Cannabis in Japan gets a rematch
March 24, 2022 6:02 PM Subscribe
It all began when police found a small quantity of "a cannabis-like plant material" in the car of Jōmon-revivalist sculptor ŌYABU Ryūjirō (大藪龍二郎, nickname "Yaburyū". He believes that the Jōmon "cords" are actually cannabis fibers.). But it goes back farther than that, to when MIKI Naoko (scroll to the bottom) (三木直子) was translating Marijuana is Safer into Japanese, and was moved by the story of Peter McWilliams, a Prop-215-protected AIDS patient who was persecuted by the US Federal government and denied access to cannabis, and aspirated on his own vomit on his bathroom floor and died while awaiting trial. MIKI appears on the Great Moments in Weed History podcast to promote a Change.org petition (English follows Japanese) to pressure the judge in Yaburyū's trial to accept evidence and witnesses from the defense into consideration. The next court date happens today (in Japan time), March 25th 2022, about one hour from the time of this post.
Cannabis trials in Japan have historically been open-and-shut cases, where the necessity of enforcement of Cannabis laws due to it's clear and present danger to public health has been "公知の事実", or unquestioned common knowledge. There have been two attempts to fight back. In 1977, Andrew Weil (yes, that Andrew Weil) was called as a witness to testify in favor of Cannabis' harmlessness, but the defendant was convicted. In 2016, a medical cannabis cancer patient died before a verdict could be reached.
Cannabis trials in Japan have historically been open-and-shut cases, where the necessity of enforcement of Cannabis laws due to it's clear and present danger to public health has been "公知の事実", or unquestioned common knowledge. There have been two attempts to fight back. In 1977, Andrew Weil (yes, that Andrew Weil) was called as a witness to testify in favor of Cannabis' harmlessness, but the defendant was convicted. In 2016, a medical cannabis cancer patient died before a verdict could be reached.
"Jōmon-revivalist" suggests there may be a flavor of indigenous insurgency to his use of cannabis, since the Jōmon people occupied the islands of present day Japan before their displacement/assimilation by Yayoi people from the Korean Peninsula. Modern Japanese people have about 90% Yayoi ancestry and the rest Jōmon.
And that makes me wonder whether his use of cannabis might be compared to the use of Peyote by Native Americans of the Southwest US, and whether the use of cannabis could be defended under Japanese law as essential to cultural survival, the way Peyote was defended as a sacrament of Native American religion.
posted by jamjam at 8:29 PM on March 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
And that makes me wonder whether his use of cannabis might be compared to the use of Peyote by Native Americans of the Southwest US, and whether the use of cannabis could be defended under Japanese law as essential to cultural survival, the way Peyote was defended as a sacrament of Native American religion.
posted by jamjam at 8:29 PM on March 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
Putting aside the conservative and traditional politics of Japan, personally I've been confused at why cannabis isn't more popular culturally in Japan, with that confusion dating back to the 1990s or so when they could still legally buy psychoactive mushrooms before they shut that gray area and loophole down.
My personal confusion is mainly dismay about how taboo cannabis is there in contrast with how many cannabis compatible elements and activities of Japanese culture there would be to enjoy while stoned right out of your gourd on a strong gummy or candy or something.
Things like amazing gardens and nature everywhere, and hiking trails and forests. Or hot springs / onsen. Or functional public transport everwhere or picturesque trains through the country. And so many good things to eat ranging from snacks and convenience store food to street food and vending machines everywhere.
You could take a train or ferry ride, enjoy some gardens or hiking trails, soak in an onsen, pig out on all kinds of amazing food, have some really good tea and just sort of wander around and enjoy a whole string of super relaxed cannabis friendly activities all in the same day.
If it wasn't for how illegal it was and the paranoia that comes from it being illegal, it just seems like it would be both aesthetically and functionally one of the absolute best countries in the entire world to get totally stoned and chill out.
There would be so many really nice things to do that would be so perfectly compatible and extremely enjoyable with cannabis.
posted by loquacious at 8:53 PM on March 24, 2022 [18 favorites]
My personal confusion is mainly dismay about how taboo cannabis is there in contrast with how many cannabis compatible elements and activities of Japanese culture there would be to enjoy while stoned right out of your gourd on a strong gummy or candy or something.
Things like amazing gardens and nature everywhere, and hiking trails and forests. Or hot springs / onsen. Or functional public transport everwhere or picturesque trains through the country. And so many good things to eat ranging from snacks and convenience store food to street food and vending machines everywhere.
You could take a train or ferry ride, enjoy some gardens or hiking trails, soak in an onsen, pig out on all kinds of amazing food, have some really good tea and just sort of wander around and enjoy a whole string of super relaxed cannabis friendly activities all in the same day.
If it wasn't for how illegal it was and the paranoia that comes from it being illegal, it just seems like it would be both aesthetically and functionally one of the absolute best countries in the entire world to get totally stoned and chill out.
There would be so many really nice things to do that would be so perfectly compatible and extremely enjoyable with cannabis.
posted by loquacious at 8:53 PM on March 24, 2022 [18 favorites]
jamjam
posted by The genius who rejected Anno's budget proposal. at 9:06 PM on March 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
"Jōmon-revivalist" suggests there may be a flavor of indigenous insurgency to his use of cannabisI love this angle! However, if by "use" you mean "as a drug/medicine", it may be difficult for a few reasons:
- Yaburyū admits he first used cannabis as an exchange student in London. (No cite for this, I've just heard him say it.)
- The "cannabis as Jōmon cord" theory sounds pretty cool to me, but is not accepted by the mainstream, to put it mildly.
- There are no extant Jōmon practitioners from an unbroken line that can make an authentic cultural claim, as is the case with, say, the Huichol.
- The existence of multiple ethnic groups in Japan is a somewhat controversial opinion. (For instance, on the darker corners of Twitter, I have seen claims that the recognition of the Ryūkyūan people as a protected ethnic group by the U.N. is a plot by outside agitators to import US-style race conflict into Japan.
posted by The genius who rejected Anno's budget proposal. at 9:06 PM on March 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
Yaburyū admits he first used cannabis as an exchange student in London. (No cite for this, I've just heard him say it.)Turns out the cite was linked from the petition.
OK, that's enough threadsitting for me. Talk amongst yourselves.
posted by The genius who rejected Anno's budget proposal. at 9:16 PM on March 24, 2022
One last thing! If you can understand Japanese, you can hear the defendant and friends reporting the results of today's hearing right now live on Clubhouse.
posted by The genius who rejected Anno's budget proposal. at 9:35 PM on March 24, 2022
posted by The genius who rejected Anno's budget proposal. at 9:35 PM on March 24, 2022
loquacious, I wish you were right. But Japan is one of the least tolerant countries when it comes to cannabis. Most people in Japan don't even think about weed, and when they do it's just lumped in with every other illegal drug--think 80s D.A.R.E. levels of ignorance and propaganda. Like most places, alcohol is perfectly acceptable to binge on but if caught even small amounts of cannabis is a life-changing nightmare, for Japanese and foreigners alike. Cannabis can make you think outside the box, make you question groups and systems and rules...and if there's a country that thrives on those things, it's Japan.
Having said all that, there is a small, nascent, but growing call for medical marijuana in Japan, and while it's not a widespread movement there is some traction behind it. But I don't see any real changes happening on this front for at least another generation.
posted by zardoz at 1:36 AM on March 25, 2022 [4 favorites]
Having said all that, there is a small, nascent, but growing call for medical marijuana in Japan, and while it's not a widespread movement there is some traction behind it. But I don't see any real changes happening on this front for at least another generation.
posted by zardoz at 1:36 AM on March 25, 2022 [4 favorites]
The legalization of weed seems to have had very few negative consequences and a multitude of benefits on Canada. Here's hoping more countries follow suit. Its bizarre to me thay only Canada and Uruguay have legalized rec cannabis and permitted sales at the federal level. Time for the rest of the world to catch up.
posted by lemur at 7:47 AM on March 25, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by lemur at 7:47 AM on March 25, 2022 [5 favorites]
One last thing! If you can understand Japanese, you can hear the defendant and friends reporting the results of today's hearing right now live on Clubhouse.Here's what was said:
- Too many people came to spectate, so they had to have a lottery and send half the people home
- There is talk of being moved to a larger courtroom for the next hearing
- The current number of signatures on the petition was entered into the court record
- The actual signatures will be submitted during the next hearing, so we still have time to get more
- Seeing non-Japanese names on the list will demonstrate that the case is being watched from abroad
- All of the above translates to the judge and prosecution feeling that they can't get away with a sham trial ("the trial extends to the outside world")
- There are two prosecutors, which is almost unheard-of for what should be an open-and-shut case
- The judge is being switched out for a different one for the next hearing, and who they get will have a big effect on the success of their case
- "Success" is defined as setting themselves up to win on appeal, because the current case can only argue the facts, which are not really under dispute, but they can argue the validity of the law itself once they get to the appeals court
For self-help nuts, yes that's the same Peter McWilliams that wrote:
- You Can't Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought
- Life 101: Everything We Wish We Had Learned about Life in School but Didn't
- Do It! Let's Get Off Our Buts
- How to Survive the Loss of a Love
- Life 102: What to Do When Your Guru Sues You
- Love 101: To Love Oneself is the Beginning of a Lifelong Romance
Cannabis can make you think outside the box, make you question groups and systems and rules...and if there's a country that thrives on those things, it's Japan.
Yeah, I was trying to figure out how to work that part in to my comment without being too negative about it.
What I find odd is that as far as I can tell Japan already pretty much does all of the "nice things to do while buzzed" items I list, but with rather liberal rules about alcohol and public consumption. Particularly widely available beer from vending machines and the fact it's not illegal to drink in public or be drunk in public.
Socially frowned upon to eat or drink while walking around, yes, but not illegal.
posted by loquacious at 10:37 AM on March 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
Yeah, I was trying to figure out how to work that part in to my comment without being too negative about it.
What I find odd is that as far as I can tell Japan already pretty much does all of the "nice things to do while buzzed" items I list, but with rather liberal rules about alcohol and public consumption. Particularly widely available beer from vending machines and the fact it's not illegal to drink in public or be drunk in public.
Socially frowned upon to eat or drink while walking around, yes, but not illegal.
posted by loquacious at 10:37 AM on March 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
Someone should tell Paul McCartney about this.
posted by Sphinx at 10:40 AM on March 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Sphinx at 10:40 AM on March 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
Making nature “illegal” is just the height of human hubris.
posted by dbiedny at 4:40 PM on March 25, 2022
posted by dbiedny at 4:40 PM on March 25, 2022
> Sphinx: "Someone should tell Paul McCartney about this."
I was previously under the impression that McCartney was busted with a relatively small amount of weed at the airport and thus also under the impression that Japan's reaction was an example of how wildly strict their rules were. But when I looked it up, it turns out he was trying to carry nearly a half pound (7.7 ounces) of weed into the country! I realize that 1980s weed may not have been like modern weed but, man, that's still a whole lot of weight to smuggle. If anything, deporting McCartney wasn't an example of the strictness of Japanese authorities but rather leniency, no doubt due in part to his celebrity.
posted by mhum at 4:51 PM on March 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
I was previously under the impression that McCartney was busted with a relatively small amount of weed at the airport and thus also under the impression that Japan's reaction was an example of how wildly strict their rules were. But when I looked it up, it turns out he was trying to carry nearly a half pound (7.7 ounces) of weed into the country! I realize that 1980s weed may not have been like modern weed but, man, that's still a whole lot of weight to smuggle. If anything, deporting McCartney wasn't an example of the strictness of Japanese authorities but rather leniency, no doubt due in part to his celebrity.
posted by mhum at 4:51 PM on March 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
Sphinx
posted by The genius who rejected Anno's budget proposal. at 5:42 PM on March 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
Someone should tell Paul McCartney about this.This is great because someone actually brought up DMing McCartney during one of the strategy meetings on Clubhouse. Stonerthoughts bringing the cultures together. So beautiful. *sheds tear*
posted by The genius who rejected Anno's budget proposal. at 5:42 PM on March 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
The next hearing is scheduled for May 11th, 2022, which is the anniversary of Bob Marley's death. Take that as you will.
posted by The genius who rejected Anno's budget proposal. at 7:52 AM on March 26, 2022
posted by The genius who rejected Anno's budget proposal. at 7:52 AM on March 26, 2022
I've told the story before I'll try to be concise.
Visa renewal from Korea so it is the fast boat and a weekend in Fukuoka. I am in my Hawaiian shirt and combat pants, looking countercultural. And my beloved Dutch army jacket which has been all around the world. I have not scored weed in Korea, probably have not had a smoke for a year or more.
But anyways I guess I look the part. At the customs, the Japanese agent asks with a musical happy tone, "do you smoke?" while he is taking my smokes out of my pocket, full eye contact.
"Umm, yes, cigarrettes." I guess this is the wrong answer because now I have shown I recognise what he is talking about?
They start turning my pockets inside out. This is a grungy old jacket, and he is pulling at little bits of fuzz and lint and specks of tobacco from the deepest recesses.
I laugh at the ridiculousness of it but then realise how potentially fucked I could be. If he cares enough to search for a microscopic fucking particle of years old weed, I guess then he would also have a reaction to such a discovery.
He keeps picking away, comes up with a particle or two of questionable origin...
And eventually, I am set free.
Whew! Fucking uptight!
posted by Meatbomb at 3:53 AM on March 27, 2022 [2 favorites]
Visa renewal from Korea so it is the fast boat and a weekend in Fukuoka. I am in my Hawaiian shirt and combat pants, looking countercultural. And my beloved Dutch army jacket which has been all around the world. I have not scored weed in Korea, probably have not had a smoke for a year or more.
But anyways I guess I look the part. At the customs, the Japanese agent asks with a musical happy tone, "do you smoke?" while he is taking my smokes out of my pocket, full eye contact.
"Umm, yes, cigarrettes." I guess this is the wrong answer because now I have shown I recognise what he is talking about?
They start turning my pockets inside out. This is a grungy old jacket, and he is pulling at little bits of fuzz and lint and specks of tobacco from the deepest recesses.
I laugh at the ridiculousness of it but then realise how potentially fucked I could be. If he cares enough to search for a microscopic fucking particle of years old weed, I guess then he would also have a reaction to such a discovery.
He keeps picking away, comes up with a particle or two of questionable origin...
And eventually, I am set free.
Whew! Fucking uptight!
posted by Meatbomb at 3:53 AM on March 27, 2022 [2 favorites]
In my own admittedly limited view, mainly formed by speaking with colleagues here who are well-informed about this and by observing online communities which are interested in the topic, I think there is a growing awareness in Japan that drug policy, particularly policy that involves cannabis, is changing in other major developed economies toward decriminalization and legalization.
That, of course, scares those whose professional survival involves casting themselves as protectors of society and the youth against sinister chemicals of any origin, so we are seeing some backlash effects by a small but significant group of gerontocrats that are calling for stricter drug laws and more severe sentencing, in effect doubling down on playing the role as they feel it will continue to benefit them politically.
This stated platform may earn them support with certain demographics, but those with longer memories may remember that a lot of the anti-drug policy currently employed in Japan is a foreign import.
From TGWRABP's summary of the online event:
- Seeing non-Japanese names on the list will demonstrate that the case is being watched from abroad
- All of the above translates to the judge and prosecution feeling that they can't get away with a sham trial ("the trial extends to the outside world")
I also have a feeling that if the anti-cannabis laws are ever overturned in Japan, it will also be due to a similar importation of policy, and tapping into the ever-present fear by the Japanese elite that Japan is being left behind by the developed world. I think the activist groups in Japan also understand how effective foreign pressure is on the powers-that-be.
Seeing the petition translated into English fills me with more hope than I've had in some time. Thank you for this, TGWRABP. If cannabis has a fighting chance in Japan, it's because of people like you bringing this information to the English-speaking world.
posted by donttouchmymustache at 10:44 AM on March 27, 2022 [2 favorites]
That, of course, scares those whose professional survival involves casting themselves as protectors of society and the youth against sinister chemicals of any origin, so we are seeing some backlash effects by a small but significant group of gerontocrats that are calling for stricter drug laws and more severe sentencing, in effect doubling down on playing the role as they feel it will continue to benefit them politically.
This stated platform may earn them support with certain demographics, but those with longer memories may remember that a lot of the anti-drug policy currently employed in Japan is a foreign import.
From TGWRABP's summary of the online event:
- Seeing non-Japanese names on the list will demonstrate that the case is being watched from abroad
- All of the above translates to the judge and prosecution feeling that they can't get away with a sham trial ("the trial extends to the outside world")
I also have a feeling that if the anti-cannabis laws are ever overturned in Japan, it will also be due to a similar importation of policy, and tapping into the ever-present fear by the Japanese elite that Japan is being left behind by the developed world. I think the activist groups in Japan also understand how effective foreign pressure is on the powers-that-be.
Seeing the petition translated into English fills me with more hope than I've had in some time. Thank you for this, TGWRABP. If cannabis has a fighting chance in Japan, it's because of people like you bringing this information to the English-speaking world.
posted by donttouchmymustache at 10:44 AM on March 27, 2022 [2 favorites]
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posted by The genius who rejected Anno's budget proposal. at 8:26 PM on March 24, 2022 [3 favorites]