In the Interest of Fairness Towards Police

I’m sure we’ve all heard horror stories of Weedists who’ve had bad run-ins with law enforcement. Whenever I read one of these stories, that anti-cop feeling always springs up and makes me think, “man, fuck cops.” However, not long ago I realized my attitude towards cops was not only unfair, but morally wrong as well.

This sight usually inspires fear and nervousness.

I came to this realization after hearing some family members talk about the marijuana legalization issues (this was before the bills in WA and OR had passed.) The extent of what they were saying was thus: that people in Washington are going to become potheads; they will become lazy and stupid, kids will drop out of school, and that society in general will go into a downward spiral. As I was standing there I could not believe my ears and it took everything I had not to open my mouth and lay down some sweet truth and justice.

That’s the problem with stereotypes, and I was surprised that these people could be so ignorant and short sighted. Not everyone who smokes weed is lazy, or a hippie, or stupid. In fact, the people who smoke weed who are hippies, lazy, or stupid were most likely that way before they started smoking.

Anyway, I was upset to be unfairly judged and condemned. But I realized I was guilty of doing the same thing. My views of police and law enforcement has been skewed by journalism that isn’t equal to both sides. In the interest in fairness towards police, I needed to change. Yes, there are many times when police are fucked up and abuse their power, and we always hear about it when it happens. But we hardly ever hear about the times when cops conduct themselves like decent human beings, the times when they choose not to be dicks, the times when they are true to the mantra of “To protect and serve.”

This sight inspires smiles and laughter. Good ol’ Chief Wiggum.

I’m willing to bet that on average, there are much more “good” cops out there than “bad” cops. In my own personal run-ins with law enforcement, the people I have dealt with have always been reasonable. I’ve never had to deal with an asshole or someone drunk on their own power. So, I’ve decided to change my attitude towards police. I hate the fact that people look down on those who smoke cannabis, and I never want one of those self-righteous, high-and-mighty types. I can’t base my idea of law enforcement on shit I heard happen to other people. It’s not fair.

If you are a person who has been victimized or wrongly treated by law enforcement, you have the right to harbor a distrust of them. But it’s important to remember that they’re not all the same, just like how all weedists are not the same.