I don’t know if you’ve watched the documentary Culture High, but even if you haven’t, it’s time we talked about how we’ve been lied to about pot.

See, the government lies. All. The. Time.

Perhaps you’re taken aback and can’t believe such a thing. Perhaps you convince yourself it’s not true, that the government always tells the truth.

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Or maybe you’re shaking your head, thinking, “No shit, Sherlock.”

Either way, it’s time to get to the root of the problem, especially when it comes to marijuana.

When it comes to pot, the government’s been lying to us for a long, long time.

It Shouldn’t Be a Schedule I Drug

YuH / Flickr

By definition, a drug listed as Schedule I has:

…no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Schedule I drugs are the most dangerous drugs of all the drug schedules with potentially severe psychological or physical dependence.

Well, obviously that’s not true. Marijuana is placed in a category that includes heroin, LSD, and peyote. It is ranked as a more dangerous drug than cocaine, methamphetamine, OxyContin, fentanyl, ketamine, and Xanax.

We all know that’s not true. Have you ever seen anyone go through opiate withdrawal? Scary shit. Pot withdrawal may make someone a little bitchy, but it’s not going to make them want to die, I promise.

And let’s not even talk about the health benefits. Studies have shown that marijuana helps with everything from nausea and MS, to glaucoma and seizures.

It Really Is All About the Money

David Goehring

Ask a politician why marijuana isn’t legal, and you’ll get all sorts of answers. But what it really comes down to is money. From pharmaceutical companies to the police force, there are people all over the place getting financial incentives to keep weed illegal.

When someone’s running for office, money is a huge aspect that must be considered. Research shows the majority of the time the candidate with the most campaign funds wins the race. It isn’t about who says what and who stands behind their beliefs. It’s about finding who has the most money and getting in that person’s pocket and staying there.

Add in private, for-profit prisons, and a whole new team joins the game. With over half of all drug arrests being for small amounts of marijuana, it’s no wonder our jails are full and pot smokers feel like they’re criminals for lighting up in their own backyards.

It’s working

More than the research deeming marijuana a safer alternative than some medications; knowing the majority of Americans agree with at least decriminalization, the fact that marijuana legalization is working should say something. In Colorado alone last year, $63 million was earned in taxes from the marijuana revenue, along with another$13 million in fees and licenses, all from selling pot. And guess what? The crime rate didn’t go up. People aren’t selling on playgrounds. No more people are smoking weed than were 1o years ago, and it’s all okay.

Eric Parker / Flickr

What is your position on marijuana and the lies the government has told us? Do you think it was unintentional, or do you believe there was negative motives the whole way along? Share your opinion in the comments. We want to know what you think.

Additional Image: Park Ranger/ Flickr

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