How Up Front About Legalization Are You?

We are rapidly coming up on the conclusion to 'The Vote' for several states. I have a habit of asking myself, when I feel strongly about something, what my motivation is. I do it to check myself. Without introspection, I can develop a pretty good case of over-the-top righteousness. Sometimes I still do. I don't feel that my passion for legalization is over the top BUT I did just admit something to myself and wonder how many people might feel the same.

I'm at a Halloween party this past weekend and I'm talking to a wonderful lady from my neighborhood who has multiple areas of chronic pain. She can't touch marijuana because she has to take the occasional test to continue access to her pain meds which are highly addictive. She has told me that as a past marijuana user she KNOWS she could seriously reduce the amount of meds, side affects and overall discomfort if she could augment her protocol with marijuana. She is desperately hoping #2 passes in Florida.

Then there is me...I am hoping for #2 to pass because I know there are people suffering needlessly like the lady I talked to and I am a recreational user and believe that the stepping stone to legal recreational use is legalizing medicinal use. Some might call my viewpoint 'enlightened self-interest'.

I would have no issue demanding that #2 should pass for the myriad of unselfish reasons but I don't know how comfortable I would be standing at a polling place and adding I also want it to pass to pave the way for recreational use.

Its a simple idea. The unintended consequences of cannabis use do not outweigh the unintended consequences and destruction of prohibition. Simple.

Even in a legal state there is a lot of prejudice towards cannabis. First and foremost you have to protect yourself and your job, also your reputation. Maybe someday we can all be open. That's why we use made up names on FC and surprise, no I'm not the famous singer. I'm a singer but not famous.

Depending on what your job is makes a big difference as to how open you can be.

CarolKing said:

Even in a legal state there is a lot of prejudice towards cannabis. First and foremost you have to protect yourself and your job, also your reputation. Maybe someday we can all be open. That's why we use made up names on FC and surprise, no I'm not the famous singer. I'm a singer but not famous.

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You're not Carol King? No problem...You've got a friend

As Carol mentioned....I would have a real hard time, because of work, openly politicking for this even though I believe in it. Trust me when I say stating this does not taste good in my face. BUT ... I have hopes that there are enough people completely open and those like me that will be voting, AND I WILL, to pull in the 60% Florida needs.

This discussion reminds of the day when people who are gay were trying to decide if it was worth it to come out of the closet along with the associated fears of doing so. For the most part, they did come out of the closet and that changed and is changing the gay landscape forever. I have no doubt that the same thing will happen with marijuana.

I dont know if it will ever be legal in the state i reside before i relocate. I do know states that have "right to die" laws and legalization of mj will be where i move to because i want the choice for recreation and (goddess forbid the need) medical. If it came to a vote in my current state, i would come out in the open because i am at that place in my life~

I think some of us older people who are less worried about messing up their careers can afford to be more open about it. I find myself becoming more and more up front. Of course I live in a very tolerant place.

I'm careful but open when a one-on-one presents itself with someone I believe is somewhat open minded.

If they say how their back hurts, I might say I've read that MMJ can help that.
If they say--those damn mj drug addicts, I back off. But if they say something like
they have wondered about that, I'd go on to say that I have a relative in CA where it's legal
and she uses it and says it really helps.
Then if they seem open, I might say--actually, I was in CO and was having bad back pain and it's legal there so I tried it and ----it was like a miracle potion. I don't see anything wrong with making it legal and
try to get them onboard the cannabis train.

I am careful to not say I have any herb.
That's for another time.

Gunky said:

I think some of us older people who are less worried about messing up their careers can afford to be more open about it. I find myself becoming more and more up front. Of course I live in a very tolerant place.

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Gunky pretty much sums up my thoughts as well.

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.


Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.


Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.


Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."



“If not us, then who?
If not now, then when?"


"Get up, stand up, stand up for your right
Get up, stand up, don't give up the fight
Get up, stand up. Life is your right
So we can't give up the fight
Stand up for your right, Lord, Lord
Get up, stand up. Keep on struggling on
Don't give up the fight"

There are many ways to fight, without being on the front lines. Even posting on FC, is sort of a way to fight the power, imo. Maybe your words you post here, enlighten someone you'll never meet. Or inspire an FC lurker to take up the cause in their state, where it may not be rec or med legal yet. I think by being here and posting experiences, we are all furthering the cause, even if in a very small way.

I, am done hiding. My family knows what I am working towards(Medical mj in Florida). Some just don't talk about it, some are tired of hearing about it, others are very supportive. My neighborhood all sees the political signs for mmj legaliztion in my front yard. I don't have facebook acct, but there are TONS of photos of me from volunteer events taken by others and posted there. How many hundreds, thousands have seen my face at intersections waving signs, or at major public events rallying? Ugh, I don't want to know lol.

There are many ways to help the cause without having to risk backlash from the opposition. Everybody brings something to the table. I have a friend who is soo supportive, but can't publicly volunteer, but she makes non-mmj cookies and treats for us to munch at meetings or rallies, buys us bottled water when we have events outdoors in the blistering Florida heat. Another friend made us a whole bunch of nice, fabricated signs for our rallies(he makes signs professionally, but can't publicly support us). So I guess my whole point is, you don't have to holler "I want marijuana legalized" for the whole world to hear, just to further the cause.
The movement needs folks on the front lines, as well as on the sidelines, and in the background. If you want to help but need to remain private, I would say contact your local organization and ask what needs they have that you can meet in your own comfort zone. There are always phone calls to make, data entry to be entered, and things you can buy/donate to help the organization. If the only way to help is throw money at the problem, organizations will gladly take it off your hands to put to use wherever needed.

Stu said:

Gunky pretty much sums up my thoughts as well.

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Ditto except I'm totally out front about it. Older I guess........

I'm about as open as can be about it. I'd talk to my grandmas best friend after a Sunday church service if I thought I could get her to vote yes on a legalization measure. I believe it's one of the most important issues someone can vote on. I truly believe when cannabis is legalized there will be a massive change in the whole country. Way beyond just legalized cannabis. If I have to have a few ignorant people look down on me while trying to spread the word that's a risk I'm more than willing and happy to take.

Man, if I lived in CO or WA I'd be out on the front lines.
But living in a non-enlightened state, I still don't trust being out
there (yet).
Shit, I may not have a job to protect but I don't want special attention given
to me/ my house/ my meager fricken stash which could still land me in
deep doo-doo.

I try to be as open as I can be, but honestly, I'm afraid to be to open about it. They could take my kid away from me, and be happy to do it. Anyone that looks at me can tell I am not a well person, but a lot of these people would still be dicks to me, despite that.

MinnBobber said:

Man, if I lived in CO or WA I'd be out on the front lines.
But living in a non-enlightened state, I still don't trust being out
there (yet).
Shit, I may not have a job to protect but I don't want special attention given
to me/ my house/ my meager fricken stash which could still land me in
deep doo-doo.

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I was out in the streets handing out fliers back in Arkansas and telling everyone I know. Change isn't gonna happen in places that aren't already legal unless people like you force it to. And especially if you don't have a job to protect - who cares? Police can't just raid your home because you're protesting something politically. Just be smart about it - obviously don't carry anything illegal on you while out talking to people about it and handing out fliers and there's nothing that can go wrong.

Vicki said:

I try to be as open as I can be, but honestly, I'm afraid to be to open about it. They could take my kid away from me, and be happy to do it. Anyone that looks at me can tell I am not a well person, but a lot of these people would still be dicks to me, despite that.

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Yea it's TOTALLY different if you have children. It sucks that our government can interfere so drastically in people's lives just because they choose to use a less harmful substance to medicate. I read a story not too long ago where a little girl was removed from her home because her parents used cannabis, and she ended up being beaten to death by her foster parent. Absolutely sickening.

I really love me some Florida...the weather, the nature and in large part, the people. BUT I've had some pretty heated disagreements with folks about politics and religion since moving here that have ended with me saying 'I would fight for your right to practice/pursue YOUR religion, YOUR political affiliation as long as it doesn't cause harm...would you fight for MY RIGHT NOT TO PURSUE YOUR RELIGION OR POLITICAL PARTY?' The answer is generally - No, because my viewpoint is wrong and should not be allowed even though it would cause no harm to anyone but me. Politically or religiously...I guess I need to be saved from myself.

I started this thread because I was curious how many people felt the same as me - Passionate about the cause, making it a point to vote, but still not comfortable politicking openly for fear of the repercussions. In my case losing my job. I could easily accept being shunned by my community and my children are grown. It's the closed minded types I've called out in the first paragraph above that wouldn't hesitate for a second to inflict their views, in any way possible, because of their own unfounded fears that I'm concerned with.

One good thing that came from this thread ..... I see I'm in good company.

I tend to be as open as this shaman...