By Victor C. Kirk
A robust economy either spawns strange bedfellows or police reform has its shortcomings when profits supersedes logic. There was a time when securing funds for “frat” parties required putting in place “innovative” strategies. A traditional approach was taxing members with what became a small sum of money when the total cost is divided by more than 20 “brothers”. A “brick” could be purchased for $150.00 broken into 16 one ounce bags and yield sufficient profit to fund the party and put food on the table and pay apartment rent for the month. To sustain the pleasure or ensure you retained the ability to “jump start” a mobil party, a means to transport was essential. The “bunt” became an essential transport tool. It allowed one to retain a sense of confidentiality and reduced the likelihood of law enforcement intervention.
Those days of subterfuge are quickly coming to an end. The Louisiana House of Representatives has approved legislation to “decriminalize” what in essence is the “blunt”. Voting to decriminalize possessing less than a quarter ounce of marijuana means the “blunt” is now sacred. Youth are free now to hang it from their lips, place it between the ear, or insert one in a cigarette box without fear of arrest.
Funds generated by decriminalizing marijuana hopefully will support addiction programs, food pantries, and toys for tots initiatives. But most mysterious is the bedfellows it’s passage united. An affirmative vote by Glover of Shreveport and Echols of Monroe, a nay by Thompson of Rayville, and a pass (not voting) by Moore of Monroe.
I remember being a “lamp” and wanting to impress my “brothers” at the house party. We “lamps” were lowly servants at the house party so being in good graces was a good move for the “line”. On my way to the party, I was approached by a resident of the complex and asked if I wanted to “ score a matchbox”? I said hell yes and asked the price. He told me a “nickel”. My first encounter was an opportunity to impress and surprise. I reached in my pocket to hand him literally a “nickel”! Being an undergrad and from Monroe, I had no idea what he meant by a “nickel” but gave him the coin. The look on his face was priceless. “ Awe man, you are really green”, you need $5 to score this matchbox. Embarrassed I laughed and handed him the $5. A life lesson learned right quick!
If the Louisiana Legislature passes the bill and the Governor signs the legislation, fears of arrest will subside. No longer will there be a need for “transactions” held in the middle of the night behind a car or near a bush. Not sure if the matchbox or bunt will sell for $5 but certainly experiences of the late 60’s are behind us and bedfellows can be thanked for “legitimizing” the transaction.
