Mr Nice by Howard Marks

Read for the second time, twenty years after my first totally enjoyable ride on Mr Nice’s coattails I’m travelling the world first class with the world’s best Cannabis smuggler again but this time I have questions. 

Howard Marks portrays himself as a Robin Hood type figure, getting one over ‘the man’ by enabling the supply of a harmless recreational drug to millions of like minded souls.  This is what he told himself and I’m certain it is what he genuinely believed but he doesn’t hide his primary motivation which was to make himself very rich so he could live a high roller’s jet set lifestyle.  This contradicts the mentality of a stoner, this doesn’t go hand with the Robin Hood man of the people he claimed to be and the role he ultimately made a living playing following the publication of this book.  My cynicism probably stems from reading his final book, ’Mr Smiley’ which was very poor and nothing more than a cash grab though in the circumstances I can understand the reasons for it.

Mr Nice is certainly right in stating the laws prohibiting the trade and consumption of Marijuana are ridiculous but they are still laws and anyone choosing to break them knowingly will be considered criminals if caught.  These laws ‘controlling’ what the Establishment brands as ‘drugs’ are farcical and not even consistent across the world.  We may well ask why the same laws don’t apply to the trade and consumption of alcohol which is a truly destructive drug but we have to accept the current state of affairs.  It’s wrong but it’s just the way it is.    Marks freely admits to breaking these laws numerous times over many years so shouldn’t complain when the authorities finally catch up with him but he does, frequently throughout the last third of the book.  That’s karma bach. I have no ethical problem with the way Howard Marks made his money but I recognise his contradictions and note that he is a man prepared to break the law for his own gain.

We are told that in the ‘good old days’ when Marks started out the smugglers were educated, intelligent people, connoisseurs of the weed who were trying to provide a service.  It’s all portrayed as being a bit of a hoot, mostly harmless rich kids sneaking around playing cops and robbers.  Many of those involved may have done so knowing they were too well connected to get in any serious trouble.  The smugglers were Politicians, University graduates, the English upper class, i.e. the Establishment.  Over time ‘real criminals’; London hard men and ethnic gangs ousted the old boys’ network and it was then the business became more profit driven, cynical and occasionally bloodthirsty.  That the quality of the product dropped at this time is undisputed.  These days I suspect the dealing and shifting is still done by career criminals but the finance is still provided and reaped by the Establishment, nothing much has changed. There is mention of the ‘War on Drugs’, an emotive slogan used by naïve governments all around the world at various times.  Whenever and wherever the War on drugs has been fought, drugs always wins.

I have learnt that autobiographies cannot be wholly trusted, this is Howard Marks take on his thoughts and actions, he will naturally portray himself in the best possible light.  It occurred to me that if Howard Marks was as conscientious in his constant Marijuana consumption as he claims then how on earth can he still remember the minute details of deals done decades before he sat down to write the book?  Also the author freely admits to the web of elaborate lies he weaves in order to paint himself in a better light and fool juries.  We know he’s an accomplished liar, how can we trust his autobiography?

Whatever…  It really is an entertaining read, a good laugh at times even second time around with a more cynical mind, it’s full of interesting and amusing characters, luxurious exotic and squalid settings.  I still want Mr Nice to win, I want him to sneak the herb across the borders and receive his rich rewards, I wanted him to beat the man.  But he doesn’t do it too often and although I don’t believe there were many, if any innocent casualties from his actions, I don’t really think he was particularly nice.

PS.  Free the Weed.