The ninth section of the first article of the Indiana Constitution reads: No law shall be passed, restraining the free interchange of thought and opinion, or restricting the right to speak, write, or print, freely, on any subject whatever: but for the abuse of that right, every person shall be responsible.
The eighteenth article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reads: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
The United Nations' Human Rights Committee states that this, "distinguishes the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief from the freedom to manifest religion or belief. It does not permit any limitations whatsoever on the freedom of thought and conscience or on the freedom to have or adopt a religion or belief of one's choice. These freedoms are protected unconditionally." Similarly, Article 19 of the UDHR guarantees that "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference."
I, a man, known my entire life as Mike Cox, do declare that I am someone, falling under the category of "Everyone", therefore qualifying for the Right to Freedoms of Thought, Conscience, Opinion & Expression.
Further, I, a man, Mike Cox, do declare that this "Right" is an inherent Freedom, not granted by any governmental agency, rather instilled unto every creature born upon this planet & strictly forbidden from restriction or denial by every just Law ever written by Human hand.
Further, possessing this inherent Freedom ensures that I am free to manifest my beliefs in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
It is my firmest belief that cannabis is the Tree of Life as mentioned in many ancient religions including Judaism and Christianity. It is my belief that the holy anointing oil was cannabis oil. It is my belief that not only was this oil used by the ancient Hebrews but that Jesus Christ himself used this oil in his teachings and healings. It is my belief that this plant is a sacred plant. It is my belief that this is a safe and effective plant for treating many diseases & disorders common to man. It is my belief that using this plant places me closer to my creator. It is my belief that, as stated in Revelations of the Holy Bible, this plant is for the "healing of nations". It is my belief, based on years of research, that cannabis is the best plant that we as human Beings can be growing and utilizing to meet many of our needs on this planet. I believe that certain corporations unduly influence our politicians through large donations to suppress the truth in this matter. I believe not only is it my natural born freedom to believe all of this, it is my absolute freedom to act upon these as I see fit. Further, that freedom is guaranteed by Law.
Thought Freedom of Thought is not written into the US Constitution, it is a very important concept in the western world and nearly all democratic constitutions protect these freedoms. US Supreme Court justice Benjamin Cardozo reasoned in Palko v. Connecticut (1937):
"Freedom of thought... is the matrix, the indispensable condition, of nearly every other form of freedom. With rate aberrations a pervasive recognition of this truth can be traced in our history, political and legal"
Benjamin Franklin on Freedom of Thought: "Without Freedom of Thought, there can be no such thing as Wisdom; and no such thing as public Liberty, without Freedom of Speech."
William O Douglass, who served on the US Supreme Court for thirty-six years: "Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us."