Latest In

News

Cannabis In The Post-Prohibition Era

Despite the fact that cannabis has a long history as a medicine in many countries around the world, including the United States, the political climate in the early twentieth century was not friendly to cannabis or hemp, creating the ideal conditions for cannabis in the post-prohibition era, with the mingling of unstable medicine, racism, greed, and power.

Author:Suleman Shah
Reviewer:Han Ju
Dec 04, 202234 Shares1.1K Views
Despite the fact that cannabis has a long historyas a medicine in many countries around the world, including the United States, the political climate in the early twentieth century was not friendly to cannabis or hemp, creating the ideal conditions for cannabis in the post-prohibition era, with the mingling of unstable medicine, racism, greed, and power.
Cannabis production and consumption were on the wane in the Western world by the end of the nineteenth century. Steamships replaced hemp sails, while doctors preferred the consistency of chemically manufactured medications such as aspirin. When the Pure Food and Drug Act was passed in 1906, stricter labeling requirements meant that many tinctures now listed cannabis alongside opium and cocaine. Cannabis became associated with narcotics as widespread opium addiction became a concern.
Mexicans fleeing the battle brought rolled cannabis leaves and blossoms, which they termed marijuana, with them when the Mexican Revolution began in 1910. Cannabis was soon being imported by firms in Texas and New Mexico, and it was being sold in grocery stores. It was largely used by workers to unwind and relax, helping them to avoid the hangover that comes with drinking alcohol. Its popularity grew, as did its recreational use.
Let's fast forward to the 1930s, when alcohol prohibition was lifted. The Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) is established, with Harry J. Anslinger as director. Anslinger has a long history of blocking international drug and alcohol smuggling. With a full department and time on his hands as a result of the repeal of Prohibition, Anslinger needed a goal to keep the FBN employees busy and keep a line item in the government's annual budget. Anslinger made it his mission to eradicate the United States of all drugs, including marijuana.
A crowd of people with some standing and some walking holding a placard with the word "we want beer" written on it
A crowd of people with some standing and some walking holding a placard with the word "we want beer" written on it

What Was Prohibition?

According to History.com, Prohibition began with the approval of the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution, which prohibited the manufacturing, transportation, and sale of intoxicating liquors. During the first decade of the twentieth century, the temperance movement was prevalent, with temperance groups popping up all across the country.
Because alcohol was perceived as a damaging factor in families and marriages, and saloon culture was viewed as corrupt and immoral, women played a significant role in the temperance campaign. In a period of growing industrial production and prolonged working hours, many factory owners backed Prohibition as a way to reduce on-the-job accidents and promote worker productivity.

In Conclusion

Cannabis has been illegal since Congress approved the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, which made it illegal to sell, cultivate, or use the drug. However, the industry's fortunes are now changing. Marijuana for medical purposes is now legal in various states. It's also legal in 11 states for recreational usage, with more on the way. Despite the fact that cannabis is still illegal on the federal level, the majority of Americans support repealing the law.
Jump to
Suleman Shah

Suleman Shah

Author
Suleman Shah is a researcher and freelance writer. As a researcher, he has worked with MNS University of Agriculture, Multan (Pakistan) and Texas A & M University (USA). He regularly writes science articles and blogs for science news website immersse.com and open access publishers OA Publishing London and Scientific Times. He loves to keep himself updated on scientific developments and convert these developments into everyday language to update the readers about the developments in the scientific era. His primary research focus is Plant sciences, and he contributed to this field by publishing his research in scientific journals and presenting his work at many Conferences. Shah graduated from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (Pakistan) and started his professional carrier with Jaffer Agro Services and later with the Agriculture Department of the Government of Pakistan. His research interest compelled and attracted him to proceed with his carrier in Plant sciences research. So, he started his Ph.D. in Soil Science at MNS University of Agriculture Multan (Pakistan). Later, he started working as a visiting scholar with Texas A&M University (USA). Shah’s experience with big Open Excess publishers like Springers, Frontiers, MDPI, etc., testified to his belief in Open Access as a barrier-removing mechanism between researchers and the readers of their research. Shah believes that Open Access is revolutionizing the publication process and benefitting research in all fields.
Han Ju

Han Ju

Reviewer
Hello! I'm Han Ju, the heart behind World Wide Journals. My life is a unique tapestry woven from the threads of news, spirituality, and science, enriched by melodies from my guitar. Raised amidst tales of the ancient and the arcane, I developed a keen eye for the stories that truly matter. Through my work, I seek to bridge the seen with the unseen, marrying the rigor of science with the depth of spirituality. Each article at World Wide Journals is a piece of this ongoing quest, blending analysis with personal reflection. Whether exploring quantum frontiers or strumming chords under the stars, my aim is to inspire and provoke thought, inviting you into a world where every discovery is a note in the grand symphony of existence. Welcome aboard this journey of insight and exploration, where curiosity leads and music guides.
Latest Articles
Popular Articles