By Along with “5,000 years of Korean history” now comes “5000 years of marijuna usage” in Korea:
Actress Kim Bu-seon’s calls on national TV for marijuana use to be legalized are causing a public uproar.
In a pre-recorded interview on MBC’s live morning show on Friday, the 46-year-old, who has advocated the legalization of the drug, said, “Marijuana is not a narcotic; it is technically an Oriental herbal medicine which Koreans have used for 5,000 years.” [Korea Times]
If you are wondering according to the article Kim does like to get high and was actually arrested for smoking marijuana in 2004. You have got to love this quote from Kim though:
“Have you ever heard of any news that I committed a crime after smoking marijuana? I have never done anything harmful, as politicians or thieves have,” she said.
Anybody willing to defend the politicians on this point?
Kim also has a solution to the nation’s suicide problem, let everyone get high:
“Korea has the highest ratio of death by suicide among OECD members. The nation needs to take marijuana as a depression remedy and make depression patients come back to society.”
Here is one point I do have to question Kim Bu-seon on:
“Whenever the government has troubles, it uses drug-taking entertainers to divert people’s attention. It is the best way to make entertainers and artists obey the government,” Kim said.
I think low quality drug using foreign English teachers would be more appropriate. Anyway read the whole thing because she has plenty more to say about marijuana.
8:01 pm on June 22nd, 2009 1
Wow, this lady has got guts!
Reply
8:06 pm on June 22nd, 2009 2
Learned when I was young about mari jane. Had my first toke in Taiwan in 1969, at age 22. Found it very enjoyable and relaxing. Since then I saw many ‘drunks’ in the military start fights at the drop of a hat, yet sit in the corner quietly when stoned.
In that sense I think it would have a quieting effect on much of society, and much less legal problems. Have never heard any evidence that ‘happy smoke ‘ is any worse than cigarettes.
I quit when Reagan came into office and put the military on notice against drugs, including alchohol, and never went back. But I do remember and have never heard where it is more harmful than cigarettes.
It would be of significant use when trying to lower the speed limit on highways. (speeds under 8 mph not allowed)
Reply
8:23 pm on June 22nd, 2009 3
What Gerry said! I concur and have similar life experience. I take my hat of the Lady as well. Sugar is worse than the weed. Make it legal and tax it. Do the same for the red light areas. NO WAIT! Don’t do that! Prices will go up
Reply
10:10 pm on June 22nd, 2009 4
The legalization of marijuana in South Korea would destroy so much of the economy of businesses that relies on situations related to alcohol, protests, and traffic congestion.
Reply
11:57 pm on June 22nd, 2009 5
It will be hard for many countries to overcome the 70 some odd years worth of anti-cannabis BS propaganda the US has spewed into various societies (think reefer madness, D.A.R.E. and all the other crap).
Not to mention the political pressure to maintain the status quo. The only way the US can maintain the multi-billion dollar anti drug business, i.e. War on Drugs, with the backing of the big boys (big tobacco, distilleries, brewers, pharma companies and yes, various religious interests) is if other countries follow suit.
Once prohibition exists only in the US (and perhaps places like North Korea and Iran) it will be impossible to keep the genie in the bottle. The day is coming, slowly but surely. The prison industry won’t like it though, they L-O-V-E new laws.
At least in the US, we could free the million(s) of nonviolent low level offenders, save the money it costs to imprison them and tax the dope they smoke.
/haven’t smoked the stuff in over 20 years and likely wouldn’t even if legal
//got no problem with others partaking
///would prefer to manage folks who go home after work and blow a bowl rather pound down a 12 pack or 20 shots of Jack (including myself *hic*)
Reply
2:47 am on June 23rd, 2009 6
All I do…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B91wki_jQf0
…all day!
Reply
2:50 am on June 23rd, 2009 7
She’s been advocating the legalization of marijuana for a few years. It’s not the first time she does it on TV. I think she’s the one who once ran a half marathon with a T-shirt that had “Do I look like a drug user?” written in Korean on its back.
Reply
2:52 am on June 23rd, 2009 8
“The actress also claimed that marijuana use can be beneficial to people with certain medical conditions.”
Wow, talk about trying to distance oneself from a statement. That’s a fail if I’ve ever seen one.
How about mentioning some of the scientific facts that back her claim?
Reply
2:57 am on June 23rd, 2009 9
Oh, and the useful idiots who claim it isn’t traditional Chinese medicine should lay off the soju…
http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=9586&page=14
Reply
7:53 am on June 23rd, 2009 10
I remember seeing a special on the History Channel called; HOOKED—Illegal drugs and how they got that way. 200min documentary. A&E television networks. Cat No. AAE-70805.
If I remember correctly, it seemed to point to the depression times and bread lines getting longer and how could they reduce this. The non-whites in the lines were smokin those funny cigs—humm lets make that stuff illegal and reduce the bread lines.
Reply
4:13 am on June 25th, 2009 11
A student once told me that Korean farmers used to eat samgyupsal/sambab with marijuana leaves in order to relax after a long day in the fields.
Reply
7:58 am on July 16th, 2009 12
Go on Kim!
Reply