Lecture and Documentary on Marijuana Criminalization

Introduction

• Aristo Pangaribuan, a lecturer from the Faculty of Law at UI, is pursuing PhD studies at the University of Washington, Seattle.
• Focus on criminal procedure law and the criminalization of certain behaviors (vice).
• Researching marijuana policy in America and Indonesia.
• His work is titled Causes and Consequences of the War on Marijuana in Indonesia.

Marijuana in America vs Indonesia

• In Seattle, marijuana stores are as numerous as convenience stores in Indonesia.
• In Indonesia, marijuana users are often treated like serious criminals.
• Marijuana criminalization in Indonesia is similar to America before the 1930s.

Social Issues and Discrimination

• Marijuana users in America were once discriminated against, many coming from immigrant communities.
• Discrimination and prison overcrowding due to anti-marijuana policies.

Personal Experience and Art Work

• Angki Purbandono, a visual artist, was once imprisoned for marijuana.
• Created art programs in prison, symbolizing a protest against marijuana criminalization.

Activism and Legality Movement

• Joined Lingkar Ganja Nusantara for marijuana legalization advocacy.
• The important role of understanding the marijuana plant and its ecosystem.

Legal and Social Perspectives

• Discussion with a head officer of BNN, viewing from a law enforcement perspective.
• Article 112 of the Narcotics Law, the source of criminalization of marijuana users in Indonesia.
• Need for legal reform to improve the legal system.

Fidelis Case and Medical Marijuana

• Fidelis was prosecuted for growing marijuana for his seriously ill wife.
• Sought dispensation from BNN but was denied.

Medical Marijuana and Legal Challenges

• Appeal for marijuana legalization for medical purposes in the Constitutional Court.
• Discussion with parents of disabled children who need medical marijuana.
• Legal barriers and social stigma against medical marijuana.

Conclusion

• The marijuana controversy is a global issue, not just in Indonesia.
• Other countries' experiences can serve as lessons.
• Excessive law enforcement is more harmful than the benefits of marijuana itself.
• The importance of freedom to question and seek truth in democracy.