Introduction

With monumental legislation passing in Colorado and Washington the debate over the future of cannabis has made an expected turn towards regulation, taxation, and legalization. For the first time since the debate over cannabis prohibition propelled during the 1960’s, two states have voted to completely legalize cannabis for recreational use, despite criminalized prohibition on a federal level. After decades of racist, stereotypical, and false propaganda spread about cannabis, legislation changes at the state level are creating a controversial debate over the risks and benefits of allowing legal use. Regardless of the controversy on both sides of the debate--voters are starting to realize its simply ethically wrong to imprison millions of people for the possession of a plant.  

Cannabis prohibition is plaguing every level of society from the cartel violence happening at the border between the United States and Mexico, to the denial of vital medication for people suffering from chronic medical conditions, and the criminal implications forced on responsible, adult cannabis users. Unfortunately, thousands of adults every year are facing criminal charges for possession of a plant which hinders their ability to find employment, receive federal financial aid, and forever labels an offender as a criminal in the eyes of the law. While in certain states cannabis possession up to a certain level is completely legal. 


This new problem emerging from drastic differences in state laws is pushing cannabis  further into a grey area which is only increasing violence in areas where the plant is still strictly prohibited. With the future of cannabis in upheaval this blog dedicated to outlining the history of cannabis prohibition in the United States. Through examining the false propaganda spread to invoke public fear hopefully a future of individual freedom and legalized, regulated, and taxed use can happen for an industry potentially worth billions of dollars.