Craigslist Chronic

Ryan Garner

As I was browsing Craigslist ads for random cool swag people were giving away, I came across a completely new market. I didn’t find typical swag, but I did discover some “schwag” of a different kind.

I discovered a full list of ads for local medical marijuana patients who are putting their excess weed up for “donation” only. This is chronic-level bud, so one might expect to offer a relatively generous donation.

Oddly enough, the “donation” prices for an eighth, quarter, and ounce of marijuana, were already clearly stated by the “donor”.

Sounded a bit like a price tag to me.

Apparently, local growers and new patients with a medical card, a bit of startup capital and dollar signs in their eyes, have been exploiting a loophole in section 36-2811 of the weed laws.

“A patient shall not be subject to arrest for offering marijuana to a registered qualifying patient for the individual’s medical use … if nothing of value is transferred in return.” Provided of course, the deal is less than 2.5 ounces.

I’m completely in favor of deregulating the marijuana industry, especially for medical cases. But we must be honest with ourselves. The red tape has not yet been cut, and though the law seems to hint at “patient-to-patient” distribution, I’m not quite sure the conservatives are ready for this kind of “donation only” free market.

Now, I’m not some crazy prohibitionist, trying to fight a war against alcohol. But if you haven’t noticed, alcohol has destroyed a few more lives than weed. Don’t worry though, U.S. Marshals won’t try to bust in on your basement if you get your liquor license and plan on brewing and selling your own beer.

For some strange reason – in this scenario, we’ll call it sustained social brainwashing – this is not the case for medical marijuana.

The cause behind the medical marijuana movement wasn’t to line grower’s pockets with money. It was to establish a legally safe environment for people who are hurt, injured, and sick to find some kind of solace from their pain.

As I inhale a nice deep breath of oxygen, I feel like things have the opportunity to get a lot better, as long as Craigslist weed pushers don’t prematurely give law makers a good reason to repeal the law.

For some people, grass is the magic bullet for pain. Ask a cancer patient trying to deal with the nausea from their chemoradiation.

And for those of you on Craigslist with “too much” weed to smoke, it’s called a pipe. Fill it up and smoke until you can’t see the color green anymore (that is, if you are a patient).

 

  • Mesa Legend Staff

    These are archived stories from Mesa Legend editions before Fall 2018. See article for corresponding author.

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