom should be the freedom to free your mind any way that you choose.
Next week: more on pointless prohibition.
emilymdickson@yahoo.com