...History of Marijuana Marijuana has been used both recreationally and medicinally for centuries. There are numerous accounts of its medicinal qualities in multiple historical artifacts. Its use dates back to 2737 B.C. when the Chinese emperor, Shen Nung, used it for medicinal purposes including malaria, gout, poor memory, rheumatism, and analgesia (Carter et. al., 2003). Eastern Indian documents, in the Atharvaveda, dating back to 2000 B.C. also refer to its medicinal use. The Jamestown settlers cultivated hemp produced by the marijuana plant. They used these fibers to make clothing, rope, and canvas because of its quality and durability. Physicians in the 19th century were prescribing cannabis as a pain reliever, an anticonvulsant, and for migraine headaches (Doweiko, 2002). Following his work in India in the 1840's William O'Shaughnessy introduced medicinal marijuana to the United Kingdom. Queen Victoria used marijuana for dysmenorrhoea during the same time period (Carter et. al., 2003). Smoking marijuana recreationally began to spread in the United States in the 1920's. It began to spread from Mexico and New Orleans up the Mississippi river. Jazz musicians, labor workers, and river boatmen were quickly taking to its euphoric effects (Gettman, 1995). Smoking marijuana also became more popular during Prohibition when more people began cultivation of the plant and importing it into the U.S. to replace alcohol (Doweiko, 2002). In 1942...
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...The history of marijuana and medical benefits Dona Rudd COM/172 March 20, 2012 Russell Murphy The history of marijuana and medical benefits Although possessing marijuana is a federal offense pending, some states allow the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, generating revenue for the states. There are 16 states’ and Washington DC, in which marijuana is being, used for medicinal purposes and not break any laws. Eighteen states’ are pending Legislation to legalize medical marijuana. There are documents stating that the Chinese used marijuana for paper, the process consisted of hemp around 2000 BC. According to Guither, P. Drug Warrant (2006), “America’s first marijuana law was enacted at Jamestown Colony, Virginia in 1619. It was a law “ordering” all of the farmers to grow Indian hempseed. There were several other “must grow” laws over the next 200 years. A person could be jailed for not growing hemp during times of shortage in Virginia between 1763 and 1767, and during most of that time, hemp was legal tender a person could even pay their taxes with hemp and try that today. Hemp was such a critical crop for a number of purposes including essential war requirements and rope, excreta. That the government went out of its way to encourage growth” Guither, P. ( 2006) (para 6). The history of marijuana Marijuana has many different names, Hemp, Ma, and Marihuana are just a few of the names in which marijuana is called. Marijuana and hemp...
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...History of marijuana Early Marijuana Use Marijuana has been used as an agent for achieving euphoria since ancient times; it was described in a Chinese medical reference traditionally considered to date from 2737 B.C. Its use spread from China to India and then to N Africa and reached Europe at least as early as A.D. 500. Marijuana Plants / Cannabis The first direct reference to a cannabis product as a psychoactive agent dates from 2737 BC, in the writings of the Chinese emperor Shen Nung. The focus was on its powers as a medication for rheumatism, gout, malaria, and oddly enough, absent-mindedness. Mention was made of the intoxicating properties, but the medicinal value was considered more important. In India though it was clearly used recreationally. The Muslims too used it recreationally for alcohol consumption was banned by the Koran. It was the Muslims who introduced hashish, whose popularity spread quickly throughout 12th century Persia (Iran) and North Africa. Marijuana in America In 1545 the Spanish brought marijunana to the New World. The English introduced it in Jamestown in 1611 where it became a major commercial crop alongside tobacco and was grown as a source of fiber. By 1890, hemp had been replaced by cotton as a major cash crop in southern states. Some patent medicines during this era contained marijuana, but it was a small percentage compared to the number containing opium or cocaine. It was in the 1920’s that marijuana began to catch on...
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...Week 9 Research Paper COM/156 August 11, 2013 Week 9 Research Paper “Marijuana is the finest anti-nausea medication known to science, and our leaders have lied about this consistently. [Arresting people for] medical marijuana is the most hideous example of government interference in the private lives of individuals. It’s an outrage within an outrage within an outrage”. Peter McWilliams Author and Advocate for Medical Marijuana Medical Marijuana has found its place once again as the medical plant that is recognized for its healing potential and properties. How the Government has suppressed its positive potential and healing powers for over 25 years. With the help from many patients, loved ones, research departments and advocate groups to get the Government’s attention to see and understand that the terminally ill and the sick should not be treated as common criminals. They are only trying to find some peace and serenity in their last days. The struggle and fight that has been going on for the last 25 years against the Government. The people were finally heard, with the legalization of Medical Marijuana. The Government wants to regulate everything for their own best interest, the positive effect of decriminalizing marijuana for the terminally ill and the positive economic benefits for our community. Cannabis Sativa, Marijuana, Weed, Herb, Mary Jane these are just a few names that this little 5 leaf plant...
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...have tried marijuana once in their lifetime. Today I am going to give you information about medical marijuana. There are four main points to touch on. First, What is marijuana and how does it affect humans? Second, What is the history on marijuana? Third, When and why did marijuana become illegal? Fourth and finally, I will speak about the states legalizing and the medical purposes of it. Using these four points, I am going to attempt to inform you about marijuana and the movement to legalize it. What is marijuana? How does it affect humans? According to University of Washington, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institution, Cannabis is derived from the cannabis plant (cannabis sativa). Marijuana is made from dried flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant. It is the least potent of all the cannabis products and is usually smoked. It grows wild in many of the tropical and temperate areas of the world. It can be grown in almost any climate, and is increasingly cultivated by means of indoor hydroponic technology. There are main active ingredients in cannabis is called delta-9 tetrahydro-cannabinol, commonly known as THC and Cannabidiol commonly known as CBD. This is the part of the plant that gives the "high." There’s a wide range of THC potency between cannabis products. When THC reaches the brain, it stimulates the CB1 and CB2 receptors. It induces relaxation and a feeling of euphoria. It also typically heightens the senses and relieves pain. [At http://adai.uw.edu/marijuana/factsheets/whatiscannabis...
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...Abstract: The prohibition of marijuana has been a heated debate for years. This paper will examine the question of whether or not it will be beneficial to the population as a whole, smokers and non-smokers to legalize marijuana. This paper will begin by giving a historical overview of marijuana and how it became illegal. Then, it will attempt to examine and illustrate the many valuable, and beneficial qualities that marijuana has. Relying on the facts found to ultimately come to a conclusion on whether or not legalization would positively effect our country. Introduction Background Information The legalizing of marijuana for both recreational and medical purposes will have significant benefits for smokers and non-smokers, the economy, and the population. Currently any production, sale, distribution, or consumption of the drug marijuana is illegal in forty-eight states in the nation. Legalizing marijuana in this situation would mean executing the same or similar laws as are imposed on to alcohol. “On November 6, 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize the sale and possession of cannabis for recreational use since the Marijuana Tax act of 1937 when they passed Colorado Amendment 64 and Washington Initiative 502” (Szalavitz). The few states that have legalized marijuana are instituting practices to integrate the substance into society. To continue, consumption of marijuana would be illegal as well as the purchase of the substance by minors...
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...Week 9 Research Paper Medical Marijuana COM/156 August 11, 2013 Medical Marijuana ~“Marijuana is the finest anti-nausea medication known to science, and our leaders have lied about this consistently. [Arresting people for] medical marijuana is the most hideous example of government interference in the private lives of individuals. It’s an outrage within an outrage within an outrage”~ ~Peter McWilliams~ Author and Advocate for Medical Marijuana Medical Marijuana has found its place once again as the medical plant that is recognized for its healing potential and properties. How the Government has suppressed its positive potential and healing powers for over 25 years. With the help frommany patients, loved ones, research departments and advocate groups, to get the Government’s attention to see and understand that the terminally ill, and the sick should not be treated as common criminals. They are only trying to find some peace and serenity, in their last days. The struggle and fight that has been going on for the last 25 years against the Government. The people were finally heard, with the legalization of Medical Marijuana. The Government wants to regulate everything for their best interest, the positive effect of decriminalizing marijuana for the terminally ill, and the positive economic benefits for our community. Cannabis Sativa, Marijuana, Weed, Herb, Mary Jane these are just a few names that this little 5 leaf plant goes by. How could this...
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...Why was marijuana criminalized to begin with? Most people think it was made illegal due to some sort of scientific research or experimentation proving its harmfulness. However, it didnt quite go down like that, in fact, its detest history was triggered due to racism, fear, biased propaganda, and protection of corporate industries. I will be covering many topics over marijuana in this journey through its history, but to begin, we need to go over the background history of this plant. For a substantial time of human history, marijuana was completely legal. As a matter of fact, it has been illegal for just over 1% of the time its been discovered and used. Marijuana was used known as far back as 7000 B.C, and legal as recent as 1910. It was introduced to the United States as early as the 1600’s , but wasn’t recognized as a recreational drug until the early 1900’s. The very first marijuana law was enacted in 1619 in Jamestown Colony, Virginia. Believe it or not, this was not a law against marijuana, this law was made to order every farmer to grow hemp seed, and they weren’t the only ones. Over...
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...Why Marijuana Illegal Ever since the beginning of time there always has been something that has created a large amount of controversy; an issue that leaves households and countries divided. Should marijuana be legalized so it can be used for medicinal purposes? Marijuana has been used by people of royalty, "Emperor Shen-Nung in China prescribes cannabis for beri-beri, constipation, 'female weakness,' gout, malaria, rheumatism and absentmindedness” (Abel, 1982) and politicians, “I smoked but did not inhale.”- Bill Clinton. In fact marijuana has been around for as long as the earth been able to produce plants. Medical Marijuana has been in the middle of world debates since it was discovered. Marijuana was once an important plant and now marijuana is considered to be one of the worst drug or plant to mankind. People have formed a negative perspective about this naturally grown plant, which is often referred as a harmful gateway drug. Although marijuana is a drug now, one-day history will repeat itself and, there will be a time in which society will take a step back and look at what this plant has to offer. Marijuana has many respectable uses. In order for an accurate opinion to be forms, this will present to you the history of marijuana, why marijuana was deemed unsafe or illegal and the medicinal purposes cannabis has to offer. After reading they will be more informed about marijuana, he or she will be able to form a moral decision based on facts and history. When they are...
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...Legalization of Marijuana Marijuana! Today, marijuana use has become a fad. If someone is feeling down, marijuana will get them back to that happy place. This is the façade that is helping marijuana to become the number one drug of choice for many Americans. It is said that marijuana helps with chronic pain. This is the premises that marijuana advocates are using to encourage its legalization. Many people have the perception that marijuana is a safe drug and are fighting to legalize it in the United States of America. Marijuana is a Schedule 1 controlled substance that can be used for effective medical purposes but it can lead to many unstable citizens because of the impairments it may cause, the addictive agents, and the financial burden it may bring. Marijuana comes from the plant Cannabis sativa that is grown in tropical climates. “The origin of the word marijuana is not known but it appears to be the Spanish name for Mary and Jane. The drug slang for marijuana includes such names as Mary Jane, pot, grass, tea, reefer, and weed” ((Marijuana - History, Effects, 2013). THC, the primary chemical in marijuana, is highly addictive. This chemical gives a feeling of relaxation and acts as an analgesic that aids in pain relief. This is why many marijuana advocates are fighting for the legalization of marijuana. The medical use of marijuana can help with symptoms of nausea and pain but there are many complications that may come with this treatment. Marijuana causes damage to...
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...Instructor McCray English 105 December 2, 2010 Legalization of Marijuana Marijuana has had a very long and tried history in the world. The earliest known uses of marijuana go back as far as four thousand years ago. The plant has always been smoked; certain cultures use everything associated with the plant to produce certain products. The seeds can be used as a healthy substitute for certain foods; they are packed with protein and essential fatty acids. The stalk from hemp can be used in the creation over twenty thousand different products, including much cheaper oil and paper. Popular mechanics coined marijuana as the “New Billion Dollar Crop” back in 1938, and a couple of years after that it was used in the efforts against Hitler. But marijuana in American history has had a short timeframe, first banned in 1937 and then allowed again but only to be banned after WWII. Marijuana has been a tax issue for the American for the past hundred years; prohibition has done the exact opposite of what it set out to do. America should have known prohibition wouldn’t work, it didn’t work against alcohol, and instead it led to the creation of organized crime and production of more alcohol than ever before. There were more speakeasies or bars open during the days of prohibition, then there are currently open in America today, and our population is nearly triple of what it was back then. Why prohibition of marijuana has lasted this long is unknown by most people, other than the government...
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...For the Legalization of Marijuana Naomi H. Marquez Brad Lycan October 16, 2013 As we venture on the topic of legalizing marijuana these paper will analyze several crucial points of this discussion and review several articles and their position on this controversial topic. We will analyze the main topics of concern for the legalization of cannabis which will include, the history of the prohibition of cannabis, the potential health risks compare to alcohol and tobacco, the criminal affect that this drug can have if legalize and finally the economical side of cannabis. The following paragraphs will dissect the following topics with the help of several articles and experts in the topic. The first topic of discussion will be the history of the prohibition of cannabis which became illegal in September of 1937. To understand this topic we need to submerge ourselves into its history. In the article “How Hemp Became Illegal: The Marijuana Link” explains the detailed history on how this miracle plant became illegal. The main concern of marijuana was that it was a plant that was so versatile not only because it can be used in so many ways but because marijuana can be grown pretty much in any climate and with a minimal water supply. This article goes into detail of all the inside meetings between politicians and multimillionaire tycoons who wanted cannabis to become illegal because marijuana could be used as paper, food, fiber, fuel, plastic and of course medicine...
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...LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL USES The legalization of marijuana for medical purposes has been questionable for many years, and it has been an active debate in the United States even up to now, with many different issues on which people have many different opinions. There is opposition to the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes because it has the potential to be used incorrectly, however it is also considered that there is the potential for marijuana to be used in relieving the suffering of many seriously ill patients. Marijuana has been used by people for thousands of years to provide relief from many different serious medical problems. For thousands of years marijuana was not only legal, it was a common crop. It is only in the past ninety years or so that marijuana has been found to be not only unusable, but also harmful and extremely illegal in some States in America (Blaszczak, 2014) .Up to now 23 states in America have legalized marijuana for medical uses, each state has its own regulations to control details such as allowable quantities and registration requirements (State by state marijuana law, 2015). However, the debate on the legalization of its medical uses is still going on in the rest of the states in America. Marijuana is defined as a shredded, green-brown mix of dried flowers, stems, and leaves from the plant named Cannabis sativa. Marijuana has been used as an agent for achieving a feeling of intense excitement and happiness since ancient...
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...Should Marijuana Be Legalized? With the recent election season that has just gone by, this question has become more prevalent in society. In 2010 California became the first state to legalize marijuana only for medicinal use. In this election season, both Colorado and Washington state legalized marijuana for recreational use. Marijuana usage has been going on since ancient times and the fight to legalize it has grown steadily throughout United States History. There are two sides to every story – one side supports legalization and one side opposes it. Everyone has the right to their own opinion on this matter so I will let you decide after reading this. Marijuana has been used, according to ancient medical references, since about 2737 BC in China. In 1545 the Spanish brought marijuana to the New World. It was introduced to Jamestown around 1611 where it became a major commercial crop along with tobacco. Marijuana was listed in the United States Pharmacopeia from 1850 until 1942. It was prescribed for conditions ranging from labor pains to rheumatism. In the 1930s A campaign by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Narcotics portrayed marijuana as a powerful addicting substance and it would lead users into using harder drugs. In the 1950s it was an accessory of the beat generation; in the 1960s it was used by college students and hippies and it eventually became a symbol of rebellion against authority. When the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 was passed, marijuana was classified...
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...There needs to be a change in our laws over voting and the harshness of drug punishments, and this change needs to happen fast in order to give these people their right back quickly. This whole ordeal started way back with Richard Nixon and his War on drugs that he proposed (13th). He had two enemies that he needed to get rid of in order to win the presidential election, and they were the African Americans and the hippies (A Brief History of The War on Drugs). So what does he decide to do about it? Nixon thought it would be a great idea to heavily criminalize two drugs, marijuana and crack cocaine (Norman). At the time crack cocaine was really big in African American communities, and marijuana a major drug that was associated with hippies (Jaeger). This absolutely devastated these two communities (Thirty Years of America’s Drug War.). African American men were being torn away from their loving families just so Nixon could become President of the United...
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