FREE ESSAY ON MARIJUANA

MARIJUANA

Throughout history marijuana has been used to serve various purposes in many different
cultures. The purposes have changed over time to fit in with the current lifestyles. This
pattern is also true in American history. The use of marijuana has adapted to the social
climate of the time. 
Marijuana, whose scientific name is cannibis sativa, was mentioned in historical
manuscripts as early as 2700 B. C. in China. (Grolier Electronic Encyclopedia, 1995). The
cultivation of the marijuana plant began as far back as the Jamestown settlers, around
1611, who used hemp produced from the marijuana plant's fibers to make rope and canvas.
It was also used in making clothing because of it's durability. These uses fit in with
the social climate of the time, because the main focus was on survival rather than for
psychoactive purposes.
During the prohibition, marijuana was widely used because of the scarcity of alcohol.
Prohibition was repealed after just thirteen years while the prohibition against
marijuana lasted for more than seventy five years. This double standard may have resulted
from the wishes of those in power. Alcohol prohibition struck directly at tens of
millions of Americans of all ages, including many of societies most powerful members.
Marijuana prohibition threatened far fewer Americans, and they had relatively little
influence in the districts of power. Only the prohibition of marijuana, which some sixty
million Americans have violated since 1965 has come close to approximating the
prohibition experience, but marijuana smokers consist mostly of young and relatively
powerless Americans (American Heritage, pg 47). Alcohol prohibition was repealed and
marijuana prohibition was retained, not because scientists had proved that alcohol was
the 
less dangerous of the various psychoactive drugs, but because of the prejudices and
preferences of most Americans (American Heritage, pg 47). 
In 1937 the government issued the Marijuana Tax Act, which levied a dollar an ounce tax
on marijuana, coupled with fines of $2,000 for drug posession and jail sentences for
evasion of the tax. For this reason marijuana use in the United States appears to have
gone into decline in the late 30's (Grolier Wellness Encyclopedia, pg 54). Then marijuana
was outlawed in 1937 as a repressive measure against Mexican workers who crossed the
border seekingjobs during the Depression. The specific reason given for the outlawing of
the hemp plant was it's supposed violent effect on the degenerate races (Schaffer, pg.
86). 
Beginning in the 60's marijuana use saw a resurgence which may be attributed to many
causes. One of the main causes was the rebellion of youth against the Vietnam War. They
used marijuana as an escape from war to peace. It was easy at this time to depict
marijuana as a beneficial and completely harmless substance whose effects were far less
harmful than those of legal drugs such as alcohol and nicotine because there was not
enough scientific research done during the 60's (Grolier Wellness Encyclopedia, pg 54). 
Another cause may have been the discovery of the psychoactive component of marijuana-
tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC. Users found the relation between the doses
and the effects (Grolier Electronic Publishing, 1995). 
The current atmosphere provides for doctors to suggest synthetic marijuana (THC) in a
pure and standardized form by perscription (called Marinol) for the treatment of nausea
associated with cancer chemotherapy. Also, although there 
is no scientific evidence that shows marijuana is beneficial in the treatment of
glaucoma, it may prevent the progression of visual loss. Marijuana, along with alcohol
and a host of other substances, can actually lower intraocular eye pressure. The
mediction however, must be carefully tailored to the individual to prevent further eye
damage. 
The evidence has clearly shown that marijuana has been around for a great deal of time
and has served multiple purposes throughout history. 
Sources
Grolier Electronic Encylopedia, Electronic Publishing, Inc., 1995 
Grolier Wellness Encyclopedia, Drugs, Society & Behavior. Vol. 3, 1992. 
Ethan A. Nadelmann, American Heritage Magazine, Feb-Mar, 1993. 
Medical Marijuana, http://www.lec.org/Drug_Watch/
Public/Documents/Med_Marijuana_Paper.htm, 1995.