Cannabis is believed to have evolved on the steppes of Central Asia, specifically in the regions that are now Mongolia and southern Siberia. The earliest record of cannabis use dates back as far as 2737 BC, in the writings of the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung. It was used then primarily for medicinal purposes in treating diseases such as gout, malaria, and rheumatism. Even then however, the intoxicating effects were known. Cannabis cultivation was then spread by farmers to Korea as early as 2000 BC. From there, Cannabis use spread to the rest of Asia, including India where it is believed that it was used recreationally. Recreational Cannabis use was also very popular among Muslims since alcohol was prohibited by the Koran. It was then brought
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In the 1920’s recreational cannabis use began to raise in popularity. Smoking cannabis was introduced primarily by Mexican immigrants who showed how one could role it into a cigarette or smoke it from a pipe. It became very popular among Jazz musicians and marijuana clubs, called tea pads, started opening in every major city. The first federal regulation of cannabis came in 1906, with the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act. This required that drugs be labeled if they contained any cannabis. From there, states began criminalizing cannabis use citing it as a “gateway drug” that would lead to use of more harmful drugs such as narcotics or cocaine. In 1937, the Marijuana Tax Act criminalized possession of cannabis and put it under the regulation of the Drug Enforcement Agency. In the 1960’s, it was popular among college students and hippies and became a symbol of rebellion. The Controlled Substance Act of 1970 made cannabis a Schedule 1 drug, putting it on par with cocaine or heroin and classifying it as having a high potential for abuse and zero medical applicability. Through the 1980’s, authorities continued to crack down on cannabis use and cultivation and increasing the legal …show more content…
Between 1973 and 1978 California, Colorado, Mississippi, New York, Nebraska, North Carolina, and Ohio decriminalized cannabis. In 1996, California legalized medical cannabis use and was followed by many other states in doing the same. In 2012, Colorado and Washington legalized the recreational uses of cannabis for adults aged twenty-one or older and more states have followed since. Just this year, even Texas has granted the use of certain cannabinoid oils in the treatment of epilepsy. However, places that have fully legalized the recreational use of cannabis have received some blowback from it. In Amsterdam, where cannabis is completely legal, they have suffered many new problems. Many unwanted “pot tourists” come to partake in the famous Amsterdam “coffee shops” where cannabis is legally sold. These tourists clog traffic, litter, and are often times a cause of trouble in the city. In Colorado they also received similar results. On top of that, the homeless population has sharply spiked and drug related car crashes have also increased. The number of drug related school expulsions also greatly increased as well as evidence of a loss in productivity. Since now a very large chunk of Colorado’s revenue comes from the sale of cannabis, they have become rather dependent on it. It may, however, not be wise to depend so much on the revenue of a product that is not even federally legal.
In the 1920’s recreational cannabis use began to raise in popularity. Smoking cannabis was introduced primarily by Mexican immigrants who showed how one could role it into a cigarette or smoke it from a pipe. It became very popular among Jazz musicians and marijuana clubs, called tea pads, started opening in every major city. The first federal regulation of cannabis came in 1906, with the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act. This required that drugs be labeled if they contained any cannabis. From there, states began criminalizing cannabis use citing it as a “gateway drug” that would lead to use of more harmful drugs such as narcotics or cocaine. In 1937, the Marijuana Tax Act criminalized possession of cannabis and put it under the regulation of the Drug Enforcement Agency. In the 1960’s, it was popular among college students and hippies and became a symbol of rebellion. The Controlled Substance Act of 1970 made cannabis a Schedule 1 drug, putting it on par with cocaine or heroin and classifying it as having a high potential for abuse and zero medical applicability. Through the 1980’s, authorities continued to crack down on cannabis use and cultivation and increasing the legal …show more content…
Between 1973 and 1978 California, Colorado, Mississippi, New York, Nebraska, North Carolina, and Ohio decriminalized cannabis. In 1996, California legalized medical cannabis use and was followed by many other states in doing the same. In 2012, Colorado and Washington legalized the recreational uses of cannabis for adults aged twenty-one or older and more states have followed since. Just this year, even Texas has granted the use of certain cannabinoid oils in the treatment of epilepsy. However, places that have fully legalized the recreational use of cannabis have received some blowback from it. In Amsterdam, where cannabis is completely legal, they have suffered many new problems. Many unwanted “pot tourists” come to partake in the famous Amsterdam “coffee shops” where cannabis is legally sold. These tourists clog traffic, litter, and are often times a cause of trouble in the city. In Colorado they also received similar results. On top of that, the homeless population has sharply spiked and drug related car crashes have also increased. The number of drug related school expulsions also greatly increased as well as evidence of a loss in productivity. Since now a very large chunk of Colorado’s revenue comes from the sale of cannabis, they have become rather dependent on it. It may, however, not be wise to depend so much on the revenue of a product that is not even federally legal.