April 18, 2016
Hannah Harvey
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Endless opportunities exist to get high in Colorado.
Some people enjoy hikes up the Incline and others like to spend their time with their good friend Mary Jane.
Since its legalization in 2012, marijuana remains a controversial and popular topic among Coloradans.
But the hype is getting old.
I have heard both sides time and time again. One group believes weed is a gateway drug to experiment with more dangerous substances while others think it’s an innovative way to improve medicine and healing practices.
Either way, it doesn’t really matter.
Marijuana is just a plant. It makes its own sugars and gives off oxygen. It exists, like all other plants do. So why is it special?
Weed has its own subculture with clothing brands, songs and stores solely dedicated to this miniscule plant. Marijuana has always had this particular subculture, most notably during the turmoil in American society that came along during the Vietnam War.
But after countless memes, songs and #420blazeit, I can’t take it seriously anymore.
After anything has been continually made into a joke, it’s hard to give it much thought. Whatever substance that was there has been lost.
There are a lot of people who are against the legalization of marijuana, even though studies have shown that there aren’t that many dangers associated with it. According to a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, no one has ever died of a cannabis overdose.
It would take between 20,000 and 40,000 times the amount of THC in one joint to kill someone. It seems unlikely that the creation of this one joint would ever happen.
That’s a ridiculous amount that no one in their right mind should ever consume in one sitting, another reason why I am apathetic about the hype that is associated with marijuana.
In contrast, it should be acknowledged that there could be potential associated dangers if one chooses to get involved in dealing marijuana or drive under the influence, and that is not OK.
But all of the hype surrounding the herb, be it positive or negative, has blown out of proportion.
We should consider that there are more dangerous drugs racking up a steady mortality rate from year to year.
I don’t care if you smoke every day. It’s your body and you are allowed to do as you choose. But please don’t shove your love or hatred of marijuana down my throat.
It’s not that I’m against marijuana. I’m just not as excited as native Coloradans are often portrayed to be.
So on this 4/20, get lit or don’t. But in any case, enjoy some beautiful green grass without making it a big deal.