Most people don't understand the history of cannabis, and I don't blame them. The truth of the matter is that cannabis history is quite significant dating back thousands of years. Some people even believe that cannabis might have been one of the first crops we have ever harvested as modern humans. Seems that cannabis has coevolved with humanity for thousands of years, and This is why it is quite difficult to pinpoint exactly what happened with cannabis throughout history.
However, over the past 100 years, we have a lot more accurate records about what had happened especially with the government, legality, social attitudes, and more.
This is why I have decided to work on this piece today, to provide some historical context of cannabis over the years. What follows is what I found to be some of the more significant dates of modern cannabis history, designed to educate the modern consumer on how we got where we are today.
It’s important to create accurate records of what happened in the past – otherwise we might find ourselves in the same position of prohibition in a hundred or two hundred years.
While I know that this digital record is “soft” – in that it can easily be destroyed. My hope is to inscribe some of these important dates into your consciousness, so that the data remains.
1925: The US Congress passes the Marihuana Tax Act, effectively prohibiting cannabis at the federal level.
The Marihuana Tax Act of 1925 was a federal law in the United States that effectively prohibited the use, possession, and sale of cannabis. It was passed by Congress on December 18, 1925, and signed into law by President Calvin Coolidge on January 6, 1926.
The act was largely the work of Harry Anslinger, the commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. Anslinger was a staunch prohibitionist who was determined to ban all drugs, including cannabis. He lobbied Congress for years to pass a cannabis prohibition law, and he was finally successful in 1925.
The Marihuana Tax Act imposed a high tax on the sale and possession of cannabis. The tax was so high that it was essentially prohibitive. The act also required anyone who sold or possessed cannabis to register with the federal government and pay an annual tax.
The stated purpose of the Marihuana Tax Act was to generate revenue for the government. However, Anslinger's true motivation was to ban cannabis altogether. He believed that cannabis was a dangerous drug that led to insanity, violence, and crime. He also believed that cannabis was a gateway drug that led to the use of more dangerous drugs, such as heroin and cocaine.
The Marihuana Tax Act was passed at a time when there was very little scientific evidence about the effects of cannabis. However, Anslinger's propaganda campaign and his use of scare tactics were effective in persuading Congress to pass the law.
The Marihuana Tax Act had a significant impact on the cannabis industry in the United States. It led to the closure of most cannabis businesses and the arrest and imprisonment of thousands of people for cannabis-related offenses. The law also helped to create a negative public perception of cannabis, which made it difficult for scientists to conduct research on the drug.
The Marihuana Tax Act remained in effect for over 50 years. It was finally repealed in 1976, but cannabis remains a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning that it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.
Who controlled it?
The Marihuana Tax Act was controlled by the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, which was headed by Harry Anslinger. Anslinger had a great deal of influence over the enforcement of the law, and he used his power to crack down on cannabis users and sellers.
What it intended to do
The Marihuana Tax Act was intended to generate revenue for the government and to ban the use, possession, and sale of cannabis. Anslinger believed that cannabis was a dangerous drug that led to insanity, violence, and crime, and he was determined to stamp it out.
Why it passed the act
The Marihuana Tax Act passed because of Anslinger's effective propaganda campaign and the fact that there was very little scientific evidence about the effects of cannabis at the time. Many members of Congress were persuaded by Anslinger's claims that cannabis was a dangerous drug, and they believed that the law was necessary to protect the public.
1937: Harry Anslinger, the commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, publishes a pamphlet titled "Marihuana: Assassin of Youth," which demonizes cannabis and spreads misinformation about its effects.
1969: The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is founded.
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) was founded in 1969 by Keith Stroup and Larry Schott. Stroup was a lawyer and Schott was a journalist, and they were both motivated by the growing movement to legalize marijuana in the United States.
The 1960s was a time of great social and political change, and the marijuana reform movement was part of that. Many people were disillusioned with the government and its policies, and they saw marijuana as a symbol of freedom and personal expression.
NORML was one of the first organizations to advocate for the legalization of marijuana in a professional and respectable way. Stroup and Schott were careful to distance themselves from the counterculture stereotype of the marijuana smoker. They instead focused on educating the public about the benefits of marijuana and the harms of prohibition.
NORML quickly became a leading voice in the marijuana reform movement. The organization lobbied Congress, state legislatures, and local governments to change marijuana laws. NORML also published educational materials and sponsored research on the effects of marijuana.
NORML's work helped to change public perceptions of marijuana and to build support for legalization. In 1973, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize marijuana, and in 1992, California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana. Today, marijuana is legal for recreational use in 19 states and the District of Columbia.
NORML continues to be a leading advocate for marijuana reform. The organization works to educate the public about the benefits of marijuana and to promote policies that protect the rights of marijuana users.
Historical context
The founding of NORML in 1969 came at a time when marijuana use was becoming increasingly popular, especially among young people. This was also a time of great social and political unrest, as the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement were raging.
Many people saw marijuana as a symbol of freedom and rebellion. They also believed that marijuana had medicinal benefits, and that it was less harmful than other legal drugs, such as alcohol and tobacco.
The federal government, however, was still very much opposed to marijuana. In 1970, President Richard Nixon declared a "war on drugs," and marijuana was classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning that it had a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.
NORML's founding was a significant moment in the marijuana reform movement. It showed that there was a growing movement of people who supported the legalization of marijuana, and that this movement was not just limited to the counterculture.
NORML's work helped to change public perceptions of marijuana and to build support for legalization. Today, marijuana is legal for recreational use in 19 states and the District of Columbia, and it is likely that more states will follow suit in the coming years.
1970: The US Congress passes the Controlled Substances Act, which classifies cannabis as a Schedule I drug, meaning that it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.
The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) was passed by the US Congress in 1970 and signed into law by President Richard Nixon. The CSA is a federal law that regulates the manufacture, possession, and distribution of certain drugs, including cannabis.
The CSA classifies drugs into five schedules, based on their potential for abuse and accepted medical use. Cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning that it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. This is the highest classification of drug under the CSA.
Nixon was a staunch opponent of marijuana, and he pushed for its inclusion in the CSA as a Schedule I drug. He believed that marijuana was a dangerous drug that led to violence and crime. He also saw marijuana as a threat to his authority, as it was popular among young people and anti-war activists.
In a 1971 speech, Nixon said that "marijuana is the most dangerous drug in the United States today." He also said that "marijuana is a gateway drug" that leads to the use of other, more dangerous drugs.
Nixon's claims about marijuana were largely based on propaganda and misinformation. There was little scientific evidence at the time to support his claims that marijuana was a dangerous drug or that it was a gateway drug.
Despite the lack of evidence, Nixon's campaign against marijuana was successful. The CSA was passed by Congress with overwhelming support, and cannabis was classified as a Schedule I drug.
The CSA has had a significant impact on the cannabis industry in the United States. It has made it difficult for researchers to study the effects of cannabis, and it has also led to the arrest and imprisonment of millions of people for cannabis-related offenses.
However, the CSA has also had the unintended consequence of making cannabis more popular. The more the government has cracked down on cannabis, the more people have become curious about it and wanted to try it.
Today, cannabis is legal for recreational use in 19 states and the District of Columbia, and it is likely that more states will follow suit in the coming years. The CSA remains in effect, but public opinion on cannabis has shifted dramatically in recent years.
There is growing evidence that cannabis has a number of medicinal benefits, and it is now widely accepted that cannabis is not as dangerous as Nixon claimed it was. In the future, it is likely that the CSA will be reformed to reflect the new scientific evidence and public opinion on cannabis.
1972: The Shafer Commission, a federal commission appointed to study the effects of marijuana, releases a report that concludes that cannabis is not as dangerous as previously thought and recommends that it be reclassified. The US government ignores the Shafer Commission's recommendations.
1973: The state of Oregon decriminalizes cannabis.
In 1973, Oregon became the first state in the United States to decriminalize cannabis. This was a landmark moment in cannabis history, as it signified the beginning of a shift in public opinion and policy towards the drug.
Decriminalization means that possession of small amounts of cannabis is no longer a criminal offense, but is instead treated as a civil violation, punishable by a fine. This was a significant departure from the previous policy of criminalizing all cannabis possession, which could result in jail time and a criminal record.
Oregon's decision to decriminalize cannabis was motivated by a number of factors. One factor was the growing popularity of cannabis, especially among young people. Another factor was the lack of scientific evidence to support the claim that cannabis was a dangerous drug. Additionally, many people believed that the criminalization of cannabis was unfair and disproportionately affected minorities.
The decriminalization of cannabis in Oregon was a major victory for the cannabis reform movement. It showed that there was a growing movement of people who supported the decriminalization or legalization of cannabis, and that this movement was not just limited to the counterculture.
Oregon's decriminalization law also had a number of positive benefits. It reduced the number of arrests and convictions for cannabis-related offenses, and it freed up police resources to focus on more serious crimes. Additionally, the law helped to reduce the stigma associated with cannabis use.
Oregon's decriminalization law was an important moment in cannabis history. It helped to pave the way for the legalization of cannabis in other states and countries. Today, 19 states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for recreational use, and over 30 states have legalized medical marijuana.
The decriminalization of cannabis in Oregon is a reminder that positive change can happen when people come together and advocate for what they believe in. It is also a reminder that the war on drugs has been a failure, and that we need a new approach to drug policy.
1975: The first medical marijuana law is passed in the state of California.
In 1975, California passed the Compassionate Use Act, which was the first medical marijuana law in the United States. The law allowed patients with certain medical conditions to possess and use marijuana with the recommendation of a physician.
The passage of the Compassionate Use Act was a significant victory for the medical marijuana movement. It showed that there was a growing movement of people who supported the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and that this movement was not just limited to the counterculture.
The Compassionate Use Act also helped to pave the way for the legalization of medical marijuana in other states. Today, over 30 states have legalized medical marijuana, and millions of patients are using it to treat a variety of medical conditions.
The passage of the Compassionate Use Act in 1975 was an important moment in cannabis history. It helped to change public perceptions of marijuana and to lay the foundation for the legalization of medical and recreational cannabis in the United States.
1992: The state of California votes to legalize medical marijuana.
In 1992, California voters approved Proposition 215, which legalized the medical use of cannabis in the state. This was a landmark moment in cannabis history, as it was the first state in the United States to legalize medical marijuana.
Proposition 215 was passed in response to the growing body of research on the medicinal benefits of cannabis. At the time, there was evidence that cannabis could be used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including AIDS, cancer, and chronic pain.
The passage of Proposition 215 was a major victory for the medical marijuana movement. It showed that there was a growing movement of people who supported the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and that this movement was not just limited to the counterculture.
California's medical marijuana law also had a number of positive benefits. It allowed patients with chronic and debilitating medical conditions to access a safe and effective treatment option. It also helped to reduce the stigma associated with cannabis use.
The passage of Proposition 215 in 1992 was an important moment in cannabis history. It helped to pave the way for the legalization of medical marijuana in other states and countries. Today, over 30 states have legalized medical marijuana, and millions of patients are using it to treat a variety of medical conditions.
Why is it important to cannabis history?
The passage of Proposition 215 was a significant turning point in the history of cannabis legalization. It was the first time that a majority of voters in a state had explicitly approved the use of cannabis for medical purposes. This showed that public opinion on cannabis was changing, and that there was a growing appetite for legalization.
California's medical marijuana law also had a number of practical benefits. It created a legal framework for the cultivation, distribution, and use of medical cannabis. This helped to ensure that patients had access to safe and high-quality cannabis products. It also helped to create a new industry that generated jobs and tax revenue.
1996: The state of Colorado votes to legalize medical marijuana.
1998: The state of Washington votes to legalize medical marijuana.
2009: The US Department of Justice issues a memo directing federal prosecutors to focus on enforcing cannabis laws against large-scale trafficking operations and not to interfere with states that have legalized medical marijuana.
The 2009 US Department of Justice memo directing federal prosecutors to focus on enforcing cannabis laws against large-scale trafficking operations and not to interfere with states that have legalized medical marijuana was an important moment in cannabis history. It was the first time that the federal government had explicitly acknowledged that states had the right to legalize medical marijuana, and it signaled a shift in federal enforcement priorities.
The memo was issued by then-Attorney General Eric Holder in response to the growing number of states that had legalized medical marijuana. At the time, 14 states had legalized medical marijuana, and there was a growing movement to legalize recreational cannabis as well.
The memo set forth a number of guidelines for federal prosecutors. First, the memo directed prosecutors to focus on enforcing cannabis laws against large-scale trafficking operations, rather than individuals who were using or possessing cannabis for medical purposes in states where it was legal. Second, the memo instructed prosecutors not to interfere with states that had legalized medical marijuana, as long as those states had strong regulatory systems in place.
The memo was a major victory for the cannabis reform movement. It showed that the federal government was finally willing to respect the rights of states to set their own cannabis policies. It also helped to reduce the risk of federal prosecution for medical marijuana patients and businesses.
The memo had a number of positive benefits. It helped to create a more stable and predictable environment for the medical marijuana industry. It also helped to reduce the stigma associated with cannabis use. Additionally, the memo helped to pave the way for the legalization of recreational cannabis in other states.
The 2009 US Department of Justice memo was an important moment in cannabis history. It helped to change public perceptions of cannabis and to lay the foundation for the legalization of medical and recreational cannabis in the United States.
2012: The state of Colorado becomes the first state to legalize recreational cannabis and Washington becomes the 2nd
The legalization of recreational cannabis in Colorado and Washington in 2012 was a historic moment in cannabis history. It was the first time that any state in the United States had legalized recreational cannabis, and it marked a significant turning point in the national debate over cannabis policy.
The legalization of recreational cannabis in Colorado and Washington was the culmination of decades of activism by the cannabis reform movement. Activists had been working for years to change public perceptions of cannabis and to build support for legalization. The success of their efforts in Colorado and Washington was a major victory for the movement.
The legalization of recreational cannabis in Colorado and Washington has had a number of positive benefits. It has created a new industry that has generated jobs and tax revenue. It has also helped to reduce crime and to improve public health. Additionally, it has helped to change public perceptions of cannabis and to reduce the stigma associated with cannabis use.
The success of Colorado and Washington in legalizing recreational cannabis has inspired other states to follow suit. In the years since 2012, 19 other states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational cannabis. This progress would not have been possible without the early leadership of Colorado and Washington.
The legalization of recreational cannabis in Colorado and Washington is important to cannabis history because it marked a turning point in the national debate over cannabis policy. It showed that there was a growing public appetite for legalization, and it helped to pave the way for other states to legalize cannabis.
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, the legalization of recreational cannabis in Colorado and Washington has also had a number of other positive impacts. For example, it has led to a decrease in the number of people arrested for cannabis-related offenses, and it has also led to an increase in tax revenue that can be used to fund important public services.
Overall, the legalization of recreational cannabis in Colorado and Washington has been a success. It has shown that cannabis can be legalized and regulated in a safe and responsible manner, and it has paved the way for other states to follow suit.
2013: Uruguay becomes the first country in the world to legalize recreational cannabis.
In 2013, Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize recreational cannabis. This was a historic moment in cannabis history, and it marked a significant turning point in the global debate over cannabis policy.
The legalization of recreational cannabis in Uruguay was the culmination of years of work by the cannabis reform movement. Activists in Uruguay had been working to change public perceptions of cannabis and to build support for legalization for many years. Their success in 2013 was a major victory for the movement.
The legalization of recreational cannabis in Uruguay has had a number of positive benefits. It has created a new industry that has generated jobs and tax revenue. It has also helped to reduce crime and to improve public health. Additionally, it has helped to change public perceptions of cannabis and to reduce the stigma associated with cannabis use.
The success of Uruguay in legalizing recreational cannabis has inspired other countries to follow suit. In the years since 2013, Canada, Mexico, and the Netherlands have all legalized recreational cannabis. Additionally, many other countries are considering or have already decriminalized cannabis.
The legalization of recreational cannabis in Uruguay is important to cannabis history because it marked the first time that a country had legalized cannabis for all adults. It showed that there was a growing international appetite for legalization, and it helped to pave the way for other countries to follow suit.
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, the legalization of recreational cannabis in Uruguay has also had a number of other positive impacts. For example, it has led to a decrease in the number of people arrested for cannabis-related offenses, and it has also led to an increase in tax revenue that can be used to fund important public services.
The legalization of recreational cannabis in Uruguay is a significant milestone in cannabis history. It is a reminder that progress is possible, and that the world is slowly but surely moving towards a more enlightened approach to cannabis policy.
2014: Canada legalizes medical marijuana.
2018: Canada becomes the first G7 country to legalize recreational cannabis.
Canada's 2018 cannabis legalization marked a turning point in the history of cannabis. As the first developed nation to embrace recreational use, it conveyed a powerful global message: cannabis legalization can be achieved safely and responsibly.
The impact of Canada's cannabis legalization has been far-reaching. It birthed a thriving industry, generating billions in tax revenue and thousands of jobs. Simultaneously, it contributed to a decline in cannabis-related arrests, offering Canadians a legal and secure means of accessing cannabis.
On the international stage, Canada's groundbreaking move altered the dynamics of the global cannabis discussion. It proved that responsible cannabis legalization is possible without dire consequences. Consequently, other nations, such as Mexico, Uruguay, and the Netherlands, were encouraged to follow suit, either through full legalization or decriminalization.
Moreover, Canada's cannabis legalization played a vital role in reshaping public perceptions of cannabis. For years, it had been stigmatized as a dangerous substance with no legitimate applications. However, Canada's example demonstrated that cannabis can be safely and responsibly integrated into society, offering numerous benefits.
In sum, Canada's historic cannabis legalization event has left an indelible mark on the cannabis narrative. It definitively showcased that cannabis can be legalized responsibly and safely, prompting a shift in public attitudes and paving the way for other nations to explore similar paths.
2019: The US House of Representatives passes the MORE Act, which would decriminalize cannabis at the federal level and expunge federal cannabis convictions. The bill is currently pending in the Senate.
I will update this at the end of 2023, since there were plenty of other important things that happened post pandemic that I will dedicate an entire article to those events. Look for that in December of 2023.
THE FIRST CANNABIS USER IN HISTORY, READ ON...
