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Justin Bieber Speaks Out Against Big Pharma’s Attack On Medical Marijuana

By Page Mackinley
Published on: 12:44 PST, Oct 3, 2016

Justin Bieber is using his voice and massive social media platform to speak out against corporate pharmaceutical companies’ opposition to medical marijuana, and the reasons behind it.

The surprising advocacy popped up in a post on the Justin Bieber Twitter account shortly after the “Sorry” singer wrapped his “Purpose World Tour” show at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark where he performing for 49,000 fans on Sunday night.

“This is important. A friend showed me this,” Bieber (or someone with access to his account) wrote. “I’m going to be talking more about this. We all need to pay attention,” before including a Facebook link to a video about the subject shared by the ATTN. website.

The clip Bieber linked to reveals a series of images with accompanying text. The overriding message? “Big Pharma is literally paying to block medical marijuana.”

Viewers are shown drug companies spends millions per year on efforts to shut down medical marijuana activism because it is an alternative to — and thus undermines profits made — by the painkiller industry.

Among the claims made: that the makers of the drug Fentanyl spent $500,000 to fight marijuana legalization in Arizona. If that brand sounds familiar to you, it was cited as the drug Prince accidentally overdosed on earlier this year.

The video then lists the names of drug companies — such as Purdue Pharma, Janssen, and Reckitt Benckiser — which reportedly fund anti-marijuana activism. It’s claimed drug corporates have spent over $880 million “fighting weed over the past decade.”

It’s also noted that painkiller prescriptions decreased in 2013 in the 17 U.S. states that decriminalized marijuana and allow it to be used for medicinal purposes.

The argument is made that “pharmaceutical companies need to take responsibility for the opioid crisis.”

So, what is Justin Bieber’s interest in this? As the 22-year-old said in his tweet, a “friend” brought the Big Pharma Vs. Medicinal Marijuana battle to his attention and he will “be talking more about” it at some point.

Although it’s been documented that the Canadian previously used marijuana, it is not known whether he still does — and, if so — whether he uses it recreationally or as a pain reliever.

As per reports, Bieber previously revealed he has a chronic neck injury after a bad landing on a trampoline years ago.

Notably, Bieber revealed he has longstanding insomnia during an interview with GQ magazine earlier this year. Marijuana has a known sleep-inducing effect on users. Back in the 1970s, sleep trials determined taking THC orally helped both insomniacs and non-insomniacs to fall asleep faster.

Alternatively, the pop prince might be concerned about the Pharma-medical marijuana fight because painkiller addiction is a serious medical, cultural, and politicized issue that should concern everyone. In addition, the Biebs is a longstanding supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and may have met youngsters in the program who use medical marijuana.

Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not recognized or approved the marijuana plant as medicine, millions of people not just in the U.S. but around the world use the plant and/or its extracts to treat a disease or symptom.

Scientific studies of the chemicals in marijuana, called cannabinoids, led to two FDA-approved medications that contain cannabinoid chemicals in pill form. Research continues.

Advocates for the legal use of marijuana for medical purposes contend it’s undeniable that it helps reduce pain and helps treat a range of illnesses or symptoms.

In fact, millions who suffer from multiple sclerosis and other chronic diseases, who also use marijuana for their condition, claim they get pain relief from it. Studies reveal the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in Cannabis activates pathways in the central nervous system which helps block pain signals that are sent to the brain.

Similarly, cannabis has proven to be effective against neuropathic pain, or nerve-related pain.

According to research, THC also assists in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nausea, and vomiting for cancer patients, epilepsy, as an appetite booster for anorexics, asthma, glaucoma, and as an aid to sleep.

To date, 17 U.S. states have decriminalized the personal use of marijuana, while four states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational use. Five more states will vote on full legalization this November, ATTN. reports.

Statistics reveal around 30 million Americans smoked marijuana over the past year, while a recent Gallup poll showed one in eight Americans (13 percent) say they smoke marijuana, while one in five adults under 30 smokes pot.

Elsewhere, the American Civil Liberties Union 2013 report on marijuana arrests said, “Enforcing marijuana laws costs us about $3.6 billion a year, yet the war on marijuana has failed to diminish the use or availability of marijuana.”

All of which suggests the progressive shift from criminalization of marijuana to legalization and acceptance of sensible usage of cannabis is the right direction for the U.S.

Few would argue that drug companies funding initiatives attacking legalization of marijuana activism and the use of medical marijuana is anything other than self-interest. Meanwhile, a 2015 survey by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism revealed 69 percent of the people in the U.S. are aware alcohol is considered to be more dangerous than marijuana.

The extent to which Justin Bieber plans to add his voice to the ongoing Big Pharma Vs. medical marijuana face-off remains to be seen and could amount to just a few tweets every now and then. Either way, Bieber is responsibly raising awareness about the role of drug corporations in the painkiller addiction crisis, and their war on medical marijuana.

[Featured Image by David Wolff-Patrick/Getty Images]

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