The Incredible (-ly Frustrating) History of Cannabis

1890s

Cannabis has a setback due to being lumped in the same category with other components found in patent medicine, many of which were dangerous to humans. Since there is not proper labeling and testing it’s basically impossible for consumers to know what ingredients are in what, and if they are beneficial or harmful to the body.

1906

President Roosevelt signs the Pure Food and Drug Act into law, which requires the labeling of ingredients used in over- the-counter medicines. This has a strong negative impact on cannabis as it is labeled as poison if it’s non-medical.

1910

A rough year for cannabis as the term “marihuana” is born. This was termed after the Mexican Revolution as many Mexican immigrants cross the border and enjoy the recreational use of cannabis. “Marihuana” becomes a popular word to use by anti-drug crusaders to incite fear by associating the word with “dangerous Mexicans” and the immigrant population.

“Controlling cannabis is seen as a way of institutionally enforcing prejudice, anger, and resentment toward the Spanish- speaking users of the plant. Just as regulating opium usage had helped authorities control Chinese immigrants in the Gold-Rush era, criminalizing cannabis becomes part of the effort to control Hispanic immigrants.” – Source: Green Flower

1913

California becomes the first state to pass a State law prohibiting cannabis usage. The law is used by authorities to deport Hispanic immigrants easily. By 1930, 30 states have created similar anti-cannabis statutes. The same fear mongering is used in the eastern states, but against African Americans, in particular jazz musicians, who “use cannabis to take advantage of White women.”

1930s

The Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) is formed to regulate and criminalize all recreational drugs. This is where things get interesting. We see many large companies such as DuPont Chemical Company, numerous oil companies, and timber farm owners like William Randolph Hearst get onboard with the efforts. This is because they know the potential of cannabis, in particular industrial hemp, and the competition it would create against plastics, nylons, and traditional paper.

Unfortunately, William Randolph Hearst was a newspaper publisher and tycoon and used his 26 different newspapers to spread lies around the country about cannabis:

“Marihuana makes fiends of boys in thirty days.”

“Hashish goads users to bloodlust.”

1937

The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 is passed in congress. Although they received many objections from the American Medical Association, the act is passed largely in part from lawmakers using Hearst’s fake headlines as facts and basis to do so.

This Act officially establishes the position of Drug Czar, as Harry J. Anslinger is appointed to the position. He is very anti- cannabis and makes claims that it causes violent crimes, irrational actions, and overly sexual behavior. He is very outspoken to the press and constantly taking shots at the plant. Interestingly enough, Anslinger’s uncle, Andrew Mellon, was President Hoover’s Treasury Secretary and the primary investor in DuPont Chemical Company…

The newly formed Federal Bureau of Narcotics, with Anslinger leading the way, produce many propaganda films spreading false claims and using racism and fear to convince the public of the dangers of cannabis.

The final blow comes on August 3rd when President Roosevelt signs a law into place that makes possession or transfer of cannabis illegal in the United States. Medical and industrial uses are still allowed, although now there is an excise tax on all sales of hemp. To make matters worse, a few years later in 1942, cannabis is removed from the US Pharmacopoeia completely.

1950s

Beatnik culture begins to emerge. Dressed in black clothes, complete with berets and turtlenecks, beatniks (called so for snapping their fingers to create a beat) love to frequent jazz shows and coffee shops. They’re known for their emotional poetry and for being “potheads.”

1960s