The Marijuana Tax Act Of 1937

Over the past few years, the issue of the legalization of marijuana has become a very controversial topic. When confronted with the issue, it feels almost instinctive to feel as though marijuana should forever be illegal. However, when the issue is really dissected and thought about, it becomes apparent that ther

Isaac Campos wrote this book in order to provide a background history of Mexico’s use of marijuana and the effect it had in Mexican society. He displays marijuana’s extent both, socially and politically. He scripted his book to carry the reader from the arrival of cannabis (would later be referred to as marijuana) in Mexico through the substance’s prohibition in 1920. With this book, he attempts to “decipher the psychoactive riddle of cannabis in nineteenth and early twentieth century Mexico” (p.8). The “psychoactive riddle” is the way the drug, set, and setting are imposed on the resulting influence of marijuana. Home Grown is significant in understanding the War on Drugs and the impact marijuana has had on society in North America. It provided history of notable events due to the production and prohibition of the drug ranging from its introduction until the 1920s when it was banned. Campos argued that the negative stereotypes of marijuana, often thought to have originated in the United States, actually originated in Mexico as a way to control the use of the drug. Citizens of Mexico related the drug to causing the users to go mad, hence the reason of the term “Reefer Madness.”

This case is another example of conflicting federalism. Once again, the federal government has stuck its nose in state business, or did they? In the case of John Coats versus Direct TV, after a very long wait, the Colorado Supreme Court issued a ruling on the topic of medical marijuana and employment practices. The court ruled against Coats who was fired for testing positive for marijuana at work. Although he was not on company time or property and marijuana is legal in Colorado, Coates still lost his case. The court ruled in favor of Direct TV stating that Coats’ actions were against the company’s employment policy.

Since the paper has secured the historical backdrop of the issues and contentions about legitimizing marijuana, it will go more into insight about the issues and contentions by first outlining the persons supporting legalization. The general stakeholders include most recreational users, some police state officers and some farmers. The specific stake holders include the Drug policy Alliance, The Marijuana Policy Project and Republican Texas state representative David Simpson. These organizations and representatives aim to promote values, like liberty, health, and economic prosperity. The DPA is the country 's driving association advancing medication arrangements that are grounded in science, sympathy, well being and human rights. DPA supporters are people who accept the war on drugs is accomplishing more danger than great, like most recreational users. The DPA works to guarantee that the country’s medication arrangements stop detaining people , disappoint and generally hurt millions especially young teens and minorities who are excessively influenced by the war on illicit drugs (About Drug Policy Alliance). The marijuana policy project is an alliance and commitment to individuals who promote honesty, and advocate for terminally ill patients to use marijuana. It aims to remove penalties for possession and open a legal market where some farmers can cultivate and sell marijuana with professional help (Mission). The last stakeholder on the proponents’ side of legalizing

During the 1920's many mexican immigrants fled to the United States for work. With them, many of them brought marijuana. The act of smoking marijuana was picked up on by many black and white jazz musicians during the 1920's and 1930's, but was not used widespread until the 1960's. During the 1930's, Louis Artmstrong was arrested in California and given a sentence of six months for possession of Marijuana [3]. In 1937, the Treasury Department established a marijuana transfer tax known as the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, after testifying before Congress. After 1937 up until the passing of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Act of 1970, which include the Controlled Substance Act of 1970, marijuana was legally controlled through a transfer tax. [2]

Back in the 1900’s when there was a large immigration influx of Mexicans into the U.S., citizens not only saw there was an influx of their customs. This included the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes (Burnett and Reiman, 2014). What most Americans didn’t realize is that it is the same as what they knew as cannabis, which had been used in many medicines for years and was found in may American households. The U.S. had been known to control immigrants by having an excuse to search and deport certain races by outlawing the use of their traditional medicinal drugs, like had been done with Chinese immigrants and the use of opium in San Francisco (Burnett and Reiman, 2014). Texas adopted this way of thought by using marijuana to control Mexican immigrants. Claims were made that marijuana was able to “cause men of color to become violent and solicit sex from white women” (Burnett and Reiman, 2014). From accusation like this, the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 came into being and

Before 1937, marijuana, or marihuana at the time, had served a 5000 year history as a therapeutic plant within many different cultures(Burnett). During the 30s people were fed the lie that marijuana had the capability to make people very violent toward women, these men were usually stereotyped as men of color. According to Dr. Burnett this is one of the main reasons that the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 was passed, which banned all the usage and the selling of marijuana. The legalization of marijuana has its pros and cons like any argument but I believe the pros outweigh the cons in this debate. With the side effects thought to decrease anxiety, control epileptic seizures, and even stop cancer from spreading(Loria) should be enough to legalize

Cannabis began being outlawed all across the U.S. during the 1900’s and has remained illegal ever since, until recent years when states began legalizing it (huffpost.com). Although many people believe that the reason behind the prohibition of cannabis was based on genuine concern for the possible consequences it may have on the well-being of people if it remained accessible to all, the truth is that the drive behind the U.S.’s prohibition of cannabis was founded on racism. During the early 1900’s cannabis was considered an “ethnic drug” due to the fact that many Mexican immigrants smoked the plant (huffpost.com). With the tension in Western states regarding the migration of Mexicans into the states, laws concerning the use regulation of

Ever since marijuana’s introduction to the United States of America in 1611, controversy of the use and legalization of the claimed-to-be Schedule I drug spread around the nation. While few selective states currently allow marijuana’s production and distribution, the remaining states still skepticize the harmlessness and usefulness of this particular drug; therefore, it remains illegal in the majority of the nation. The government officials and citizens of the opposing states believe the drug creates a threat to citizens due to its “overly-harmful” effects mentally and physically and offers no alternate purposes but creating troublesome addicts hazardous to society; however, they are rather misinformed about marijuana’s abilities. While

First, from 1900 to 1940, marijuana, including opium and cocaine were considered part of everyday drugs. As time went on, the U.S. cracked down on crack and opium, eventually outlawing them, but continued to be very “loose” with the use of marijuana. Hoxter a weed smuggler explains how he began in the 1960’s trying weed and years later saw himself unloading four hundred pounds of pot in Vancouver. The story of this man ends in his isolation and argument of why he couldn’t smoke weed even if he stopped selling? He asked a parole officer and she didn’t know what to respond. It is true what Hoxter states, fifty years ago alcohol was illegal and now it’s not, was it bad then? Will weed be legalized? And will the conflicts have been in vain? (Schou 8). Around the late 90’s and early 2000’s, scientific studies started to produce jaw-dropping results. Scientists started to discover that marijuana can significantly help people who have become ill. Medical Marijuana has been tested to help people with cataracts, cancer and severe depression (Zeese 1999). With this new worldwide discovery, the argument about medical marijuana ignited. States wanted to only make medical marijuana legal so it may help sick people, but the government did not want any form of marijuana legal. The law that was known throughout the United States was any form of marijuana was illegal. But now with this new discovery, doctors in states across the country want the

The act was drafted by Harry Anslinger and introduced by Rep. Robert L. Doughton of North Carolina, on April 14, 1937. The imposed tax equaled roughly one dollar on anyone who profited from cannabis, hemp, or marijuana. The Act did not itself make the possession or usage of hemp, marijuana, or cannabis unlawful but it did add a punishment and implementation to the rule to which marijuana, cannabis, or hemp handlers were subject. A $2000 fine and five years' imprisonment could result in the violation of these processes.

Marijuana or Cannabis is a hallucinogenic drug that contains a very high amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It can be used for both medical and recreational reasons, but it is currently illegal in most states in this country. This drug has been illegal for the majority of this country's history, and just recently several states like Washington, California, and New York have passed laws so that people with medical issues are able to consume this drug for their own medical needs

Possession and use of cannabis, also commonly known as marijuana, is considered illegal. For years marijuana has been an illegal “drug” in most countries. In today’s world a few countries have legalized cannabis while others are still progressing toward it. In particular, small amount of marijuana have been allowed in places such as Europe, North America and South America. In the United States in particular, states such as Washington and Colorado have also legalized the usage of marijuana for medical/recreational purposes. On the other hand, numerous penalties are enforced pertaining the use or possession of cannabis where it is not legal. The chance of the penalties being small are seldom; offenders often receive severe punishments. Possession of small quantities of marijuana is not punished the same way as possession of large quantities of other illegal narcotics. In this essay, there will be an in-depth argument on the reasons why cannabis should be legalized, and why it should not.

November,8, 2016 the ballots were dispersed and votes were submitted. Question four on the ballot was known as the “The Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act.” The numbers came in and beginning December 15, 2016 in Massachusetts, individuals above the age of twenty-one will now be able to legally purchase, possess, cultivate, and use marijuana, with limitations on quantity, for recreational and medicinal use under the statutes of the state laws. While the prohibition of marijuana in Massachusetts has ended, many new movements must now begin to maintain, regulate, and pursue a positive outcome. With other states that have already passed such laws, such as Colorado, Massachusetts will begin to piggyback off their models. Developing a system that will hopefully come to fruition of all the possibilities and benefits this new law has promised.

In this research paper, we will be discussing one specific herb, Marijuana, as there are many misconceptions around it rendering it illegal, and we will attempt to argue with its unfounded illegality. What is Marijuana? Where, how and why is it consumed? What are recurrent misconceptions? First, we will be talking about the origins of the plant and where it is mainly found and grown, then we’ll be discussing the various uses for it and its effects on consumers, to finish off with its legality and position in today’s