Could the legalization of the plant medically be a benefit to society?
History of Medicinal Marijuana
Emperor Fu Hsi is credited for being the first to use marijuana as an anesthetic.
The medicinal use of the plant cannabis sativa and cannabis indica can be dated back to 2900 B.C. when Emperor Fu Hsi of China used hemp to deal with his nausea. From there ancient civilizations including the Egyptians, Indians, and Greeks harnessed the plants for its natural healing components and helped treat illnesses such as headaches, fevers, and infections. The spread of medicinal marijuana practice throughout the world most likely occurred during the Columbia Exchange (1450-1750) when goods and ideas were brought back and forth from Europe to the Americas. In 1839 a Irish physician by the name of William Brooke O’Shaughnessy introduced medical cannabis to the Western world when he gave extracts of cannabis to his patients dealing with arthritis, cholera, and tetanus.
The original poster from the movie, Reefer Madness
The public's disapproval of the use of marijuana began in 1937 when Harry J. Anslinger, the first commissioner of the U.S Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN), ran an anti-marijuana campaign that gained national support and lasted decades. Likewise, the popular Hollywood movie Reefer Madness caused mayhem around the country for dramatizing the negative and unrealistic effects marijuana has on the youth. In the 1960's large demonstrations of support occurred around the country to have marijuana legalized on a recreational level but the federal government classed it a a schedule I narcotic in 1970. The plant remained a nuisance to society up until the 1990's when scientistic discovered cannabinoids , the active compounds in marijuana, and the cannabinoids receptors in the brain.
The Importance of Medical Marijuana Reform
In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana in the union, followed by Alaska and Washington in 1998. Throughout the last two decades, much more science, research, and testing has been performed to understand the medical benefits of marijuana. Today medical marijuana is legal in 25 states and the District of Columbia and is in legislation in three more states.
The multi-million dollar medicinal marijuana industry has different stakeholders that each have their own unique and important position on whether or not marijuana should be legal. It is important to look at and consider all positions which is what I am going to do in this website. With the country on the verge of this "marijuana movement", the legalization of it medically on a federal level would have a drastic impact on the country and affect millions.