Prohibition State Advocacy
For centuries, humans have encountered different eras of prohibition. The short-lived prohibition of alcohol (1920-1933) and the ‘War on Drugs’ (1971-current) being the two most discussed. As of June 17th, we have been fighting the fear mongering propaganda of the ‘War on Drugs’ for 55 years. For some this fight may not seem like one worth fighting, but for others, it is imperative to continue on.
Residing in a cannabis prohibition state for 26 years, I have never experienced regulated or commodified access to medicinal or recreational cannabis. However, I have directly witnessed the multitude of failures present within the justice system and the overwhelmingly negative impacts of the ‘War on Drugs.’ This is my personal experience as a queer and neurodivergent individual diagnosed with multiple chronic illnesses highlighting the differences between living in a prohibition state and living in a legalized state.
At the age of 18, I was introduced to legal medicinal cannabis through an online certification program that allowed individuals over the age of 18 to become prescribed medical cannabis in a legalized state. Heading to California in just a few months, I was so excited to see the inside of my first real dispensary and purchase my first ever preroll. As soon as I stepped off the plane and settled in at a friend's house, it was off to the dispensary. I entered the store surrounded by the fragrant smells, lights, and shelves filled to the brim with beautiful products. I was enamored. I learned about the cultural history of the plant, the community surrounding it, and the science that brings it to fruition. It may have been my first physical step into a legal cannabis market, but it flowered into so much more than that.
After returning home I discovered the world around me was filled with misinformation and I knew I had to begin searching for my own evidence. Working through a bachelor’s degree while battling chronic gastrointestinal issues, I found most papers I wrote in my general education classes to be about the medicinal benefits of cannabis. Alongside the creation of these writings, I started to experience the inner workings of the illicit cannabis market first hand. Meeting not so great people involved in not so great situations, I knew I was potentially putting myself in danger. However, the relief from chronic pain, stress, anxiety, depression, and gastrointestinal issues made it worth it. I kept myself safe in every way I knew how, and I kept those around me as safe as I could.
Even though I had educated myself on the potential dangers of the illicit cannabis market, I quickly learned my peers had not. I witnessed multiple arrests, prison sentences, families torn apart, death, and destruction. Each in some fashion related to cannabis prohibition and the War on Drugs, creating a long lasting stigma against a medicine that I believe should be accessible no matter where you live.
As the years have passed, many things have changed, but my passion for cannabis advocacy and education has only grown. In many prohibition states, products containing numerous THC isomers and synthetically produced cannabinoids at extreme doses are being sold, sometimes to illprepared consumers. These products are not held to any legal standards other than ensuring a total Delta-9-THC concentration of less than 0.3%. With this, the resurgence of high powered alternative cannabinoids has flooded many hemp stores, making it difficult for businesses and consumers to keep up with what compounds are available.
Today, I currently still reside in a prohibition state with plans to relocate to pursue opportunities within the cannabis field. Since obtaining my Master of Science in medical cannabis science and therapeutics from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, I am recognized as a cannabis expert who is equipped to make change in the cannabis industry. I am not only formally educated in medicinal cannabis, but I have also found a network of people who value accessible information with as much eagerness as myself. As a team member of NAP I am excited to continue utilizing my expertise to advocate for individuals in prohibition states. Individuals like my mother, father, and countless others who could reap the benefits of legal cannabis tenfold. With scientific advancements, determination, and resilience, I believe one day cannabis will be accessible for all, and the voices of professionals like myself and others, will be heard around the world.
Author Julz Sannipoli