Musical artist taps into creative space in plea for cannabis legalization

Adrian Csapo Bass of Ireland watched with his hands tied as his father battled cancer.

He had heard about the hope THC and CBD oils extracted from marijuana, also known as cannabis, offered for patients battling the disease, but all he could do is watch his father’s condition worsen as the government insisted the treatment form was an illegal substance.

“I had heard many success stories of cancer patients healed with it, but my father never had a chance try it,” Adrian said. “Despite all of the studies and research, we still couldn’t use it to ease his pain let alone use THC oils to fight the cancer because it is illegal. He died, and I decided to do something about it.”

As he fought through the painful grief of losing his father, Adrian turned to his music, penning a song titled, “Hymn for Marijuana.” According to Adrian, the song, which is available on every major online streaming platform, serves as more than a creative outlet to get through his grief – it is also a way to raise awareness of the benefits of marijuana and lobby governments to reconsider their stance on keeping it from those who need it.

In the United States, the use of marijuana is illegal under federal law, however, some states do have their own laws making its use legal. In Ireland, cannabis is illegal for recreational use and extremely limited for any medical purposes, considered on a case-by-case basis.

“The governments around the world are making this plant look dangerous instead of conducting more research and allowing the use of it,” he said. 

Performed by Adrian’s band, PsyandBass, the Reggae-inspired song and music video released in November implores global leaders to open their minds to the research that has been documented and vote to legalize it, both medically and recreationally.

The opening lyrics of the song immediately describe Adrian’s plea to government officials:

For many millennia we’ve used the weed

Helped millions of people yet it’s still illegal

So much better than artificial painkillers

Relief from nausea and anxiety it delivers

Be open-minded, learn about it, we want it, so legalize it!

Helped millions of people and it’s still illegal, illegal!

Adrian said as he delved more into the research that had been conducted around the use of marijuana, he was drawn to studies featured in Harvard Health Publishing and supported by contributing author Dr. Peter Grinspoon. According to the research, cannabis was helpful in healing effects for a host of conditions such as nausea, glaucoma, anxiety and many other diseases, including cancer.

“I was really shocked by hearing presentations from researchers describing how THC and CBD blocks the supply of cancer cells and how bureaucrats and governments are against the use of this,” Adrian said. 

Adrian said it frustrates him to have learned how marijuana had been used from thousands of years before it was classified as a harmful drug. He believes the plant is no more unsafe to the human body than alcohol or caffeine, and it should be legalized for both medicinal and recreational purposes.

As federal officials all around the world continue their tight grip on the control of marijuana use, Adrian said he has felt the trickle-down effects of that regulation when he turned to social media with his new song.

“Publishing platforms like YouTube do not let us advertise the song and raise awareness about it,” he said. “That must change, and I believe it can if people interact with that content more on those platforms. I am hopeful people will share the link for the video and share the song as much as they can to get the message out there.”

To hear the song and watch the full music video, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqE1HrVlN78.