with drug use . Shortly after this proposal , the board began staging raids that also focused on the Mexican communities around Los Angeles . “ Reefer makes darkies think they ’ re as good as white men ,” said Harry Anslinger . “ The primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races .” Anslinger would go on to help establish the prohibitive 1937 Marijuana Tax Act . ( Thank God equality has changed !)
Not to worry . The so-called “ degenerate races ” using marijuana went on to create one of America ’ s greatest cultural assets — Jazz . We all know the Roaring ‘ 20s gave way to a thriving Jazz Scene where marijuana was heralded as sacred . In the counterculture , this sentiment held strong even through the cookie-cutter days of the 1950s and “ Leave it to Beaver .”
Major developments in understanding cannabis came in the 1960s , when Israeli chemist Dr . Raphael Mechoulam discovered the molecular structure of THC . After more research about how THC worked within the body , he postulated that our bodies must also produce cannabinoids , introducing us to the endocannabinoid system . With folks like Mechoulam and psychedelic guru Timothy Leary on the scene in the ‘ 60s , America ’ s curiosity and exploration of psychoactive substances piqued . How could it not ? Leary hosted
( Photo Credits see below )
Human Be-In ( consumption ) gatherings built on the back of the mantra “ turn on , tune in , drop out .” And that we did .
The next few decades are a tug-of-war in the land of cannabis law and regulation . In 1971 , the Netherlands paved the way and became the first to demote marijuana to a less dangerous drug category . By 1973 , Oregon became the first state to decriminalize cannabis . Between 1975 -1978 , Comoros became the first modern country to fully legalize cannabis use when Ali Soilih took over . Legalization on this paradise island off the coast of Africa was brief and controversial and swiftly changed when Soilih was overthrown .
California sprang into action in 1966 , becoming the first state to legalize marijuana through its Compassionate Use Act . Since then , states keep hopping on board . To date , only four states don ’ t allow some form of the plant by way of recreational , medicinal , or CBD ( Cannabidiol ) use .
With the adult-use initiative well on its way in Missouri in 2022 , we have another opportunity to usher in a new era of firsts for cannabis : Recreational use in the Show-Me State .
Surely , Leary will smile down on us from his psychedelic heaven .
Karla Deel is the Flora Farms Marketing Director , a writer , poet , and researcher , with a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Media Arts from the University of Missouri-Kansas City . She ’ s published a book titled “ Storied & Scandalous Kansas City , a History of Corruption Mischief and a Whole Lot of Booze .” Deel also serves on the Jackson County Historical Society board , works in communications for the Friends of the Kansas City Public Library , and volunteers for several local nonprofits . Visit Karla at
www . KarlaDeel . com .