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Post by chadwilliam on Apr 21, 2017 23:42:59 GMT -5
I am anything but an expert on the topic, but doesn't 4/20 specifically refer to marijuana consumption? There's a canyon of difference between weed consumption and usage of other illicit drugs, both in terms of harmfulness and addictive qualities.
This is what I thought, as well.
Somewhat amusing personal anecdote of how oblivious I can sometimes be to the world around me: About three years ago I had laser eye surgery to correct near sightedness in my left eye. Prior to the actual surgery, I had drops placed in my eyes to gauge my likely receptiveness to the procedure. The drops dialated my pupils so that they grew about three times in size. I went to work anyway but spent much of my shift surreptitiously asking fellow co-workers/my boss "psst, hey do my eyes look weird to you? No? Are you sure". It was only after the fact that I realized it was April 20.
Anyhow, the subject of drugs in comics always brings my thoughts eventually to Batman 423
Actually, it brings my thoughts to the letters page in Batman 427 or so which addressed this scene. Someone wrote in to ask "If someone was strung out on drugs and was ready to jump off a bridge, would sending a guy dressed up as a six foot talking bat really calm him down?"
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Post by Batflunkie on Apr 22, 2017 10:50:57 GMT -5
Actually, it brings my thoughts to the letters page in Batman 427 or so which addressed this scene. Someone wrote in to ask "If someone was strung out on drugs and was ready to jump off a bridge, would sending a guy dressed up as a six foot talking bat really calm him down?" Batman is already such an utterly bizarre visual that I'd have a somewhat hard time believing how the brain could possibly distort that further except by making him Man-Bat or a Vampire  |
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Post by codystarbuck on Apr 23, 2017 18:26:23 GMT -5
I am anything but an expert on the topic, but doesn't 4/20 specifically refer to marijuana consumption? There's a canyon of difference between weed consumption and usage of other illicit drugs, both in terms of harmfulness and addictive qualities. And please do not take that to mean I endorse illegal marijuana usage either. But, much as this is a family friendly site, discussion about these substances and their pertinence to comic book history seems appropriate. I would just caution that we not turn this into a "Dude, one time, I got so f**ked up that..." thread. As this is in the Classic Comics Discussion section, let's keep this about drugs' relevance to classic comics  A Huffington Post article on the origin of the 4:20 term... www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/20/420-meaning-the-true-stor_n_543854.htmlMy personal view on the whole thing is that research tends to support the idea that the chemical effect of marijuana is no worse than those of legal substances, such as tobacco and alcohol. However, like those substances, there are other health issues (injesting smoke into the lungs, even without the tobacco ingredients) as well as the excessive use. That can be said about a lot of things. Too much vitamin C is unhealthy; that's why they call it "too much." Addiction is a combination of chemical and psychological; some folks can use cocaine without problems, despite the chemical dependency aspect. Addiction happens in necessary substances, such as food addiction. I have issue with food-related behaviors, not binge eating; but, eating the wrong kind of foods because of mood (especially carbohydrates). Personally, I think the prohibition of marijuana is as failed as that of alcohol and should be lifted and regulated. There are medicinal benefits. I do not think the same should be done for other narcotics, because of undeniable chemical reactions. I don't think it is a "gateway" to other drugs; just more accessible to those seeking to escape via other drugs. A large segment of those people want the escape, regardless of the vessel that provides it and marijuana was the cheaper and more available alternative. When other means arise, they seek those. Many who use never touch another narcotic or even other pharmaceuticals, with no issue. There has always been a certain financial interest in the prohibition of marijuana, which helped fuel irrational propaganda and legal action. Getting back to comics, I've noticed that the creators who did touch drug topics tended to focus more on the nastier criminal dealings: opiates and cocaine, rather than illegal marijuana cultivation and distribution. It seemed even the creators who had used it felt that there was a deeper criminal element to cocaine and heroin, than marijuana. Law enforcement would disagree, since the i;legality and the demand meant there would be a criminal market; same as alcohol. |
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