Jackie Chan Speaks Out on Son’s Arrest

 After the news of his son’s arrest broke earlier this week, Jackie
Chan made way to China to be alongside 31-year-old  Jaycee, who was detained for having cannabis
in his system as well as 3.5 ounces  of
the herb at his home.

It has likely been a long week for Jaycee Chan. As headlines
pop up internationally of the hyped- up “scandal,” he receives little support
from his dad. “Regarding this issue with my son Jaycee, I feel very angry and
very shocked. As a public figure, I’m very ashamed. As a father, I’m
heartbroken,” the elder Chan writes on his personal blog.

Taking into consideration the variety of things a
31-year-old can do to genuinely piss off his father, it’s slightly surprising
that some recreational toking—the same action legalized in Colorado January of
this year—could not only break a dad’s most vital organ, but also technically
earn a government induced death sentence in China.

Unfortunately, it’s obvious some stigmas relating to
cannabis haven’t been shaken in some places across the sea. While Italy is in
the midst of conducting an investigative
growing trial for healthy and efficient cannabis cultivation, China is busy
trying to scare their society into cannabis abstinence with disproportionate punishments
and public shaming.

While the elder Chan’s public anger is seemingly understandable—he
was named an anti- drug ambassador in Beijing in 2009, so we’re guessing he
must be stern to save face—any rational person would consider the possibility
of capital punishment for being caught with a bit of pot to be pretty
unreasonable. However, China is fully in for making examples of their “drug
users.” Chinese President, Xi Jinping declared in June of 2014 that illegal
drugs would be swept out of the country and any unfortunate offenders should be
severely punished. More than 7,800 people in Beijing alone have felt the wrath
in the two month time span.

With cannabis being a hugely hot topic internationally, we’re
hoping the brutal punishments experienced in some countries—China, we’re
looking at you—will only encourage more to take a stance toward rescheduling
and reform.