Wow it’s been a month since my last post. I’ve been without internet for three whole weeks because of a move to a brand new building that was not cable ready yet. The withdrawal symptoms are too ugly to describe. Anyhow, the pamphlet I’ve been distributing has had a few changes to it from what I posted but it’s for the most part identical.

When I talk to people about this issue, I'm usually met with two extremes; yes legalization is surely down the road, or no way. But the difference between the former and the latter is that the former, and ok, I'll admit that I'm a bit biased, is more informed, actually know who there representatives are, the long history of prohibition, and general drug war statistics, whereas; the latter comes up with dogmatic views or various political and economic conspiracies.

I truly believe that the only reason marijuana is illegal today is because of a bad law was passed in 1937, and then another in 1970, and people all too often people muddle together law code with moral code. People just can't wrap their heads around the fact that there once was a time when the government could not tell you what to do in the privacy of your own home. Perhaps I have a bit too much faith in the workings of our political and economic system because I just don't believe it's any specific industry (alcohol or pharmaceutical) that is keeping marijuana illegal. It is simply people's misconceptions led by a powerful few that make their living off marijuana being illegal, the politicians that listen to them, and the masses that follow their lead for lack of their own better judgment. There isn’t a limited market for substances that alter the mind and body in my opinion, but I'm sure many of people disagree with me here. That's ok. I talk to many very smart people who completely disagree.

I spoke with someone who works for the legislature the other day who read my pamphlet. It was a rather refreshing conversation. This person told me that they are trying to model Iowa’s medical marijuana program after California’s. I take this as a good sign because we all know what is going on in California right now, medicine has become readily available and the sky has not fallen in on them. Oh the thought of a medical program like California’s right here in Iowa! I shall try not to get my delicate hopes up but oh what an idea!

This person also asked me if I had plans to lobby. I said I had no plans to. I do not own a nice suit, and am not so outgoing. I met a lobbyist once and he told me the most useful attribute a lobbyist could have is “the gift of gab”. This is something I do not have. Besides, Thoreau says, Beware of ventures that require new clothes. He is pretty smart so I shall listen to him. But I do have plans for another project that has not quite taken shape yet.