Beginning around 1930 there was significant global maneuvering to regulate and ban marijuana. In 1961 the United Nations writes Article 49 which states, "The use of cannabis for other than medical and scientific purposes must be discontinued as soon as possible but in any case within twenty-five years..." and finally in 1970 the United States establishes the Controlled Substances Act classifying marijuana as a drug with "No accepted medical use". Today in the USA, marijuana is in a unique position politically. While it has been legal in some states for medical use for over 10 years, other states are just getting started medically. Then there are two states: Colorado and Washington that have outright legalized it for recreational use. What will happen with the new state laws and federal regulation is anyone's guess at this time, but it should certainly be interesting especially when considering international laws and interest in the matter. It does seem that change is in the air and there is momentum towards some form of legalization.
Should Marijuana Be Legalized? By Barbour, Scott (Google Affiliate Ad)
Legalizing Marijuana: Drug Policy Reform and Prohibition Politics by G (Google Affiliate Ad)
Learn more about marijuana legalization.
