Cannabis History
Cannabis History
A Blunt History of Cannabis in The Great War
WWI Museum will host “ Operation : Reefer Madness , A Blunt History of Cannabis in WWI ” in August .
by Todd Scattini , contributing writer
If you think a museum — especially one dedicated to a war that took place over a century ago –– might be boring , think again because now , weed , pot , cannabis , marijuana is involved . This August , the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City will make the bold move to explore cannabis through the lens of military history . With this effort , they seek to determine what insights we might gather , considering the past and present , so that we may ponder the future of cannabis and how it can be used for the betterment of humanity .
The National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City , MO , is hallowed ground for many veterans who have served the nation in uniform and for families whose ancestors fought during WWI . It reminds us of our country ’ s rich military history and makes me proud to have served like others before me . The museum is Kansas City ’ s most visited attraction , hosting annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies , engaging displays of rare artifacts , and is the undisputed authority on the First World War . You may have seen the museum from a distance with its Liberty Memorial Tower flanked by two sphinxes providing a dominating view over Kansas City ’ s Union Station . Or perhaps you recall a visit during grade school where you struggled to comprehend why you should think or care about a war that your great-grandfather may have fought that took place in a land so far away .
World War I , which took place from 1914-1919 , was the last war the United States fought while cannabis was legal . Products made from cannabis Sativa L , or industrial hemp , were widely used in the form of ropes , tents , canvas , and many other necessary materials for wartime efforts . And , since cannabis was also widely used as medicine in the form of tinctures produced by American medical giants like Eli Lilly and others , there is a high likelihood that cannabis came to the European theater of operations as medicine for the horses and troops that served in this war . It is also probable that allied nations involved in the war used cannabis medicine , considering Napoleon ’ s troops had already brought hashish to the European continent after campaigns in Africa and the Middle East in the late 1700s . Dr . William O ’ Shaughnessy brought the plant to Great Britain ( and later America ), extolling its medical virtues in the 1850s .
The First World War , back then referred to as “ The Great War ,” was fought in Europe and included combatant nations of the United States , Great Britain , France , Russia , Germany , Italy , The Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires , and even Japan and Australia . It was a devastatingly violent war that was billed as “ the war to end all wars .” Clearly , this war did not end all wars . In fact , the calamitous end and punishing Treaty of Versailles led to the Second World War .
According to Census . gov , “ The total number of military and civilian casualties in World War I was around 40 million . There were 20 million deaths and 21 million wounded . The total number of deaths includes 9.7 million military personnel and about 10 million civilians .” It resulted in untold numbers of complex war injuries and “ shellshock ,” which we now know as PTSD . Many former combatants returned home and attempted to find relief in alcohol . This , coupled with the newfound rights for women to vote , led to the “ Temperance Movement ” and alcohol prohibition , which lasted from 1920-1932 . Once alcohol was re-legalized , the Federal agency created to enforce its prohibition turned its eyes toward marijuana , leading to decades of oppressive prohibition of a plant with devastating results for so many communities .
The WWI Museum will host an event called “ Operation : Reefer Madness , A Blunt History of Cannabis in WWI ” on Thursday , August 15th , from 6:30 p . m . – 8:30 p . m . in the museum ’ s auditorium and meeting spaces . The event will explore the “ cloudy past of America ’ s forbidden flower . In an evening of high spirits and hazy history .” With historians , academics , patients , veterans , and industry leaders , the program will focus on the evolution of cannabis use during the war , the roots and impact of its later prohibition , and the potential it has for the future . A panel conversation will be led by author , historian , and University of Ohio Professor Isaac Campos . Panelists will include U . S . military veterans and cannabis activists from Hemp For Victory , a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to inspiring and educating military and community leaders about the history and opportunity of hemp and cannabis . Other panelists will include Josh Mitchem , CEO of CLOVR Cannabis , and Brian James , General Manager at ReLeaf Resources Dispensary .
28 July 2024