Skip to main content

America's First Ban on Marijuana

The Criminalization of Marijuana in America


Where did America go wrong with our policies regarding the use of marijuana? What driving forces are responsible for the stigmatization surrounding and policies forbidding the use of an herb that grows naturally from the earth's soil and can be utilized in so many ways that are beneficial to our health, our economy and, in turn, our society and the very world we reside in?

The Bill that Banned Marijuana


Surprisingly the origins are not as difficult as one might think to trace back. The first blow came with the 1937 Marijuana Act pushed forward by Harry J. Anslinger, the first ever to fill the position of Commissioner of the Treasury Department's Federal Bureau of Narcotics. At the time that he 1937 Marijuana Bill was passed, Anslinger was in office for seven years.

However the exact details leading up to the bill that banned marijuana in 1937 become quite complex and, as many living today can testify, the consequences following from the ban have lead to highly contended political and moral questions. Here, however, we will only focus strictly on the The Bill led that to America's first ban on marijuana and its direct consequences. The bill that banned marijuana is The 1937 Marijuana Act, originally spelled the 1937 "Marihuana" Act but later revised in most areas (yet in order to to remain consistent with previous laws it is still spelled 'Marihuana' in some congressional bills today, for instance, HR 3037, the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2005).

Anslinger's 1937 Marijuana Act did not succeed in making distributing, buying or using marijuana a criminal offense (the Marijuana Tax Stamp Act would accomplish that task). However, by installing outrageous penalties, up to $2000 fines and five years in prison, The Bill did succeed in indirectly prohibiting marijuana at the federal level. It simply became to risky to buy, sell or use marijuana. The 1937 Marijuana Act was one of the most influential
events that contributed the the criminalization of marijuana, that we see unraveling today.


Trending Posts

Denver Recreational Marijuana Dispensaries

Where to Buy Recreational Marijuana in Denver? Denver has always been at the heart of Colorado's movement to legalize marijuana. Pro marijuana supporters in the Mile High City have been pushing for the legal sale of marijuana to recreational users for years, so on the first day of 2014, when Colorado regulations permitted retail pot shops to open for business, the Denver dispensaries that were approved by the state to sell retail cannabis were more than ready to start offering recreational marijuana to anyone over the age of 21. Since then, recreational marijuana dispensaries in Denver have continued to open at a steady rate. So where should out-of-staters heading to Denver go to legally purchase recreational marijuana? Below you will find a map and a list of all Denver recreational marijuana dispensaries. Anyone over age 21 can shop at these Denver dispensaries.   Map of Recreational Dispensaries in Denver Denver Recreational Marijuana Dispensaries List Co...

Marijuana Possession Arrest Rates Continue to Climb Despite Public Sentiment

Marijuana Possession Arrests on the Rise in 2010 In September, 2011 the FBI released of their annual Uniform Crime Report.  In the FBI 2010 Uniform Crime Report, statistics on cannabis related arrests, while certainly not surprising to those familiar with the marijuana debate, the lack of progress in creating just laws or modifying existing laws governing the manufacturing, distribution and use of marijuana in the United States continues to frustrate pro marijuana activists.  The number of arrests for marijuana related offenses in 2010 marks the second highest in United States history. Marijuana related arrests have been on the rise for decades.  So what's the big deal?  For supporters of pro marijuana legislation in the U.S., 2010 appeared to offer several rays of hope that laws surrounding the legal status of marijuana would actually be improved.  The Obama administration, for instance, announced that the War on Drugs was finally over, a "war" ...

Best Reputation Management Services for Dispensaries

Marijuana Dispensary Online Reputation Management  Welcome to the world of marijuana dispensaries, where cannabis enthusiasts can find their blissful haven. With the growing acceptance and legalization of marijuana in many parts of the world, these dispensaries have become a hub for all things green and therapeutic. But with great power comes great responsibility, especially when it comes to managing your dispensary's reputation. In this digital age, where every opinion counts and social media rules, it has never been more crucial to ensure that your dispensary's online image is shining like a freshly rolled joint. That's why we're here to introduce you to the best marijuana dispensary reputation management companies out there. These experts specialize in polishing your online presence, making sure that potential customers are met with glowing reviews and positive experiences when they search for your dispensary. So buckle up as we dive into the wonderful world of re...

Where to buy legal weed in Jamaica (Kingston, MoBay, Negril, etc)

Buying Weed in Jamaica? Jamaica has long been known for its superior ganja, at least that is until the Green Rush that came with marijuana legalization in America allowed for and indeed incentivized the breeding of stronger and stronger strains. As I write this sitting here today on August 15th, 2020 most marijuana dispensaries in Colorado, California, and other legal marijuana states have weed with over 20% THC.  While you probably won't find the superweed Coloradans such as myself have become used to, there are plenty of places to get good weed without having to pay much. Below I've pinpointed Jamaica's top legal marijuana shops . Top Kingston Weed Shops Epican - Kingston Address: Shop #5, The Shops at Bay Harbour, 1-3 Jimmy Cliff Boulevard, Montego Bay, Jamaica  Phone: +1 876-668-7676 Sensi Herb Shop - Kingston Sensi is a centrally located herb shop in Kingston, Jamaica, with a good variety of weed strains , concentrates, vape pens, and more. Best Monte...

How to Grow Marijuana in Colorado

How to Grow Marijuana in Colorado Growing Marijuana in Colorado Under Colorado state law, medicinal marijuana patients can purchase or grow marijuana for their own personal use as long as they have a valid medical marijuana license, which they've obtained through a doctor’s prescription, or written consent. In general, state laws in Colorado, as one might expect, have in become more lenient to charges involving marijuana. For instance, the punishments for people without a medical marijuana card that are caught with minor amounts of weed and charged with possession has become less severe.  Although licensed marijuana users are permitted by law to grow their own marijuana (with limits) anyone who is not a patient could face a serious fine or imprisonment if they are caught without the proper licensing and charged with marijuana possession, cultivating marijuana, or selling it. How much weed can Colorado medical marijuana patients legally grow? What type of ...

Colorado Marijuana Dispensaries Map