Sir Mick Jagger, the Rolling Stones lead singer, has called for cannabis to be legalised on the Isle of Man to gauge whether it prevents drug-related violence.
The 66 year-old British rock star, who was convicted of possessing narcotics in the 1960s, suggested a trial scheme should be carried out on the island “to see what happens”.
In an interview on American television, Sir Mick urged officials to legalise cannabis only on the island, and only for a limited time, to test whether such a ban would work.
“The whole question of legalising drugs is fraught,” Sir Mick told the Larry King Live show on CNN.
“You usually try these things out in very small places. You know, like you try a new product out in a small kind of society or an island somewhere.
"In England they always try out new mobile phones in the Isle of Man. They've got a captive society. So I said, you should try – you should try the legalisation of all drugs on the Isle of Man and see what happens."
Sir Mick, who is now known for his fitness rather than recreational drug use, insisted his proposal would help prevent violent crime that is normally associated with narcotics trade.
He said young people would always experiment with substances despite the obvious negative side effects. "Human beings seem to have a propensity to want to take drugs in some form.
The beautiful green stuff does many cool things to our bodies, but one of the best things it does is increase our musical awareness. When straight, music can sound amazing, but when you’ve been smoking some nice bud and you put on your favourite tracks...you become part of the music.
There’s nothing like lying down on the floor with a quality speaker either side of your head and hearing the tune go through you. So we've compiled a list of the tracks that I and many others agree are class tunes to listen to when you’re caned. Read more to see the full list!
The national motto of Jamaica is, "Out of Many, One People," and no one personifies this more than dancehall superstar, Sean Paul. Born in Kingston to a Jamaican mother of Chinese and British descent and a Jamaican father of Portuguese, Jewish, Indian and Spanish descent, his Patois is as thick as a brick and his English is perfect. Defying stereotypes, bridging gaps and blazing new frontiers in music, he has dominated both the reggae and rap charts, rising to #1 on the Billboard rap chart with his third album, Imperial Blaze. HIGH TIMES sat down with Sean in New York to discuss his views on music and marijuana.
You’ve been very open about your marijuana use with songs like "Legalize It" and your new album, Imperial Blaze. Do you feel that marijuana should be legal?
For Sure! In terms of it crowding up prisons with relatively innocent people. In terms of the economic benefits of certain societies, especially Jamaica. In terms of it being utilized for economic and medical purposes. There are so much things that hemp oil, rope and the substance alone can do. It’s kind of funny that more people have been documented to have accidents, crash and die on alcohol, yet that is legal. I think that when people freed it up and decriminalized it in L.A., and you could go into a store and buy medical weed, it was a step in a great direction – if it could happen without it changing into a different type of product. It should be natural...
The B Foundation: Southern California’s hottest rising surf roots/rock band, The B Foundation draws influence from reggae rhythms, teen angst, and the salty waves of the Pacific Ocean. With three albums under their belt and a growing fan base,
The B Foundation has become a touring machine. Coming off a nationwide co-headlining summer tour with Ballyhoo!, the band spent fall 2008 on the road opening for indie giant Slightly Stoopid. The B Foundation also toured extensively in Japan earlier this year playing 12 sold out shows.
The stage is where the band truly shines and the infectious energy and passion of their live show is what sets them apart. Previous touring partners include: The Expendables, Barrington Levy, Eek-A-Mouse, Fishbone, Dirty Heads, Iration, Voodoo Glow Skulls and many more.
The B Foundation’s albums have been well received, and they’ve sold over 20,000 copies of their first two full-length releases The Deep End and Trouble Standing. The B hasn’t relied on label support to move records but rather their D.I.Y. mentality, a direct connection with their fans and word of mouth that always accompanies good music! An album of rare unreleased tracks “Bee Sides” is the buzz of the Internet and a brand new full-length album, Souvenirs, Novelties and Party Tricks, was just released in the summer of 2009.
The B continues to receive radio play across the country on both major alternative rock stations and college radio – particularly their singles “Spliffed” and “Rincon.” The band has also participated in countless on-air interviews and live performances...
Music
The national motto of Jamaica is, "Out of Many, One People," and no one personifies this more than dancehall superstar, Sean Paul. Born in Kingston to a Jamaican mother of Chinese and British descent and a Jamaican father of Portuguese, Jewish, Indian and Spanish descent, his Patois is as thick as a brick and his English is perfect. Defying stereotypes, bridging gaps and blazing new frontiers in music, he has dominated both the reggae and rap charts, rising to #1 on the Billboard rap chart with his third album, Imperial Blaze. HIGH TIMES sat down with Sean in New York to discuss his views on music and marijuana.
