The Federal Marijuana Ban Is Rooted in Myth and Xenophobia

Posted on AllSides July 30th, 2014
From The Left
OPINION

The federal law that makes possession of marijuana a crime has its origins in legislation that was passed in an atmosphere of hysteria during the 1930s and that was firmly rooted in prejudices against Mexican immigrants and African-Americans, who were associated with marijuana use at the time. This racially freighted history lives on in current federal policy, which is so driven by myth and propaganda that is it almost impervious to reason.

The cannabis plant, also known as hemp, was widely grown in the United States for use in fabric...

Read full story
Some content from this outlet may be limited or behind a paywall.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/30/opinion/high-time-federal-marijuana-ban-is-rooted-in-myth.html

More News about Public Health from the Left, Center and Right

From the Left

From the Center

From the Right