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Marijuana Is A Common Name Thesis

The Rastafarian movement in Jamaica also re-introduced the role of marijuana as an aid to spiritual growth. Marijuana has been and still is considered to be a spiritual drug in India, which also fueled hippie interest in the drug. The Beatles and other famous rock bands championed its use, and marijuana became mainstream even if still illegal. The war on drugs that began in the early 20th century escalated. Presidents Nixon and especially Reagan demonized marijuana and during the 1980s penalties for pot possession, cultivation, and distribution became severe. American prisons have been long filled with non-violent drug offenders, and marijuana is the most widely used illict substance in the United States.

Actors and other celebrities ranging from Willy Nelson to Woody Harrelson to Bill Maher have spoken out against marijuana prohibition in an attempt to decriminalize marijuana or at least offer an option for medical use. Several states now permit the medical use of marijuana including Alaska, California, Colorado,

Armentano (2008) claims that marijuana decriminalization is one of the most pressing and popular political issues, and voters are urging President-elect Obama to end marijuana prohibition.
References

Abel, E.L. (1980). "Marijuana - the First Twelve Thousand Years." Schaeffer Library of Drug Policy. Retrieved Dec 15, 2008 at http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/history/first12000/abel.htm

Armentano, Pl. (2008). "President-Elect Obama, the People Have Spoken; Will You "Answer" Their Question?" NORML. Retrieved Dec 15, 2008 at http://norml.org/

Marijuana is America's Number One Cash Crop, Study Finds." (2006). Drug War Chronicle. Dec 22, 2006. Retrieved Dec 15, 2008 at http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/466/marijuana_is_americas_number_one_cash_crop_study_says

Stack, P. (2002). "Medical Marijuana: A History." Time. Oct 27, 2002. Retrieved Dec 15, 2008 at http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101021104/history.html

Stein, J. (2002). "The New Politics of Pot." Time. Oct 27, 2002. Retrieved Dec 15, 2008 at http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101021104/story.html

Whitebread, C. (1995). "The History of the Non-Medical Use of Drugs in the United States." Schaeffer Library of Drug Policy. Retrieved Dec 15, 2008 at http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/History/whiteb1.htm

Sources used in this document:
References

Abel, E.L. (1980). "Marijuana - the First Twelve Thousand Years." Schaeffer Library of Drug Policy. Retrieved Dec 15, 2008 at http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/history/first12000/abel.htm

Armentano, Pl. (2008). "President-Elect Obama, the People Have Spoken; Will You "Answer" Their Question?" NORML. Retrieved Dec 15, 2008 at http://norml.org/

Marijuana is America's Number One Cash Crop, Study Finds." (2006). Drug War Chronicle. Dec 22, 2006. Retrieved Dec 15, 2008 at http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/466/marijuana_is_americas_number_one_cash_crop_study_says

Stack, P. (2002). "Medical Marijuana: A History." Time. Oct 27, 2002. Retrieved Dec 15, 2008 at http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101021104/history.html
Stein, J. (2002). "The New Politics of Pot." Time. Oct 27, 2002. Retrieved Dec 15, 2008 at http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101021104/story.html
Whitebread, C. (1995). "The History of the Non-Medical Use of Drugs in the United States." Schaeffer Library of Drug Policy. Retrieved Dec 15, 2008 at http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/History/whiteb1.htm
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