Introduction to Cannabis Policy
Early Cannabis Regulation
1906 Pure Food and Drug Act: Required labeling of cannabis when used in over-the-counter remedies.
1910-1920s Anti-Mexican Sentiment: Racism and xenophobia fueled the association of cannabis with crime, leading to early state-level bans.
Marijuana Tax Act of 1937
Purpose: Imposed a heavy tax on cannabis sales, effectively criminalizing possession and distribution.
Impact: Criminalized cannabis at a federal level and marked the beginning of prohibition.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970
Classification: Cannabis was listed as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD.
Defined as having no accepted medical use, a high potential for abuse, and no safety for use under medical supervision.
Result: Research was restricted, and cannabis was officially illegal under federal law.
Reagan Era & the War on Drugs (1980s)
Comprehensive Crime Control Act (1984): Enhanced penalties for drug-related offenses.
Anti-Drug Abuse Act (1986): Introduced mandatory minimum sentences for cannabis offenses.
Impact: Disproportionately targeted Black and Latino communities, leading to mass incarceration.
