Marijuana: An American Misunderstanding

Marijuana legalization has been an intensely debated topic in American politics for most of the last one hundred years. Evolving from a substance illegally used primarily by immigrant laborers and jazz musicians, into a multi-billion dollar a year semi-legal industry. Along the way many people have been subjugated to laws and policies made based on misunderstandings and incomplete information. Recent changes to laws within the American states, as well as at the Federal level, have open the door for new policy and a new flow of science backed information to become more accessible to the current or potential consumer of marijuana. In addition to compiling and reviewing the path that marijuana has taken, from the early 1900s into the beginnings of the 21st century, through American society this text will also review marijuana's role in the larger context of American and international drug culture. It is the author's hope that this text can offer a realistic overview for the uninformed who is curious about why this has been, and continues to be, such a major part of American society and American governmental operations.