Untitled Essay, Research Paper

Throughout history marihuana has been used to function assorted intents in many different civilizations. The intents have changed over clip to suit in with the current life styles. This form is besides true in American history. The usage of marihuana has adapted to the societal clime of the clip. Marijuana, whose scientific name is cannibis sativa, was mentioned in historical manuscripts every bit early as 2700 B. C. in China. ( Grolier Electronic Encyclopedia, 1995 ) . The cultivation of the marihuana works began as far back as the Jamestown colonists, around 1611, who used hemp produced from the marihuana works & # 8217 ; s fibres to do rope and canvas. It was besides used in doing vesture because of it & # 8217 ; s lastingness. These utilizations fit in with the societal clime of the clip, because the chief focal point was on endurance instead than for psychotropic intents. During the prohibition, marihuana was widely used because of the scarceness of intoxicant. Prohibition was repealed after merely 13 old ages while the prohibition against marihuana lasted for more than seventy five old ages. This dual criterion may hold resulted from the wants of those in power. Alcohol prohibition struck straight at 10s of 1000000s of Americans of all ages, including many of societies most powerful members. Marijuana prohibition threatened far fewer Americans, and they had comparatively small influence in the territories of power. Merely the prohibition of marihuana, which some sixty million Americans have violated since 1965 has come near to come closing the prohibition experience, but marijuana tobacco users consist largely of immature and comparatively powerless Americans ( American Heritage, pg 47 ) . Alcohol prohibition was repealed and marijuana prohibition was retained, non because scientists had proved that intoxicant was the less unsafe of the assorted psychotropic drugs, but because of the biass and penchants of most Americans ( American Heritage, pg 47 ) . In 1937 the authorities issued the Marijuana Tax Act, which levied a dollar an ounce revenue enhancement on marihuana, coupled with mulcts of $ 2,000 for drug posession and gaol sentences for equivocation of the revenue enhancement. For this ground marihuana usage 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.