08/28/2021
W**d- Cannot an Illegal substance anymore in 21st century!
As a person living in the 21st century, the word âW**dâ or âCannabisâ cannot be a new word to you. The history of W**d or Cannabis and its usage for medical and recreational purposes has a long history in the humanity. The written history of w**d and its usage dates back to at least the 3rd Millennium BCE and obviously the familiarity of w**d among the human beings goes further back, based on archaeological evidence. For decades, this nature-gifted plant has been valued for its use for fiber and rope, as food and medicine and for its psychoactive properties for religious and recreational use. W**d is known to be a category of psychoactive or psychotropic drug for the changesit creates in sensory perceptions, euphoria, relaxation, appetite changes and many more. Since pre-Neolithic period, w**d has been a popular plant in Japan, for fiber and as food source, and it is highly believed that w**d was popular as a psychoactive drug. In China, h**p fiber imprints were found on pottery from the 5th millennium BC. There are evidences that they used w**d to make clothes, shoes, ropes and paper. In ancient Korea w**d or cannabis was considered to be an important crop, with samples of w**d based fabric, found based back as early as 3000 BCE. In many modern IndoAryan languages, references for w**d can be found.
W**d was a known substance to the ancient Assyrians, Scythians, Thracians, Greeks and there are historical evidences that they used w**d as an aroma and burned w**d flowers to induce trance. Many people would inhale the w**d-seed smoke both as a ritual and for their own pleasurable recreation.
Just like today, there were restrictions on w**d reported in the Islamic world by the 14th century. There were also jurisdictions around the world banning cannabis at various times since the middle ages. These bans were further encouraged by capital punishments as the penalty for consuming w**d. In the late 19th century, w**d was recognized as a restricted substance in many colonial countries. Many scholars suggest that these countries are often associated with racial and class stresses due to w**d been illegal or restricted. In 1300s "Soudoun Sheikouni", the emir of the Joneima in Arabia, prohibited the use of w**d, making is one of the earliest w**d ban in the world. Along with the European colonial powers associated with cannabis- consuming regions, the habit of consuming w**d began to spread to new countries, under the colonial rule. And this opened the eye of many alarming authorities against w**d. During 1798-1801, Napoleon banned consuming w**d among his soldiers. It is believed that w**d was introduced to Brazil by Portuguese colonists or by African slaves in the late 1800s. Although the Portuguese colonists wanted to use the African man
power to cultivate w**d for fiber, the imported Africans were familiar with w**d by the time, so that they consumed it for its psychoactive features. This led the Municipal Council of Rio de Janeiro to prohibit bringing w**d into the city and to punish the use of cannabis by any slave in 1830.
A similar scenario took place in the Eastern Asian countries, as the British practice of transporting millions of Indians to labor in European colonies as a substitute for slave labor.This resulted in spreading the ancient practice of consuming w**d. In 1840, British Mauritius banned cannabis use as the use of cannabis by laborers raised numerous concerns in the country. The use of w**d by Indian laborers in British Singapore led the government to ban
w**d in 1870. In 1870, South Africa passed the Coolie Law Consolidation, prohibiting âthe smoking, use or possession by and the sale, barter or gift to, any Coolies whatsoever, of any
portion of the h**p plantâŚ
Legality of W**d
The legality of w**d for both medical and recreational use differs from country to country, in terms of possession, distribution and cultivation of w**d. Regarding the use of cannabis for medical purposes, there are laws regulating how w**d can be consumed and for what medical conditions if can be used. These laws in most countries are regulated by three United Nations treaties named the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and the 1988 Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Single Convention treaty classified w**d as a Schedule I drug, which allowed the signatories to use cannabis for Medical purposes but it is considered to be an addictive drug with a high risk of abuse.
Many countries have banned the use of w**d for recreational purposes and these countries include Afghanistan that recently faced highly chaotic situation. Many European countries such as France, Russia and United Kingdom have banned w**d for recreational purposes. Still many countries have adopted a policy of Decriminalization, which reclassified the laws related to certain acts or aspects of w**d. This decriminalization made it simple possession w**d a non-criminal offense. Some Asian countries have much more seriouspenalties for different aspects of w**d. A good example would be that in most of the Asian countries, possession of even small amounts of w**d is punished by imprisonment for several years. This includes Sri Lanka, Singapore and even recognized economic giants such as China.
It is a very progressive step that most of these countries now have a discussion on how w**d can be used for economic purposes in the country, yet the practicality of the outcome of these countries is still questionable. One reason why these countries are still lacking behind, could be the cultural and social values that are practiced in these countries.
Countries that have legalized the recreational use of cannabis are Canada, Georgia, Mexico and District of Columbia in the United States. In Canada and Uruguay, the commercial sale of recreational w**d is legalized nationwide. In all subnational U.S jurisdictions except for Washington DC, the possession of w**d as a recreational drug is legalized. In Netherlands, there is a policy of limited enforcement adopted, where only the licensed shops are allowed
to sell w**d.
Among the countries that have legalized w**d for medical use, Germany, Greece, Italy, Jamaica and United Kingdom are few well known countries. In some of these countries, there are restrictive laws, ensuring the use of certain cannabis-based pharmaceuticals such as Sativex, Epidiolex and Marinol. Although in the United States, 36 states, 4 territories and the district of Columbia have legalized the medical use of cannabis, at the federal level, the
use of w**d remains prohibited.
The history is about to change!
There is more progressive discussion and public support for w**d law reform than ever before, as suggested by the recent polls carried out worldwide. These polls show that
more than half of the world is now in favor of legalizing w**d, for its recreational and medical purposes. On the other hand, the world is gradually coming into the perception that possession or consuming of cannabis cannot be an illegal act and that w**d can be used as a way of increasing revenue. DPA (The Drug Policy Alliance) thoroughly believes that w**d should be removed from the criminal legal system and that the adult use of w**d should be
regulated, with equity, social justice and community reinvestment at the core.
Many campaigns such as âStart SMART NYâ in New York, âThe New Solutions Campaignâin New Jersey and âRecreational Ma*****naâ in Missouri have raised the question of appropriateness of the laws and regulations, prohibiting certain aspects and acts of w**d
nationwide. All these campaigns seek to create a new, well-regulated and inclusive w**d industry that adheres to the racial, social and economic justice. Many of these campaigns
have achieved a certain level of success with astonishing results, such as abolishing racist cannabis enforcement. One of the most recent victory is the Cannabis Regulation Act and an automatic expungement and resentencing bill passed in New Mexico in March 2021. MORE Act (Ma*****na Opportunity Reinvestment & Expungement Act), now ensures that Federal Ma*****na reform puts those have been most harmed by prohibition front and center.
It might take many decades from now, but one day, our younger generations will be able to experience all the positive traits of w**d in future!
Why should we legalize w**d?
1. Being far safer than alcohol, to***co and even many medicines, w**d not should be considered illegal and in a nation dedicated to âlife, liberty and pursuit of happinessâthe government should not tear families apart over a nature-gifted plant. Legalizing w**d can also reduce harm as criminalization of w**d use disproportionally affects the younger generation and certain nations, while sponsoring unbearable levels of violence and corruption.
2. Prohibition wastes public resources, while legalizing and taxing cannabis brings in much-needed revenue. Proper legalizing and regulating w**d may open up one of the nationâs biggest cash crops under the rule of law. On the other hand, this will create an effective job market and economic opportunities in the recognized economy other than of the illicit market.
3. Legalizing w**d can save money as the limited law enforcement resources can be better used to bring down the court costs, while ensuring the betterment of the general public.
4. Legalizing w**d may affect positively to reduce the real crime rate of the country. Reports have shown that arresting cannabis offenders prevents the law authorities from focusing on real crimes such as rapes, robberies and burglary. This will also ensure the public safety.
5. This will also ensure that consumers are well informed about the substances they use. W**d product testing is a rising requirement for legalized w**d shops and sellers. This suggests that the consumers are well informed about the w**d they use, as ignorance have raised serious health and social issues.
Other than these, there are many advantages of legalizing w**d nationwide and it is quite important to kickoff serious dialogue on how w**d can be utilized for the betterment of the
human kind.
Let them bake- For the fulfillment of the world peace!
**dwix **p **pculture **d **dnews **dtrends **dtrendsetters **plife **dlife **dhumor **dcontrol **dculture **d **dla
