Cannabis & Prohibition

Cannabis & Prohibition

Today marks 80 years since the cannabis prohibition began in the United States of America. The states prohibited the cultivation, consumption, and sale of all cannabis plants. Contrary to popular belief, The Prohibition started in 1911, in Massachusetts. It was required a prescription for any cannabis purchase. The States began to individually criminalize weed over the following 20 years.

In 1937, The Marijuana Tax Act was the first piece of federal legislation against cannabis. Many believed that the act was meant to attack the hemp industry - since hemp is such a durable, cheap natural fibre, and the paper and cotton industries were threatened.

Cannabis was officially painted as a dangerous narcotic, also known as the “gateway” drug, which created a chaos. Since the start of the prohibition, we have come a long way. The cannabis industry is a booming one; so much so, that there’s a term for the ever-growing world of weed: “The Green Rush”.

There are presently 29 states, plus the District of Columbia, with medical marijuana programs in use. Lawmakers are constantly amending and creating laws to make cannabis more accessible and reliable. 8 states, as well as D.C, have passed legislation allowing recreational use of cannabis. But even with the progress made, there is still much to do with decriminalization.

The Marijuana Prohibition didn’t save lives – it ruined millions.

In 2008, there were 20 million arrests due to cannabis-related crimes. The prohibition was a fail, prisons have become overpopulated due to these petty crimes. The stories about marijuana use have changed but the reliance on ignorance and hysteria rather than science, medical, and social remains constant. The same argument made throughout the last 80 years is still the same one presented today. We need to learn from the prohibition and move forward together. And the prohibition needs to end.

The medical benefits alone are worth exploring...instead of pouring more and more money into pharmaceutical companies, when we have natural more potent remedies we could be using. It’s time to stop moving backwards and start moving forward, together!

Tell us your stance on Marijuana Prohibition (although we have a pretty

good idea) below in the comments!