How Did We Get Here: A Brief History of Weed in America

You probably know a lot about weed, right? How much do you know about the history of weed in America? Who brought it here? How did we go from THC tonic in every medicine cabinet, to throwing millions of people in prison for possession of marijuana? Let’s take a trip in the way back machine and look at the history of weed in America.

How Did Weed Get Here?

By “here” I’m referring to America. Cannabis was used throughout the world for thousands of years. Burial sites over two thousand years old contained cannabis believed to be from the occupant’s personal stash. When I die, please bury me with my neon pink WeedStar double perc bong and some Blue Dream, please.

Cannabis came to the Americas by Spanish explorers in the mid 14th century. Cannabis did not become a major crop until the settlers of Jamestown began cultivating it in 1611. This was when cannabis became a major cash crop, almost as big as tobacco.

Hemp the Cash Crop

The reason why cannabis was so essential in Colonial America was because of hemp. Hemp was used for just about everything, from clothing to rope. It was even used as currency in some places. A decree was issued by the Virginia Company ordering the colonists to grow hemp to help the motherland. Even George Washington grew it.

Cannabis as a Popular Medicine

Post Civil War, hemp use had fallen out of style. Cannabis itself was a popular medicine that could be found in most households across America. Smoking hash was fashionable in many parts of Europe and made its way to late nineteenth century America.

Depression era nti-pot propaganda. Source: nuvo.com

Weed in the Early 20th Century

The Pure Food and Drug Act was passed in 1906, requiring labelling on all cannabis infused medicines. It was the first time any regulations were placed on cannabis. Smoking dried cannabis became popular after the Mexican Revolution, when Mexican immigrants pouring into America introduced it to the states.

It was during the 1920s and during the Depression that the demonization campaign against cannabis began. This started with the formation of the National Bureau of Narcotics and Harry Anslinger. The public were easy to manipulate because it was the middle of the Depression and people were feeling suspicious of immigrants at that time.

Prohibition

Cannabis prohibition began with the passing of the Marijuana Tax Act in 1937 by Harry Anslinger. The Act inflicted ridiculously large taxes on possession and cultivation of cannabis and hemp. During World War II the government issued tax waivers to people who grew hemp for war purposes. Possession of cannabis became a punishable offense in with the passing of the Boggs Act in 1952 and the Narcotics Control Act of 1956. The Controlled Substances Act passed in 1970. Now cannabis was a Schedule I drug,  in the same classification as heroin. Slowly states began decriminalizing cannabis and passing limited medical marijuana laws, such as California in 1996.

Legalization movements in individual states have for the most part been a success, with Colorado becoming the first state to legalize recreational cannabis in 2012. Today, 29 states and DC have legalized cannabis for either medical or recreational use. Someday, the rest of the US will follow suit. There is no reason for cannabis prohibition to continue. Prohibition destroys lives, rather than helps them. 

Featured Image Source: themjdirectory.com

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Weed in America has quite a history. Will they ever legalize? Tell us in the comments!

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