Marijuana and the Marlboro Man

Published October 16, 2007
One Comment (at bottom of article)

By Howard Fast

I understand the United States’ war on marijuana. Legalizing marijuana would cost the pharmaceutical industry billions. Thousands of law enforcement jobs would be lost if there were no need to apprehend, prosecute, and incarcerate marijuana users and sellers.

The tobacco industry views marijuana as a competitor and encourages anti-marijuana legislation. I do not understand the tobacco industry’s hate on marijuana. Pot is a gateway drug to tobacco. As a pot smoker I consume significantly more tobacco because I smoke pot.

When the UVM freshmen were very young, tobacco was a big part of popular culture. The tobacco industry gave portions of their profits to Hollywood for product placement. The result was that many of our favorite characters in the 1970’s and 1980’s were chain smoking heroes– like Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988). In short, tobacco was cool. Since the “Marlboro Man” died in 1992 the federal government dropped a hammer on the tobacco industry. Anti-smoking advertisements became popular with young people, and many believe tobacco use is “un-cool”.

Our generation is filled with knowledgeable anti-tobacco types who heard the advertisements and have an intimate understanding of the negative effects of tobacco. Thus, it is quite common to be heckled by peers, teammates, or friends for smoking tobacco. “Are you smoking marijuana or tobacco?” asked a friend of mine. She quickly came to the conclusion that I was smoking tobacco and immediately lectured me about the dangers of tobacco. You know, “you don’t always die from tobacco, sometimes you just lose a lung.” It is ironic that an illegal drug can be more socially acceptable then a legal one.

My personal experience with tobacco was greatly influenced by my favorite drug, marijuana. At first, I smoked marijuana infrequently. In high school, many of my friends began smoking tobacco mixed with marijuana in a joint. Eventually, they all began smoking cigarettes. Since high school, a few of my smoking friends have quit smoking pot but still smoke cigarettes. I could never replace smoking marijuana with cigarettes, because they simply do not quench my thirst for getting fucked up. My relationship with tobacco exists because I get high.

It started with my friend who could roll perfect spliffs. I discovered that since I do not smoke tobacco consistently it can get me messed up. I like smoking blunts too. I will buy a two dollar Garcia Vega and throw away 90% of it. Heck, I’ll even smoke a cigarette now and then on special occasions, or potentially, when I am “fiending” for the satisfaction of smoke - any smoke.

The only reason the tobacco company should not like pot a smoker is if that user has discovered that mass-produced tobacco sucks. I won’t turn down a Marlboro spliff, but I’d much rather smoke any type of tobacco that does not have all the additives. To fulfill the stereotype that I’m most likely a liberal, pot-smoking hippie I suggest you buy some local and/or organic tobacco and discover how much better it tastes and feels.

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