Cannabis and Hemp History?

According to Wikipedia,

Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a botanical class of Cannabis sativa cultivars grown specifically for industrial or medicinal use.  It’s documented as one of the oldest and fastest-growing plants on the planet.  Hemp usage by humans is as old as recorded history.  Some sources suggest it dates back 10,000 years.  It can be used to .make a wide range of products.  Along with bamboo.  Every part of the hemp plant can be transformed into industrial products.  The seeds can be eaten or turned into organic feed for cattle.   It is used to make clothes, shoes, plastic, food, beverages, and the list goes on and on.

A little Hemp History

On August 2, 1937, Congress passed the “Marihuana Tax Act of 1937” which placed a tax on the sale of Cannabis.  A United States government official, Harry J. Anslinger spearheaded the movement that lead to the passing of this Act.  His influence alone played a critical role in the introduction and passing of the “Marijuana Tax Act of 1937.”

He served 32 years as the first commissioner of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Federal Bureau of Narcotics.  He denounced marijuana as violent, insane, and a perpetrator of crimes.

Mr. Anslinger was well known as a notorious racist who supported the victimization of African Americans and the criminalization of narcotics.  Back in the 30s, hemp was primarily grown and consumed by poor African Americans.  The plant was widely promoted by famous African American musicians who enjoyed the relaxation effects.  Harry despised that.

The cannabis plant was classified as a Schedule 1 drug,

• In 1961, The United Nations created the “Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs,” an international treaty that controls activities of specific narcotic drugs.
• In 1970, “The Controlled Substances Act” was used to establish the Federal United States Drug policy under which the manufacture, import, possession, use, and distribution of certain substances including narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, anabolic, and steroids were prohibited.
• In 2013, “The Agricultural Act” was introduced by President Barack Obama. This Act authorized nutrition and agriculture programs in the United States for the years 2014-2018. It was signed on February 7, 2014.
• In 2018, ‘The Farm Bill” was introduced by Donald Trump.  The Farm Bill provides support, certainty, and stability to our nations farmers, ranchers and forest managers.  It enhances farm support programs.