Episode 28: David Zuckerman on Legalizing Cannabis

David Zuckerman is the Lieutenant Governor of Vermont, and owner/operator of Full Moon Farm, a small, diversified certified organic farm in Northern Vermont. David has long been a proponent of legalizing and regulating the use and sale of cannabis, and we talk about the ins and outs of this issue.

Episode Outline

  • The continuum from criminalized to legalized and regulated cannabis
  • The distinction between decriminalization and legalization, and goals of regulating cannabis
  • The difference between cannabis as a medicine and recreation drug versus industrial hemp
  • Cannabis as a coping mechanism, and why people in modern society so depend on coping mechanisms
  • Origins of cannabis prohibition in the desire of the paper industry in protecting their investments in forest land
  • Racialization of the prohibition of cannabis, particularly with respect to Latinos
  • Nixon administration’s use of cannabis prohibition and the War on Drugs to stifle the pursuit of civil rights, American Indian Movement, and the anti-war movement
  • How the Trump administration has emboldened the vitriol and hatred that has long been hidden in society
  • Broadening the scope of advocacy in cannabis legalization and regulation
  • Impacts of cannabis prohibition on those with other criminal infractions
  • The apparent impacts of cannabis legalization and regulation in other US states that have pursued it
  • How legalization of cannabis can help to reduce opioid use

Links & Resources

1 Comment

  1. Sharon October 25, 2020 at 20:33

    Thanks for a thoughtful and intelligent look at this issue.

    Reply

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *