LEGALIZE IT
If you are located in the tri-state area, you’re well aware of the fact that a blizzard is slamming the North East, and has been for the last few hours. Yes! The roads are terribly dangerous and the small amount of cars that are enduring the wrath of the snow storm are going at such a slow pace, it may not even be considered driving anymore. Yes again, I am not leaving my bedroom under no circumstance until tomorrow morning. Half a glass of Glenn Fiddich later I find myself pondering why exactly marijuana was made illegal to begin with.
I spent my first year of college at University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, Massachusetts. Massachusetts, unique to its co-states, has decriminalized marijuana under its law. The possession of pot is not treated criminally, instead the individual would be given a fine rather than permanently altering their record. During my first year at UMASS, I joined the Cannabis Reform Coalition (C.R.C); essentially a club for stoners to discuss advocating the legalization of marijuana. The C.R.C explained the history of marijuana prohibition. “Hemp” is the term coined for high growing varieties of the Cannabis plant and its products (fiber, oil, seed). Hemp is refined into products like hemp seed foods, hemp oil, wax, rope, cloth, paper, and fuel. The early 1900’s marked a golden time for the hemp industry. Americans grew hemp rather than other staples because it could be used in several ways for an array of purposes and needs. By the 1920s, the growing and distribution of hemp and cannabis was made illegal by all of the United States.
All I’ve ever known is marijuana prohibition until just recently (Colorado, Washington). Still, the preparation, use and sale of “cannibus” under the federal law is considered illegal and well over three quarters of states prohibit use of the plant. The law categorizes cannabis a Schedule 1 drug despite research confirming the effectiveness of marijuana against horrid side effects of chemotherapy for those undergoing cancer treatment, relieving chronic stresses of migraines, insomnia and several other life-altering conditions for which no treatment exists.
Many speculate the intent behind marijuana prohibition to be economic, moreover, that for competing markets to emerge such as the Oil industry, the hemp boom had to be abolished. Theoretically, this could be the reason. Hemp, natural and extremely employable, was the dominant staple of the United States less than 100 years ago. Now, oil and plastic industries are booming whereas hemp can be used to replace both. This is a conspiracy. As a society we need to compare the benefits of cannabis to the negatives of cannabis and then rationalize on whether or not our legal system adequately handles the widespread existence of this plant – black market or not.
Psychology of a Realist 
Awesome infographic!! Thanks so much for your insightful comment 🙂