TOW 26

Here's an updated tally of all the people who have died from a marijuana overdose by Nick Wang on The Huffington Post is a satircal take on the effects of marijuana. The piece itself is a response to the reaction from the satirical story stating that 37 had died from a marijuana overdose in Colorado due to its legalization. This story was to prove the point that marijuana itself is harmless and cannot result in an overdose in a plausible way but rather one that is nearly impossible to achieve. Through the use of satire, statistical evidence, and realism Wang creates an effective response showing the harmless and beneficial effects of the legalization of marijuana. The amount needed to be ingested in order to overdose is one so great there is no record of anyone using this age old "herb" over dosing. The satirical story posted by The Daily Currant is almost a mockery of the opposers to the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and America period. The Huffington Post took another shot at those confused by the piece by titling their response 'an updated tally of the people who have died from an overdose', the title being a mockery itself. The legalization of recreational marijuana use brought forth the pursuit of legalization in many other states which enraged police groups because it abandoned the current "failed war on drugs" (Wang). A letter written to the Attorney General law enforcements warned that his decision to not intervene at the legalization would lead to crime, violence, and even death. The police groups also made a number of additional controversial claims that marijuana use itself leads to violent behavior, suicidal thoughts and interest in harder drugs. Scientific studies have not been able to prove this causation conclusively, however, and research has also suggested that THC has significant therapeutic value to patients suffering from cancer, AIDS or glaucoma. None of this is to say that the nation doesn't struggle with broader issues of drug and alcohol abuse and overdose. Drug policy reformers and activists gathered around the world last year to discuss the overdose epidemic. In 2010, overdoses were responsible for 38,329 deaths. Sixty percent of those were related to prescription drugs. In the same year, a total of 25,692 persons died of alcohol-induced causes, including accidental poisoning and disease from dependent use. However, these statistics do not include marijuana, which in comparison is virtually harmless. Overall the positives of the legalization seem to outweigh the negatives and those opposed, law enforcement, are also some of the largest profiters from its illegality. This ultimately proves as a fallacy which along with the lack of evidence of this claim further deters the resistance against legalization. 

The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying Intro Post

The Tibetan Book of the Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche could be described as a western version of the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Sogyal Rinpoche is a buddhist who grew up in the mountains of Tibet in a monastery who then travelled to the western world and has used his unique exposure to both cultures to create a truly amazing piece of literature. There are chapters that throughly develop the experiences from each world, the monastery life and life in the western world. Both are contrasted and compared in order to support the claims he makes of the journey of life itself. While the two are sometimes vastly different rather than showing one as the 'right' or 'wrong' way to live, he simply uses the contrast to show the various aspects of life and our environment and culture's effects. This allows for a deeper understanding not only of the world we live in, the western world, but a world which is a fascination itself, the world of the Buddhist monk. The book begins with a foreword from His Holiness himself the Dalai Lama expressing the rarity of Rinpoche's true and beautiful description of his experiences of the western and eastern philosophies. This is followed with a preface explaining the Tibetan Book of the Dead and how this pertains to it in likeness. However this book includes the aspects of living to the fullest in terms of self fulfillment and contentment. With a message so powerful one cannot help but step back and reflect on their own way of life and philosophies it is a deeply profound piece of literature. As someone developing my own path in life I find this book incredibly meaningful and helpful. I look forward to furthering the book and developing more insight into the world. This book so far has already inspired me further into pursuing a life path surrounding Buddhism and the way of the Tibetan Buddhists and I feel, greatly expanded my knowledge of the world.