Irvin Freyhofer

10 December 2016
ENC 2135
Revised Project 1
Irvin Freyhofer
ENC 2135
Doran
September 2016
Cannabis, marijuana, bud, dope, pot, or simply weed, a simple plant which, over the
years, has stirred up about as much controversy as religion (roughly). Whether its propaganda
against cannabis or documentaries for the Devils Grass, marijuana in discussions can create
quite the elephant in the room (or in marijuanas case, a skunk), for, having such a very
distinctive smell, marijuana is easily identifiable by the nares, often resembling a skunk-like
odor. The aromas which different strains of marijuana can emit have differing effects on people;
for example, some may turn their heads and revere the smell of some good ole reefer burning;
in contrast, some may recognize the smell of dope and immediately discern the effects of
degenerates; nonetheless, marijuana is offered to all in many forms, aside from the (seemingly)
obvious dry herb form. Marijuana, in its raw form, hemp, is potentially one of the most
versatile of plants, and with its versatility, comes instability in public opinion, but that is simply
due to many negative perceptions; additionally, that cannabis is labeled as dangerous as heroin
(as far as the federal government is concerned) more often than not brings about serious
misconceptions. The origin of marijuana being deemed a bad drug starts in 1936, one year
before the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. One film Reefer Madness had families in disarray
regarding an herb, an herb which had been in many medicine cabinets for decades. Reefer
Madness depicts marijuana as a highly-dangerous drug which can overpower ones morals and

ultimately result in crime. Thankfully, the pro-cannabis community is only growing larger, and
there are plenty of ways one can find out the truth behind cannabis.
Arguably the most popular genre for cannabis, hip-hop, many celebrities openly endorse
and advocate the use of cannabis. One rapper Dizzy Wright advocates marijuana in his song I
love weed as follows: I love weed, weed, weed, weed, weed, weed I do adore. In contrast to
the criminal properties of cannabis, the rapper also goes on in I love weed to explain how the
herb eases his mind quite the opposite from committing mindless criminal acts. Dizzy Wright
achieves his ethos from being a long-time advocate for equal rights, and Mr. Wright has quite the
following for him. Dizzys pathos is developed in his songs, many of which relate to the
struggles of minorities and those oppressed; additionally, Dizzys logos is addressed with his
surprisingly high report card, as Dizzy Wright graduated with honors, fighting the stereotype that
marijuana harms the developing brain. Another advocate for the cause, Gucci Mane of the 1017
BrickSquad, voices his opinions in his song Kush is my Cologne: Im inhalin it, exhaling it, it
makes me more intelligent. Gucci Mane even further challenges the marijuana stereotype that
weed smokers are only trying to buy more weed with his most recent charity. Gucci Mane adds
ethos to his situation with a large community that he has served, Zone-6, Atlanta. Many
Atlantean residents respect Gucci Mane and see Gucci as a hero, and Guccis pathos is granted
such a following as well. As for his logos, Gucci continuously supports the struggle in Atlanta
with charitable donations and activism. Recently released from prison, Gucci Mane plans to host
a boxing match, with all the proceeds going to charity. Verbatim, Mr. Mane explained, Im
challenging any rapper friend or foe in the ring to a boxing match. Put yo money up. Who got
hands, not raps. Who wants the challenge. The proceeds from the ring will go to charities. You
scary a** Rappers. Accounts lead to believe Gucci mane in fact, did not fight anyone, but Mane

instead donated ten-thousand dollars to the Atlanta Zone-6 Relief Foundation. Perhaps its is not
the most orthodox of charities, but, nonetheless, Gucci Manes actions prove that even the most
gangster of marijuana users can have a soft side for those in need, and Mr. Manes actions
greatly challenge the message in Reefer Madness and similar con-propaganda.
With shining examples of marijuana not causing violence and crime, there are always the
counterparts. Possibly the most popular piece of anti-weed propaganda, the abomination that
sparked dissent towards marijuana, Reefer Madness, portrays violent illegitimate side effects
from consumption of marijuana (marihuana in the film). In one scene a doctor relives a traumatic
event caused by marijuana, Yes. I remember. Just a young boyunder the influence of
drugs[marijuana]who killed his entire family with an axe (Meade 1936). Such a scene
connects viewers emotionally, adding a characteristic of pathos. Contrary to the film, Live
Science suggests marijuana actually decreases interest in completing tasks and relaxation
frequently being reported, so it seems highly unlikely one in a relaxed and disinterested state
could spontaneously murder his family with an axe. Even still, the film achieves logos with the
fact there were no other infomovies around, so logos also comes in with ignorance; there werent
any movies supporting marijuana at the time. Nonetheless, the actions fictionalized in Reefer
Madness still, unfortunately, have effect on opinions towards marijuana. With the federal
government stating weed is as dangerous as heroin [by schedule class], those oblivious to
scientific facts could legitimately be convinced that weed kills, as shown in the anti-weed
propaganda poster below.

That marijuana has the ability to kill is not entirely false; however, according to the
Drug Library, throughout all tests done in marijuanas documented existence, there has never
been a fatality resulting from a toxic amount of marijuana. Evidently, to overdose, an average
(154 pound) human would need to consume approximately 1,500 pounds of marijuana at once
to die. Even with test monkeys being pumped full of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main
component in marijuana that causes the high, greater than a supposed lethal dose, not even one
fatality was reported; additionally, science (The Drug Library) adds another counterpart to the
nay-sayers weed with, Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active
substances known to man. By any measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safely used
within a supervised routine of medical care (DEA Judge Young). Due to its nature, science
holds as the Supreme Law of the Land in the area of marijuana, for, no matter how many
people are convinced that weed kills, science will always be true; that weed or marijuana
should be a federally banned substance, even deemed as dangerous, is essentially ludicrous, so
says science.