Civic Register
| 9.19.17

Fact Tuesday: A Short History of Weed Laws

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Each week, we dive a little deeper into the facts behind an issue: hurricane classifications, immigration in America, who uses DACA. This week, our topic is…what was I just writing?

Wow, I should not have eaten that whole brownie...always the same: take a few bites, think it’s not working, so eat the entire thing…

Oh, right, our topic is pot laws. It’s like in-laws but made of pot.

I should not have eaten that entire brownie.

Just The Facts

  • George Washington grew hemp at Mount Vernon as one of his three primary crops.

  • Medicinal cannabis entered the American pharmaceutical scene in the 1850s. In 1906, the Pure Food and Drug Act required labeling any cannabis found in over-the-counter products.

  • During the Great Depression, widespread unemployment led to public distrust of Mexican immigrants and their “marihuana.” Research at the time linked the use of the “evil weed” with crime, violence, and sexual deviancy. Viz., 1936 film Reefer Madness.

  • In 1930, Harry J. Anslinger became the first Commissioner of the newly-created Federal Bureau of Narcotics. In 1937, Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act, effectively criminalizing the warm smell of colitas.

  • In 1951, the Narcotics Control Act set mandatory sentences for drug-related offenses, including marijuana—which, in the eyes of the law, was as harmful as cocaine.

  • Recreational pot use increasing in the 1960s = the passing of the Controlled Substances Act in 1970, which made it illegal to possess, use, sell, or grow indica or sativa. High Times was founded in 1974.

  • Nancy Reagan was not a subscriber. She urged kids to “Just Say No” to drugs in the 1980s. Meaning: the former first lady was sober for this photo of her sitting on the lap of Mr. T dressed like Santa Claus.

  • In 1996, California voters approved Proposition 215, making it the first state to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes.

  • A number of states have followed suit, though marijuana remains illegal at the federal level. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has said that “Good people don’t smoke marijuana.” But in 2016, 57% of Americans surveyed said they think pot should be legal. For comparison, 57% of Americans also hit the snooze button each morning.

Did we forget anything? Are you one of the 57% who support recreational pot? Or was Nancy Reagan right urging “Just Say No”? What do you think clouds taste like? Hit the Share button and comment below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credits: Wikimedia Commons, PolitiFact.com)