History Of Marijuana Essay, Research Paper

Throughout history marijuana has been used to serve various

purposes in many different cultures. The purposes have changed

over time to fit in with the current lifestyles. This pattern is also

true in American history. The use of marijuana has adapted to the

social climate of the time.

Marijuana, whose scientific name is cannibis sativa, was

mentioned in historical manuscripts as early as 2700 B. C. in

China. (Grolier Electronic Encyclopedia, 1995). The cultivation of

the marijuana plant began as far back as the Jamestown settlers,

around 1611, who used hemp produced from the marijuana plant’s

fibers to make rope and canvas. It was also used in making

clothing because of it’s durability. These uses fit in with the social

climate of the time, because the main focus was on survival rather

than for psychoactive purposes.

During the prohibition, marijuana was widely used because

of the scarcity of alcohol. Prohibition was repealed after just

thirteen years while the prohibition against marijuana lasted for

more than seventy five years. This double standard may have

resulted from the wishes of those in power. Alcohol prohibition

struck directly at tens of millions of Americans of all ages,

including many of societies most powerful members. Marijuana

prohibition threatened far fewer Americans, and they had relatively

little influence in the districts of power. Only the prohibition of

marijuana, which some sixty million Americans have violated

since 1965 has come close to approximating the prohibition

experience, but marijuana smokers consist mostly of young and

relatively powerless Americans (American Heritage, pg 47).

Alcohol prohibition was repealed and marijuana prohibition was

retained, not because scientists had proved that alcohol was the

less dangerous of the various psychoactive drugs, but because of

the prejudices and preferences of most Americans (American

Heritage, pg 47).

In 1937 the government issued the Marijuana Tax Act, which

levied a dollar an ounce tax on marijuana, coupled with fines of

$2,000 for drug posession and jail sentences for evasion of the tax.

For this reason marijuana use in the United States appears to have

gone into decline in the late 30’s (Grolier Wellness Encyclopedia,

pg 54). Then marijuana was outlawed in 1937 as a repressive

measure against Mexican workers who crossed the border seeking

jobs during the Depression. The specific reason given for the

outlawing of the hemp plant was it’s supposed violent “effect on

the degenerate races” (Schaffer, pg. 86).

Beginning in the 60’s marijuana use saw a resurgence which

may be attributed to many causes. One of the main causes was the

rebellion of youth against the Vietnam War. They used marijuana

as an escape from war to peace. It was easy at this time to depict

marijuana as a beneficial and completely harmless substance

whose effects were far less harmful than those of legal drugs such

as alcohol and nicotine because there was not enough scientific

research done during the 60’s (Grolier Wellness Encyclopedia, pg

54).

Another cause may have been the discovery of the

psychoactive component of marijuana- tetrahydrocannabinol,

commonly known as THC. Users found the relation between the

doses and the effects (Grolier Electronic Publishing, 1995).

The current atmosphere provides for doctors to suggest

synthetic marijuana (THC) in a pure and standardized form by

perscription (called Marinol) for the treatment of nausea associated

with cancer chemotherapy. Also, although there is no scientific

evidence that shows marijuana is beneficial in the treatment of

glaucoma, it may prevent the progression of visual loss. Marijuana,

along with alcohol and a host of other substances, can actually

lower intraocular eye pressure. The mediction however, must be

carefully tailored to the individual to prevent further eye damage.

The evidence has shown that marijuana has been around for a

great deal of time and has served multiple purposes throughout

history.

Sources

Grolier Electronic Encylopedia, Electronic Publishing,

Inc., 1995

Grolier Wellness Encyclopedia, Drugs, Society &

Behavior. Vol. 3, 1992.

Ethan A. Nadelmann, American Heritage Magazine,

Feb-Mar, 1993.

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