Conversation About Cannabis

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Thomas Webb Mr. Porter English 101 10 April 2012 Re-light the Conversation about Cannabis Regional dean and Professor Virgil Van Dusen wrote on the topic of drug control regarding the Comprehensive Drug Abuse and Control Act of 1970 in which implemented policies and guidelines in the manner of drug and substance control. The drugs or other substances are listed in the five categories or schedules as the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) refers to them. Starting with Schedule I that states drugs or other substances have a high potential for abuse with no current accepted medical use in treatment within the United States, because there is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision. LSD, MDMA (Ecstasy),…show more content…
Dale Gieringer states that in the late 1800’s cannabis was only administered orally and it was later found that smoked cannabis produced the quicker euphoric results that many people enjoy today. The need for drug control, fueled by anti-Chinese immigration and opium dens, lawmakers in California developed the State Board of Pharmacy (Gieringer). This board would be the first of its kind and ultimately would set the stage for the legislation that came in later years to try and make America a drug free nation. Scientists were unsure of how to categorize cannabis and its effects. Some said cannabis was a stimulant while others said it was a depressant. Even some pharmacists in early America had views of cannabis having adverse effects on a person. Andrew G. DuMez (1885-1948), wrote “The Marihuana Menace”. Dr. DuMez wrote in the journal depicted stories about the people under the influence of cannabis “During this time they are, temporary at least, irresponsible and prone to commit violent crimes” (DuMez). The movie “Reefer Madness” released in 1936 also contributed to the general population being unsure and scared of the effects of marijuana. The movie showed teens becoming violent criminals when they were under the influence (Marijuana UXL).The growth of immigration and the domestic growth of America had really brought forth a…show more content…
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