An article titled "Commune Is Roused From Its Utopian Dream" was found in the New York Times, December 10, 2023. I take exception with the title as a commune is defined as a group of people living together, ensuring possessions and responsibilities; and utopi a which is defined as an imaginary place or state of things in which everything is perfect. This essay pertains to the article in question.
Christiana is a community located in Copenhagen, Denmark. This community was founded in 1971 by squatters on an abandoned military base. Per the article, people could live outside Denmark's market economy, be free to build their houses, where and how they wanted, to sell marijuana as a living, and to live as they pleased as long as they didn't harm their neighbor . It's not surprising that this community with this arrangement was doomed from the start .
To begin, this community is semi-autonomous, spread across 74 acres in the heart of Copenhagen. For a commune to work more efficiently , it has complete control over production , social medical,educational services along with total self-governance. Being able to sell marijuana, build houses and not harm your neighbor does not define commune and a contradiction.. There's nothing utopia about selling or using marijuana, etc. Utopia is imaginary and takes place between two ears.
Problems for the community started relatively soon with the influx of motorcycle gangs selling marijuana and other drugs, this was followed by crime and other problems . Police, from the outside, were brought in to clean up "Pusher Street" but that hasn't worked either. In addition, the Danish government is now proposing that these 900 residents could purchase this area and also provide necessary low income housing. With this proposal, these 900 or so residents would lose the authority to decide who moves in, as well as losing so-called protected land areas. Residents of course are worried that their experiment is likely to end soon.
For the opportunity for a commune to be successful, it's essential for the community to be democratic and have the ability to decide its welfare by providing educational, mental and physical health resources, equal opportunities for production, protection, economic and social services with total self-rule. Autonomous is defined as the freedom to govern itself or control its own affairs .Just because the state allows cannabis in this area does not define autonomy, it’s just free from breaking a man made law
Marijuana and other drugs are not associated with utopia. Drugs like cannabis distorts reality, whether it's pain, illness, anxiety, depression, etc. it's commonly used in an attempt to deal more effectively with ills connected to man's nature and the creation of his society. It's short-term and not associated with creativity, well-being or long-term pleasure. If one sells marijuana, one has to either have the financial capital to grow, to purchase the product along with resources for distribution. Often antisocial types like criminals or individuals with deficit character structure become involved for symbiosis and profit . There is no particular state in the US ,with the legalization of marijuana ,that can be called an utopian environment. Legalizing marijuana may reduce criminal elements at best, but does not significantly contribute to the welfare of that society. Cannabis can reduce pain but does not eliminate poor choices that often accompany an illness or contributing factors in the first place .
Individuals have ego needs. Some ego needs are necessary and beneficial for affiliation, love and work while other ego needs can interfere with significant unions. With troubled unions, domination, exploitation and sadomasochism occurs. When a community has little input as to its new neighbors , the values, goals, ethics and morality with overcrowding and other problems become apparent.
Marx , Freud , Maslow and others have provided insights into mental health and disease as with the necessity for productive work , play , love, and the ability to fully develop psychologically . Cannabis, drugs, withdrawal , paranoia , exploitation and violence were not part of their equation. Eliminating certain rules pertaining to building a home or selling cannabis, does not provide freedom but instead permission to act out , not take responsibility nor contribute to the welfare of society.
In our republic , we too have a significant drug abuse and homeless problem. There is no simple answer as many of these troubled individuals have not developed adequate coping skills and are mentally ill. Instead, their mental and physical illness ,inadequate self harm character and exploitation of others represents tremendous challenges to all .
PS
Maylon, one of my high school friends , in 1959 introduced me to cannabis. Maylon ,years later overdosed.
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