by Chris Goldstein
Intense. That’s the only word to describe the recent focus of the national mainstream media on issues related to cannabis. Last week alone there are 3 Newsweek articles and an investigative piece on PBS Newshour. Several of the recent items feature Richard Lee and Oaksterdam.
How Oakland Is Leading Marijuana Legalization
Ethan Nadelmann’s Fight to Legalize Marijuana
Recently there was a 7500-word cover story in Fortune Magazine and a major piece in the Wall St Journal.
Even the FOX Business folks chimed in with an entire week of segments culminating in this editorial by Cheryl Casone:
Again, I don’t smoke the stuff, but I listen to those that do to ease pain, and I don’t have a problem with what they choose to do. In fact, marijuana is a plant that grows naturally. I’ve been trying to eat healthier foods and choose organic items. Is there that much of a difference between my choices and the choices of those who want to smoke a joint? Read full
Paul Armentano the deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws told me last Friday “We may be seeing a high-water mark this week for media covering this issue. They have covered pot for sure, but now the tone is certainly different.”
Prior to 2009, media were quick to give false facts and have classic reefer madness enter into their stories. But now there is a decidedly more pragmatic approach. Instead of covering the emotional side of the issue, they are looking at the real-life mechanics of cannabis reform taking place in America already. There is also not the deference shown by the media in the past toward opposition and law enforcement. Now it is the prohibition reform advocates who take center stage.
And why not? Two states are actively considering the legalization and regulation of recreational cannabis: California and Massachusetts. Thirteen states allow medical marijuana programs and 5 states have active medical marijuana legislation. The FBI Uniform Crime Report shows that almost 850,000 Americans were arrested in 2008 for marijuana violations, most for minor possession. Now there are even Stiletto Stoners in Marie-Claire and celebrities like Megan Fox boldly call for legalization.
The issues of marijuana law reform have compelling activity on the ground every day. And the media seems to have wised up that marijuana consumers are part of their audience too. In the ever-competitive world of blogs, print, tv and radio, marijuana remains a topic that most are interested to see.
The media may also have some big green dollar signs in their eyes. If the #1 Cash Crop in America were indeed legalized it is the media themselves who will benefit directly from marketing and advertising.
All of this action is not just at the state level. There are three federal pieces of legislation still active this year in Congress:
FEDERAL MARIJUANA BILLS
The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2009
HR 2943, the Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults
Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowski told us this year that he has yet to add ‘legalize’ to his vocabulary. Just in case there is not a Webster’s nearby on Capitol Hill:
Main Entry: le·gal·ize
Pronunciation: 'lE-g&-"lIz
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -ized; -iz·ing
: to make legal; especially : to give legal validity or sanction to —le·gal·i·za·tion noun —le·gal·iz·er noun
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
It’s a pity that Megan was dropped from the next Transformers. But I wish her the best with whatever movie she does next.