UGA Student Newspaper Opinion: Better image key in marijuana debate

Because despite the fact that respectable figures such as Barack Obama and Michael Phelps are both one-time admirers of Mary Jane, they are not the ones advocating for the legalization of what seems to be a common and relatively harmless illegal drug.

Instead, we have the University’s chapter of National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Law member who suggested meeting for a 3 p.m. interview last year at Dunkin’ Donuts. This guy showed up blazed out of his mind, about to down a few doughnuts before heading off to a screening of the latest Harold and Kumar movie.

And even though that image fits into my column better than the herb at a 311 concert, I didn’t make any of it up. Not a bit. That’s how he wanted to spread his message to the media. It’s too bad, because I think they have research and sense on their side. They certainly slapped University officials in the face.

The problem is that instead of the suit and tie many would expect from a group trying to reform a set of laws, we have Harold and Kumar go to the Arch.

We have a spokesman holding a “news conference” looking like he just rolled out of bed and can’t wait to roll into a pile of his finest ganja.

Sorry guys, but the laughs you got from people walking by are what you can expect to get from people in the Capitol. Your audience will remain a small group of fellow tokers.

So go ahead and hit me with the “conformist” label. Tell me how I would have everyone on campus dressing like Frat-tastic Freddy and Sally the So-ho. It’s not true – I love color in my life.

But you know who doesn’t? Congress. And the second they see Weed lovin’ Willy in the Capitol with sporting red, green and yellow, they’re going to smile and walk away. It won’t matter how many purple haze-loving hippie signatures you have on your petition.

So try a shave and a shower, maybe a blazed visit to the barber, and then pitch your message. Maybe you’ll get somewhere. Even if you don’t, you’ll always have Afroman.

via Better image key in marijuana debate – Opinions.

Oh, do I get pushback from some marijuana activists when I make this point!  ”We shouldn’t have to dress like ‘the Man’!”  ”They need to accept us for who we are!”  ”We don’t need to be ashamed of our diversity!”  ”It’s hypocritical to dress up like a corporatist when that’s not what we are!”  ”We should be proud of our tie-dyes and long hair and scruffy beards!”

Nobody is telling you to not be who you are, we’re just saying, “be the best you can be”.  For example, Vivian McPeak, executive director of Seattle Hempfest, is one of the most articulate and well-informed advocates for cannabis law reform in the country.  He also has back-length dreads and facial hair.

But when Viv shows up to represent to the mainstream, he’s wearing a nice suit, his dreads are tied back and neat, his beard is trimmed and presentable.  And for some occasions, he will just defer to someone else more “square” looking, because he’s self-aware enough to know how the mainstream media will frame him and unselfish enough to think of the mission over himself.

This does not mean I reject our heritage and culture, far from it.  I rock my tie-dye where appropriate and can be as silly a blazing stoner as anyone else.  But I understand that when the Beer Industry lobbyists show up in Washington, it’s not Larry the Cable Guy and Will Ferrel from “Old School” chatting up the representatives.