.Cannabis Odyssey

Pot's long and winding road to acceptance

The televised assassination of JFK in 1963 changed our lives. We had to question everything, including ourselves, knowing we couldn’t remain happy teens forever. Too young to die, we needed to feel better, to feel high as a national depression loomed. Two weeks later, many of us heard the word “marijuana” for the first time. We experimented with it, and cannabis experimented with us. Acapulco Gold was followed the next week by Panama Red, two overly potent strains. We didn’t dare complain about the overwhelming intensification of all five senses that made the former reality seem “normal.” We knew that pot was going to be a major catalyst for the changes facing us.

Forty-five minutes of laughter was followed by a high of four to five hours. Music, sights, aromas, foods and touching became more vivid, enjoyable. Then came the come-down.

The American media suppressed decades of research proving the essentiality of cannabis in countering a plethora of pathologies. Every person has tens of millions of cannabinoid receptor cells within and upon their body. We didn’t know the wars in Asia would include American pot smokers.

It would follow that parts of the road sobriety tests are unfair. Standing on one foot for 30 seconds is for tight rope walkers with no bearing upon operating a car safely. If your arms start to flail, say hello to jail. But research in Holland utilizing a computer model of an auto interior and windshield with a filmed set of driving challenges proved pot smokers were slightly safer than non-smokers.

Sadness, depressions and sexual impotency have been helped with cannabis. What reasons do we have to further persecute people for needing to enhance God’s wondrous natural in-born healing system?

Dr. Joel Taylor, D.C., is a retired chiropractor, craniopath, extremity adjustor and whole foods counselor.

Open Mic is a weekly feature in the ‘Bohemian.’ We welcome your contribution. To have your topical essay of 350 words considered for publication, write [email protected].

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