I put this question to someone in a conversation recently about the cascading success of marijuana legalization. She, Canadian, early 30’s, and a self-described “socialist”, claimed it as a victory for the Left. “But marijuana legalization means a free market. Doesn’t socialism seek to abolish the free market?” It was “different”, apparently. After some waffling around the issue, it was basically agreed by both of us that marijuana legalization transcends Left and Right. Clearly, both sides champion legalization now, seeing it for the humanitarian miracle that it is. But marijuana legalization itself shows the dichotomy between Left and Right to be entirely false, but also exposes the lack of imagination that both groups have had over the past decades. The “Right” couldn’t imagine a world made better through drug legalization. The “Left” couldn’t either, but extended that distrust for the unseen, uncontrollable forces to every aspect of society. But the success of marijuana legalization rests on the unleashing of those unseen, uncontrollable forces. The ability, however limited at the moment, to open a dispensary or shop, to grow and sell cannabis, is revolutionary. The advocate of liberty asks that people imagine that same process extended to every aspect of society.
Liberty is neither Left nor Right. It is a path out and away from the endless problems that these two warring political camps create for everyone. Liberty means a removal of every obstacle to voluntary interaction between people. It places a strict prohibition only on the use of force. Only voluntary interaction is allowed. Which means we humans must learn the art of persuasion to get our way.
I see new dispensaries opening all the time. It warms the heart. I know that some will succeed and some will fail. It’s entirely up to the customers to whom they will reward with their money and time. This state of affairs is just, fair, simple. And it has the power to change the world.
One more word on those young idealists who claim “socialism”. They have the heart and imagination for the philosophy of liberty that few on the Right appear to have the capacity for, but just haven’t heard it. It’s a philosophy that has to gestate in the mind, if you preach it at someone it won’t stick. They have to work it out for themselves. But when they make the connections, when they see the simple logic of liberty, it sticks permanently. Let’s not write off these young idealists looking for the social philosophy that will lift the human race out of its present plight. They’re the ones that will attach themselves most passionately to the ideal of a free society once they realize its potential. And that potential is being broadcast loud and clear through the example of marijuana legalization.
