Marijuana Use in the Early Years of the United States
Recreational Use of Marijuana Increased in the 1920's
During the 1600's and thru the 1800's marijuana was grown as a crop for the fiber (hemp) which was used to make cloth and rope. Hemp is also used to make canvas and paper.
According to Hemp.com.: hemp cultivators included Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin. Cotton became more popular for use as fiber and by the late 1800's hemp crops had been replaced by cotton.
Some information about hemp from the website Hemp.com:
- Until 1883, 75-90% of all paper in the U.S. was made with hemp.
- Hemp seed was the # 1-selling bird feed; 4 million pounds were sold in the U.S. in 1937.
- In the mid-to-late 1800's the 2nd & 3rd most commonly used medications were concentrated cannabis extracts and resins (a.k.a. hashish).
- Until 1937 70-90% of all rope and twine was made with hemp.
- In 1850 the U.S. Census reported 8,327 hemp plantations of at least 2000 acres in size. Not counted were thousands of smaller crops.
- The version of the Declaration of Independence released on July 4, 1776 was written on hemp.
Davison & Neale (2001) stated that during the mid 19th century cannabis resin was used to treat rheumatism, gout, depression, cholera, and neuralgia, and from 1850-1942 marijuana was prescribed for rheumatism, nausea and labor pains.
Recreational use of marijuana increased during the 1920's after the Eighteenth Amendment was passed which prohibited the sale of alcohol. During this time the use of marijuana was especially rampant in New Orleans, a port city which had marijuana coming in from many different locations. Listening to jazz music and smoking marijuana became very popular in this region. Marijuana cigarettes could be purchased at jazz clubs, markets and pharmacies.
SOURCES
Davison, G.C. & Neale, J.M. (2001). Abnormal Psychology (8th Edition)
New York: John Wiley and Sons
www.narconon.org
www.hemp.com
Published by Allyson Dalley
Allyson has a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern and has counseled individuals, families and facilitated group therapy sessions on a variety of topics.... View profile
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- Recreational use of marijuana increased in the 1920's after the sale of alcohol was prohibited.