DEBATE ~ DO WE KNOW THE HISTORY AND WHY IT HELPS MEDICALLY

  The History of Marijuana

Marijuana has been used for thousands of years, both for smoking and for making rope and fuel. Then, between 1937 and 1947, $220 billion was spent by the American government to mount a propaganda war, painting the plant as a source of evil. This despite the fact that, back in 1797, hemp aka marijuana, was the major cash crop of President George Washington at his Mount Vernon estate. Thomas Jefferson also grew hemp.

The cost of outlawing marijuana rose even higher: between 1948 and 1963 the cost came in at $1.5 billion; from 1964 to 1969 – so just four years – the cost had risen to $9 billion. The cost continues to rise.

Marijuana History Milestones
BC 7000 to 8000 Dried hemp woven into fabric 6000 Hemp seeds used as food by the Chinese 2727 Cannabis used as a medication in China 1200 Marijuana used as medication in India 800 Cannabis becomes the ‘sacred grass’ of the hindus 700 to 300 Marijuana becomes high status plant in Scythia An ancient region of Eurasia extending from the mouth of the Danube River on the Black Sea) 500 Marijuana plant was introduced into Europe AD 500-600 Cannabis is mentioned in the Jewish sacred text, the Talmud 900 to 1000 Cannabis becomes popular as a ‘recreational drug’ in the Arab world, where alcohol was prohibited 1492 Columbus did not just ‘sail the ocean blue’ he also introduced the cannabis Sativa plant to America 1619 In Jamestown, Virginia, marijuana becomes a compulsory crop and is used as a trading crop between US and Central and South Asia 1797 George Washington grows marijuana 1798 Napoleon bans the use of marijuana after noting the amount of marijuana smoked by the Egyptians 1840 Cannabis based medicines available in America and hashish medications sold in Persia (Iran) 1876 Marijuana gifted to the Americans by the Sultan of Turkey resulting in an sudden increase in Turkish smoking parlors across North East US 1906 The FDA was formed, giving the government an insight into drug use within the country 1908 Henry Ford uses hemp plastic to make the first Model T. He fuels it with ethanol made from hemp. 1913 Anti-marijuana law passed in California, banning the use of “preparations of hemp, or loco weed 1915 Anti-marijuana law passed in Utah 1919 Anti-marijuana law passed in Texas 1924 Anti-marijuana law passed in Louisiana 1927 Anti-marijuana law passed in New York 1928 Recreational use of marijuana outlawed in the UK 1930 Harry J Anslinger becomes first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, declaring war on drugs 1930 First use of the word ‘Muggles’ – not non-wizards as per J K Rowling but bales of marijuana 1936 Reefer Madness propaganda film released stating that marijuana causes madness1937 Marijuana tax introduced into the US – pay a dollar and you could legally grow and sell marijuana. Proof of paying the tax was a stamp; however, the Treasury did not issue any stamps. 1937 First marijuana conviction; Samuel R Caldwell was convicted of selling the marijuana when not in possession of the tax stamp. 1944 New York Mayor, Fiorello La Guardia, called for abolition of the tax stamp. 1950 Harry J Anslinger claims that marijuana is a gateway drug to heroin. 1951 Passing of the Boggs Act results in ruthless sentences for drug offenses because drugs were, apparently, a tool of Communist China. 1956 Narcotic Control Act classifies marijuana as dangerous as heroin and penalties increase even further 1961 Anslinger went to the United Nations and was successful in convincing more than 100 other countries to consolidate their drug laws with those of America, thereby creating a single convention. Thus marijuana became globally illegal 1972 It is estimated that 24 million Americans had used marijuana 1972 Don Crowe – Vietnam War veteran was sentenced to 50 years for selling 1 ounce marijuana. His customer was an undercover police officer and this was Crowe’s first offense. 1972 The National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse released a report that showed marijuana use did not lead to crime. The researchers also reported that police were selective in the people they targeted, going for people with a certain ‘look.’ President Nixon, who had commissioned report, decided to ignore the findings (he reportedly never read the report) and continued with his anti-marijuana crusade. 1972 The Drug Enforcement Agency is created, pulling all the American drug resources into one agency. The DEA had the authority to enter homes without knocking. 1980s President Reagan is in power and there is a reported one arrest every 38 seconds for the violation of marijuana laws 1980s Judge Francis law recommends the reclassification of marijuana as a prescription drug. No action was taken. 1998 Medical Marijuana becomes legal in Washington 1996 1999California passes Proposition 215, allowing the use of medical marijuana Use of medical marijuana becomes legal in Alaska1999 Use of medical marijuana legalized in Maine 1999 Medical marijuana becomes legal in Oregon 2000 Hawaii legalizes medical marijuana 2001 Medical Marijuana becomes legal in Nevada 2003 Medical marijuana becomes legal in Canada 2003 Maryland approves the use of medical marijuana. This law requires the court to consider a defendant’s use of medical marijuana to be a mitigating factor in marijuana-related state prosecution. If the patient, post-arrest, successfully makes the case at trial that his or her use of marijuana is one of medical necessity, then the maximum penalty allowed by law would be a $100 fine.2003 Study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine concludes there are “no major short-term harmful effects, and possibly some beneficial effects” from using marijuana medically in HIV-infected patients taking protease inhibitors 2003 In the Netherlands pharmacies become legally obligated to stock and dispense medical marijuana. They are also required to advise users of the benefits of cannabis tea. 2003 US Government patent the therapeutic use of cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants. 2003 California: S.B. 420 signed into law, which will create an ID card for medical marijuana users to show law enforcement officers. 2003 US Supreme Court refuses to hear an appeal in the case of Conant v. Walters, thus turning down “the Bush administration’s request to consider whether the federal government can punish doctors for recommending or perhaps even talking about the benefits of the drug [medical marijuana] to sick patients.” 2003 Of the Deans who responded to a confidential poll, over 60% believed that ‘physicians should have the legal right to recommend or prescribe marijuana to receive symptoms of medical complaints. 2003 In the case of Ashcroft v Raich, the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2:1 that people who use marijuana for medical purposes cannot be prosecuted by the federal government so long as they grow their own or obtain it from other growers without charge. 2004 Marijuana reclassified in the UK from a Class B drug to a Class C. Penalty for cannabis possession reduced from 5 year maximum prison sentence to 2 year maximum sentence. 2004 Vermont becomes the 10^th state to decriminalize medical marijuana. 2004 Limited use of medical marijuana becomes legal in Montana. 2005 In the case of Gonzales v. Raich (previously Ashcroft v. Raich), the United States Supreme Court ruled that the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution allowed the federal government to ban the use of cannabis, including medical use. The court found the federal law valid, although the cannabis in question had been grown and consumed within a single state, and had never entered interstate commerce. 2005 The Supreme Court rules that, “Federal authorities may prosecute sick people who smoke pot on doctors’ orders,” concluding that state medical marijuana laws don’t protect users from a federal ban on the drug. One week later, the House voted down an amendment that would have stopped the Justice Department from bringing such case.2003 Study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine concludes there are “no major short-term harmful effects, and possibly some beneficial effects” from using marijuana medically in HIV-infected patients taking protease inhibitors 2003 In the Netherlands pharmacies become legally obligated to stock and dispense medical marijuana. They are also required to advise users of the benefits of cannabis tea. 2003 US Government patent the therapeutic use of cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants. 2003 California: S.B. 420 signed into law, which will create an ID card for medical marijuana users to show law enforcement officers. 2003 US Supreme Court refuses to hear an appeal in the case of Conant v. Walters, thus turning down “the Bush administration’s request to consider whether the federal government can punish doctors for recommending or perhaps even talking about the benefits of the drug [medical marijuana] to sick patients.” 2003 Of the Deans who responded to a confidential poll, over 60% believed that ‘physicians should have the legal right to recommend or prescribe marijuana to receive symptoms of medical complaints. 2003 In the case of Ashcroft v Raich, the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2:1 that people who use marijuana for medical purposes cannot be prosecuted by the federal government so long as they grow their own or obtain it from other growers without charge. 2004 Marijuana reclassified in the UK from a Class B drug to a Class C. Penalty for cannabis possession reduced from 5 year maximum prison sentence to 2 year maximum sentence. 2004 Vermont becomes the 10^th state to decriminalize medical marijuana. 2004 Limited use of medical marijuana becomes legal in Montana. 2005 In the case of Gonzales v. Raich (previously Ashcroft v. Raich), the United States Supreme Court ruled that the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution allowed the federal government to ban the use of cannabis, including medical use. The court found the federal law valid, although the cannabis in question had been grown and consumed within a single state, and had never entered interstate commerce. 2005 The Supreme Court rules that, “Federal authorities may prosecute sick people who smoke pot on doctors’ orders,” concluding that state medical marijuana laws don’t protect users from a federal ban on the drug. One week later, the House voted down an amendment that would have stopped the Justice Department from bringing such case.2006 Rhode Island legalizes medical marijuana. 2006 A large research study undertaken at UCLA finds that smoking marijuana, even regularly and heavily, does not lead to lung cancer. 2007 Medical marijuana becomes legal in New Mexico. 2007 Rhode Island medical marijuana act amended. 2008 In Michigan an act is passed that removes state-level criminal penalties on the use, possession and cultivation of marijuana by patients who have been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition. 2009 Cannabis reclassified to Class B in the UK 2010 New Jersey approves medical marijuana bill: New Jersey Compassionate Medical Marijuana Act was passed by the state Assembly in a 48-14 vote 2010 A board of Iowa pharmacists voted for the reclassification of cannabis to a schedule 2 drug – that is they recognize the benefits of medical marijuana and support its legalization within the state. 2010 Study commissioned in Tennessee to help legislature decide whether and how to implement a system of patient registration and medical marijuana distribution. 2010 Kansas 2010 Medical Marijuana Act introduced to the House by Rep Gail Finney 2010 Arkansas supporters of medical cannabis release draft three of their Medicinal Cannabis Act of 2011 2010 Use of medical marijuana in Arizona to appear on November ballot paper. 2010 Use of medical marijuana in Massachusetts to appear on November ballot paper. 2010 Peter Buckley announces plans to introduce the Oregon Cannabis Revenue Act (OCRA) to the state legislature. 2010 South Dakota to ballot for medical marijuana in November.