Learning how with marijuana: Thanks PSS!

Since the dawn of civilization it has been learning through some form of education that has propelled the evolution of mankind on Planet Earth. We have quickly learned to make phones that have more computing capability than our first space rockets and lunar module that landed on the moon. We have developed the most complicated and precise tools, mechanisms and we even have space vehicles that are on their way to other solar systems, yet we choose to fight a war against a natural growing herb called marijuana that can’t be eradicated instead of learning how to live with this God-given herb and benefit from it, given that marijuana will forever be part of Earth’s evolutionary process.   The question is do we want to learn all the benefits of marijuana and learn how to live with it or do we want to continue with this ridiculous and foolish game of hide-it-and-smoke-it that will never end? It is really that simple.

I want to offer thanks to PSS officials for their admonishments and wisdom about the legalization of marijuana. There are a lot of us who truly appreciate PSS for their input to the senators on marijuana use in schools, which substantiated exactly what I have been saying all along with others—legalizing medical use only is still going to cause problems and even complicate the problem. It was obvious in their statement to the senators that PSS realizes they will still have to deal with marijuana anyway, legal or not, so why not do it the right way with a moratorium. It truly meant a lot to me to see my fellow educators at PSS realizing the need for the moratorium that I have been promoting so that we can respond to the legalization of marijuana like we should as a civilized society, using the sciences and scientific methods to study and learn more about how to deter our youth from using marijuana and how to live with marijuana in our society before making a permanent law. Thank you, education officials.

Education is truly the key to evolving with marijuana use in our society. Just as we have been educating our youth not to drink, we have to educate them not to use marijuana until their brain has fully developed. The good part is most students already know marijuana is less addictive and less dangerous than alcohol and cigarettes. PSS is also more worried about betel nut than marijuana, which is a positive signal to move forward with full legalization using the scientific approach I have been prescribing. PSS will also get millions from legalization to help improve our school system and their efforts to educate our children about the adverse effects of drugs and how marijuana can destroy their academic careers. The problem is too much of our evolutionary process is becoming ever more dependent upon politics, instead of the well-trained educators and social scientists of today. In fact, you never hear politicians refer to educators or social scientists for solutions in the political arena, which is why we see so many social issues become political footballs that get tossed around but rarely addressed and given to the people to make a play (to decide).

Maybe now that PSS has spoken, the senators will move on with the bill as this waiting for a majority to comment is a bit ridiculous because even if they have a hundred public hearings they will never get the majority to attend. Don’t let legalization become a political football like some other issues that never cross the goal line. Listen to PSS and make the winning play with the moratorium, senators, and score for the people. Legalize it!

Ambrose M. Bennett
Kagman, Saipan