impure substances. Furthermore, taxes from these legalized substances will fund treatment
centers and educational outreach. If we can distribute condoms and clean needles to
control the spread of diseases, why can’t we bring ourselves to distribute drugs
cheaply and legally? The same arguments made about cause and effect ought to be made
here as well. Granted, America has a vast and terrible problem with the issue on drugs in
the 1990s, but as Robert Kennedy opined, “If the alternatives [are] disorder
or injustice, the rational choice is injustice. For when there is disorder, we cannot obtain or
maintain justice.”
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 cannabis 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.
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 possession 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
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 prescription (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 medication
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.
Sources
Grolier Electronic Encyclopedia, Electronic Publishing, Inc., 1995
Grolier Wellness Encyclopedia, Drugs, Society & Behavior. Vol. 3, 1992.
Ethan A. Nadelmann, American Heritage Magazine, Feb-Mar, 1993.
Sam Robertson, High Times Magazine, Jan, 1997
Marco Garcia, Issue Bridge (Drug Addition), vol. 1,3,4
Mike Grossman, http://www.pot.com/
Rita Titori, http://www.drugs.com/
Medical Marijuana, http://www.lec.org/Drug_Watch/
Public/Documents/Med_Marijuana_Paper.htm, 1995
Tobacco Control Archives, http://www.library.ucsf.edu/tobacco/
Alcohol Related Issues, http://www.miph.org/miph_alcohol.html
Norml, http://norml.org/