Today, millions of people around the United States will celebrate the day known as “4/20”, an unofficial day given to the use of smoking marijuana. In the past few years, the idea of cannabis being legalized in the U.S. has become a reality in 8 states, while a lot of remaining states have hard set rules against the use of it within a medical and recreational area.To see how we have gotten here, we must first look at the history of drug law in the U.S.
1600-1800’s
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The domestic production of hemp was encouraged, since the benefits boosted the local economy of the colonies and it had multiple uses.
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In 1619 the Virginia Assembly passed law that every farmer was required to grow hemp and it was exchanged as legal tender in Virginia and Maryland.
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After the Civil War, marijuana was used in popular medical remedies and was sold over the counter all over the United States.
1906
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Required labeling of any cannabis contained in over-the-counter remedies.
1920’s
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Mexican immigrants started arriving into the United States after the Mexican Revolution of 1910, officially introducing Americans to the recreational use of marijuana. The drug became associated with the immigrants, and the fear about them became associated with marijuana.
1930
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Harry Anslinger becomes head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and introduces the idea of “Marijuana Menace” and terrible crimes were attributed to marijuana and the Mexicans who used it.
- Introducing the use of marijuana with violence, crime and other socially deviant behaviors, primarily committed by “racially inferior” or underclass communities. By 1931, 29 states had outlawed marijuana.
1936
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A propaganda film against marijuana, “Reefer Madness” came out, which subsequently made the use of narcotics in film illegal.
1937
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The Marijuana Tax Act is enacted, effectively making marijuana illegal in the United States.
1940’s
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“HEMP FOR VICTORY” became a slogan during World War II, due to the scarcity of other materials. Farmers were given seeds and encouraged to plant hemp.
1951-6
- Strict sentencing laws were enacted, causing a shift. A first-offense marijuana possession carried a minimum sentence of 2-10 years with a fine of up to $20,000.
1960’s
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The counterculture of the 60’s gave a new attitude towards marijuana, one that was more lenient among the youth. Use of the drug became widespread in the white upper middle class
1970
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The minimum sentences of the 1950’s were repealed, since the passing of them did not truly make a difference with the use among the population.
1980’s
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The War On Drugs became a surge of criminalization and negative view towards drugs, particularly marijuana. With Nancy Reagan’s slogan of “Just Say No”, a new wave created the overall attitude of the 80’s and 90’s.
1986
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The Anti-Drug Abuse Act was enacted by President Ronald Reagan. This has been one of the biggest causes of the criminal system of today and the view of marijuana by many states. With items such as the “three strikes” rule, the 100 grams, and more, it has created a massive surge of the prison system.
1989
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President Bush announces in a nationally televised speech a resurgence of the War on Drugs, and asks Americans to join him.
1996
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California voters passed Proposition 215 allowing for the sale and medical use of marijuana for patients with AIDS, cancer, and other serious and painful diseases.
2012
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Colorado and Washington become the first states to legalize recreational marijuana use.
2017
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As of 4/20/2017 these states have legalized medical marijuana: Montana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Arizona, New Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont and Hawaii.
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These states have legalized recreational use: Maine, Massachusetts, Colorado, Washington, California, Nevada and Alaska.