Reasons for cannabis prohibition
2009.04.08
If we look back on the history of cannabis consumption, we may find out that cannabis for pretty long time had been widely used for spiritual, recreational and medical purposes. Its qualities were praised by generations, it was considered to be one of the most valuable plants – one reason for this was a possibility of non-psychoactive usage of it. For ropes or patterns, for example. However, in the 20th century the point of view of the society on the problem of cannabis legislation was changed completely and rapidly. Let us study why that happened and who got the benefit of it.
The reasons for banning cannabis seem to be more political than medical. It started in 1937 when US President Roosevelt's Administration passed a law. According to it people who possessed cannabis were to pay a practically unpayable tax. The grounds introduced were some researches proving a possibility of addiction, some bad health issues and other factors. However, if we study the effects of two most wide-spread drugs in the world: alcohol and tobacco, we may find the same effects. Even stronger – as alcohol and tobacco addiction are physiological as well as psychological whereas marijuana addiction is psychological only. Some physiological aspects of THC addiction disappear after a short series of side-effects, less painful and unpleasant than hangover. An the psychological addiction is less strong than tobacco's one. Soon many states in the US and countries in the world adopted that law and made even more severe upgrades. And there was a huge propaganda campaign that was supposed to show cannabis as a harmful and deadly strong drug, some level with opium, heroin and others. That was the reason for criminalization of cannabis traffic, making it “dirty” and controlled by gangs. Actually, same thing had happened with alcohol a few decades before. The difference was that marijuana was easier to produce, so not only the big gangs were able to make it, but practically everyone. That caused an increase in violence as gangs fought and keep fighting for the market.
If you want to get the roots of some events, you should study who benefited from them. Let's see, what would cannabis partially substitute if it was legal. Alcohol and tobacco. People use them for recreational purposes. The harm and addiction level is practically the same or even huger if talk about alcohol. So if cannabis was legal, the sales of alcohol and tobacco would fall. Fall really much. And don't forget that the 30s were exactly the time of great growth of tobacco and alcohol industry. Especially alcohol – the Dry Law had just been canceled.
I understand, that those accusations of alcohol and tobacco lobbies seem to be ungrounded as I cannot show any evidence. Anyway, they are based on logic so they can be considered as one more theory. It is up to you to believe in it or not, but do not forget – that lobby is still rather strong. So the beginning of liberalization in cannabis matters that appear in some countries can be destroyed really easily. Do you really want that? I strongly doubt. You must know your rival.