If You Think Marijuana Is A Racist Word And Thus Shouldn’t Be Used You Simply Don’t Get It

Marijuana was a racist word. Nobody “normal” uses that term and thinks, “hey racism,” today. Here’s the details for that discussion from Reason Magazine:

Gordon’s issue with the term stems from his belief that it’s rooted in racism. It’s not a completely outlandish idea. In fact, one of the leaders of the movement to make weed illegal has been accused of using blatant racism to argue for prohibition. “There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others,” Harry J. Anslinger, who led the Federal Bureau of Narcotics from 1930 to 1962, reportedly once said.

Reason‘s Jacob Sullum has noted that the origin of the term marijuana is unclear. But a 1925 headline from The New York Times—“Mexican, Crazed by Marihuana, Runs Amuck With Butcher Knife”—is probably one of the reasons some people feel like the word has a racist connotation.

Neronha, for his part, doesn’t plan to stop saying marijuana any time soon. In an interview this morning with Dan Paquet, a local radio host for WPRO, Neronha said he’s “comfortable using the word” because it’s what everyone uses.

Neronha called Gordon’s behavior “unconventional” and “not something that I would ever engage in.” Still, he emphasized that he has no problem with Gordon himself, and would not be opposed to facing him again in a similar setting.

Words in the 20th century especially, change meaning over time. It’s no longer a racist word, and it’s petty to focus on semantics over substantial drug policy discourse.

Racism isn’t even the problem. Cultural values and lack thereof are the problem. Racism stems from outdated values, and isn’t the core root issue. The racist history of the drug war is detailed more below, and is important info, but in my one man’s opinion, I do not think advocates should get hung up on this word.

Knowing history is important, but making effective arguments is more important. Marijuana is a commonly used word today. Feigning offense and storming out or accusing someone of being a racist won’t get you anywhere with me, or anyone else, so choose your words wisely when discussing the history of the drug war. We need to keep the conversation going, as it takes more than an hour, or day, to break through social programming/brainwashing from the failed prohibitionist propaganda. Those people may very well be motivated by racism but, I do not see motivations as relevant. Actions are relevant, and behavior. Fight the actions, and don’t get yourself trapped in a corner as the person pointing fingers at people for allegations that are very, very hard to definitively prove.

One last gripe: as said during this discussion about Black Lives Matter, white people cannot comment on anything about black people without being accused of being racist. Luckily, I’m not white, and the son of an immigrant who didn’t get his green card until after I had graduated high school, so I can talk about race a bit easier, but to solve drug policy and social issues, we have to be honest about cultural divides between ethnic groups, and respect those boundaries as legitimate and sacred. Without a willingness to allow each other space to speak their minds without getting attacked, we are never going to understand each other. So, please talk more, not less, and have some patience with these young kids all fire and brimstone up about racism, because while they don’t yet get it, they are trying to.

There’s a lot of serious issues to deal with like climate change, poverty rates, economic policies, war, corruption in our political system…emotional distractions are meant to distract. Don’t get stuck.