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Carl Sagan and Cannabis
Interesting article and interview with Carl Sagan's widow, Ann Druyan.
An excerpt from the interview:
I'd like to ride on a solar sail and smoke a joint in space! It seems that freedom, the freedom to use a god-given plant, the freedom to define one's own sense of what is sacred, the freedom to do ethical science, is something that meant a lot to you and Carl.
One of the great promises of America, one which we have yet to fully live up to, is the promise of freedom, the promise that we can explore our creativity and push the limits of human potential. America's founders invented a constitution that granted new freedoms, but now we lead the world in oppressing people's freedom to alter consciousness.
For us, it has been a religious issue. Religious freedom shouldn't be limited to established religions. Marijuana can certainly be a means to a qualitative religious experience. It helps you appreciate the complexity and beauty of the universe. If we really believed in religious freedom we'd say that there are millions of people who derive something spiritual and meaningful from this marijuana. They should have the right to enjoy what they consider sacred. Smoking marijuana can be an aperture to a deep appreciation of what is holy, beautiful and sacred. We should encourage people to do this wisely, instead of persecuting them.
I've spoken with you several times, and I've been impressed by your dedication to Carl Sagan's legacy. But I also sense that you are still grieving for him, and may never get over the loss.
I miss him but I accept the fact of his death. I'm mostly left with an overwhelming sense of my good fortune to have him in my heart for the rest of my life. I try to stay alert to the great beauty of being alive.
But for you, it was like losing a precious dream.
Carl and I were like two euphoric, ecstatic sea mammals moving through oceans at great speeds without having to worry about impediments or dangers, without having to use turn signals to alert the other to a change in direction. We appreciated each other completely and missed few chances to tell each other how honored and happy we felt to be on the same tiny planet in this unimaginably vast universe during the same epoch in the whole sweep of cosmic evolution. It seemed like a miracle to us.
http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/2010.html
An excerpt from the interview:
I'd like to ride on a solar sail and smoke a joint in space! It seems that freedom, the freedom to use a god-given plant, the freedom to define one's own sense of what is sacred, the freedom to do ethical science, is something that meant a lot to you and Carl.
One of the great promises of America, one which we have yet to fully live up to, is the promise of freedom, the promise that we can explore our creativity and push the limits of human potential. America's founders invented a constitution that granted new freedoms, but now we lead the world in oppressing people's freedom to alter consciousness.
For us, it has been a religious issue. Religious freedom shouldn't be limited to established religions. Marijuana can certainly be a means to a qualitative religious experience. It helps you appreciate the complexity and beauty of the universe. If we really believed in religious freedom we'd say that there are millions of people who derive something spiritual and meaningful from this marijuana. They should have the right to enjoy what they consider sacred. Smoking marijuana can be an aperture to a deep appreciation of what is holy, beautiful and sacred. We should encourage people to do this wisely, instead of persecuting them.
I've spoken with you several times, and I've been impressed by your dedication to Carl Sagan's legacy. But I also sense that you are still grieving for him, and may never get over the loss.
I miss him but I accept the fact of his death. I'm mostly left with an overwhelming sense of my good fortune to have him in my heart for the rest of my life. I try to stay alert to the great beauty of being alive.
But for you, it was like losing a precious dream.
Carl and I were like two euphoric, ecstatic sea mammals moving through oceans at great speeds without having to worry about impediments or dangers, without having to use turn signals to alert the other to a change in direction. We appreciated each other completely and missed few chances to tell each other how honored and happy we felt to be on the same tiny planet in this unimaginably vast universe during the same epoch in the whole sweep of cosmic evolution. It seemed like a miracle to us.
http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/2010.html
Tags: Ann Druyan, Carl Sagan, Cosmos, cannabis, marijuana, spirituality
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Clarence Dember on -
Thanks for this!
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Permalink Reply by Prog Rock Girl on -
I'm a big fan of Carl Sagan. I didn't even know about his "Mr X" essays until recently.
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Permalink Reply by Prog Rock Girl on
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Also the fact that he used marijuana...that alone dispels the myth that pot makes people aimless apathetic slackers!
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Permalink Reply by Secular Forces 2013 on -
"honored and happy"
volumes; never touched by theology -
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Permalink Reply by Secular Forces 2013 on
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sagn is dope
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