Why Marijuana is Illegal

"Grow More Pot"
by Jello Biafra
From "I Blow Minds for a Living", recorded at Slim's, San Francisco, Nov. 21, 1990
Animated with CrazyTallk v5.0 (my first attempt at animation)

Jello Biafra goes over the reasons that Marijuana/Hemp was outlawed as presented in Jack Herer's book "The Emperor Wears No Clothes", first published in 1985. The primary thesis being that Marijuana/Hemp was outlawed on the behalf of individuals and corporations that did not wish to compete against it as an industrial product. He describes many uses for Marijuana/Hemp that I have never before heard of (plastic, fuel, etc) and these claims appear to be true from what research I have done. There are some factual errors in the book, especially in the areas of ancient history and modern biology (THC does not bind with opiate receptors, for example, but rather anandamide receptors, although not known in 1985). The book does focus on the positive aspects of marijuana and borders on "hippyish" at times, but its central thesis remains compelling regardless of its drug-positive tone. I have yet to read any critical reviews that challenge the central claims of the book. Overall a great read even though its implications are a bit depressing at times.

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