Marijuana marks a milestone; first banned in California 100 years ago

Discussion in 'Cannabis Activism' started by DdC, Aug 11, 2013.

  1. DdC

    DdC Member

    Messages:
    991
    Likes Received:
    14
    Ethan Nadelmann ‏@ethannadelmann
    Today appears to be the 100th anniversary of the 1st pot ban in the US. Gupta's program couldn't be better timed.

    Marijuana marks a milestone;
    first banned in California 100 years ago
    Stevie Zee awkwardly lights up a bong with his spastic hands. Stricken with cerebral palsy after almost being strangled in the womb by his umbilical cord, the 41-year-old Valley Village resident takes a few puffs of medical marijuana and immediately feels relief.

    "Weed works," he says simply.

    The "Diablo Kush" and "Velvet Kush" strains from Reseda Discount Caregivers dispensary relax his stiffly contorted muscles and stave off the severe depression that prompted him to make several suicide attempts over the years, including cutting his wrists and injecting Drano and Raid into his veins.

    The hunched figure eventually stands up straight and takes a few steps without a cane -- all while cracking jokes -- showing a glimpse of the bodybuilder and standup comic he used to be.

    These days in California medical marijuana patients like Zee can more or less openly take their "medication." But of course it wasn't always so.

    A century ago this year was when California first banned marijuana. In fact, weed historian and legalization advocate Dale Gieringer pinpoints the key date to Aug. 10, 1913, when a new regulation quietly took effect from the state Board of Pharmacy that added "locoweed" to the state Poison Act.

    "They began launching raids," said Gieringer, California coordinator of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). "Law enforcement would pose as addicts who needed a fix but didn't have a doctor's note, then arrest the druggist."

    Before the early 1900s, though, weed had a relatively long legal history of highs and lows in the United States. Some historians believe the Jamestown settlers brought cannabis to the United States in 1611.

    In the 1700's, Gieringer said, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both grew hemp. By the 1800's, he added, it was sold in certain drugstores, and touted as a cure for migraines and menstrual cramps by the doctor of Queen Victoria.

    In the early 1900s, however, a wave of states including California began banning use of the drug without a prescription. continued

    [​IMG]
    Humboldt Cannabis Center horticulturist Steve Tuck gestures beside both mature and baby marijuana plants he is growing for medical users of the drug, on March 29, 1999, in Eureka, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice