4/20 So the question is about legalization?

Every so often this subject comes around, and for some reason today 4/20 seems to be no different, should there be legalization or not? Now I'm not saying it should be a crime, but it shouldn't be legal. I'm talking of course about the proliferation of shared/bootlegged music, what else did you think I was talking about? Hidden Track has a nice piece up today about the question of what an artist should do and can do about the control of their music and musician Ryan Holiday makes some interesting and valid points, but also makes some pretty broad assumptions.

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Seeing as The McLovins are in the studio this week, hard at work on their next album, which is completely under their control, they are not be-holding to any record company or under any outside creative control, we have to think a bit about how we support our independent musicians. Are we willing to put our money where our hearts are and go out and support their live shows and how at a grass-roots level do we encourage the creation of their new music. We have the benefit of being able to freely share their live shows, but we also have to be willing to support their studio work. The music can't be free, but the choice we have on what we share is a free choice and we have to exercise some discretion. So if you find yourself with a few extra bucks at their next show, buy a disc and give it to someone you think might dig it, don't think of the cost, think if it as a musical investment that will pay dividends for years.