Marijuana Essay, Research Paper

Marijuana

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 Prohibition was repealed after just thirteen years while the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was repealed and marijuana prohibition was retained, not because scientists had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 seekingjobs 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 clearly shown that marijuana has been around for a great deal

of time and has served multiple purposes throughout history.

Karen Sipes Dana Pentoney Jeni Roane

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.

Medical Marijuana, http://www.lec.org/Drug_Watch/

Public/Documents/Med_Marijuana_Paper.htm, 1995.

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