“Those who don’t mind their business, either have no mind or have no business.” - Sister Mary Edana
Sister Mary Edana was my great aunt. She served as a Catholic nun for over 75 years. I remember attending her Golden Jubilee when I was a teenager. She was a lovely woman whose life was all about serving others. But she could see right through people, especially judgemental ones. She passed away decades ago. But her quote still stands.
Here we are in the year 2024. As people passionate about the cannabis plant work to decriminalize and legalize it (do we need to decriminalize and legalize our lawns next?) and as human rights activists struggle to preserve the rights of women, LGBTQ+, and people of color, I can see all these movements converging and intermingling. Humans want more rights, not less.
The reversal of Roe v. Wade was alarming enough. Now, we see how the dominos fall as states like Texas, Alabama and now Arizona chip away at a woman’s right to choose whether to bear a child or not.
And we see the deja vu of cannabis prohibition rearing its ugly head again in a myriad of ways. Judgey doctors with no knowledge of the Endocannabinoid system who insist on prescribing opioids like candy even when their patient asks for CBD. Judgey television reporters focusing on suicidal teens who parents claim that cannabis is to blame. Judgey legislators who continue to jabber-jaw about removing the plant from its horrific Schedule 1 status without doing a damn thing.
Cannabis is a plant that can grow in your backyard. You can make balms and tinctures from it and heal yourself from the inside out. The anecdotal evidence on the medicinal benefits of cannabis is mounting to Mt. Everest size yet “the people in charge” either fail to see it or want to continue profiting off of people’s pain and suffering.
Yes, your vote matters. And your time to vote is coming in a few short months. Hint: It’s a NO on the Orange guy.
Patty, I love the quote from your person of inspiration. Please check out the special addition cannabis piece in the latest addition of Time magazine. Frankly it offers a more upbeat view of Cannabis in society. I view your piece as the glass half empty. This was certainly the case 20 years ago, but times have radically changed and I think your editorial should reflect that, if you are after subscribers. just an opinion.
Great new and fun features by Patty Mooney... Keep up the great work my love, Mark :)