I mentioned, previously, that this post would be about marijuana. That task is taking a bit longer than I had anticipated, so hang tight.

Not much exciting is happening right now. I spend my time going to class and working. I’ve also been visiting a psychologist about ADHD for the past three weeks or so. I just recently noticed that I have difficulty consciously focusing on things. Or I can be so focused on something that I miss everything that’s happening around me. It’s weird and I want to find out why it is happening.

I’m tentatively planning to return to Japan next year as a JET. That is, of course, IF I get accepted, IF I pass the interview, and IF I can tackle my remaining 23 credit hours in a semester. The latter of these conditions appears to be the most challenging, but if it is at all possible, I am going to try!

Things have changed. Most of you who follow me think you know, at least generally, who I am and what I believe. This might have been true two years ago. However, the two years I spent in Japan changed me a great deal. So much, in fact, that some might even think I am a completely different person. I would like to think that I shed the ideas and habits most unhealthy, and what remains and has been picked up promotes, more efficiently, my well being and the well being of those I encounter.

With that said, I wish to express some of my concerns with you in an open dialogue with this blog. I strongly encourage both commentary and criticism. As I believe that healthy communication is the best tool to bring about understanding and peace.

My next post will explore my concerns regarding marijuana. Some of you may have noticed the sudden burst of links and articles on the topic posted by myself. Whatever your opinion, I ask you to trust me. As I said in a previous post, I believe 100% in the legalization of marijuana. And if you will give me some time, I will hopefully provide you with enough information that you yourself can understand my point of view.

thank you.

What I’m about to say might make some of my family members and/or friends confused, sad, or perhaps even angry. This, in my opinion, is a consequence of misinformation, ignorance, and at some points in history flat out lies.

I absolutely support the legalization of cannabis (marijuana, weed, pot, grass… whatever you would like to refer to it as) and consequently the end of marijuana prohibition 100%. GASP… right? I have never ingested the active chemical, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, nor have I even seen the plant aside from photos and videos. Would I?… perhaps, if in that environment it was legal.  This decision was reached after watching several documentaries (links at end of post) and following the current new articles regarding the subject.

You might already have an opinion of marijuana, but where did it come from?  In my case, I attended a school that was fairly involved with the D.A.R.E. program, and I’m sure I, and many of my peers, developed a anti-drug mentality that stayed with me until a short time ago.  I don’t exactly remember, but I’m sure I was told that marijuana causes addiction, impairs short-term memory, and perhaps even brain cell loss.  However, what I have come to understand is that the some of the experiments included in these studies were not properly administered or repeated.  And as a result of the chemical and plant becoming a Schedule II controlled substance, it is extremely difficult for scientists to confirm or refute those claims today.

What has been found is that a staggering number of people suffering from epilepsy, arthritis, cancer, aids, Alzheimer’s disease, and several other diseases (source) claim that the drug alleviates their symptoms and/or side side effects of their prescribed treatments.  Many of these patients stories are hard to ignore and their stories should be heard.  I beg of you to at least watch one of the first two documentaries and see for yourself. (again listed at end)

The medical use of marijuana is one of many convincing arguments for its legalization and even, perhaps, its weakest. Take, for instance, the growing damage directly caused by its prohibition.  The violence associated with Mexican drug cartels has increased significantly and threatens to spill over into the U.S.

According to the Wall Street Journal…

More interesting is Mexico’s estimates that half of all cartel revenue comes from the marijuana business. That means, by my calculation, that if you lift the prohibition on trafficking pot alone, it would cut mob income by half. It also means that if the U.S. adopts a wink-wink policy of tolerating marijuana use but keeps it officially illegal, the thugs are going to get richer. (source)

On a more positive note, if legalized, the substance becomes regulated, able to be taxed, eliminates an incredible amount of government spending by the DEA, law enforcement agencies, and prison systems, and would keep a lot of people out of jail for doing something that should not be a crime.  I can huff spray paint if I feel inclined to.  Why isn’t spray paint illegal?  Tobacco and alcohol are both harmful to the body.  In fact, cigarettes are the #1 killer in the United States.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website says that ‘More deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined.’ (source) However, they are both legal for use.

It only makes sense at this point to legalize it.  And, in my opinion, it’s only a matter of time.  However, I want to do my part in dispelling the misconceptions regarding this plant, and I want to help educate people of the problems associated with prohibition of an increasingly popular drug.  We’ve done this before, and it just does not work.

I’m asking that anyone wanting to comment on this post first watch either ‘Waiting to Inhale’ or ‘The Union’, as they do a lot better job explaining these issues than I do.  If you aren’t willing to view opinions other than your own, then I revoke your right to comment on my blog.  And I also apologize for any errors or confusion caused by this post.  I don’t consider myself such a great writer…

Below are links to the documentaries I’ve watched.  (I’m not sure of the legality of these online copies, as they are documentaries and not major motion pictures.)

Waiting to Inhale
The Union
Super High Me – Please note that this is more humorous than the other two and could be considered by some to be offensive at times. (Rated R)

here is a video from our New Year’s celebration here at the dorm.

I’ve been thinking about the future lately.  Of course, I still have no idea what I want to do… However, I had an idea that I think is somewhat pursueable.  Right now, I’m technically a Computer Information Science junior.  However, because I’ve been in Japan for the past 1.5 years.  I don’t that degree is going to work out, as I’ve only taken a few of my computer related courses.  If possible, it would be more beneficial for me to swap my major to something like International Studies, so I can graduate next year.  That’s all fine and dandy, but what am I going to do with an International Studies degree?

Anyone who knows me knows that I am fairly interested in computers.  And I still think I want a career related to something in that field.  The next step following graduation would be getting some form of certification or a second degree to realize this.  I could go back to university, try out a technical school, or even come back to Japan to study here.  Then again there is not much sense in worrying about it right now.  It’s just a thought.

After sleeping a good 4.5 hours, I woke up early this morning to go to an event at a temple with a friend. Unfortunately, after about 30 mins of travel to get there, we discovered they had canceled for the week. So we both went back home.  The good thing is that I’m awake. I don’t like sleeping in till 3 in the afternoon and having a mere 3-4 hours of daylight.

Now the question is… what do I do with my day? Everyone is asleep, except for one Chinese Korean (thanks Cristina) girl watching stuff on her computer here in the lounge and I.

As you might have noticed, things have completely changed.  I decided to quit letting the site fall apart.  I updated a few things here and there and it turned into a complete overhaul.  So far, I like the way it turned out.  I added some ads as well.  I don’t think I have enough viewership to much more than pocketchange, but we’ll see.

I want to thank those of you who commented on my last post… especially you Aunt B.  I think you would be better off with your own blog.  You write more often than I do!

I’m pretty much finished with class for this semester.  Finals are next week.  Not looking forward to those so much.  Other than that, there is not much happening around here.  Tonight, we are sitting around watching Pulp Fiction.

It took about three weeks, but I’m healthy now!  Thank goodness!  However, other depressing things have happened.    But it’s alright.

Things are slowing down.  For random visitors, I’m an American exchange student studying at Ryukoku University in Kyoto, Japan.  I’ve got class on Monday and then I’m done for the rest of the year.  Wee!

It’s exciting to see how far I’ve come in just these few months.  And I can happily contribute my success to a wonderful Japanese friend of mine, with whom I have spent a lot of time talking.  I really feel like I can’t thank that person enough for what she has taught me.  It excites me to think of where my ability will be when I leave Japan next year.

I’ve got some pictures I’ll put up later, but I’ve got nothing else to say right now.  So that’s it for now.

No one leaves me any comments any more…   I don’t care who you are.  If you are out there, say hello!