reefer madness
Posted on 12. Apr, 2010 by Seth in culture
words > CRAIG AINSWORTH
Marijuana, Green, reefer, smoke, weed, bud, tweeds, dope, puff, trees, chunks, leaf, Afghani, nug, red eye, indicia, Buddha, sensei, cannabis, Hemp, cheeba, chronic, Colombian gold, Thai stick, AMS, AK, KGB, northern lights, hooter, purple kush, mexi, kryptonite, dank, white rhino, train wreck, spliff, dirt, ditch weed, doob, endo, giggle weed, loco weed, BC, schwag, commercial, blunt, kind, herb, chicken, hydro, Mary Jane, mota, pot, grass, and ganja. This rather simple looking plant goes by many names and has a much richer and more diverse history than many people would expect. Scourge and savior, Marijuana has once again begun to flower in America.
With reports of its use dating back over 10,000 years, Marijuana is one of the oldest cultivated crops in human history. Long sought after for its dense fibers, the Hemp plant was initially used for rope, textiles, papyrus, food, and fuel. Hemp and Marijuana are essentially the same plant with different amounts of the active ingredient Tetrahydrocannabinol. 4,000 years ago, the Chinese found that the Marijuana plant had medicinal properties. Among other things, the Chinese used Marijuana for menstrual cramps, constipation, and absentmindedness. For Viking and European ships, Hemp was invaluable for rope and sails. The plant was so vital in the New World that in 1639 Massachusetts, following many other states, required families to grow at least one teaspoonful of seeds on their land. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both grew Marijuana and were strong advocates for its use and propagation. When he was the Governor of Virginia in 1781, Jefferson used Hemp as currency when money was in short supply. The Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights were all drafted on Hemp. The first American flags were made from Hemp as well as the paper for the original American Bibles. During this time, Marijuana was in many Americans’ medicine cabinets and used for everything from toothaches to pregnancy pains. Hemp was an essential and lucrative industry in America that was necessary to the settlers during the California Gold Rush. In the 1800s, Levi Straus & Co. used Hemp to make their durable gold rush jeans. Others used Hemp as rope for their oxen and canvass for their covered wagons. The word canvass even comes from the word cannabis. Henry Ford made a car out of Hemp fibers and resins in the 1930s that ran entirely off of Ethanol made from Hemp. Ford said, “The fuel of the future is going to come from fruit like that sumac out by the road, or from apples and weeds….”
The seeds from the Marijuana plant contain up to 35% its weight in Hemp Oil. This oil has the lowest amount of saturated fat, as well as all 20 of the amino acids, which includes the 9 essential to human life that our body cannot produce. Hemp seed is a total source of all of the essential polyunsaturated fatty acids humans need. Hemp seed is the only complete food source that humans have.
Hemp production in the US started to decline as the popularity of motorized boats increased and a cheaper fuel was found in India. Marijuana was made illegal in the United States in 1937 through the “Marijuana Tax Act.” Much of the testimonies given in those hearings are now commonly regarded as false. Timber and the brand new petrochemical industry strongly supported the passing of the bill. Hemp can produce 4 times more pulp per acre than trees and, unlike trees, is a renewable resource. Before it was made illegal, Hemp was used to make paint, plastics, medicine, and fuel. The fear of immigration and minorities were also used to gain support of the bill. The 1938 movie “Reefer Madness” reinforced this strongly propagated idea. Marijuana, or “Loco Weed,” was very popular with Mexican immigrants, so lobbyists suggested that making Marijuana illegal would discourage immigration. Marijuana and Hemp farms were outlawed and remained illegal for the next 5 years. However, in 1942, during WWII, the US government released a film called “Hemp for Victory.” The film encouraged farmers to grow Hemp to help with the war effort and once again the plant became a cash crop for America. But with the end of the war, the already crippled Hemp industry couldn’t stand up against their competitors. The now powerful petrol companies and the timber industry lobbied the government to halt Hemp production. There are still remnants of the WWII Hemp fields strewn across the back roads and dusty trails in nowhere Kansas. Even though authorities remove many of the fields, Kansas is such an ideal growing environment for Marijuana that new patches pop up every year.
California legalized medical Marijuana almost 14 years ago. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the active ingredient in Marijuana. THC most closely resembles the cannabinoids our bodies naturally produce. Tetrahydrocannabinol interacts directly with our brains cannabinoid receptors. Marijuana is currently being prescribed in America for depression, arthritis, and anxiety. Marijuana is also used to help cancer patents that receive chemotherapy treatments. The drug helps relieve pain and helps the patient maintain an appetite. Relief from Glaucoma and Insomnia are a few more of its many uses. Currently, Marijuana is California’s leading cash crop and can bring an estimated $1.3 billion to the state in annual taxes. Growers in Northern California pay their harvesters up to $40/hour for working in the fields. Oakland’s city auditor projected $17.5 million in revenue from legal Marijuana sales in 2010. In Los Angeles there are more Marijuana dispensaries than Starbucks. Currently, Marijuana is number 1 of the top 3 favorite recreational drugs among Americans (the other two being tobacco and alcohol). This coming fall, Californians will have the opportunity to vote for the legalization of Marijuana for recreational use. Around 30% of the states in the US have now begun the legalization of Marijuana.
Unlike alcohol and aspirin, there has never been a reported death from smoking or ingesting Marijuana. Many doctors agree that excessive smoking of Marijuana can cause respiratory problems, but eating or drinking the plant can be beneficial to your health. However, excessive long-term use of Marijuana can cause temporary side effects. Marijuana users’ neural synapse can become coated with the resin, which results in the slowing of neurotransmitters and receptors. This side effect can be remedied, with no long-term side effects, by simple periods of abstinence along with a proper diet and exercise.
States that can grow corn can grow Hemp or Marijuana successfully. At the top of the list of successful Marijuana producing states are Kansas, California, and Kentucky. Legalization brings millions of dollars into communities, supports local farmers, and creates high paying blue-collar jobs. Marijuana is a safe, healthy and useful crop that farmers have cultivated for thousands of years. In a time of few jobs, economic hardships, rising energy prices, and concerns about the environment, it is time we begin considering alternative and historic remedies. Marijuana has been revered as scourge and savior in its 10,000-year history with humans. No matter what your ideological opinion is, Marijuana has once again begun to flower in America.
What are your thoughts about Marijuana? What do you think the legalization of Marijuana would do for, or to, our community and economy? To join the conversation log on to NakedCityWichita.com and search “Marijuana.”
17 Responses to “reefer madness”
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Reefer Madness | Nakedcity Wichita
12. Apr, 2010
[...] so lobbyists suggested that making Marijuana illegal would discourage immigration. …Read More Cancel [...]
Max
12. Apr, 2010
Ineteresting maybe.
Anyone with the internet and a joint could write an article like this one.
Cudos
chuck
15. Apr, 2010
Agree with Max. Interesting but factually inaccurate. There is irreversible memory loss and irreversible neurological impairment with long term use. It is addictive just not to the level of cocaine, opiates, alcohol, tobacco or meth. But yea, legalize it, regulate it and tax the hell out of it just like all other other recreational drugs.
not chuck
16. Apr, 2010
Chuck, if this article is “factually inaccurate” as you say (which I do partially agree) can you please site your source for your assumingly factual comment ; “There is irreversible memory loss and irreversible neurological impairment with long term use.”
PfPc
17. Apr, 2010
Moe Masters
Seriously? You want a slice of THIS pie?
I am a researcher. I have studied this from both sides of the fence.
I just heard today that the state of KS is almost HALF A BILLION dollars in debt. Am I the only one who can make this connection? Look it up: See where we are on the horticultural map. We could completely un-do our debt, save the farmers AND pay a whole bunch of teachers.
I would legalize it, if I were in charge.
For.Real…. See More
2 hours ago ·
PfPc
17. Apr, 2010
Shane Chrisman
Even if you discount the tax revenue you’d create through regulation and taxation, the simple fact is that you’d save a staggering amount of tax money each year if you stopped arresting people for possession or sale of the herb. How much money do we spend per year to house and care for weed-related criminals?
End this prohibition and that money… See More can go toward busting meth labs(which the cops would already be doing if they weren’t pussies) or offering alternative methods to cold-turky for getting away from chemical addiction.
about an hour ago ·
PfPc
17. Apr, 2010
Shane Chrisman
I’m with you, Moe, ’twere best it were legalized quickly.
about an hour ago ·
PfPc
17. Apr, 2010
Moe Masters
This is old, but it’s telling: http://www.alternet.org/rights/47815/
about an hour ago ·
PfPc
17. Apr, 2010
Mary Turner
MJ should be absolutely legal for all above reasons, plus we would empty out about half the prison population. Also hemp growing, I’m currently visiting the Pine Ridge reservation, where Alex White Plume has been under assault by the DEA for growing hemp (which has such a low THC content you could stand in the middle of a burning field and not get high). See the documentary: http://standingsilentnation.com/. More idiocy at taxpayer expense.
14 minutes ago ·
Shannon
21. Apr, 2010
At the very least, decriminalization.
PfPc
27. Apr, 2010
Justin Magiera
Is there any other option for the intellectually enlightened than legalization?
April 18 at 2:24pm
PfPc
27. Apr, 2010
Breanna Swart-Ainsworth
My favorite points made in the article: (1) Hemp seed is a total source of all of the essential polyunsaturated fatty acids humans need. (2) Unlike alcohol and aspirin, there has never been a reported death from smoking or ingesting Marijuana. (3) It’s only side effect can be remedied, with no long-term side effects, by simple periods of abstinence along with a proper diet and exercise.
Sounds safer than cotton candy to me (self-induced diabetes) and doesn’t seem to fall far from the hookah’s charm sans possible nicotine/tobacco..I mean really- motorcycles (death rate) should’ve been outlawed before marijuana if it’s truly an issue of public safety. The public safety issue being deflated by marijuana’s health benefits.
An additional piece of knowledge not noted in the article that I’ve heard mentioned were it’s oxygen producing abilities- it’s been said that the marijuana plant releases as much oxygen as trees and that the plant reaches maturity sooner than a tree sapling for a higher oxygen production capability. … See More
I advocate the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes- no offense to our drug companies but Mexico & America both have much more than 20 years usage under their belts; which for me is more comforting than all of the crap being peddled to my doctor for kickbacks with only 5/10 years of research done. Not to mention the damage and havoc being wreaked when these aforementioned prescription meds are flushed down toilets carelessly into the environment our animal brethren & all of mankind depend on us to preserve.
Yesterday at 4:21am
BluntMan
29. Apr, 2010
My wife and I read this article at Dinner downtown and since we are both long time smokers we think that Marijuana should have been leagalized years ago. This year, California will vote to leagalize this herb. They too are in enourmas debt. As a graduate of WSU Business School, how can some not look at the cost analysis and not agree that leagalizing would at the very least make a dent in our state debt. From what I understand, Marijuana is the 3rd largest crop in our state, and it is ILLEGAL!
So I am a business man and eduacated and I still had a run in with the law, twice. Never once being convicted of any crime. But, the law says if I get caught with just a gram, it is a FELONY! What a Free Country this is?
We are all a bunch of Hypocrites. Alcohol and Nicotine kill 450,000 a year, yet no legislation to stop their sale. And companies such as Dupont and Dow, who reap billions selling synthetic fibers to a world which doesn’t need them. I thought this was the green revolution, yet we still manufacture a synthetic products, which hemp would replace.
The legal system reaps billions, from prisons, to lawyers, to probation officers. Half of the drug use in this country is marijuana, so if you cut out half the crime, some people do not like that. And they give billions to keep the lies going.
And drug companies. Ever hear the reactions to drug TV ads? They are worse than your problem! Why not self medicate? Why not let oneself be in charge of ones own body? I would like to outlaw McDonalds because it causes people to be overweight and therefore, more expensive on healthcare(not really).
The government just wants to control us, from the cradel to the grave. Lets fight this people. Let’s take our country back. I mean, GW grew hemp, and he was never affiliated with any political party!
And to all these Dopey politicians who think pot is and the internet are not the people, get a CLUE, you will have plenty of time after you are removed from office!
Bluebeard
05. May, 2010
This is all the same old hippie spiel.
Yes, you’ve gotten high, you’ve had your fun. Can you conceive of the idea that your life would be much better without weed?
radar1
27. Jul, 2010
i totally agree with blunt man, not only because i smoke, but also because i hate motherfuckers who would contradict every single person on this blog by saying life would be much better without weed! how so i must say?? marijuana is totally natural no matter how you grow it, its a fucking plant. yes other drugs are plants or plant solutions but fucking concentrated or chemically combined.which marijuana is not. maybe only the down to earth, peaceful, and grateful people appreciate what nature can do for oneself? =]
Michael
17. Nov, 2010
As someone who has worked in the field of addictions for thirteen years, I find it fascinating that so much misinformation regarding marijuana still abounds in the public domain. Its a clear indication to me that people would rather listen to (and readily believe) sound bites of information that support their personal views, rather than review the research on a particular subject and then form an educated decision.
On a personal note, I’d like to see citations in an article like this. Presenting presumably factual information without citations in today’s world calls the entire article and the integrity of its author into question as far as I’m concerned. Factually, I’ve read no research that says anywhere that marijuana coats nuerons in “resin,” and suspect that such information is pure fiction, whatever the source. Research on the subject is generally inconclusive and often contradictory, with studies both demonstrating that the memory impairment is temporary, and other studies suggesting that it hastens the permanent loss of memory nuerons in the hippocampus. NIDA, whose research is often still considered questionable by many, but has conducted large numbers of studies on the subject, does not claim 100 % certainty about what causes the short term memory loss related to marijuana (nor do they claim certainty about whether or not long term use impairs the recovery of such short term memory loss). Here’s a link to an appropriate article on the subject: http://www.nida.nih.gov/researchreports/marijuana/marijuana3.html
At any rate, I find it difficult to believe that anyone who actually reads and understands research can draw any kind of parallel at all between marijuana and the vast majority of other drugs of abuse available. Alcohol, one of the most commonly abused drugs, enjoys a likely irreversible status of legality, and yet has a far greater body of evidence against it (in terms of the direct damage to the body, addictive potential, and related deaths from the use of the substance).
This leads me to conclude that the status of legality of marijuana has far more to do with cultural norms and values than it does with any legitimate conversation about the scientific pros and cons of legalization (much like many other conversations occurring politically in our country). Facts often weigh less than passions.
Frankly, if we were to follow the evidence both for and against the legalization of chemicals regarding their use in the medical field and recreation, we may end up having to examine other processes, like the legal status that alcohol currently enjoys (if we’re being honest).
Though I don’t use marijuana, I find it a bit naive and certainly uneducated to assume that alcohol should enjoy a status that marijuana does not. I am a fan of education and policy that follows evidence, not passions, and would say as a professional in the field, that today’s current policies on chemicals as a whole are far less evidence based than they probably should be.
Jessica
16. Jan, 2011
If you have Netflix, you should watch a movie called “The Union.” It is a movie about the effects of marijuana and how it would change the economy if it were legalized, and interviews researchers that have expertise in that field. Every person who has posted a comment on this article will probably find an answer to the arguements you are posting.