Project for Health class

1. LAWS BEHIND
MARIJUANA
Bryan Huber

2. WHERE HAS MARIJUANA BEEN DE-CRIMINALIZED?

3. BACKGROUND
Marijuana is the third most popular recreational
drug in America, behind only alcohol and
tobacco
Used by nearly 100 million Americans.
According to government surveys, some 25
million Americans have smoked marijuana in
the past year
More than 14 million do so regularly despite
laws against its use.

4. HISTORY
 1800s - Marijuana is legal in most states, as hemp to make items
such as rope, sails, and clothes. Also became a common ingredient in
medicine and was openly sold at pharmacies
 1910 - After the Mexican Revolution of 1910, a wave of Mexicans
immigrated to the United States and introduced the American public to
recreational cannabis use.
 December 19, 1914 - The Harrison Narcotics Act prohibited
possession of narcotics unless properly prescribed by a physician, in
the US
 June 14, 1930 – Creation of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN)
 1931 - 29 states had outlawed marijuana.

5. HISTORY
 August 2, 1937 - Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, This act made possession or
transfer of cannabis illegal throughout the United States under federal law,
excluding medical and industrial uses, in which an expensive excise tax was
required.
 July 18, 1956 - Narcotics Control Act of 1956, The acts made a first time
cannabis possession offense a minimum of two to ten years with a fine up to
$20,000
 1970 - Controlled Substances Act, Law enacted that regulates the
prescribing and dispensing of psychoactive drugs, including stimulants,
depressants, and hallucinogens.
 1973 - Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is formed
 November 5, 1996 - The Compassionate Use Act of 1996, was passed, the
Act in california legalized the medicinal use of marijuana.

6. VIDEO
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKPBLI5xnMg
In this video, doctors discuss the issue on marijuana. Look out for
arguments for both sides of the issue.

7. WHY MARIJUANA SHOULDN’T BE
LEGAL
 Harmful effects to the brain and body
 Gateway drug
 Impairs driving
 Harmful effects on the fetus during pregnancy
 Memory loss
 Addictive
 Causes Anxiety, fear, distrust and panic.

8. DISCUSSION
 Should marijuana be legalized?
 If Marijuana was legal what should be the age to buy?