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
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 Prohibition was repealed after just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Alcohol prohibition was repealed and marijuana prohibition was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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