Cannabis has been around for centuries, but it’s only recently that we’ve seen the full extent of its potential.<\/p>\n
For decades, cannabis was banned in the United States \u2014 a move that had far-reaching consequences on those who used and produced it.<\/p>\n
But since then, things have changed: cannabis is reemerging as an important component of healthcare and wellness regimens, with states across the nation legalizing its use for both medical and recreational purposes.<\/p>\n
As someone who has worked with cannabis for years, I want to take you through this journey \u2014 from prohibition to legalization \u2014 so that you can understand how this plant went from being illegal to now becoming essential for many people’s daily lives.<\/p>\n
Cannabis has been used across cultures and countries for centuries, but the cultural implications and economic impacts of its usage have changed drastically over time. From a simple herbal remedy to an illegal substance with harsh penalties, cannabis has had quite the journey in the United States. We\u2019re now seeing it slowly reemerge – which begs the question: how did we get here?<\/p>\n
To understand that, we need to look back at cannabis before prohibition. Throughout history, many indigenous Americans grew hemp for food, textiles, and medicine. As colonists settled in America during the 1600s-1700s, they brought their knowledge of using cannabis for various purposes with them. It was widely accepted as part of everyday life\u2014even George Washington cultivated his own hemp plants! Over time however, attitudes began to shift towards negative views on cannabis use due to fears about moral corruption and foreign immigrants who were seen as different from mainstream society.<\/p>\n
By 1906 most US states had some sort of restriction or regulation on marijuana sales and possession; by 1931 twenty-nine states had outlawed it altogether. This ultimately led to the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 where federal laws made non-medical use of cannabis illegal throughout the entire country \u2013 thus beginning decades long period of prohibition. And so our story begins\u2026 of criminalizing cannabis and marginalizing users.<\/p>\n
Cannabis has been part of the American landscape for centuries, but its use wasn’t always viewed with disdain. In fact, early Americans had a much different take on the plant than we have today.<\/p>\n
For many Native American tribes, cannabis was an integral part of their religious and medicinal ceremonies. Cannabis was an important ritualistic and medical component of several Native American cultures.<\/p>\n
The widespread acceptance of cannabis in colonial America came to a halt when it started to become popular among certain minority groups. Cultural attitudes towards marijuana began to worsen as more people associated it with minorities.<\/p>\n
Its popularity amongst minority groups caused cultural attitudes to shift away from positive sentiments. Criminal penalties were being imposed on those caught using or possessing the drug. Criminal punishments such as jail time became commonplace for those caught using or possessing marijuana.<\/p>\n
It’s clear that before prohibition there were already developing stigmas and stereotypes around cannabis, which eventually led to the nationwide ban that still stands today. By understanding how things used to be, we can better appreciate why restrictions are so strict now – and begin to explore potential ways forward in terms of reversing these policies.<\/p>\n
Darkness descended like a thick, oppressive blanket on the legal use of cannabis in the United States. Before this time, it had been used by many for its medicinal and recreational properties, enjoyed by all regardless of class or social standing. But with one swift stroke of pen to paper, prohibition came down hard on those who chose to partake in what was once considered an everyday part of life.<\/p>\n