This May Shock You! (Not)

Over the past couple of days I have seen a link to an article in regards to marijuana arrests.  It seems the outrage is actually being made aware with facts and figures.  It has surfaced numerous times on FACEBOOK (FB) with several FB pages including a link to the article on different news media sites.

It brings to mind how I feel about why people do what they know has consequences.  You can tell some children not to something that is hot like a stove because it will burn their finger.  I feel some will not touch it because they listen, others will learn not to touch it by seeing the reaction of those who are hard-headed get burned, others will touch it to see if they'll get burned too because they don't have the brain element to learn from the examples made out of others they need to see just how hot it really is to satisfy their curiosity by watching others get burned or wanting to know how it feels to get burned.  

I remember in the old days when people would often say "be hard-headed if you want to a hard head makes a soft bottom."  What the real motive is behind why folks are compelled to use marijuana other than for prescribed medicinal purposes in the first place is beyond me.  There are enough examples of incarceration, addiction, etc. already to know the sad realities of its possession and possession is real.  Thus, an article encouraging people to stop being a statistic and all the reasons why would be more appropriate than filling up a page with what is already so apparent.  

It comes a time when principle should take place over stupidity.  There are enough people already incarcerated due to drug possession and use to not be comfortable enough to know there are enough examples of all races who have fallen suspect or victim to this war on drugs we don't need more.  

The saddest reality is a lot of our nations potential in the fathers that could be working and raising their children, the mothers who could be nurturing their sons and daughters, the aunts and uncles who could possibly serve as an additional resource of moral support, the friends who could contribute to a village are behind bars.  The social and economic impact is affecting everyone.  Money governments could be spending building better schools, improving and expanding colleges and universities, increasing funding towards medical issues to aid research towards cures, so many other ways the money used to enforce marijuana use and abuse could be going towards good use.

It's not that I am for or against drugs.  I'm almost a half century clean.  Thankful to the Lord above I never acquired a taste to even try drugs.  I think a lot of it had to do with the health class projects and reports that started around the fourth grade in school for me.  Just researching, reading, and writing about it which seemed like every where until my sophomore year in high school when all my health and physical education requirements were met in addition to having to take health and p.e. classes in college as required electives with having to do reports and projects then as well on drugs was enough of a lesson for me.  Again, some people will get it and some won't.

It seems the stuff folks don't get end up costing the nation the most dollars.  It is unfortunate that some things a person just doesn't get has the consequence to land them in jail.  Not only are people landing in jail for drugs but they are also increasing the time with mandatory minimums. 

Is it a shock?  No.  If you live in America and are surprised by the findings mentioned in this article please write me and let me know why. 

"Blacks Are Singled Out for Marijuana Arrests, Federal Data Suggests"

Since prayer changes thing my prayer is the taste for illegal drugs, the desire to distribute and sell illegal drugs be removed wherever it exists.  Our nation be healed.  This war on drugs be won in the name of the father, son, and holy spirit.  The Lord open our eyes, hearts, and minds towards a solution for all people.