Groupthink – Problems in Poli Sci

Now, none of you will see me, or think of me and have your first thoughts go to things like "what a stoner", and you'd be right. I don't smoke marijuana, however unlike many others who abstain from the use of the drug, I consider myself extremely open to educational material related to marijuana, and the topic of its potential legalization. The problem here is although I leave my mind open to a changing view on marijuana as new evidence comes to light, I receive flak from people around be because I'm open to both sides of that legalization coin.

In my political science class today, I mentioned a 20-year study into the long-term effects of chronic marijuana use, which of course, earned me a great deal of backlash. Friendly tip, don't bring up the proven negative consequences of long-term chronic marijuana use in a college setting if you're not looking for a fight… College stoners seem to only be relaxed and mellow when they're high, and quite the opposite when someone indicates that they may be doing harm to themselves. In any case, I noted a 20-year study featured in the medical journal Addiction that listed the effects of long-term chronic marijuana use as:

• Increased likelihood of psychosis and psychotic symptoms.
  
• Earlier development of psychotic conditions.
  
• A doubling in the likelihood of developing a psychotic condition if the user begins smoking marijuana while in their adolescence.
  
• Increased likelihood of developing an intellectual impairment, showing that studies of marijuana-using students indicated consistently lower test scores and poorer chances of completing secondary schooling.
  
• Diminished IQ, especially when the smoking begins in adolescence.
  

The real issue here, in my mind, is not the list of effects that chronic marijuana use comes with, but the lack of willingness to listen to, and accept the scientifically proven consequences. One of the worst things we can do as people is to willingly stop thinking critically, and force through ideas based solely upon public opinion and group or leadership consensus.

The debate began after our professor mentioned the recent ads by government groups, listing the negative consequences of chronic, long-term marijuana use. The vast majority of the class disagreed with the spending of government funds on the ad campaigns, with arguments like "they could be spending the money on something else". It's an easy statement to make, but one that it rarely backed up (by your average college student) with a plan for said alternative spending, or indications as to why it would be better spent on the proposed alternative. Another student tried to counter by confronting me and asking "we know alcohol and tobacco are bad for you, but do you see the government taking out ads to denounce the effects of those drugs?" This was by far the most ignorant piece of pushback that I faced, as we are all, or should all be familiar by now with the "don't drink and drive" commercials, the Alcoholics Anonymous campaigns that note the negative effects of chronic or excessive drinking, and the health warnings and ads depicting the effects of cigarette smoking and second-hand smoke.

Folks, we know that chronic drug use is ultimately bad for us. Cirrhosis of the liver, throat mouth and lung cancer, cardiovascular conditions, all of these can be caused by the use of tobacco and alcohol just as truly as the previously bullet-listed effects are caused by the chronic, long-term use of marijuana. Does this mean that I feel we shouldn't decriminalize marijuana? No. I feel that it has the potential to be as much of a tax revenue cash cow as alcohol or tobacco, possibly even moreso. However, just because I support its decriminalization does NOT mean that I am willing to ignore, or that I will encourage others to ignore the possible consequences of their actions in choosing to partake in the use of any drug. Do I drink? Sure do, when the occasion warrants it. Do I smoke? Hell no, and you'll never catch me smoking unless it's a single, celebratory cigar on a VERY special occasion. Do I use marijuana? No, it's simply not something I'm interested in. These are my choices, based on a weighing of the risks and rewards associated with each, just as everyone else around the world makes their decisions. The problem right now is that, although the studies exist, and the effects are known, people are more willing to ignore the consequences of smoking marijuana, and decisions that risks your well-being should NOT be made while in a state of self-imposed ignorance. It's one thing to act without the ability to know the consequences with the mindset "you'll never known until you're tried", but it's something else entirely to say "I don't care if there's proof, I'm doing what I want, because I can".

Anyway, with my second non-paintball-related blogpost of the day, I'll leave you with this final question and an apology:

Question: Why do you think people are so willing to remain ignorant about the consequences of chronic marijuana use?

Apology: I'm sorry for publishing non-paintball items to the blog. I've linked my Microsoft Word to this blog specifically so anything I write from the Word "Blog Post" template will automatically be published here… Thinking about making this my only blog going forward to save on time and effort.

Regardless folks, as per the usual sign-off, keep calm and throw paint!

Joshua J. Taylor – The Noob Baller

The Ottawa Incident – Je Me Souviens

Before I get into the bulk of this article I would like to offer my condolences to the families and friends of the two soldiers that we have lost this week to radicalized individuals. These were cowardly attacks against honourable men and it has saddened me greatly to be shown that there are such cruel and heartless people in this nation, and that they can act so senselessly and violently against people who have done them no harm. It is the commitment and good standing of these two men that I will remember going forward.

There is something else we must remember as a nation though, and this may be the most important point to note after these tragedies. Folks, we must remember who we are as Canadians, and not allow these acts to change who we are as a country, as a people, and as a culture. Canada has been a nation of peace, one to act with clear heads regarding issues at home and abroad, and although we are not one to shy away from a fight, we temper our combat capabilities with the good sense to know when violence is necessary and conversely, when it is not. We are not international cowboys, gallivanting around the globe with guns drawn in a Yosemite Sam fashion. We are not a nation prone to snap judgements and knee-jerk reactions of violence and heavy-handed responses. We must remember that these acts, however heinous, are the acts of individuals and NOT acts indicative of a larger ethnic or religious group. Yes, these men identified themselves as individuals who allied and associated themselves with extreme, and radical ideologies in line with some fringe interpretations of a particular culture and faith, but they are NOT part of a cultural majority, especially not here in Canada.

Undoubtedly we will struggle in the coming months, possibly years, to differentiate between radical Muslims and the peaceful majority as many of us are ignorant to the facts pertaining to the religion and its history, but that ignorance is not an excuse to make snap judgements and to discriminate against a people. In the wake of 9/11, as everyone will likely remember, people who presented as being of Middle Eastern descent were harassed and targeted because of the actions of a niche group, acting on the fringe of Islamic religious fundamentalism. Innocent men, women and children were attacked because of how they dressed, the religion they follow, and the colour of their skin. They were victims of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks as well, just in a different way. Much the same radioactive fallout can contaminate the area around a nuclear blast for decades following the detonation, the ripple effect of cultural discrimination affected, and continues to affect Muslims around the world.

I have always been extremely proud of Canada as a tolerant and welcoming nation. Unfortunately the freedom that we extend to our citizens and to those who choose to immigrate to Canada can lend itself to a state of vulnerability. It is important to remember however, that this vulnerability it rarely targeted, and that these latest attacks are the first since the FLQ kidnappings and bombings decades ago to bring terrorism to Canadian soil. Have there been reported plots? Sure there have, but there are always people seeking to attack nations the world over. Despite these plots, we have remained relatively untouched as a nation, with the exception of the attacks of the last week. We are not some feeble, vulnerable nation, though some of our domestic institutions are obviously in need of a security overhaul. We are a nation, the true north strong, and free, and we will continue to live on as a free and tolerant nation as long as we stay true to the values that we have lived by thus far.

So I ask you this, dear reader; stay the course. Do not allow these events to sway you towards a radicalism of your own. Do not allow these individuals to negatively colour your perception of Muslims or Islam as a whole, lest your actions serve to create a similarly negative perception of the religion (or lack thereof) that you identify with, or worse yet, of Canada as a nation. The day that we compromise as a nation on the values we've held dear for so long, those who conspire against us will have won.

Remember reader… Remember.

 

Joshua J. Taylor