The Controversy Of A Little Ol' Plant

*bows and backflips* This week, or rather today, I chose to talk about weed. Yes, the famous plant that has created a bit controversy for inducing intoxication and all sorts of "fun" stuff that has placed it under the label of drugs. I googled weed just to see what would come up and I found this article/ piece of writing written by  Professor Arthur C. Gibson, sort of going a little deeper into the history and controversy of the plant. (If you are interested, check it out on this link. Although I do warn you its quite lengthy so prepare those eyes!). Either way it is interesting to know that not only is this plant called Cannabis sativa, but it was also used to make clothing in China back in B.C era. It was used to make fish nets, shoes, and even "writing materials." Reading this I can hardly believe it. And to top it all off the "hemp cloth" (cloth made by Cannabis sativa) was used for religious ceremonies. I am not kidding you, that is part of what I just read. There is also India with its god Siva, "Lord of Bhang" who according to the story, drank a concoction boiled with the leaves of the famous weed and mix it up with some " almonds, eight spices, rosebuds, milk, poppy seeds, and sugar." To sum it all up this plant has globally been a part of history and religion continuing to have a great part in the human existence. The problem surrounding this plant is that here in the USA, there is still quite a debate whether to legalize it or not. As many of you have heard, this plant is able to help cancer patients with things such as pain. However, there is also the situation of it being sold, mass produced, and consumed by the younger generation inducing the risk of opening a whole can of worms. There is this common fear that this plant will lead to a greater addiction to drugs and escape to life in general within not only in youth but in the rest of the people who consume it. But the way I see it the more you call on a fear the more it comes to you, eventually having to face that fear at some point. People have to realize if we are animals of reason, surely we can make better choices. Even if death is inevitable we still are allowed the strong will to face our secrets, fears, skeletons, and of course addictions. What can possibly make this plant worse than the pain killers/other pharmaceuticals that have in turn become someone's addiction? And I am sorry to say this, but I find it not too different from when prohibition was on and alcohol was banned, raising up the making of underground alcohol. Lets face it, legalized or not, this plant will continue to be cultivated, sold, and consumed some way or another.What do you think?