MSNBC’s Ari Melber Says Biden Approaching ‘Peter Tosh Phase’ With New Marijuana Policy
MSNBC’s Ari Melber has described Reggae Legend Peter Tosh’s 1976 classic Legalize It, as “one of the most iconic statements about pot prohibition policies of all time.”
Melber, who was delving into US President Joe Biden’s pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of ‘simple possession’ of marijuana, invoked Legalize It to drive home his point that “after his long career, President Biden may be approaching the Peter Tosh phase of his approach to prohibition policies.”
The Emmy Award-winning journalist and attorney-at-law, while speaking on his The Beat with Ari Melber programme, had welcomed Biden’s move made last week, to pardon Americans convicted for simple possession of marijuana under federal law, quoting verses from Peter Tosh’s track as he tackled the subject.
In commenting on the fact that Biden’s administration would be taking what has been described as a dramatic step towards decriminalizing marijuana and addressing charging practices that disproportionately impact non-white people, Melber had played the video of Tosh’s Legalize it, and hailed it as legendary.
“I bet you a lot of people recognize that on the evening news. That’s one of the most iconic statements about pot prohibition policies of all time: Peter Tosh’s classic, Legalize It. Listen to what he said ‘Legalize it; that’s the best thing you can do. Doctors smoke it, nurses smoke it, judges smoke it, even the lawyer too. Fact check: true,” stated Melber, who often mixes pop culture and rap lyrics with politics on his 6 PM show.
Peter Tosh had released Legalize It in 1976, from the album of the same name. He had written the song as a response to his ongoing victimisation by the Jamaican police, and also as a political statement calling for the legalisation of ganja. The song had instantly become a classic ganja-man’s anthem in what was the herb’s most difficult era.
In the Legalize It, the Belmont, Westmoreland native, urged the Jamaican government to free up the herb. He sang:
“Legalise it, don’t criticise it
Legalise it and I will advertise it
Singers smoke it, and players of instrument too …
Doctors smoke it, nurses smoke it, judges smoke it,
Even the lawyer too”
According to news reports, the US president’s limited pardon which goes back to the early 1990s, will cover an estimated 6,500 people. However, immigration activists have cautioned that non-citizens, including green card holders, could still be subject to deportation for ganja possession convictions, even if it involved relatively small amounts.
On Tuesday, Peter Tosh’s daughter Niambe Tosh acknowledged the discrepancies in terms of race, but pointed out that there were other inequities in the US system where cannabis was concerned.
“We are no where near my father’s vision for a legalized cannabis industry. 40,000 people still incarcerated, black entrepreneurs only making up 2% of our nation’s cannabis industry, and we continue to write legislation that serves corporate interest. We have a long way to go. But this shot out is AMAZING! 😍 Thank you!” she noted on Instagram where she shared Melber’s post.
In announcing the pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of ‘simple possession’ of marijuana under federal law, Biden had pointed out that while white, black and brown people used ganja at similar rates, “black and brown people are arrested, prosecuted and convicted at disproportionately higher rates”.
Peter Tosh had received similar repugnant treatment in 1978 while in the custody of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). During his detention at the Half-Way Tree lock-up, he had suffered a broken arm while using it as a shield to protect his head from the wayward police officers.
In detailing the events which led to his abuse at the hands of the police, Peter had said that he was in the vicinity of the Aquarius Club, getting ready for rehearsals, when he suddenly felt someone snatch the extinguished ganja spliff he was holding, from his hand.
He immediately snatched the spliff back from the person, following which a struggle ensued, during which he was hit in the head, torso and on the arms. According to the Westmorelite, when he was being taken to the Half-Way-Tree lock-up, he had not yet sustained any serious injuries.
However, the police had claimed that upon accosting the Reggae icon, they had identified themselves, but said he had resisted and rained several blows on the constable, and demanded to know: “A dis you a carry me a jail for police bwoy?”