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GENGGAM
THE RIGHT TO A HIGH
“Ganja isn’t a drug; it’s a herbal plant.”
Cannabis, marijuana, weed, or whatever colloquial term you’re comfortable with, one thing is consistent – it’s the only widely consumed intoxicant that is accepted as the norm yet still regarded as illegal drug by governing bodies. To counter this, Gerakan Edukasi Ganja Malaysia (GENGGAM) – as the name plainly implies – seeks to change the perception of cannabis to the general public. As spokesperson Johan puts it, “[Legalisation] has to be done with baby steps, as it is important to educate the public first before regulation takes place.”
With “Education, Regulation, and Legalisation” as their motto, GENGGAM’s goals are clear; to educate the mass about the benefits of cannabis, extricating the herb from the narcotics category, and regulation of its usage (if it were to be successfully legalised). Formed in 2009 by likeminded activists, it was initially an exclusive group among friends wherein they’d discuss the issue in private. This then resulted in a Facebook page that garnered them unexpected support (over 5000 fans), and as soon as they’re ready, the movement will open itself for more members and collaborations with other movements under the GENGGAM banner.
As you can surmise by now, they’re not quite ready to divulge their long-term plan just yet; “We will only discuss about it next year after we have the right number of members in GENGGAM to move to the next step.” However, Johan is more than happy to educate us on why it should be legalised.
“Simply put, it puts cannabis out of reach from the hands of criminals and black market traders,” Johan tells us. But that isn’t the only reason, cannabis indulgence isn’t harmful compared to other substance out there – even nicotine is more poisonous but cigarettes are sold everywhere anyway. Even better, unlike legal harmful substance (such as the aforementioned one), cannabis has its benefits; “[It] can be used medically, thus saves lives, and ease emotional and mental pain efficiently in the long run.”
Plus, imagine the same taxation and regulation of tobacco imposed on cannabis, that would open up newer job market, which would lead to a more productive society. But get this, it’s without the guilt that comes with being a ‘merchant of death’ (as those in the nicotine trade are pejoratively called). JUICE’s personal opinion aside, we ask Johan to elucidate us on why a much harmful substance is accepted while cannabis is considered a drug; “This is simply because of the propaganda that was created by government and political agencies to mislead the less informed public of its medicinal effects and its beneficial use among humans since ancient times.”
Going even further in time, he tells us that cannabis was an agricultural commodity in smaller nations before foreign countries and powers started coming in.
“Leagues of Nations, Commonwealth laws, and the United Nations made cannabis illegal, nations and countries that manage to get their independence adopted laws from their previous rulers. What is going on around the globe is actually re-legalising a legal medicine that was made into an illegal medicine.”
Interestingly, Johan reveals something about the tobacco industry that we weren’t told of before. “The key person behind making tobacco more socially acceptable is Edward Bernays – “The Father of Public Relations” – he did the same to alcohol, paper cups, water fluoridation, and many other things that is widely accepted till today,” he tells us. Making us connect the dots ourselves, he then reveals that Edward Bernays was the nephew of Sigmund Freud. Public perception, it’s all about public perception.
Existing within a framework where what they are fighting for is considered illegal here, you’d think surely they’re put in a precarious situation with the law. Johan agrees that that could be an issue, but GENGGAM is optimistic about their cause – they are not here to tell you “Hey, come and smoke this joint,” to quote him. “We’d be glad if we can work officially with our government agencies and nongovernmental organisations on educating the public, especially those who seek medical attention,” says Johan before continuing that they aim for sufferers of acute illness (cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and even depression) to understand that cannabis could work as well as current prescribed pharmaceutical medicines.
The only difference? Cannabis hasn’t been the primary cause of anyone’s death thus far.
www.facebook.com/GerakanEdukasiGanjaMalaysia
