Why is Marijuana Criminalized? (a 4/20 Retrospective)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p9VXWktn8XWzE0t9FKjZqE5kXR2KzRYY/view?usp=drivesdk

The criminalization of marijuana stems from a complex interplay of social, political, and economic factors. Historically, marijuana became associated with racism and xenophobia in the early 20th century, particularly targeting Mexican immigrants and African Americans. This racial bias was exacerbated by sensationalized media reports and political propaganda, which portrayed marijuana as a dangerous drug that threatened societal norms and values.

Furthermore, during the same period, there was a growing temperance movement in the United States, which sought to regulate and prohibit substances deemed harmful or addictive. This movement, coupled with concerns about marijuana’s psychoactive effects, led to its classification as a controlled substance.

Additionally, the criminalization of marijuana served economic interests, particularly in the context of the burgeoning pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries. These industries viewed marijuana as a competitor to their products and lobbied for its prohibition to maintain their market dominance.

Despite evolving attitudes and scientific understanding about marijuana’s effects, entrenched stigma, political agendas, and economic interests have perpetuated its criminalization. However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement advocating for the legalization or decriminalization of marijuana, driven by evidence of its potential medical benefits and recognition of the social injustices perpetuated by its criminalization.