There are many different words for what was originally considered, “hemp” to the ancient world. Some are, cannabis, marijuana, weed, and pot. Over time, the different words have reflected the views and uses of hemp through different societies and time periods. Hemp dates back to the early Mesopotamian days in what is considered Turkey today. It is the first known plant to be domestically cultivated. According to research, “The oldest relic of human history is hemp fabric dated to 8,000 BCE.” In 1492, Christopher Columbus brought hemp as a rope to America. His ships were full of hemp fabric used for uniforms, parachutes, ropes, sails, baggage, shoes and many more military uses. To free the American colonies from England press, Benjamin Franklin started a paper mill, which used cannabis to create paper and print books. This allowed America to have free colonial press from Britian without having to ask for them. The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were both drafted on hemp paper. Betsey Ross made the first flag of the United States of America out of hemp, which was the strongest known fiber at the time. “Farmers from 1942 through 1945 who agreed to grow hemp were waived from serving in the military, along with their sons; that is how vitally important hemp was to America during World War II.” Henry Ford also used hemp-based plastic to create vehicles, which was proven to be stronger and lighter than steel and could withstand much more impact without denting. He also used hemp-based ethanol fuel, which was more efficient. Hemp had been used widely throughout the United States before it became illegal and served many purposes.
The first recorded use of cannabis as medicine was in 2,737 BCE by Empero...
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...ld expand our coutnry. I believe that it is unnecessary to have such strict laws against a plant that could benefit the country more than it is hurting it. Marijuana does not have any reports of violence because of use of the drug, but violent crimes have been committed because of drug cartels and gangs. If the laws against marijuana were lifted, there would be less violent drug crimes because access to marijuana would be easier. It has been proven that more violent crimes are committed with use of alcohol than there are from use of marijuana. Our president recently even stated that he does not believe that use of marijuana is any more dangerous than Alcohol. After researching this topic, I feel that more people today are coming to a realization that marijuana use is not dangerous and that our country would actually benefit from the legalization of cannabis.
Hemp was viewed as a threat to several competing industries which caused them to create a smear campaign against hemp. By associating hemp with marijuana and by creating the propaganda film “Reefer Madness” this caused hysteria amongst the population (History of Hemp, n.d.). Hemp prohibition started in the 1930s. Hemp was grouped under the umbrella of marijuana and effectively made illegal under the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act. Furthermore, In 1970 Industrial hemp was classified as marijuana under the Controlled Substance Act in spite of decades of government-funded research that identified industrial hemp to have a unique structure and function (Hemp’s History, n.d.). In spite of Hemp being illegal in America, Hemp is legally grown in about 30 countries around the world, with China and France as the leading producers of hemp. Canada our neighbor to the north legalized Hemp cultivation in 1998. Farmers, there must have a licensed and also grow approved low-THC seeds. Hemp grown in Canada has to be tested to ensure they contain less than 0.3 percent THC. This essay will
In 1940, the import of hemp during World War II was a big factor in creating supplies such as parachutes or cordage. In the 1960’s, President Kennedy found from research that marijuana does not induce violence or lead to heavier drug use. George Washington, the first president of our beloved country, grew cannabis on his plantations. Thomas Jefferson also grew hemp as a reliable
America is in a war. A drug war with marijuana.Marijuana is a hallucinogen grown naturally as the cannabis plant. Smoking pot clearly has far fewer dangerous and hazardous effects on society than legal drugs such as alcohol, yet it is federally illegal. It is established scientific fact that marijuana is not toxic to humans; marijuana overdoses are nearly impossible, and marijuana is not nearly as addictive as alcohol or tobacco. But, the marijuana prohibition continues to be thriving. Marijuana prohibition causes more problems than it solves. This nation spends too much money where it could be making more money. If America were to legalize marijuana, it would cause a healthier economy, improve health care, and it would be safer than legal drugs like alcohol and cigarettes. The prohibition ruins thousands more lives than it supposedly tries to save and it should stop.
Hemp fabrics can be created with 100% pure hemp fiber, or blended with other fibers such as cotton or silk. Pure hemp fabrics have a texture similar to linen. Much of the linen made in China is derived from hemp fiber. Hemp seed hurds is used to create building materials such as “hempcrete.” An alternative to traditional concrete, hempcrete is lighter, easier to work with, and acts as a natural insulator and moisture regulator. Hemp is extremely nutritious, as they are rich in essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, protein, and fiber. Researchers at the University of Connecticut created hemp oil with an impressive 97% conversion frequency to viable biofuel. Industrial hemp is widely considered the ultimate eco-friendly crop. Unlike most other food and fiber crops, hemp cultivation requires little to no chemicals, pesticides, or herbicides. In addition, to be very hardy and easily grown in a wide range of climates, hemp actually conditions soil where it is planted, acting as a natural weed control crop, and “sopping” up existing impurities in soil and groundwater. Additionally, the plant’s extensive root systems secure unstable areas by anchoring deeply to prevent soil runoff and preserve topsoil layers. Hemp is completely sustainable when grown in rotation with other crops such as corn. Hemp crops can reduce timber impact for paper and other tree products. Hemp produces more fiber per acre than any other source, producing about 250% more fiber than cotton and 600% more fiber than flax grown under the same conditions. Its recyclability is far superior to the tree products that are commonly used in the manufacture of paper. Currently, Hemp is Illegal Due to its Relation to the Cannabis Species. The United States is one of the few industrial countries not currently producing
The legalization of marijuana is, and has been a heavily disputed issue for decades. On one hand, marijuana could lead to a medical breakthrough, or at least provide relief to cancer and AIDS patients. On the other hand, legalizing a drug could expose it to too broad an audience. As a drug, marijuana has never proven to be anywhere near as harmful as cigarettes or alcohol. Each year in the United States, 400,000 people die from tobacco, 50,000 from alcohol, and from marijuana, zero. Regardless of what side one may take to this argument, there are some causes to this marijuana debate that everyone should know. Marijuana was not always illegal, and the reasons behind the history of narcotic regulation are interesting when viewed from today's perspective. The history of marijuana prohibition is a story of racism, political repression, and poorly represents the qualities this country claims to embody.
In conclusion Marijuana has positive effects on both society and the wellbeing of individuals and should be legalized. It would be a logical decision for the government to legalize Marijuana due to the fact that firstly the government can monitor and tax Marijuana thus helping the economy. Secondly Marijuana can be used as medical therapy; thirdly there would be less youth and adults in jails and prisons. Point in fact the government would be able to manage all facets about Marijuana as follows price, importation and exportation and diminishing any drug cartels/markets. Additionally youth would not be prosecuted with possession of cannabis and fear an undetermined future. Lastly the positives incidentally outweigh the negatives over this concerning topic and thus a monumental decisions to legalize Marijuana.
History of Marijuana Marijuana has been used both recreationally and medicinally for centuries. There are numerous accounts of its medicinal qualities in multiple historical artifacts. Its use dates back to 2737 B.C. when the Chinese emperor, Shen Nung, used it for medicinal purposes including malaria, gout, poor memory, rheumatism, and analgesia (Carter et. al., 2003). Eastern Indian documents, in the Atharvaveda, dating back to 2000 B.C. also refer to its medicinal use.
Keeping Marijuana illegal is the best choose to keep people healthy mentally and physically and keep the community clean from crimes because marijuana is one of the reasons that people can’t control their action. It can cause a lot of health and mental problems or you might get in an accident and cause other people and yourself serious injuries. Marijuana is a dangerous drug for the human and also the community.
Marijuana can do so much for the society if it is used right, which is why marijuana should be legal. The government should try and do their best if they do not want to have more people in jail , and that way they can build more schools by using the taxes of marijuana. Marijuana legalization can help so many people by taking away the pain and not have to worry about money on medication. Legalizing Marijuana is not as bad as alcohol or tobacco, which will not cause so much deaths, unlike alcohol or tobacco. If marijuana is legal then people will not have to worry about being prosecuted or even arrested for the simple possession of marijuana. Marijuana should be legalized and the government should stop making it such a big deal and not get more people into prison because studies have shown that there has been more prisons built since the 1980s compared to schools, and more money goes to prisons than to
...e legalization of marijuana in the United States would drastically reduce crime in our cities and form a more productive society through its positive uses. In accomplishing these goals we are bettering our nation and making society safer for future children in America.. The fact remains, though, that alcohol and tobacco, which are two "proven addictive" drugs, remain legal in our nation today, whereas marijuana, a proven "non-addictive drug", is statistically shown to have not caused a death from overdose since its existence to the present date. It appears as though the legislative decisions concerning marijuana law policy is unbalanced, but our nation will never conserve funds due to government spending, and our medical treatments will never totally be as effective without the unconditional legalization of the Cannabis Sativa plant, otherwise known as marijuana
Marijuana has a long standing history of being one of the most controversial substances in America. While the history or the Cannabis plant indicates not only acceptance as a useful plant, but even advocated as a source of revenue and medicinal usage, much of the United States government propaganda over the last 100+ years has led Americans to accept very slighted and often false information about the plant and its uses. Based on the origin of the illegalization of marijuana and the inconsistent findings of its effects in comparison to other substances, both legal and illegal, marijuana should be decriminalized and treated as a recreational substance just as alcohol and tobacco are.
Marijuana in the early 1800’s to 1936 was being used as a cash crop was being grown more than corn and even tobacco because of its resource. throughout the United States and other countries marijuana strain fiber Hemp from the plant that were being used to make a lot of items. Hemp which was made popular in the 1800’s is the stong thread from the marijuana was being used to make, paper, clothes, furniture, etc. at one point it was going to replace cotton and wood, even the declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper. In the article; “Dispensing with the Constitution; Obama's executive caprice" Explains “On April 14, 1937 the marijuana tax law or the bill that outlawed Marijuana was approved by the house of ways and means committee making growing or possessing marijuana a crime. Marijuana was removed from the US of pharmacopeia in 1942 does losing its remaining mantle of therapeutic legitimacy plant” (Talley Brett).
I believe that marijuana should be legalized. Currently marijuana is legal, for both medicinal and recreational use in 24 states and The District of Columbia; with that, I don’t see why it can’t be legalized in all 50. Marijuana has more than 50 different uses, the main one being for medicinal purposes. I weed were to become legal, it would clear out a lot of space in our prisons. Which would help us to rebuild our economy. Also, it would fuel economic growth by creating a new income for the United States. People argue that marijuana is a gateway drug, meaning that it leads users to stronger, more dangerous drugs, but studies prove that assertion to be false. In conclusion, I believe that best thing for America is to legalize marijuana.
First of all, marijuana can have many positive effects on crime. Legalizing marijuana can actually decrease crime rates in the U.S. This past year, it was counted that 6.9 million people are inside the American’s jails and prisons. 60,000 of these individuals were there for marijuana according to one study. With the legalization of marijuana, it would cut the amount of tax we pay for these jails and prisons, costing us a total of 1.2 billion. Last year a total of 7 to 10 billion dollars was used towards arresting and processing against marijuana. The big picture here is that 90% of those arrests were just for possession. It is crazy that as a country we spend most of our time trying to stop the biggest drug in America when it is just wasting our money. There are less arrests on violent crimes than marijuana charges combined. These “violent crimes” consist of assault, rape, robbery, and murder. How awful is it that we waste our time on this drug when there are so many other bigger problems we could be solving or people to be saved. Cocaine and heroin arrests have actually decreased by 1/3 from 1991 to 2000. While marijuana has more than 700,000 people are ar...
People have been fighting for the legalization of marijuana for a long time. Many people use this drug and find absolutely nothing wrong with it. Others find it disgusting and are opposed to the legalization of it. The earliest use of marijuana was documented in 7000 B.C. The ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and many others used it for medical purposes. Marijuana was first used in the United States during the 1800’s and was banned in 1937 without any reason given by the government except that “it was for our own good” (Block, “Why Marijuana Became Illegal”). Marijuana should be legal everywhere in the world because, although it is highly addictive, marijuana is not as harmful as tobacco and alcohol, having a regulated market for it would reduce the sale and use of it amongst people under the age of eighteen, and the government can save and make money off of it.