Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by Carl Hart

Quote by Carl Hart

“The philosopher John Locke once noted that pursuing happiness is “the foundation of liberty.” This idea is at the core of the Declaration of Independence, the document that gave birth to our nation. The Declaration asserts that each of us is endowed with certain “unalienable Rights,” including “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” and that governments are created for the purpose of protecting these rights. The use of drugs in the pursuit of happiness, in my view, is arguably an act that the government is obliged to safeguard. [So] why is our government arresting hundreds of thousands of Americans each year for using drugs, for pursuing pleasure, for seeking happiness?”

Quote by Carl Hart

Work

Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear

Browse quotes and source details for this work. more

Author

Carl Hart
Carl Hart

Carl Hart is a distinguished Professor of Psychology at Columbia University, renowned as a leading neuroscientist and drug researcher. He serves as the Director of the Division of Substance Abuse Sciences and is a prominent figure challenging mainstream misconceptions about psychoactive substances, particularly cannabis. Holding a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and a Ph.D. in Psychology, Hart is celebrated for his rigorous empirical research that demonstrates that the vast majority of individuals who use cannabis do not develop dependence or severe cognitive impairment. His work has been instrumental in dismantling the 'gateway drug' theory and debunking the notion that cannabis is a highly addictive substance. As a public intellectual, he advocates for drug policy reform and evidence-based education, aiming to replace moral panic with scientific understanding. His contributions have significantly influenced public discourse on drug policy, earning him a reputation as a courageous voice of reason in the sciences. His seminal book, *Drug Use for Grown-Ups*, has become a cornerstone text for understanding the complex relationship between drugs, the brain, and society. more

You May Also Like

“Jocul, ispravit mereu printr-o cazatura, nu era decat o poveste care anunta viitorul. Asa cum sunt toate jocurile copilariei: marionetele ne arata cat de scurta si de tulburata ne e viata, de-a v-ati ascunselea ne invata cum se cauta emotiile, Inelus-invartecus, cat ai de alergat ca sa-ti indeplinesti dorintele, iar de-a baba oarba, dragostea oarba si dibuitul.”

“Te amo, Señor. Ven, trae tu luz y expulsa la oscuridad. Trae tu verdad y expón las mentiras. Hay muchas cosas en mí que me impiden dar y recibir amor. Límpiame con tu sangre. Libérame de esas mentiras que me impiden conocer tu amor. Quiero caminar hacia la luz en el camino que has elegido para mí.”