The interpretation of the wall painting by artist Peter Teekamp
Being born and raised in Amsterdam Holland, a multi-cultural community, the philosophy I learned growing up is, "Live and let live, respect each others belief systems, cultures and traditions". The Law is therefore quite relaxed and people are very open minded. Common hemp, in Holland has been legal for over 25 years, and during that time, the crime rate dropped and the younger generation has much less interest in it since it is legal and the thrill is removed. In Holland, hard and soft drugs are divided. Hemp is a soft drug and available in Coffee Houses controled by the government, and taxed accordingly. Holland residents also use hemp as a medicine, like many other country's in the world.
Being, living and traveling through the USA, (the free of the free), I was very confused to learn that here you can get arrested, fined a fee and locked up in jail for a common weed that grows wild and free in every country in the world, leaving you with a criminal record that will be attached to your name for the rest of your life. Like you are a criminal for simply appreciating some of God's bounty. They search with planes for hemp crops and burn the harvest. In essence, they are burning expensive medicine.
The native American Indians used hemp for special ceremonial celebrations for thousands of years. For them it is a way of life and a Holy event, Celebrating The Spirit.
My confusion and what I don't understand is: If they would make it legal and tax it, 1. The alcohol problems would be less, 2. The police can concentrate on the real and violent criminals, 3. The jails would open up for the real criminals, 4. Courtrooms would free up and we would save billions of dollars, and the USA would create billions of new cash flow for the economy. Hemp crops have many, many usefull possibilities for the farmers and other industries. The economy would get much healthier and the people would be a lot more relaxed and happier too. The land of the "Free", would be really "Free"... just like the eagles. To share a peace pipe with humanity, really gives something to celebrate with one another. Like Celebrating the Spirit.
Sincerely,
Peter Teekamp/artist