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                 P  A  R  T      F  O  U  R
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                  WHY IS IT STILL ILLEGAL?


1) Why is it STILL illegal?:

    The official answer: Because you shouldn't use it.
    You can't use it because it is illegal, and it is illegal so
    you can't use it.  You should not use it.  It is illegal.
    It is illegal so you should not use it.

    The manic-depressive answer: It'll never happen.  People are
    too unorganized/stupid/disempowered.  It's just futility.
    Try, but don't expect to get anywhere.  I won't get my hopes
    up.

    The paranoid-schizophrenic answer: Don't you SEE?!?!?  The
    guys at the top have it SEWN!!  They own everything.
    They'll never let it happen.  I shouldn't even be talking to
    you, but let me give you some advice!!  listen...  you
    shouldn't mess with THEM, THEY know everything.  THEY are
    practically psychic, see?  And the only way to get it to
    happen is to become one of THEM.  You'd better watch it, or
    THEY will come and take you away -- THEY do that, you know.
    It's all a CONSPIRACY!!!

    The neurotic answer: Marijuana?  Eeek!  Don't you know that
    stuff is dangerous?  People don't make laws for no good
    reason, you know!  Where did you hear about marijuana?
    Wait!  Don't tell me, I don't want to know.  If anybody even
    knew you thought it should be legal -- well -- they'd never
    talk to you again!  Don't you know that marijuana this...
    marijuana that...  ...  ...  ...

    THE REAL ANSWER: Marijuana is still illegal because enough
    people have not yet stood up together and said:

         `` THIS IS STUPID!!
    
                 I WANT CANNABIS HEMP LEGAL!!!
    
                       FOR PRODUCTS;
    
                              FOR MEDICINE;
    
                                     FOR FOOD;
    
                                            FOR FUN;
    
    FOR GOODNESS'S SAKE!  ISN'T THAT WHAT LIFE'S ALL ABOUT ?!''

    Without large-scale grass roots support, marijuana will
    never be legal.  Every person that stands up for
    marijuana/hemp legalization makes us that much stronger, and
    our voices that much louder.  Believe me, we appreciate all
    the support we get.  Almost as importantly, it makes it that
    much harder for people to say ``that's a stupid idea'' or
    ``nobody really believes that.''

    If you aren't convinced yet, Or if you are having trouble 
    swallowing any of the answers given,  I encourage you to 
    learn more about the issues.  Try the sources listed at the end.

    If you're with us, let us know!  Let everybody know, unless
    it will get you canned or arrested, but most importantly,
    keep an eye on what's going on, and try to lend a hand when
    you can.  Also, know your stuff, so if you have to, you can
    convince a friend or loved one that *you* are not nuts --
    the rest of the world is.





2)  What can I do to bring some sense into our marijuana laws?

    There are many things you can do.  Activists are
    working right now at all levels to reform marijuana laws.
    If you cannot afford to be an activist, there are many ways
    you can help -- activists find themselves short of money,
    time, and occasionally even friendly company.  Get to know a
    hemp or marijuana legalization activists in your area, and
    just keep up to date on what they are planning.  Odds are
    you will find something that you can easily do which will
    help them out a whole lot.  There is a list available called
    the Liberty Activist's List which will give you the phone
    numbers or address of groups near you.  Also, you may call
    the National Office of NORML (The National Organization for
    the Reform of Marijuana Laws) at 1-202-483-5500.  The most
    important thing you can do on your own, though, is to keep
    tabs on your state and local legislators, and let them know
    that this is an issue to be taken seriously.

    Many activist groups offer `memberships.'  These usually
    involve a fee for joining the group, and a newsletter that
    keeps you up to date on the group's activities.  This way
    you know when and why to write your legislators, and thought
    provoking information which you normally would not get is
    delivered to you.  If and when you need to, most
    importantly, you will be able to contact the group and seek
    or give advice.

3a)  Where can I get more information?

    Many places.  One of the best is by using electronic
    communications.  The Information Superhighway has been a
    tremendous leap forwards for our movement, and there is a
    lot of information available.  Start by sending e-mail to
    "({{{readme}}})".  There is an
    e-mail file-server set up at this address, and just about
    anyone with Internet e-mail can use it.  The server contains
    many files about marijuana, and more importantly directories
    and pointers on how to get more information by WWW, GOPHER,
    FTP, IRC, and TELNET.  For a overview list of these
    resources send mail to
    "({{{netlinks}}})".  If you
    have trouble making this work, send a note asking for help
    to "verdant@twain.ucs.umass.edu"
    
    A copy of the Liberty Activist's List is also available
    through this server, by mailing to
    "({{{groups}}})."  This will
    help you get in touch with activists near you.  If you are
    interested, there is an excellent mailing list devoted to
    Drug War issues.  It is called DRCnet and you may send mail
    to "borden@netcom.com" for information on becoming involved.





3b) Umm, I'm computer illiterate, so that just went way over
    my head.  Are there any good books I could go get instead?

    Here is a list of some of the must-read books and
    articles about marijuana and legalization.  Check the
    source section of this FAQ for more information about
    these and other sources.

    ``The Emperor Wears No Clothes'' by Jack Herer pub. Queen of
    Clubs/HEMP, 1993/1994

    ``Hemp, Life-Line to the Future'' by Chris Conrad pub. data
    pending
    
    ``Marihuana Reconsidered'' by Lester Grinspoon pub. 1977.
    Harvard University Press.  pub. 1993 data pending.
        
    ``Marihuana the Forbidden Medicine'' by Lester Grinspoon
    pub. Yale University Press 1993.
    
     *** Journal Articles of General Interest ***

    ``Marijuana Laws: A Need for Reform'' by Roger Allan Glasgow
    in ``Arkansas Law Review'' Vol. 22(340) pp. 359-375.

     *** Government commissions recommending legalization ***
    
    The Panama Canal Zone Report of 1925, pub.  United States
    Government.

    Mayor LaGuardia's Committee on Marijuana (New York) Report
    issued 1944. (Initiated 1938 -- an extensive study of
    marijuana) pub. New York City Government

    The Final Report of the Le Dain Commission on Marijuana 
    Legalization, pub. Canadian Gov't

    Final Report if the National Commission on Marijuana, 1972,
    pub. United States Government  entitled ``Marijuana -- a
    Signal of Misunderstanding''

     *** Court Rulings ***

    ``In the Matter of Marijuana Rescheduling Petition'' by Hon.
    Francis L. Young Docket# 86-22 1989.



4)  Do you have any advice for people who want to organize
    their own group?

    There are some very good books that will help new
    organizers hit the ground running.  Here are two titles you
    should try to locate:
    
    Si Kahn ``Organizing: A Guide For Grassroots Leaders''
    McGraw-Hill 1982 0-07-033215-0 (0-07-033199-5 paperback)
    
    Ed Hedemann ``The War Resisters League Organizers Manual''
    1981 0-940862-00-X
                                     The War Resisters League
                            339 Lafayeyette St., New York, NY

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