A Matter of Freedom

Have you ever thought about freedom? A concept and as a practical, tangible fact: what is freedom? As it often happens, words say a lot more than what we think they do. The word “freedom”was first used in the 14th or 15th century AD (and it is very similar to the Old Frisian fridom and the Middle Low German vridom) to describe a state of free will and the power of self-determination. The word, however, also meant the exemption from despotic control, and some people used it to indicate the possession of a particular series of privileges.

Now, that’s quite an interesting selection of concepts right there. If you are free, you own the power to choose what you believe is best, and I believe we all agree with this. But what about being free from despotic control and own a particular series of privileges? If you are privileged you probably own something others don’t. So, is it freedom something we all have, or is it really a privilege?

Why am I bringing this up? Because a few days ago I participated to a conference on cannabis and the freedom to use it. Throughout the event there was a lot of talking about how impossible it is to be free to do something illegal. People seemed quite convinced of this. I listened carefully, and the argument seemed to be based on the idea that freedom is not for all, and it is certainly not applicable to everything. And, of course, cannabis was thrown under the bus of “illegality”and that was enough to make everything else disappear. But what about the instability of the concept of “illegality “and “freedom”?

Are we really ready to sell out our free will and our power of self-determination because some people felt free enough to draw the line and define what’s “illegal”? I am gonna let you think about that, maybe while you try some of the best cannabis on the market (http://greenhouseseeds.nl/) because I really think marijuana is a matter of freedom – not as a privilege but as pure free will. You can study and learn what the plant does to you, and then you can choose. Is there anything more empowering than that? Knowledge and information?

Because freedom, when it means self-determination, is truly something we all share and not just a privilege few people hold in their hands.

Don’t you agree?