Introduction of Marijuana - 2257 Words

INTRODUCTION OF MARIJUANA INTO THE UNITED STATES The use of marijuana has been an active past time for thousands of years, however, it did not reach the United States until around 1912. A wave of Mexican immigrants was entering the country in the effort to find work; with them came marijuana. The use of marijuana was a normal custom among the Mexican people, but the White Americans in towns bordering Mexico saw the use of this particular plant in a different light. Fueled with racism and frustration associated with the lack of work for the American people, whites proclaimed that the smoking of marijuana gave the Mexicans super-human strength and transformed those who smoked it into violent murderers. With the increase in rumors†¦show more content†¦The negative propaganda eventually obtained a firm grasp on the minds of the American people, one by one, each state signed the Uniform State Narcotic Law; Anslinger’s method of exaggeration and manipulation went according plan. THE MARIJUANA STAMP ACT A frightened America demanded that society be protected by the threat of marijuana, and sought relief within the power of the federal government. On June 14, 1937, the Marijuana Tax Act was signed into law by President Roosevelt without any â€Å"public debate, scientific inquiry, or political objection† (Grass, 1999). The act prohibited the possession of any marijuana unless one also possessed a marijuana tax stamp which was provided by the Department of Treasury, however, in order to obtain a stamp act, one had to present to authorities his or her amount of marijuana, which was illegal in and of itself. Through this extremely misleading form of legislation, the Department of Treasury effectively made marijuana possession illegal, and subsequently lead to hundreds of arrests. LA GUARDIA VERSUS ANSLINGER The enactment of the Marijuana Stamp Act brought with it skepticism from many white Americans, especially in the northeast region of the country. Those who opposed the Stamp Act believed that its implementation brought with it the return of prohibition, an aspect of legislation they did not want to see in existence again (R.Show MoreRelatedINTRODUCTION Marijuana is a dried out weed that mixes the leaves, stems and even the flower of1100 Words   |  5 PagesINTRODUCTION Marijuana is a dried out weed that mixes the leaves, stems and even the flower of cannabis, or the hemp plant, which is then taken into the body by either smoking or eating. Marijuana was invented in 2737 B.C in china where it was used as treatment for malaria and absent- mindedness; it then got to United Kingdom in Jamestown in 1611, which was then seen as a cash crop. Marijuana is seen to be one of the most dangerous and addictive drugs in the United Kingdom. The amount of young teenagersRead MoreMarijuana Should Be Legalized Introduction Generally, throughout the globe there exists wide2400 Words   |  10 PagesMarijuana Should Be Legalized Introduction Generally, throughout the globe there exists wide ranging varieties of rules, laws and guidelines in relation to both the medical marijuana and marijuana in general. Accordingly, some states around the world have lenient laws when handling matter relating to medical marijuana and marijuana. For instance, countries such as the England and Australia, encourages the use of medical marijuana and have been noted to accord exemption of pursuing criminal chargesRead MoreIntroduction According to the World Drug Report 2012 (2012), Cannabis, (Marijuana), was the world’s3000 Words   |  12 PagesIntroduction According to the World Drug Report 2012 (2012), Cannabis, (Marijuana), was the world’s most widely produced, trafficked, and consumed drug in 2010. 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According to Noel Merino in, â€Å"Introduction to Gateway Drugs: Opposing Viewpoints†, â€Å"a drug is something other than food intended to affect the structure or function of the body†. Marijuana is a very controversial drug and has been outlawed in many countries for its affe ct on the function of the body. â€Å"Effects may involve hallucinationsRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1311 Words   |  6 PagesCannabis, otherwise known as Marijuana, is illegal in most parts of the world including the United States. However, the drug is now gaining acceptance worldwide as evidenced by the number of countries that are reducing or lifting penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. In the United States, there are a growing number of Americans demanding that marijuana be legalized medically. Although the federal government is presently opposed to legalizing marijuana, its legal status is changingRead MoreMedical Marijuana As A Treatment Option1733 Words   |  7 Pages INFORMATION SPEECH OUTLINE WORKSHEET Speech Title: Medical Marijuana as a Treatment Option Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the benefits of medical marijuana and why it should remain legal I. Introduction (Your goal here is to draw us into your speech...) A. Attention Material (This step helps us focus our attention on you and your message. It is suggested that you begin with a story, quote, statistic, definition, use of suspense, etc. Never begin with, Hi I am ___ and today IRead More Legalize The Weed Essay1240 Words   |  5 Pages Marijuana is the flower of the cannabis plant, and if smoked, gives the smoker an euphoric high, but really has much more to offer than just the high. Using marijuana and the growing of hemp are presently illegal in the United States, with the exception of medicinal uses in some states. The legalization of marijuana has many advantages including for simple personal enjoyment, the usage of hemp and its by-products, and medicinal purposes. Why should marijuana be illegal when people just use it toRead MoreSOC201 Session Long Project: Module 3 – Social Structure700 Words   |  3 PagesSession Long Project: Module 3 – Social Structure Group Conformity and the Decriminalization of Marijuana On December 6th, 2012, the state of Washington legalized the use and possession of marijuana by adults over the age of 21. There were already laws in place to provide for the medical use of marijuana before this date, therefore this new initiative (Initiative 502) pertained mainly to recreational marijuana users. According to a statement issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office the day prior to the