The History of Hemp or Cannabis Sativa - Research Paper Example

HEMP Introduction Hemp even recognized as Cannabis Sativa and even well known as Marijuana is aherb/drug that has positive effects and has served humans in helping them treat various illnesses and health issues. While on the other hand, it has been misused as a drug and is said to have made people conduct anti-social activities which has let to its criminalization. This paper will focus on the history of hemp, how it has been medically and criminally used and the legal policies that have been associated with this herb. History Hemp is a natural plant and is a native herb of Central Asia as well as South Asia, existence of Hemp can be traced back to third millennium and during 2003 a basket made up of leather was figured out near a twenty eight hundred year old mummified shaman, the basket contained remains of cannabis leaf. The existence of this drug can be traced in India and its existence is even stated in the Sanskrit. The psychoactive elements of this herb were recognized by the Aryans, the herb was even utilized for ritual purposes, used by cults related to pharmacology. It is even said to be used by Jews, Muslims and Christians in their religious practices. According to John Gregory Bourke, Hemp was used by the Mexican community to heal various health issues such as asthma and to accelerate delivery of child. According to Bourke, the herb is a very prominent negative finding of the East side of the world and the herb has an ability to make individuals conduct anti-social behaviour. During the early period of the 20th century, the drug was banned and criminalized. During 1906, US banned its use, later in 1911, South Africa even joined the process of banning hemp, in the 20s of the nineteenth century, and it was banned by the government of New Zealand and United Kingdom. Later in the 1937 era, US passed an act to restrict the production of this drug; this act was recognized as Marihuana Tax Act. Medical History Around more than 5000 years ago, hemp was first used as medicine for various illnesses such as female health issues, malaria and constipation, later it was recommended to be used as analgesic for surgical purposes. Hemp has been used in India as a means of relieving headache, decreasing fever and inducing sleep and increasing the functionality rate of mind. In Africa, this herb was used for similar purposes, even in modern days; it is used before childbirth and to treat poison from snake bites. High medical value was attached to the herb by the Europeans during the period of the 5th and the 15th century, during 1621, it was even recommended to fight the problem of depression, and this recommendation was made by Robert Burton (Arrowsmith 151). It was even recommended for skin issues during 1764 and during 1784 it was recommended for treating urinary as well as venereal diseases. The Western side of the world did not use hemp medically before the 1840s, during the period of 1840s and 1900s, several academic and research papers were published in differed medical journals and in these academic sources, hemp was proposed as a solution to various health problems. During 1978, federal government of the US was sued by Robert Randall on the charges of wrongfully arresting him for using hemp for the treatment of his glaucoma, the ruling went in the favour of Randall and the court made the FDA to start a program of growing hemp in the University of Mississippi and to distribute Randall with 300 cigarettes of hemp each month. The program was shut down by President George H.W. Bush because Randall even tried enrolling patients suffering from AIDS into this program. During 2011, the US court of law announced completed ban on the use of Marijuana in all those states where it was used medically. Legal History During 1937, the US federal law passed a bill recognized as Marihuana Tax Act completely banned the possession of hemp and transfer of hemp, and only allowed its use for industrial along with medical use and for such use, heavy taxes were levied. The Act was openly opposed by AMA because heavy taxes were to be paid by the medical users, prescribers and sellers of hemp. Later during the era of 1942 and 1945, mass production of this herb took place and 1957 saw the last commercial plantation of hemp in the area of Wisconsin. During 1969, in a case, the Marijuana Tax was recognized as unconstitutional as it was in violation of the 5th Amendment. The Marijuana Act was passed due to various legal case hearing, the FBN figured out a substantial increment in the number of people consuming hemp and this elevation of use increased further during 1937. FBN started a campaign against the use of hemp and pressurized the congress to create a law to ban the use of hemp (Goldberg 74). During the era of 1952 and 1956 two acts recognized as the Boggs and the Narcotics Control act were passed and according to these acts, those individuals who possess hemp and are caught for the first time were to serve a prison period of 2 to 10 years along with a maximum fine of $20k, later in 1970s, the acts were repealed. During the 1968 and 1973 period DEA even recognized as Drug enforcement Administration was created with the collaboration of two Narcotics agencies and during 1975 the US court of law announced that according to law anyone with the possession of hemp can be imprisoned for twenty years (Erlen 106). During 1977, the California State decreased the amount of fine to $100 for possession of one or less than one ounce of hemp, while passion of over an ounce of the herb was fined at $500 along with prison period of six months, these laws were passed to decrease the billions of dollars of spending that states were incurring and after these laws, the spending pattern decreased by 74%. During 1986, the Anti-Drug Abuse Act was put in action once again and a new law was created according to which, those who are found possessing for three times were to serve jail period of 25 years. During 1996, use of hemp for medical purposes was legalized and Oakland Cannabis Buyers’ Cooperative was created to provide hemp to those individuals who need it medically for treating medical illnesses (Cohen 296). During 1998, this method was even deemed as unlawful as it was in violation of the Controlled Substance Act, according to which hemp had no medical benefits for treating medical illnesses. Various reasons are available for the question of why people act against the law, one of the reasons suggests that people break law as they have no fear of breaking the law, others break law because it is socially acceptable to them and the society. The society in which they are born may conduct customs that are anti-social to other societies and people of such societies simply break laws to comply with the standards of their own society. In reaction to activities recognized as against the law, the society punishes those individuals who are involved in such activities. The society has set different methods such as corporal punishment, death penalty, life imprisonment, imprisonment and parole to punish law breakers. Conclusion For years hemp has been used for various purposes and has been found to be of great help in treating medical conditions. It has been prescribed by physicians for treating or lowering the effect of diseases that cause acute pain. It has even been used to create paper which is less costly than the conventional paper making method. But the way people have used it overtime has made it a disadvantage rather than an advantage to human beings. If policy makers create policies and tighten the regulatory system for this herb, it can continue to be beneficial for those who need it. Works Cited Goldberg, Ray. Drugs Across the Spectrum. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2003. Print. Cohen, Peter J. Drugs, Addiction, and the Law: Policy, Politics, and Public Health. Durham, N.C: Carolina Academic Press, 2004. Print. Erlen, Jonathon, and Joseph F. Spillane. Federal Drug Control: The Evolution of Policy and Practice. New York: Pharmaceutical Products Press, 2004. Print. Arrowsmith, Nancy. Essential Herbal Wisdom: A Complete Exploration of 50 Remarkable Herbs. Woodbury, Minn: Llewellyn Publications, 2009. Print. Read More