Welcome to CyberEssays Website

The Story Of Marijuana

"Make the most you can of the Indian hemp seed and sow it everywhere" is a statement that George Washington made ("Facts" 13). Who would believe that George Washington asked farmers everywhere to grow marijuana? Who would believe that George Washington grew it? The amazing facts about marijuana beginning with its earliest use and the current laws convicting people of growing marijuana are quite opposites with most governments banning the use of marijuana.
The use of marijuana actually dates back to 2737 B.C. Early in history marijuana was used as a way to achieve euphoria. "...it was described in a Chinese medical compendium traditionally considered to date back from 2737 B.C." ("Marijuana Information"). Shen Nung, a Chinese emperor, wrote about the use of marijuana and recommended it for use for rheumatism, gout, and malaria. It might be surprising to learn that Muslims used it because alcohol was banned by the Koran.
The use of marijuana was legal until the 1930s. "For the first 162 years of America's existence, marijuana was totally legal and hemp was a common crop" ("Marijuana and Hemp"). Many politicians such as George Washington had hemp crops. The earliest dates of marijuana use in the New World were in 1545 by the Spanish (Marijuana Information). The next mention of marijuana use in the colonies was in Jamestown. In fact, it was considered an important crop similar to the tobacco crops. Cotton replaced hemp crops, but different medication had hemp in them. During the early days of the colonies marijuana was not illegal and it had various purposes that even George Washington used. While many people struggle because they need to use marijuana for medical purposes today, marijuana could be found in the United States Pharmacopeia from 1850 until 1942. The use of marijuana was for labor pains, nausea, and rheumatism" ("Marijuana Information"). Is it any surprise that people today want to use marijuana for pain relief for patients suffering with AIDS,...