Today you might think that it is completely normal to use cannabis. Whether it is for recreational use or for medical reasons, cannabis is not viewed as something threatening anymore, much less as something illegal. However, this didn’t use to be the case in the past, particularly in the US.

Cannabis was for a long time considered as a gateway drug. Its bad reputation was connected with having a negative influence on the youth by inspiring them to act irresponsibly and commit crimes. The propaganda led against cannabis has taken its toll, but the industry is still suffering.

With more and more states in the US making recreational use legal, we are entering a brand new era. Most states have acknowledged the positive effects of cannabis. The fact that there are  more cannabis dispensaries than McDonald’s or Starbucks shops in Colorado speaks volumes about the change in the mindset of the people.

So, let’s see how things came to be this way and explore the history of cannabis.

Ancient History of Cannabis

The plant’s origin can be traced way back to 500 BC in Asia, and it spread across the world from there. Evidence shows that cannabis was used in other cultures as well, including Indians, Persians, Muslims, Romans, and ancient Greeks.

However, the early use of cannabis was mainly for medicinal purposes and fabric production, not enjoyment. Early cultures used it to treat ailments like inflammation, malaria, gout, or as an anesthetic. Eventually, some societies used the psychoactive effects of cannabis for certain rituals and religious ceremonies.

How Did Cannabis Arrive in the US?

Many experts believe that the Spanish colonists introduced cannabis to North America in the 16th century. This is supported by the fact that early colonists on the American continent grew hemp for different usage. Its widest use was to make clothes and rope. There is even evidence that says that the founding fathers George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp on their land.

Nevertheless, the history of cannabis in the US is very tumultuous. The following lines show just how badly cannabis was marketed and how this influenced people’s opinion about it.

Cannabis and Racial Undertones

Certain theories suggest that the stigma about cannabis use is related to the government connecting it to dangerous minority groups in the US. Even today, many people wrongly accuse African Americans, Mexicans, Filipinos and certain demographics for using addictive substances.

In the past, rising racial tension towards the people of color additionally contributed to the federal regulation of cannabis.

An article titled “More Reefer Madness,” published by the Atlantic gave a detailed explanation about the origin of cannabis hatred. The government sought to demonize cannabis use in order to deal with immigrants coming from Mexico to the US after the Revolution in 1910 and the growing population of African Americans in the country. Many of the immigrants who came from Mexico traditionally smoked cannabis for medicinal and recreational purposes. In short, the government undermined their behavior and created prejudice towards cannabis use and against the coming minorities at the same time.

Leaders of the prohibition of the time even stated that there were 100,000 cannabis users back then and that most of them were African Americans.  

Cannabis Banned

Some of the first steps that led to banning cannabis use were through a movie called Reefer Madness. The movie was released in 1936 and raised parental concerns over cannabis use. It spread additional fear through the United States, making parents fear for their children’s health and safety.

Fueled by this campaign and backed up by worried parents, the Marijuana Tax Act was brought in 1937. The act proposed heavy taxation on sales, transportation, and possession of hemp. This act also led to the first cannabis-related arrest in the US of a farmer who was caught selling it.

In 1970, President Richard Nixon’s campaigned promptly called War on Drugs issued the Controlled Substances Act. The act labeled cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug and put it alongside other much addictive and dangerous substances like LSD and heroin. 

Unfortunately, cannabis is still labeled as a Schedule 1 drug even today. 

First Steps of Legalization

However, you can’t hide the truth forever, and cannabis medical benefits began to emerge.

In 1996, California became the first state to legalize the medical use of cannabis through the Compassionate Use Act. Patients with chronic illnesses were allowed to use cannabis for medicinal purposes.

Other states followed suit with Oregon, Maine, Washington, and Alaska legalizing cannabis for medical use. Washington DC quickly joined as well. Currently, there are 33 states that have legalized the medical use of cannabis.

Further legalization advancements came in 2012 when Washington State and Vermont became the first two states who voted for legalizing recreational use of cannabis. Thus Colorado’s Proposition 64 was made, allowing possession for adults (21 and older) and business sale legal.

This prompted other states to join. Today there are already 11 states in the US where recreational use of cannabis is legal.

Cannabis Today

Today, the cannabis industry is one of the fastest developing industries in the US. Last year alone, it earned about $13.8 billion, which is four times more compared to the year prior. Estimates show that the cannabis industry is sure to generate a revenue of about $32 billion by the year 2022. Today, 60% of American citizens are in favor of cannabis use of any kind.

The You can’t argue the facts. Cannabis is no longer viewed as a dangerous substance as it was once marketed as. It is regaining its reputation and coming back to its own. As many realize that cannabis has a lot of positive health effects and that it is not only used for making you feel happy, its use will start to spread even more.