The history and debate over marijuana legalization in America

Legalization of Marijuana: History And Opinion

Only recently has marijuana become illegal in the United States. In fact, in the 1600s, a law in Jamestown Colony, Virginia actually required farmers to grow the plant because it was so useful! It had been grown for centuries and used in a variety of methods -- from medicine to making rope. In 1937, marijuana was made illegal in the United States through the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act, a policy that was enacted largely because of racism and financial incentives, according to Guither (2009). Today, Marijuana is effectively illegal in every state, despite the fact that some states, like California, Colorado, and Alaska, have legalized it with provisions for medical or personal use. Because federal law makes it illegal, those who use it can be prosecuted, even if marijuana is legal in their states. Today, many scientists have come out in favor of marijuana for medical use. In fact, some believe that marijuana is the safest and most effective drug that can be used to relieve the symptoms of painful diseases and their treatments. Others believe that it is no better than other drugs and can even be more dangerous when used for long periods of time ("Medical Marijuana," 2008).