Legalizing pot: It's really about the high

By James Terminiello

The rush to decriminalize and, eventually, legalize marijuana is beginning to resemble a rock rolling down a steep hill, gathering momentum and size as it rambles onward. The arguments in favor of legalization are many, varied, and sound on some important points. Eliminating wasted policing efforts, the medical advantages, and potential tax revenue come together to make a strong case. But, to my mind, the movement is placing the accent on these issues while studiously avoiding the single greatest motivating factor.

People simply love to get high.

I'm reminded of those lavish television commercials that show you the enticing wonders of possessing a fill-in-blank credit card. Voluptuous romantic partners, exotic vacation locales, sumptuous food, and first-class travel are all yours thanks to that shiny little rectangle. Downplayed — no, ignored — amid all the froth is the need to fork over monthly payments or risk being savaged by a mobster-embarrassing interest rate of 19.35 percent.

Great social movements tend to have their extremist periods — where the spearhead becomes overzealous. I recall the glory days of the women's movement in the mid-1970s, when maxi skirts ruled, make-up was muted, and Ms. Magazine actually had circulation. At that time the mantra was: "Aside from some differences in plumbing, men and women are exactly the same." This was held as incontestable fact and those who disagreed were hooted down as mere slabs of male chauvinist pig meat. Reality was shoved aside for the sake of women's progress.

Today the differences between men and women — mental, physical, emotional, social — are well-recognized, even celebrated, and it is foolish to talk about who is superior to whom because of them. We've moved on from the militant period in the women's movement. Though, truth be told, the hyper-femme counterrevolution led by the likes of Kim Kardashian and Miley Cyrus could do with a little rebuttal.

The pot revolution appears to have entered that same militant period. Those who are opposed are labeled as stone-agers who are not in touch with the times. (Side note: I am in favor of legalization even though I can't stand the smell and don't need "substances" to make me happy.)

Nevertheless, I really would prefer that supporters of legalization have the courage to stand up and say that they simply want their highs. To say that this is not the root cause and driving force of the movement is, in my opinion, disingenuous.

I want to be fair here. Pot is not the only substance with issues out there.

Cigarette smoking has taken a battering in the last 50 years and rightly so. While the percentage of smokers within the population is down, the habit thrives. In some circles, smoking is still the ticket for being regarded as cool, seductive, and downright sexy. Some women, in particular, cling to the hope that it will keep their weight down. Better a shorter, thinner life than a few extra pounds.

Would adding weed to this picture be any better? The science is still not quite clear. Cigarettes take the cake when it comes to triggering cancer. On the other hand, I'll take a smoker over a toker every time when it comes to piloting my airplane. In each case, you're lighting a fire on one end and inhaling smoke into your unsuspecting lungs on the other. Hard to mistake this for being a good idea in any circumstance.

The nation had its stab at banning alcohol and that was an epic disaster. It is hard to find a society on the planet that does not brew its favorite intoxicant. We have adhered drinking onto all of our rituals — weddings, religious ceremonies, sporting events, the birth of kittens. Our bars are often elegantly lined with dark wood and ornamented with traditional imagery — the 18th century swaggering pirate, the English lord, the Renaissance brewmeister. Or the motif is 1950s motorcycle chic replete with leggy starlets from a bygone golden age.

Despite the cultural aspects, the ravages of abusing alcohol are massive, horrendous, and well-documented. Still, we drink. Why? For the relaxation, the buzz, the high. Put the two substances side by side and I'd say pot wins. But, does it matter? Alcohol has a permanent hold on us for better and for worse.

It's clear that the pot legalization movement will eventually win. But, for once, let's be honest. It will not win because of the economic, medical, and scientific benefits that legalization will unleash. It will win because people love to get high. For its worshipers, pot will become a part of a legal trinity — taking its place with cigarettes and booze.

A glorious revolution or just another way to deaden the pains of reality? Time will have its say.

James Terminiello writes from Glassboro. jmterm@aol.com