Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is a plant that has been used for medicinal and recreational purposes for thousands of years. However, despite its long history of use, cannabis was made illegal in the United States and many other countries in the 20th century. The reasons behind its prohibition are complex and multifaceted, involving concerns about drug abuse, racism, and corporate interests.

Propaganda

One of the main reasons why cannabis was made illegal is due to the belief that it is a dangerous and addictive drug. In the early 1900s, there was a growing concern about the use of drugs, particularly among young people. This led to the creation of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, which was tasked with enforcing drug laws and curbing drug abuse. One of the key figures in the criminalization of cannabis in the United States was Harry Anslinger, the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. Anslinger, who served in this role from 1930 to 1962, was a vocal proponent of cannabis prohibition and played a major role in the passage of the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, which effectively made cannabis illegal in the United States. However, it has been suggested that Anslinger's campaign against cannabis was not driven by genuine concerns about public health and safety, but rather by more sinister motives. 

Racism

Another reason why cannabis was made illegal is due to its association with minority communities. Critics argue that Harry Anslinger had a personal vendetta against cannabis and that he used his position to advance his own agenda, rather than the interests of the American people. He was known to have made inflammatory statements about cannabis, referring to it as a "killer drug" that was used by "degenerate" minorities, particularly African Americans and Mexican immigrants. Some have suggested that Anslinger's campaign against cannabis was an attempt to target and marginalize these communities. During the early 20th century, there were widespread anti-immigrant and racist attitudes in the United States, and cannabis was often portrayed as a drug used by these groups. This led to the criminalization of cannabis as a way to target and marginalize these communities.

Corporate Interests

Additionally, the rise of the pharmaceutical industry in the 20th century also played a role in the criminalization of cannabis. Pharmaceutical companies saw cannabis as a threat to their profits and lobbied for its prohibition. The DuPont Corporation, which was one of the largest chemical companies in the world at the time, had invested heavily in the development of synthetic fibers like nylon. These fibers were seen as a potential replacement for hemp, which was a traditional source of fiber for products like rope and textiles. Criminalizing marijuana could have had the benefit of reducing competition for DuPont's synthetic fibers. Similarly, William Randolph Hearst, who owned a large chain of newspapers, had invested heavily in timber and paper production. He is believed to have used his media outlets to spread anti-cannabis propaganda, linking marijuana use to crime and violence in order to demonize the plant and boost his own economic interests.

Conclusion

Despite the reasons for its prohibition, cannabis is now legal for medicinal or recreational use in many states and countries. Furthermore, many studies have shown that cannabis has medicinal benefits and is not as dangerous as previously believed. However, the drug still remains illegal in some countries and the use of cannabis is still heavily stigmatized. In conclusion, the criminalization of cannabis was a complex process that was influenced by a number of factors, including concerns about drug abuse, racism, and corporate interests. The involvement of DuPont and Hearst in the criminalization of marijuana, is yet another example of how corporate interests have influenced laws and regulations to benefit them, rather than the general public. Today, many people are advocating for the legalization of cannabis and the removal of the negative stigma attached to it. The history of cannabis prohibition is a reminder of how easily people can use politics, racism, and corporate interests to shape our laws and regulations, and how important it is to question the motivations behind them. As more research is being conducted on the benefits of marijuana, it is important to also look at the historical context in which it was made illegal and understand that the reasons behind it were not always based on facts and scientific evidence. It is crucial to continue the conversation about cannabis and its potential benefits, as well as its risks, in order to make informed decisions about its use and regulation.