For too long, we have abandoned the fact that cannabis is an herb that grows naturally from our Earth. Knowing this alone, should tell us it has a purpose. However, did propaganda lead to the prohibition alongside the rise of Big Pharma and a fear of competition in the paper industry? Coincidence? You decide for yourself…
what is cannabis?
Cannabis is a very complex plant. In fact, it’s humanity’s oldest cultivated crop. In addition, it grows easily and abundantly almost anywhere. Also, it has many different uses including; medicinal, nutritional, recreational, and industrial (hemp). It’s a leafy plant that has the versatility to grow indoors or outdoors and is naturally resistant to pests. Believe it or not, it once had the potential to become the world’s most powerful plant…
suspicious connections that led to the prohibition
In the year 1930, Harry Anslinger, an outspoken known racist to say the least was appointed as the Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics by Andrew Mellon (the wealthiest man in America at the time). His tactic was fear and division to ban a plant and it worked…click here for quotes!
In 1933, cannabis also known as “marijuana” now became the target of government control. This was a time of turmoil and extreme prejudice. Therefore, Anslinger jumped on the opportunity to label and associate horrendous acts of crime and violence with marijuana. Minorities were targeted, especially Mexicans. At the time, many had migrated to the United States to flee the Mexican Revolution. Culturally, many used what they called “marijuana” medicinally and smoked it recreationally. This was a new concept for “white” America.
Around the same time, a newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst owned the largest chain of newspapers. He also owned an enormous amount of timber acreage. At the same time, hemp was a competing crop for the paper industry. Next thing you know, outlandish propaganda about “marijuana” use by minorities and its association with criminality hit newspapers published by William Hearst. Did he know 10,000 acres of hemp could produce the same amount of paper as 40,000 acres of traditional timber? Did he have a motive to eliminate the competition?
By the year 1936, forty-eight states had laws in place to regulate cannabis. This was around the same time as the development of aspirin, morphine, and many other opiate derived “legal” drugs. Coincidental? Oh but wait, it gets better…in the same year, a cinematic film called “Reefer Madness” was released to the public to instill how a reefer addiction would ruin one’s life by making them commit violent crime including sex crimes. Not based on factual information, just made up outlandish claims to benefit multiple agendas! Sound familiar? This happens today in so many ways with lobbyist, politicians, food conglomerates, Big Pharma, etc…In other words, big money throwing their power around to get what they want. However, this only benefits a few. Very few!
the ties get deeper…
The chemical giant DuPont and a variety of pharmaceutical companies had financial interest in defeating hemp as well. Obviously, to promote their own products. Also, did I forget to mention Andrew Mellon had large investments in DuPont? You see, nylon was the synthetic competitor to hemp. DuPont sold rayon and invented nylon. Hemp would have potentially put them out of business. In addition, pharmaceutical companies developed pills to rival cannabis in hopes of replacing its use. Is this why both supported the propaganda against cannabis and hemp? In my opinion, this is a clear example of profit over everything. In this case the facts! Simply, because people could grow this plant themselves. The rest of the story has been a continuous uphill battle against laws made many decades ago that seemed to benefit a pack of wealthy elites in power at the time.
in conclusion
In reality, it’s important we understand the true intention behind the prohibition of a plant. For over eighty years, we’ve literally associated cannabis with the same negative programming from back then. In fact, programming built off racist roots. Therefore, many people have never experienced nor understood the benefits and many different uses this plant offers. The smear campaign that ran in the 30’s made a lasting impression for generations to come by forming such an unfair negative ideology. Ironically, at the same time we have completely ignored or accepted the fact that cigarettes, alcohol, and prescription drugs kill and harm millions each year. Not to mention the relentless addictions they form. However, they are legal. Clearly, laws aren’t made in the best interest of the people especially if profit can be made. It’s obvious the fallacy surrounding cannabis was based off a lie.