Why is Patrick Kennedy launching anti-pot group?

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The Kennedy’s, once America’s chief political dynasty, has become a mere shadow of its former self.  This was primarily because of the untimely deaths of its stars, Jack and Bobby, but also because of relative newcomers like Patrick Kennedy, a notorious booze hound and pill popper in his own right, who champions causes such as mental health, then gets drunk, rather like many other hypocrites both in and out of congress.

Edward Kennedy Jr. and former US Rep. Patrick Kennedy, right, attend a campaign event for Elizabeth Warren in Boston, Monday, Nov. 5, 2012.   (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Edward Kennedy Jr. and former US Rep. Patrick Kennedy, right, attend a campaign event for Elizabeth Warren in Boston, Monday, Nov. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

It doesn’t take a puritan to make critical observations concerning the behavior of America’s political elite, as much of it is so transparent and ill informed, that it becomes self-serving beyond recognition.  This is what Patrick Kennedy is doing when he decries the use of marijuana, making claims that have no basis in fact, but stating those claims in a manner reminiscent of protestations spoken with a passion that can only have a hidden and contrary meaning that serves his own personal needs.

So, when one hears of a member of an American political dynasty crusading against addictive substances, one does not immediately think “Kennedy.” Yet here he is, Patrick Kennedy, son of Ted and a former Rhode Island congressman, launching an anti-pot group called Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM). Kennedy, who fought a public battle with pills and alcohol, is now a so-called mental health advocate and irresponsibly denounces marijuana as a drug that “destroys the brain and expedites psychosis,” reports the Washington Post.

The dissolute Kennedy goes on to say:

In terms of neurobiology, there’s no distinction between the quality and types of drugs that people get addicted to. That’s why they call it a gateway drug. Addiction is addiction is addiction.

While he has dabbled in pot himself, he won’t say whether he was addicted, and that comes as no surprise as those who protest the loudest are those who are often most likely to engage in said behavior, albeit secretly, behind closed doors.

Pot advocates were quick to decry Kennedy’s new group. “If Mr. Kennedy is truly concerned about public health and safety, I cannot fathom why he would prefer that adults use alcohol instead of making the safer choice of marijuana,” says one advocate. The first SAM event will take place tomorrow in Denver, where the drug became legal in December.

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Professor Mike

Professor Mike is a left-leaning, dog loving, political junkie. He has written dozens of articles for Substack, Medium, Simily, and Tribel. Professor Mike has been published at Smerconish.com, among others. He is a strong proponent of the environment, and a passionate protector of animals. In addition he is a fierce anti-Trumper. Take a moment and share his work.
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AnonymousNot
11 years ago

Much of this is being driven by the religious right, like so many other nutty things in America. We need to tell the spoiled rich kids like PK to hit the road, and worry about wiping his own ass.

Jeff Allard
11 years ago

After reading this, I thought to myself, “Cannabis is NOT addictive!”. I am perfect proof of it. I enjoy a smoke every now and then…good stuff, mediocre stuff, but I have never been addicted to this plant. I am 41 yers old and have smoked pot off and on from my teenage years to present. Currently, I have indulged more often to help my back relax after a good day’s work. I have tried the pain killers that the doctor prescribes, and they work for the time being. But, when I wake up the next morning, I feel like a train ran over me (I can handle a truck)…whereas when I take a few tokes I feel fine the next day…today being one of them. As far as it being a gateway ‘drug’, I MUST argue until my face turns green (pun intended). Alcohol was my first drug, I drank before I tried pot…and it’s SOOOOO much safer than alcohol. Does cannabis rot your liver? Does cannabis turn someone into a violent rage? Does someone go through withdrawals from cannabis when ‘drying out’? America needs to wake up and put stricter punishments on people you harm or kill others when driving under the influence of alcohol…if you kill someone, you get life in prison or death. We also need to re-evaluate cannabis’ classification. What are people so scared of? If everyone smoked or ingested cannabis at the same time…we would have world peace for a few hours… How many times have you heard of a raging stoner that goes on a rampage and kills people? How many times have heard of the raging stoner that comes home and beats his spouse? Alcohol…demon within…is the REAL gateway drug….

11 years ago

When you wish to become a political power and have nothing of substance to offer, it is easy to hitch your wagon to an issue that will appeal to some. I think as a democrat, PK has chosen the wrong issue. Over 50% of Americans have indicated they feel marijuana should be legalized.

We could be seeing the end of the Kennedy political power. It seems they are becoming diluted in both intelligence and common sense.

Reply to  Professor Mike
11 years ago

Teddy really derailed things with Chappaquiddick. Of course, he’s had help from other members of the clam since then, too.

lincoln82
Reply to  James Smith
11 years ago

This is very true. Chappaquiddick was the Kennedy clans Waterloo methinks.

Reply to  lincoln82
11 years ago

But Teddy did continue to have a few drinking and womanizing incidents himself. Somehow, he kept getting elected anyway. Jack’s show protects for a long time, I guess.

11 years ago

How incredibly ironic, since the Kennedy fortune is said to have come from bootlegging!

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