Symbol of the Hippie Counter Culture

In 1961 Anslinger secured a treaty that would change the image of cannabis around the world; the legislation known as the 1961 Single Convention Narcotic Treaty exported our anti-marijuana laws to one hundred and sixty countries around the world. Unfortunately for Anslinger decades of prohibition and scare tactics didn't stop a monumental change in the acceptance of cannabis within the United States. For the first time middle class, white Americans began using marijuana this happened when the hippie counter-culture which was synonymous with marijuana use
became the majority culture.


Under the bureaucratic authority of Harry Anslinger any research into the therapeutic benefits of cannabis was prohibited until 1962.  After which time he was forced into retirement (Omni Magazine, Sept. 1982) . For a brief period between 1962 and 1976 researchers were able to study the therapeutic and medicinal benefits of cannabis. With the growing popularity of cannabis by the hippy counter-culture, millions of Americans started using cannabis.

This caused concerned parents and the federal government to want to know the dangers associated with marijuana which has been stigmatized for over thirty years thanks to Hearst and Anslinger. Research sponsored by the Federal Government began to ease the fears American's once had towards the “evil weed” thanks to countless studies that suggested an array of therapeutic uses  hidden inside the cannabis plant. Ultimately, this research started to become relevant in terms of readmitting the plant back into mainstream medicine. 

This research lasted until 1976 when cannabis was once again lobbied against this time by the pharmaceutical companies. With marijuana use peaking in the 60's and into the 1970's until the war against marijuana was once again given a boost. Nixon announced the War on Drugs in 1971. Since this announcement millions of cannabis users have been arrested and imprisoned for simple possession of the cannabis plant. 

                                                  

To learn more about cannabis laws in your state or to get involved with movements happening in your areas visit: http://norml.org