Rapper calls for expansion of medical cannabis, decriminalization of weed
Rapper Bill Stax. Capture from Bill Stax's Instagram
By Dong Sun-hwa
Korean rapper Bill Stax pleaded for expansion of the use of medical cannabis and decriminalization of marijuana here, Monday.
He took to his Instagram to share a screen grab of Cheong Wa Dae's national petition page, where a call for the move has been driven since earlier Monday.
The rapper asked people to join the petition, saying fewer than 10,000 people had participated.
“We can change the world through this opportunity,” he wrote. “We need more than 200,000 people. Please ask 10 of your friends to join.”
As of Tuesday, about 4,400 people had taken part in the move. The presidential office should deal with the issue if more than 200,000 people sign the petition within 30 days.
A marijuana activist started the petition.
“My sister died of cancer and I had to see her suffering until her death,” he wrote. “Later, when I was studying in the U.S, I came across news that medical cannabis could help cancer patients. After studying about the weed, I learned it could indirectly help in anti-cancer treatments, although more research should be conducted on this.”
He added, "Korea's medical marijuana law went into effect in March 2019, but it has to be expanded for the patients in need. Then, please ease punishment against the weed users gradually and decriminalize the cannabis in the end, because such alleviation could reduce people's use of more-addictive drugs.”
The two are believed to have spoken out on April 20, because “420” is a slang term referring to marijuana.
Bill Stax also delivered his thoughts on marijuana on April 8 on his Instagram, saying, “Cannabis is not a drug, but our society defines it as a drug without contemplation. It's suffocating to see how society is addicted to wrong propaganda.”
The rapper, whose real name is Shin Dong-yeol, appeared on the third season of Mnet's rap competition program “Show Me the Money” (2014). He was indicted without detention in 2018 for allegedly using cannabis, ecstasy and cocaine in 2015.