“Close to 40% of high school students in North America have used marijuana once in their lifetime, and 20% report using it on a regular basis.” Mariguana (Spanish for “intoxicant”) is “the most commonly used illicit drug”. “Marijuana” consists of the dried leaves of a hemp plant and usually refers to hemp’s religious, medicinal and recreational use, while “cannabis” is the fibrous part of the hemp plant, and refers its industrial and commercial use. Marijuana has been used for centuries for diverse purposes: industrially, religiously, medicinally and recreationally. It has and continues to play an important role in Western History. How did marijuana evolve from being a highly regarded industrial product to being used religiously, medicinally and recreationally? This research paper will trace the evolution of marijuana use through Western History with a focus on its use in various countries, and conclude with the recent controversy in North America about the use of medical marijuana.
Industrial Use
Many centuries before widespread recreational marijuana, it was used industrially - first in Asia and later in Europe. The hemp plant was used as a fiber and then later as a fabric, cloth, and paper. Hemp fiber was first reported being used in Taiwan in 8000 BC to decorate clay pots followed by its use as bowstrings by Ancient Chinese archers, and subsequently for the creation of rope in Southern Russia. The invention of rope was an enormous technological advance which
Marijuana was in the United States Pharmacopeia from 1850 until 1942 and was prescribed to patients for various conditions including labor pains, nausea and rheumatism. During the 1850’s up to the 1930’s it was a very popular intoxicant. A movement conducted in the 1930’s by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Narcotics (presently the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs) fought to make marijuana appear to be an Addicting and powerful substance that would lead
The origins of The Cannabis use began in the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung in 2727 B.C. While in the Middle East, the use of cannabis spread throughout the Islamic Empire to North America. In 1545, the cannabis spread through the county; Chile began to use the drug as a fiber. Consequently, cannabis grows throughout tropical and humid parts of the world. The seeds have been used as animal food, fiber for hemp rope and oil as a vehicle for paint ("Cannabis, Coca, and Poppy").
About thirty years into the nearer future, Americans rediscovered marijuana as a result of the notorious alcohol prohibition of the 1920s when “people looking for oblivion from their own troubles turned to a new way of getting high.” Consequently and realistically, America can only blame itself for marijuana’s recreational popularity, seeing as “from 1850 to 1945, the … plant was listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia.” Almost a decade after the alcohol prohibition ended is when marijuana was first perceived “as a dangerous, addictive, ‘gateway drug’” by the United States Federal Bureau of Narcotics. Then, “in 1970, the Controlled Substances Act was passed … [which] classified marijuana, [alongside Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)] and heroin, as a Schedule I drug, meaning that [the drug] had a high risk of abuse [with] no acceptable medicinal use.” Within the following decade, “marijuana use in the United States declined,” then once again escalating among youth in the nineties. Meanwhile in modern-day India, people are still practicing marijuana medicinally, and exploring what advantages the “dangerous” drug has to offer (Chapter 2: The History of Marijuana 18-31).
A group of discoverers uncovered hemp cord pottery at an ancient village dating back to around 8,000 B.C. Hemp was one of the oldest known agrarian crops. There were traces of hemp use and cultivation located in the area of modern day Taiwan. (10,000-year History) “Agriculture is not natural; it is a human invention. It is also the basis of modern civilization.” (Hamilton, Richard) 2009 Scientific American article pg. 1: Throughout history, people have used hemp as a source of fiber. Hemp was brought over to Europe between 1000-2000 B.C. Eventually, the crop was brought to South America around 1545 for plantation growing. Almost all hemp produce in the United States was located in Kentucky until 1912. (Small, Ernest and Marcus, David)
Cannabis originated from Central Asia generations ago, with references to Cannabis dating back to medical and religious Chinese and Indian texts. Cannabis was also used in the West as hemp fibre, for industrial purposes, before it was used for medical use by W.B. O’Shaughnessy. Through this essay, I will be evaluating cannabis as a recreational drug, which has occurred since the 1840’s seen in hashish clubs and bars, and will be analysing the advantages and disadvantages of the legalisation and criminalisation of
Cannabis otherwise known as marihuana is a plant that has been on the earth for millions of years. History examines its use in many old traditional practices of medicine. However, over the last century society has placed a stigma on those who use marihuana for recreational use. This stigma is associated with criminal and deviant behaviour. As marihuana becomes further researched, the normalcy of the drug has become more popular within the medical community. Although marihuana is being used for medicinal purposes the stigma still exists due to the legal status of this drug. To understand the current state of marihuana, this paper will examine an understanding of what cannabis (marihuana) is, the history behind it, the usage and societal attitudes towards
The history of marijuana is quite interesting. Marijuana has gone from being an important crop of the early settlers, to being outlawed in many countries, including the United States. To better understand marijuana, I will trace it back to its origins, and explain how marijuana was used in the beginning. I will then take a closer look at the history of marijuana in the United States and how this plant has evolved over the years. An interesting fact that one should ponder is that ?in 1762 Virginia imposed penalties on those who did not produce it [marijuana]? (Sloman 21). This is quite a contrast to how marijuana is treated today. If one is caught growing, selling, or even using marijuana, there is consequences
In this research paper, we will be discussing one specific herb, Marijuana, as there are many misconceptions around it rendering it illegal, and we will attempt to argue with its unfounded illegality. What is Marijuana? Where, how and why is it consumed? What are recurrent misconceptions? First, we will be talking about the origins of the plant and where it is mainly found and grown, then we’ll be discussing the various uses for it and its effects on consumers, to finish off with its legality and position in today’s
The validity of marijuana decriminalization (and even legalization) is illustrated in the following analysis of the social, fiscal, political, and medical attributes and conceptions associated with the drug. Marijuana has been used for thousands of years, in 2008; archeologists discovered over two pounds of cannabis in a 2,700-year-old grave of a shaman found in Central Asia. (Armentano, 1) Should marijuana be legalized or at least decriminalized in America? The following information may give the reader a reason to consider scenarios inconsistent with current policies.
The use of marijuana plants is believed to have begun as early as 2737 B.C., though it was likely used long before the first written reference was discovered. The first text to mention marijuana was found in China and focused on it's medicinal properties. It was used to treat a host of conditions such as malaria, dysenterry, gout, forgetfulness and insomnia.
Howdy, today Sara, Shelby, Jessica, Royce and I will be discussing why the rise of marijuana is so popular in the world and United States, as well as some of the issues within the United States that are specific with marijuana. Introduction: Attention: I want you to think about what comes to your mind when you hear the word marijuana and how your thought would vary if you lived 4,000 years ago. I am sure you were not thinking about the cannabis plant that could also produce more beneficial worldwide items such as fabric and fiber, lighting oil, or even paper.
Marijuana has become a widely discussed topic within our society today. History has shown marijuana was and currently still looked down upon by society; yet there has been serious thought about the legalization oqf marijuana today. In 1545, marijuana was brought to American by the Spanish although it was not introduced until 1611 (Narconcon, 2010). During this period marijuana become a major commercial crop as was tobacco; marijuana was seen as a source of fiber to the settlers of Jamestown. Although, by 1890 marijuana had been replaced as a major cash crop by the production and distribution of cotton; marijuana was also used in medicines during 1890. (Narconcon, 2010). However it was only in a small percentage of medicines used during that time.
Medicinal marijuana is an ever-growing issue in the medical world. There are strong arguments supporting both the pros and cons of marijuana but due to strict regulations by the federal government there is little research available to make an educated decision concerning its use. This essay will explore the history of marijuana and the laws that were implemented to regulate its use, ultimately leading to it being listed as Schedule I drug. The medical benefits of marijuana will also be reviewed through its positive effects on a variety of illnesses. Finally, it examines the legalization of marijuana in twenty-nine states and touches on the aforementioned regulations of its use by the federal government.
Cannabis, formally known as marijuana is a drug obtained from the tops, stems and leaves of the hemp plant cannabis. The drug is one of the most commonly used drugs in the world. Only substances like caffeine, nicotine and alcohol are used more (“Marijuana” 1). In the U. S. where some use it to feel “high” or get an escape from reality. The drug is referred to in many ways; weed, grass, pot, and or reefer are some common names used to describe the drug (“Marijuana” 1). Like most drugs, marijuana has a very long history. People have been using the plant around the world for thousands of years. The oldest record of the marijuana plant dates back to 2727 B. C. in China where the plant was used as a medical herb for treating conditions like rheumatism, gout, malaria and even absent-mindedness (“Cannabis, Coca, & Poopy: Nature’s Addictive Plants” 1). Slowly, the plant started spreading around the world. By 1545, cannabis was starting to appear throughout the western worlds. Being introduced to South America by the Spanish to be used as fiber. The crop also had many other common uses around the world. In North America, cannabis was often used to make paper, ropes, clothing and other materials (“The Origins of Cannabis” 1).
Cannabis has been in human history for centuries. It not only in biographies written by various people throughout history since the 17th century but there are also some cultures such as the native American culture used marijuana as part of their religious practice. Today marijuana plays a major role in our society, whether national or local, it has touched our lives in some ways. Even now it is major pint in political debate. As of now marijuana is legal in 30 states in the United States nd has been and now is considered to have medicinal purposes and benefits. Although marijuana in medicine is poorly researched and awareness is key the main purpose of this essay is to aware the people of its uses and potential. Marijuana consistently proves it worth such as helping certain patients for example patients with glaucoma or restriction of the eyes blood vessels and many other health concerns. Also being that cannabis is a plant and that when medicated it goes through certification not only is it legal but a s natural as it gets so the main point is that marijuana is medicine and here are some factors to lighten the path as to why.