by Charles Abdul Wali Muhammad
Student Minister Dr. Wesley Muhammad presents valuable information in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS—A powerful and thought-provoking weekend of community engagement took place in St. Louis, Missouri, as Student Minister Dr. Wesley Muhammad, a member of the Nation of Islam (N.O.I.) Shura Executive Council and N.O.I. Research Group, delivered and presented insightful and impactful messages in the city on April 18 and 19.
On April 18, Student Min. Wesley, an author and researcher with a Ph.D. in Islamic Studies, delivered a compelling message titled “Has Marijuana Been Weaponized Against The Black Community?”
The event was held at the Better Family Life Cultural & Business Center and drew a wide cross-section of attendees, including community leaders, students, and residents seeking deeper insight into an issue that continues to generate debate nationwide.
The program opened on a solemn and spiritual note as Brother Robby X began with prayer, reciting Al-Fatiha. Following the opening, Student Minister Donald Muhammad of Mosque No. 28 acknowledged special guests in attendance.
His remarks highlighted the importance of community engagement, and he recognized the presence of respected individuals who continue to contribute to the upliftment and development of the St. Louis community.
Taking the stage, Student Min. Wesley Muhammad began his lecture by acknowledging the oneness of Allah (God), expressing gratitude to Allah, and extending thanks and gratitude for the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the guidance of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. This opening set a clear spiritual and ideological framework for the discussion that followed.
Student Min. Wesley then transitioned into the central theme of his lecture, presenting a perspective that marijuana has been strategically “weaponized” against the Black community. He pointed out that what is often marketed as harmless or even beneficial has, in many cases, been promoted in ways that mask deeper consequences.
According to Student Min. Wesley, author of several books, including “The Pot Plot: Marijuana, Hip Hop and the Scientific Assault on Black America,” there is an intentional effort to normalize and encourage marijuana use, even among vulnerable populations, including pregnant women.
He made a distinction between the original cannabis plant—created by God with potential medicinal value—and what is commonly consumed today. He emphasized that modern marijuana, often chemically altered or engineered for higher potency, carries significant risks and long-term consequences that are frequently overlooked or minimized in public discourse.
As the audience listened intently, Student Min. Wesley referenced Exodus 1:10 in the Bible, drawing a parallel between the strategy employed by Pharaoh against the Children of Israel and what he described as similar tactics used today against the Black community.
He explained that just as Pharaoh sought to control and weaken a rising population, modern systems, in his view, employ more subtle methods to achieve comparable outcomes.
Building upon this framework, Student Min. Wesley, quoting the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, stated: “Now, both the Bible and Holy Qur’an speak of the problem, which Pharaoh and his chiefs faced with the booming population of the Children of Israel and the fear that God would restore those people and give them land.”
This quote reinforced his argument that historical patterns of control and suppression continue to manifest in new forms. Student Min. Wesley Muhammad expounded on this by citing Peter Breggin’s “The War Against the Children of Color.”
He noted that during the 1960s, America became increasingly focused on the young Black male, often framing him as a symbol of potential rebellion and social unrest. Student Min. Wesley explained that this perception led to efforts to establish what he described as “biomedical control” within inner-city communities.
He also cited a 1973 Ebony article discussing the concept of Black masculine hostility. He used this reference to argue that narratives surrounding Black men have historically been shaped in ways that justify certain policies and interventions.
During his presentation, Student Min. Wesley asserted that the widespread promotion and normalization of marijuana use contribute to the weakening of the Black community.
He suggested that the drug’s effects, particularly on brain function, can diminish the capacity for critical thinking and emotional regulation. Specifically, he pointed to the impact on the frontal lobe cortex, arguing that this can lead to increased emotionality and reduced discipline, which he described as a form of subtle “feminization” of the Black male.
Throughout the lecture, attendees remained engaged, listening closely as Student Min. Wesley connected historical, social, and scientific perspectives into a clear argument. The presentation sparked reflection and, for many, raised important questions about the broader implications of marijuana legalization and cultural acceptance.
The event concluded with a dynamic question-and-answer session, allowing attendees to engage directly with Student Min. Wesley.
Several attendees shared their thoughts on the event. Darryl Smith, 39, of St. Louis, stated, “The conversation was excellent and good! I learned a lot from attending this event.” James Robinson, 63, also of St. Louis, described the event as “inspirational, motivational, and educational.”
“This is good for our people,” he added.
Rebecca Gray, 56, emphasized its importance, stating, “This is a must-have for our people. We could greatly benefit from having this information readily available.”
The next day, on April 19, Student Min. Wesley delivered the keynote message at Mosque No. 28, titled “Islam: The Sure Truth.”
He spoke about Islam during the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Divine Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad brought to the West by Allah (God) in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad, The Great Mahdi.
“The Sun of Islam is now rising in the West and shining on the East,” Student Min. Wesley stated. “This new Islam does not ask the Black man to bow to a mystery God,” he said.
Those who attended were impacted by the message. Janella Norman, 45, said, “I cannot get enough. I need to hear it again.”
Dornell Metts-Bey shared what he learned from the message. “I learned to stop searching for a God, you are a god. Stop worshiping the spook God. Give all that false teaching back to the White man, because it has not raised us up.”
Final Call Contributing Writer J.A. Salaam contributed to this report.