"Marijuana" by Brujeria

"Marijuana" from a workmate and songs past

As an avid enthusiast of things past, it is always a great experience to meet like-minded folks. There is this new guy at work, and like me, he listens to music - old songs - and he plays them at work. He did not save MP3 files in his laptop at work but he plays them from YouTube playlists. (I don't know why he doesn't use Spotify.)

Him playing old songs of different artists and diverse genres, from Incubus to Spice Girls, from alternative rock to teen pop, really brings back the memories of school. And there is this one particular song that he shared to me, after knowing I would also listen to Marilyn Manson and System of a Down.

"Marijuana" by Brujeria (image from http://www.metal-archives.com)

"Marijuana" by the Mexican-American extreme metal band Brujeria (Spanish for "witchcraft") is a gem I place alongside "Nymphetamine by Cradle of Filth and "This Is The New Shit" by Marilyn Manson. Although the band reeks of  anti-Christianity, Satanism, and sex, I am not offended, and I would even prefer them over current artists (too many to mention). (But I will have to choose the songs I would listen to and play on my MP3 player).

Old classmates evoke memories over marijuana

What memories does the song "Marijuana" brings? Memories of high school classmates who, after listening to Bob Marley, gravitated towards reggae music and adopted the word "marijuana" as their motto or catchphrase of their small gang. The people in that gang used to be rock players, including the ones who introduced me to alternative rock and nu metal and the seniors who played "You're a God" by Vertical Horizon.

My classmates, together with their circle of friends, were fine folks, by the way. They were among the finest people that I have ever met. Although I did not share their love for reggae, they respect my choice of music, and I respect them. I admit I found myself humming to one of Bob Marley's songs, "Buffalo Soldier" at times, and it is the only song I knew so far.

The Rastafari and his holy weed (image from Pinterest)

Them listening to reggae is one thing, but marijuana is another. My teachers thought my classmates started smoking weed, an accusation they vehemently denied (and I believe them). However, there was this one time one of them told me that the reggae legend belonged to a religion called Rastafarianism, which followers smoke marijuana is part of their rituals. A religion that involves pot? I found that strange.

One time they designed a class poster, which had a drawing of a marijuana leaf at the bottom. It was days before my teachers recognized the drawing. I knew what the drawing was, but I did not squeal to the teachers because I believed the drawing was harmless. The teachers ordered the poster down, fearing school division officials.

My class held our Christmas party on a rainy day. I received a marijuana necklace as a gift from a classmate who is now a devout Evangelical Christian. I never wear it because it is not cool to wear a marijuana necklace that lack a blade.

Many years passed, and debates over marijuana get intense. I support medical marijuana and I believe the plant has other potential uses, like paper. Marijuana is an organic product and it's better than shabu, cocaine, and other drugs manufactured in laboratories.

How I wish could introduce "Marijuana" to my classmates!