American history marijuana

Masto, D.F. Opium and Marijuana in American History," Sci. Amer., 40 (July, 1991). 

Let s take a quick look at hemp and marijuana through American history, beginning with the colonists fresh from their trip from England. 

D. F. Musto, Opium, cocaine and marijuana in American history, Scientific American, 40 (July 1991). 

Cannabis plants have been grown for hemp fiber for thousands of years. Hemp was grown in all of the American colonies before and after independence and formed a valuable raw material throughout American history until the end of World War II. The varieties of cannabis plants used for fiber contain only small amounts of the psychotropic ingredients found in the varieties that produce marijuana. 

A year of considerable importance to this history is 1930, when Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon appointed his niece s husband Commissioner of the newly created U.S. Narcotics Bureau. Harry J. Anslinger reigned as Commissioner for three decades. Anslinger was to the inhibition of Cannabis use what Andrew Comstock had at the turn of the century been to the inhibition of American sexual freedom. Although not particularly concerned about marijuana when he took office, he soon became obsessed with "the evils of this weed, seeing a curse for humanity in the leaves and flowers of the Cannabis plant. 

The long history of marijuana use both as a recreational drug and as an herbal medicine for centuries has been reviewed (3). Cannabis sativa contains more than 450 substances and only a few of the main active cannabinoids have been evaluated. Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug. In 2001, 83 million Americans and 37% of those aged 12 and older had tried marijuana (4). 

Richard J. Bonnie and Charles H. Whitebread II, The Forbidden Fruit and the Tree of Knowledge An Inquiry into the Legal History of American Marijuana Prohibition, Virginia Law Review 56, no. 6, October 1970, p. 53. 

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