As we trout through history for all things Cannabis, it’s only expected we stop in the realm of music pretty often. Musicians are some of the biggest advocates and consumers of cannabis, not always in the most positive light. Despite this, they have helped push the plant into normality and the forefront of the media with their nonchalant consumption and a select few’s fierce advocacies.
Today, we celebrate the birth of a man that rock, and even the world, knows a one of a kind. Sir Mick Jagger, born Michael Philip Jagger, is an iconic musician, composer, and actor known for his blues-influenced music and fluid stage charisma. He grew to fame as leading man and one of the founding members of The Rolling Stones in the late 1960s as the “hippy-era” of rock was ending. The band was cited as being “rough around the edges” and, as a result, were successfully marketed as the bad-boy version of The Beatles.
Jagger and The Rolling Stones went down as went down as one of the most successful and critically acclaimed rock bands of all time, gaining himself knighthood in 2003. Named after the Muddy Waters song “Rollin’ Stone”, they sold over 200 million records worldwide and, through different lineups, performed for over 50 years. Mick Jagger has still holds his place in the band, solidifying his legacy of sexuality and debauchery cultivating his status as the ultimate icon of rock and rebellion.
But what does all this have to do with cannabis?
Sir Mick Jagger has been a cannabis consumer, among other things over the years, even calling for its legalization in the late 1960s alongside The Beatles. His roots remain in rock-and-roll but, in a 2010 interview, Jagger may have sparked something bigger than the rebellious movement of the genre. He urged officials of the Isle of Man to legalize cannabis for a limited time to test whether it prevents drug-related violence. The island had been used by England previously in the testing of new mobile phones. The interview with Larry King touched more on his past abused of other narcotics but, some of what he says concerning the indirect effects of illegal substances may have opened the door for cannabis legalization in the U.S.
“That’s the part that speaks to some sort of legalization. Because that, you would hope, would help the violence from both ends of the supply line.”
Though it is not a direct influencer of violence, most crime associated with cannabis has dropped dramatically after states legalize the plant in some capacity. The safe access rids most consumers and seller of the need to break the law to obtain and use cannabis. One could argue that Jagger’s words inspired legislatures in Colorado and Washington to pursue recreational legalization to test his theory. After, 6 years of being successfully cannabis-legal, it’s obvious the rockstar may have been onto something.
In the state of Washington, there had been no significant rise in violent crimes between 2011 and 2015; but, crime did slightly lower over that time putting Washington substantially lower than the rest of the nation. Colorado had a similar effect with a slight drop in crime but, no increase after legalization.
A more dramatic effect it has had is on the states that border Mexico. Legality causes profit issues for illicit drug trade as local farmers provide cannabis instead of it being smuggled into the country. When a state on the Mexican border legalized medical use of the drug, violent crime fell by 13% on average; robberies fell by 19%, murder dropped by 10%, and homicides related to the drug trade fell by an impressive 41%.
It’s no secret that the rest of the U.S. uses the two mentioned states as “guinea pigs” for changes to their existing cannabis markets. After their legalization, surrounding states have followed suit with a domino effect sweeping the nation. One of the biggest arguments that cannabis opposers express is the fear of an increase in crime. Many times again, this fear has been debunked by the example of Colorado, Washington, and every state that has followed their path. Now as more countries jump on the bandwagon, they may finally see a different side of the plant and how it can actually affect an area.
Much like the fierce cannabis opposer, Jeff Sessions, Mick Jagger may have unintentionally paved the way for cannabis legalization in the U.S. Even more ironically, the United Kingdom announced today that it would allow for the prescription of medical cannabis starting in the fall. There’s no sign of it being connected but what better way to honor the legacy of a man who ignited a rebellion in troves than by legalizing medical cannabis on his 75th birthday.
So, Happy Birthday Sir Mick Philips Jagger. May you have many more and hopefully with some medical bud at your side.
Written by: Joycelin Arnold
