Mary Jane

7 Pages 1826 Words

Marijuana

Throughout history marijuana has been used to serve various purposes
in many different cultures. The purposes have changed over time to fit in
with the current lifestyles. This pattern is also true in American history.
The use of marijuana has adapted to the social climate of the time.

Marijuana, whose scientific name is cannibis sativa, was mentioned in
historical manuscripts as early as 2700 B. C. in China. (Grolier
Electronic Encyclopedia, 1995). The cultivation of the marijuana plant
began as far back as the Jamestown settlers, around 1611, who used
hemp produced from the marijuana plant's fibers to make rope and
canvas. It was also used in making clothing because of it's durability.
These uses fit in with the social climate of the time, because the main
focus was on survival rather than for psychoactive purposes.

During the prohibition, marijuana was widely used because of the
scarcity of alcohol. Prohibition was repealed after just thirteen years
while the prohibition against marijuana lasted for more than seventy five
years. This double standard may have resulted from the wishes of those
in power. Alcohol prohibition struck directly at tens of millions of
Americans of all ages, including many of societies most powerful
members. Marijuana prohibition threatened far fewer Americans, and
they had relatively little influence in the districts of power. Only the
prohibition of marijuana, which some sixty million Americans have
violated since 196...