Marijuana, also known as cannabis, has been a controversial substance for many years, and its legal status has been a subject of heated debate. While many countries have legalized the use of marijuana for medical or recreational purposes, the United States of America has maintained a strict stance against it. The use and possession of marijuana have been criminalized in the US since the 1930s. In this article, we will explore the reasons why marijuana was first banned by the US government and the events that led to this decision.

History of Marijuana in the United States

Marijuana has a long and complicated history in the US. The plant has been cultivated for medicinal and recreational purposes for thousands of years, and it was introduced to the Americas by Spanish colonizers in the 16th century. Marijuana was widely used in the US throughout the 19th century and early 20th century, and it was a common ingredient in many over-the-counter medicines.

However, attitudes towards marijuana began to change in the early 20th century. In the 1910s and 1920s, several states began to pass laws prohibiting the use of marijuana for recreational purposes. These laws were fueled by concerns over the drug's effects on individuals and society, as well as by xenophobia and racism towards Mexican and Black communities, who were often associated with marijuana use.

The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937

The federal government's first attempt to regulate marijuana came in 1937 with the passage of the Marihuana Tax Act. This law imposed a tax on the sale and possession of marijuana, effectively making it illegal without a license. The stated purpose of the law was to regulate the drug and collect revenue, but its real aim was to criminalize marijuana use and possession.

The Marihuana Tax Act was largely driven by the efforts of Harry J. Anslinger, who served as the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) from 1930 to 1962. Anslinger was a staunch opponent of marijuana and believed that it posed a serious threat to American society. He was particularly concerned about its supposed effects on young people, whom he believed were vulnerable to addiction and moral degeneracy.

Anslinger's anti-marijuana crusade was also fueled by racial prejudice. He often associated marijuana use with Black and Mexican communities and used racist stereotypes to justify his arguments. Anslinger and other government officials claimed that marijuana use caused "reefer madness" and led to violent crime, sexual promiscuity, and other social ills.

The Marihuana Tax Act was passed with little debate in Congress and without the support of scientific evidence. The law did not make marijuana illegal, but it effectively criminalized it by making it too expensive and burdensome for most people to obtain a license. The law was later challenged in court, but the Supreme Court upheld its constitutionality in 1941.

The Controlled Substances Act of 1970

The Marihuana Tax Act was eventually replaced by the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, which classified marijuana as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. Schedule I drugs are considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, making them the most tightly controlled substances under federal law.

The decision to classify marijuana as a Schedule I drug was made despite the objections of many experts and organizations, including the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse, which had recommended that marijuana be decriminalized. The classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug has had significant consequences for its legal status and has made it difficult for researchers to study its medical properties.

Fast forward to today.....the future of cannabis is very bright!