The piece didn’t have quite the intended effect, instead creating a raft of renewed support for Tame on social media.
We know already that attitudes to cannabis are changing in Australia.
This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention, however, as even non-white people who are open about their cannabis and other drug use can become President of the United States.
While it’s a funny reaction to a dumb news item, the normalisation of drug use has serious consequences.
This is why, in drug advocacy and non-profit support circles, there is such a push to try and de-stigmatise drugs and drug use.
By coming forward, being open and honest about the things that we do in our spare time, we decrease the stigma around these “illicit substances” and make space for people with serious problems to feel able to come forward and get help.
When it comes to cannabis, the country’s most popular illegal drug, most states now have at least some level of cautionary system that does not automatically criminalise users.
Change happens slowly but instances like the now-famous bong photo can help us realise just how arcane and illogical our drug laws are — laws that we spend untold millions enforcing each year.
Tame explained that abusers use drugs or alcohol to lower their victims barriers and inhibitions, adding a layer of secrecy and guilt to their actions by later focusing in on the ‘wrongdoings’ of their victims behaviour.
While Tame has been rolled in the media for this old picture, she’s been diligently getting on with the job at hand.
A “sexual relationship” is obviously not the nature of the crime here, as it implies consent and agreement from both parties.