Joe Biden on cannabis reform

https://mjbizdaily.com/critics-question-value-of-bidens-marijuana-research-law/

The phrase "bread and circus" originates from ancient Rome, referring to a political strategy of providing superficial distractions and entertainment to the masses, while neglecting substantial issues and failing to deliver on promises. Unfortunately, this concept of empty spectacle seems all too familiar in today's political landscape. President Joe Biden, who campaigned on promises of significant cannabis reform, has come under scrutiny for his administration's lackluster approach to the issue.

Throughout history, politicians have mastered the art of making grand promises only to fall short in delivering substantial change. Biden's pro-cannabis rhetoric during his campaign created a sense of hope among advocates and supporters of legalization. However, as time has passed, it has become apparent that the Biden administration's actions are more about showmanship than meaningful progress.

Biden the “Faux Pro Cannabis Reformer”

In the realm of politics, promises often come with an expiration date, leaving voters disillusioned by the lack of follow-through.

President Joe Biden, who touted significant cannabis reform during his campaign, has faced criticism for his administration's failure to deliver on those promises. Despite the enactment of the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act in December, which was received with hope and enthusiasm by the cannabis industry, little progress has been made in advancing federal cannabis research and reform.

As highlighted in an article by Chris Roberts on MJBizDaily, the Biden administration's approach to cannabis reform has been lackluster at best. The federal government's failure to initiate new cannabis research projects or approve applications for research-grade cannabis production under the new law has drawn the ire of critics.

Even Attorney General Merrick Garland has yet to place the necessary notice to consider research applications, leaving aspiring researchers stranded.

The responsibility for overseeing research on cannabis, a Schedule I controlled substance, remains with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) rather than health or science officials. This has raised concerns about the potential roadblocks faced by researchers due to the DEA's historical stance on marijuana. Sue Sisley, a licensed researcher, expressed disappointment in the lack of progress, stating that the new research bill has not facilitated any advancements in marijuana research.

Furthermore, the involvement of organizations such as Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) in drafting the research bill has cast doubt on its true intentions. SAM, known for its anti-legalization stance, claimed credit for its role in shaping the legislation.

I frequently discredit the work of their founder who goes on prohibitionist tours all over the world, spouting his anti-cannabis rhetoric.

Critics argue that this raises questions about the bill's efficacy and whether it was designed to impede research progress rather than foster it. This is something we’ve seen with the Biden Admin – their long standing allegiance to the pharmaceutical industry, of which SAM is certainly an offset from. SAM makes most of its money from its rehabilitation clinics, which is why when people aren’t forced by courts to do “mandatory rehab”, they would stand to lose revenue.

The shortcomings of the research reform bill, as highlighted by cannabis policy attorney Shane Pennington, further diminish its impact.

Pennington points out that the bill grants the DEA significant authority over cannabis research, undermining the prospects of genuine scientific advancement. Additionally, the bill fails to address research on commercially sold marijuana, which has higher THC levels than federally approved research cannabis. This limitation raises concerns about the validity and applicability of research findings to real-world scenarios involving cannabis use.

In light of these criticisms, it becomes clear that the Biden administration's pro-cannabis rhetoric may be nothing more than a façade. Something I have argued since day one of his administration. In fact, while Democrats like Tommy Chong was touting the victory over “The Evil Orange one”, they were in fact signing a contract with another devil.

You just have to go down a clip parade of Biden’s “tough on drugs” path to political power and his completely racist past to know where his allegiances lie.

The lack of progress in federal cannabis research and the involvement of organizations with opposing views have fueled skepticism about the administration's commitment to meaningful reform. As the industry and advocates continue to call for genuine progress, it is crucial to examine whether the administration's promises will materialize or if they are merely another instance of political bread and circus – offering empty gestures while substantive change remains elusive.

You know where I stand on this issue – Mr. Pharma – who can barely string a coherent sentence – will not be opening the gates of cannabis legalization during his presidency.

Research will be placed in the hands of the DEA who has the current definition of cannabis as “Highly addictive and no medical value” which is scientifically incorrect.

That’s like if NASA believed in a flat earth “officially”.

But here’s the thing most people don’t get yet – the government has been playing this game for decades and only those who have carefully studied the drug war and their policies understand that Biden basically punked all “blue voting” cannabis smokers.

He played you for a fool, and unfortunately – Tommy Chong, Steven King, and all the people who pushed the “There’s only Biden” strategy in the previous elections placed a career prohibitionist at the help of legalizing cannabis.

Let me explain the DEA-FDA Catch-22!

DEA/FDA Catch-22

If you analyze the historic actions in relation to cannabis research and regulation, you’ll notice a complex web of bureaucracy that has hindered progress and left cannabis activists frustrated.

This perpetual cycle, often referred to as the DEA/FDA Catch-22, is a mechanism that perpetuates bureaucratic hurdles, making it difficult for meaningful change to occur. By intertwining the actions of different agencies and subjecting them to the approval of one another, progress becomes stymied, and the status quo remains intact.

Cannabis activists have long requested a scientific review of cannabis, urging the government to reassess its classification and explore its potential medical benefits. However, these requests have often been met with bureaucratic obstacles, with paperwork being shuffled between offices, resulting in a cycle of apparent busyness without any substantial progress.

This tactic, reminiscent of the frustrating experiences one encounters when trying to reach customer service at large corporations like Amazon or banks, is designed to discourage and exhaust activists.

The underlying motive behind this bureaucratic maze can be traced back to the Controlled Substances Act of 1971.

Critics argue that the Act, with its strict classification of drugs, was designed to keep drugs, including cannabis, under the control of pharmaceutical interests. This intentional obstructionism serves to maintain the existing power structures and prevent the emergence of alternative approaches to drug policy.

The DEA/FDA Catch-22 manifests as a reciprocal dependency between agencies. The FDA claims that they need permission from the DEA to study cannabis, while the DEA claims it needs the FDA to do the assessments in order to essentially “grant the permissions”. Sure, this is very basic and not entirely outlining the whole processs – but it falls within these lines. This circular dependency perpetuates a bureaucratic stalemate, leaving both agencies seemingly unable to move forward without the other's permission.

As a result, cannabis activists and researchers are caught in a frustrating cycle of waiting, hoping for progress while being met with bureaucratic barriers. This Catch-22 mechanism effectively pacifies and frustrates those seeking change, making it difficult to challenge the existing power dynamics and push for meaningful reform.

If Biden’s Promises are Empty, What’s the Alternative?

The way I see it you have a few options from this point on.

You realize that the whole political arena is nothing more than “Bread and Circus” and that we’re living more closely to serfdom than we are full democracy. All you have to do to see this is to realize that “YOU” are the product (consumers) and that our modern royalty call themselves “Corporations”.

It’s these corporations that sponsor bills and change laws and pay hefty sums of money to news outlets and politicians to keep the people at bay.

This means that any participation within the system is pointless because at the end of the day, you’re not the one influencing the laws or policies in the country. They are done with the direction of these corporations.

As a result, you can simply declare yourself an Anarchist – never vote again, figure out ways to pay less and less taxes, move to the country and simply say, “Fuck it!”

You don’t even need to move anywhere, you could technically stay right where you are, and even pay taxes – understanding that if you don’t an entity with guns will force you or take away your liberty – but, hold the philosophy at heart that you don’t support “their system”.

Rather, you’re actively beginning to create a new system, one that is open-source and allows people to be themselves without being directed by consumerist policies.

You get angry! You switch sides and go to the Reds! Except, they too are bought by the same corporate elite and serve their masters. Different corporate masters, but masters nonetheless.

Going this route ensures nothing. You’re basically still playing the game designed to keep you in a cage. Trump sold vaccines for Pfizer, placed pharma execs at the helm of the pandemic – he is no savior.

For those who is drinking the Orange Kool-Aid, you’re just the same as your democrat “rivals”. You’re simply the opposite side of the coin, but are fundamentally the same thing.

This is because you subscribe to party over reason and curiosity. You subscribe to dogma over rational thinking. You are simply myopically focused on one outcome, “your tribe winning”.

And your tribe was infected decades ago, and you’re still pandering to their games – giving them your loyalty when all they do is systematically fuck you as much as they can.

Sure, there might be some people that seems like they are legit – but the whole system has been coopted and if you don’t see that, you’re simply a perpetuator of a cancerous system.

If you’re reading these words, maybe it’s time to wake the fuck up!

Go Local!

I’m an anarchist, but I’m also a foreign-national. This means that I don’t live in the country I was born in. This means that for my whole life, I never really participated in any election process. I have never voted and I probably never will.

However, even for an Anarchist like me, there is something that can be said of “local politics”. This is the real battle ground for change and if stoners and non-stoners alike could realize this, they could break the system in a matter of 10-years or less.

Here’s the thing. The current system is a nodal system of hierarchy.

Everything is divided into “power zoners”. You’ve got the “BIG ONE” which everyone sees. This is the Bidens and Trumps, the major elections. These are all meaningless mainly because that system is rigged.

It doesn’t matter who you vote for – “The SYSTEM” is okay with either candidate winning. It’s gone through the selection process, the donors have all agreed – whoever wins is good for business.

Then we move down to “major leagues” which would be State authority. Over here, you can actually have some power, but, just like “THE BIG ONE” there are power mafias gatekeeping the positions. This is because on a State level, you could technically enact new laws that are illegal on a federal level.

To get to this level – you have to bend over and spread cheeks for your corporate overlords, because they are involved in this scene too.

When we go down to counties and municipalities – the little leagues – this is where things get interesting. Granted, you might not have crazy power at this level, but – there are minor laws and policies that can get enacted and when people see the benefit of this – the concepts spread like wildfires.

This is because, within local communities – people are connected. You know the people in your neighborhoods, your local store owners, etc.

On this level, you can start creating local “decriminalization efforts”, you can divert funds to help with the problems of your community.

If I were to spend any energy attempting at fixing the system – this is where I’d start.

Maybe you won’t make a major change – but you’ll be a part of it, and that counts!

Sticky Bottom Line

At the end of the day, you have to decide your level of involvement in the charade. It has become painfully obvious that our so called leaders have been infiltrated and financially “acquired” by our corporate masters – and that as long as we continue to pretend that it isn’t like this…the longer it will go on.

In the meanwhile, either unplug or get active, but for the love of Ganj – stop blindly participating in the lies.