History of Weed

The use of the Cannabis plant — also known as marijuana, weed, or hemp — for medicinal purposes has origins that date back to 2700 B.C. in China.

 

Its use spread from China to India and then to North Africa and reached Europe around 500 A.D.

 

According to FactMonster.com weed was a major crop grown as a source of fiber During World War II when Asian sources of hemp were cut off.

 

From 1850 until 1942 it was prescribed for various conditions including labor pains, nausea and rheumatism.

 

When the 1960s rolled around the drug became popular among college students and hippies and became the symbol of rebellion against authority or what was then called "The Man."

 

During this time period popular movies about the use and distribution of marijuana such as "Easy Rider" which was about two bikers who sell their drugs to "The Man" and travel east in hopes of making it to New Orleans in time for Mardi Gras, Cheech and Chong which is about a jobless drummer and a hippie who get caught with weed and sent to trial, but they get released on technicality because their judge was drunk. They get deported to Tijuana and in an attempt to get back to the U.S. get caught up in a smuggling ring.  

 

In 1970, the Controlled Substance Act was passed and marijuana was placed in the same category as LSD and heroin as a schedule I drug, meaning it served absolutely no medical purpose and had a high potential of abuse.

 

Between 1981 and 1993, Zero Tolerance laws were passed for the substance and if a person was caught with it, the law called for mandatory sentencing.

 

In May of 1999 the National Institute of Health released a policy that stated marijuana was needed for medical reasons. Soon after, the drug was being distributed to people who fell in the category for the need for weed.

 

In California people have been fighting to legalize marijuana for nearly four decades and the fight still goes on today.

 

According to the L.A. Times, U.S. Attorney general Eric Holder Jr. announced that the federal government will no longer raid medical marijuana dispensaries that are operating legally under state laws. This was applauded by medical marijuana advocates who had been trying for years to make this happen.