A recent article run by the Associated Press, “Over Two Dozen States Weighing Marijuana Reforms,” is, for a change, somewhat encouraging:

“Washington is one of four states where measures to legalize and regulate marijuana have been introduced, and about two dozen other states are considering bills ranging from medical marijuana to decriminalizing possession of small amounts of the herb.”

Now, never mind that the folks who comprise these 28 or so mini-oligarchic “states” plan to restrict, regulate, and of course, tax cannabis sales once they give the green (no pun intended) light after so many wasteful, destructive years of arrogant and heavy-handed obstinance. Unlike tobacco, marijuana does not require the kind of protracted and involved drying and curing process necessary to make a quality, consumable product. In fact, anyone capable of growing good tomato plants can grow superb cannabis. The botanical techniques are nearly identical. Hence, private cultivation is set to explode.

This is precisely ex-Drug War top cop – now turned leading legalization advocate –Barry Cooper’s strategy, in that he wants to “outgrow the government.” That is, to have so much marijuana growing across the countryside that, in effect, the government’s Drug Nazis are simply forced to give up. (Of course, as an anarchist, I say we “outgrow the government” altogether and have done with it – Drug War, taxes, regulations, and all.) In fact, his two excellent DVD videos – both available at www.nevergetbusted.com – demonstrate how to both grow and transport marijuana, in relatively small amounts, without detection by government agents. Valuable weapons in any bid to bring Drug War madness to a grinding halt.

Here’s some more from the aforementioned AP article:

“’In terms of state legislatures, this is far and away the most active year that we’ve ever seen,’ said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the New York-based Drug Policy Alliance, which supports reforming marijuana laws.

“Nadelmann said that while legalization efforts are not likely to get much traction in state capitals anytime soon, the fact that there is such an increase of activity ‘is elevating the level of public discourse on this issue and legitimizing it.’”

“’I would say that we are close to the tipping point,’ he said. ‘At this point they are still seen as symbolic bills to get the conversation going, but at least the conversation can be a serious one.’”

Well okay: Pressure within is as good as pressure without on some aspects of this – so all-pervasive has become the Holy State — and perhaps the tandem effect can accelerate the Marijuana Revolution. Still, as any anarchist, I would advise and encourage non-political means by which to affect change.

Here, after all, are the words of those who are enjoying the financial and egotistical benefits of the status quo in America:

“’There’s no upside to it in any manner other than for those people who want to smoke pot,’ said Travis Kuykendall, head of the West Texas High Intensity Drug-Trafficking Area office in El Paso, Texas. ‘There’s nothing for society in it, there’s nothing good for the country in it, there’s nothing for the good of the economy in it.’”

And this ridiculous blather, from another self-styled visionary:

“Ron Brooks, president of the National Narcotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, said that he feared that, if legalized, marijuana would contribute to more highway accidents and deaths, as well as a potential increase in health care costs for those who smoke it.

“State lawmakers, he said, need to ask themselves ‘if they believe we really will make all that revenue, and even if we did, will it be worth the suffering, the loss of opportunities, the chronic illness or death that would occur?’”

Spoken like a true Nicolae Ceausescu. But this Berlin Wall is going up in smoke, fast. The self-serving lies of government are piling up – here, there, everywhere. And it’s up to each and every one of us to insure that the State cannot roll this change over into another tax-and-regulate boon for itself. We must make it unprofitable and unworkable for the bureaucrats at all levels, everywhere, to have a hand in any marijuana industry.

Just as we must do the same in all areas of human life.