Medicinal Cannabis:

Past, Present, and Future

History

Cannabis started it's journey to illegality in 1937, via the Marijuana Tax Act. It taxed anyone who dealt commercially in Cannabis or Hemp. [1] In the 1950's, Congress passed the Boggs and the Narcotics Control Act. It laid down mandatory sentences for drug offenders, including marijuana possessors and distributors. [1]

History

In the 1980's Ronald Reagan struck down on recreational drugs use with his renowned War on Drugs, which budgeted $1.7 billion to fund the War on Drugs and specified a mandatory minimum penalty for drug offenses, including Cannabis possession. [2] In the end, this plan did very little to reduce the amount of drugs on the street, and resulted in a financial burden for America.

History

Tensions since the 1980's have eased towards Marijuana, (despite the occasional Above the Influence PSA ads and slogans), and despite tradition and staunchness in the older crowd of lawmakers, multiple states have legalized medicinal use of Cannabis, starting with California in 1996.

Development Up To Present

Originally, smoking Marijuana was thought to be not only dangerous, but morally wrong. 50's movies such as Reefer Madness filled youth culture minds with lies and misinterpretations that led people to believe Cannabis was something it wasn't.

Development Up To Present

Studies show that Marijuana is not harmful.

Previous records that had showed Marijuana WAS indeed harmful were conducted on monkeys wearing gas masks. These monkeys were forced to continuously inhale Cannabis smoke without sufficient amounts of oxygen. The experiment showed loss of brain cells, but this result is purely attributed to suffocation.

Development Up To Present

Studies show that Marijuana has medicinal benefits. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can be used for pain relief, nausea, appetite stimulation, and even Glaucoma treatment. [3] Research also shows THC prevents the formation of deposits in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease better than any other commercial drug on the market. [4]

Development Up To Present
Additional benefits of THC include: [3]

Reduced spasticity in MS patients. Pain relief in multiple diseases, including HIV/AIDS. Ability to fight and reduce harmful brain and breast cancer cells. Often THC can provide relief to patients better than prescription drugs, and with less harmful side effects.

Present

Currently, there are 20 states that have medicinal marijuana laws and/or decriminalization laws enacted. Two states, Washington and Colorado, have legalized recreational use of Cannabis, allowing any citizen to legally posses up to two ounces of dried cannabis and grow up to 3 plants at a time.

Present

Currently, 10 states have pending medical marijuana legislation. These states include: Florida, Alabama, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, and West Virginia.

Present

Recent polls suggest 52% of Americans want to legalize recreational Cannabis use. [5] The amount of people who say smoking marijuana is morally wrong has also decreased dramatically since 2006. [6] The public has finally been informed with the truth, supported by scientific research. An open minded utopia of understanding is visible.

Future

The way the United States has recently been treating Cannabis is lining up with the rest of the world. Marijuana has been legal in coffee shops in Amsterdam for quite some time, and is legal, or at least decriminalized, in a number of other countries.

This country's government should be focusing it's efforts and resources on more important subjects. Marijuana smokers should not be a priority.

Future

Marijuana related crimes have been taking up valuable space in prisons across the United States. It is about time that America changes it's perspective about this situation.

We can hope that organizations such as NORML impact legislation at a state level. NORML has chapter meetings in every state, just click the hyperlink to find out more about getting involved!

Conclusion

It seems that Marijuana, much like gay marriage, is a taboo that will be legalized in the time it takes for the stubborn old law makers to die, or change their minds about the subject. With almost half of the states using legal cannabis, it shouldn't take more than a decade before all 50 states have decriminalized Cannabis use. If the people want something, they will get it. It just takes time. For now, the legitimate medicinal and recreational users of Cannabis in the remaining states must continue to stay elusive from the very same authority figure whom swore to protect us.

References

[1] Patrick Stack and Claire Suddath. A Brief History of Medical Marijuana. Time Magazine (2009): Web. 21 October 2009. [2] NPR Staff. Timeline: America's War on Drugs. Special Series (2007): Web. 2 April 2007. [3] Medical Uses of Cannabis and THC. 7 April 2013 [4] Lisa M. Eubanks, Claude J. Rogers, and Tobin J. Dickerson. Marijuana's Active Ingredient Shown to Inhibit Primary Marker of Alzheimer's Disease. News Release (2006): Web. 9 August 2006.

References

[5] Rebecca Fishbein. Majority of Americans Want Marijuana to be Legal, Survey Says. News (2013): Web. 5 April 2013. [6] Majority Now Supports Legalizing Marijuana. Publications (2013): Web. 4 April 2013.

* References without author title are left blank intentionally because no author was listed.*

[FIN]