What if marijuana never got criminalized?

[Pat the Baker]

Marijuana, a drug derived from the cannabis plant, has a long and complicated history. While there had been anti-marijuana legislation before the 20th century, it was generally isolated cases. That changed in the 1920s, when opposition to marijuana began to snowball worldwide. In 1961, the United Nations called for marijuana use to be stamped out worldwide. Since the 1980s, however, the pendulum has been swinging in the other direction, and the medical and recreational use of marijuana is increasingly becoming decriminalized and legalized.

What if opposition to marijuana never gained the steam it did and it remained legal in most countries throughout the 20th century?

 

[stubear1012]

This could lead to more tax revenue since it could be taxed like alcohol and tobacco. In the USA, it would fall under the ATF or renamed ATMF. I would also assume that there would be the same local laws restricting sales to minors.

Hopefully there would be more scientific research into the beneficial and harmful effects.

Also, it would remove one source of corruption, concerns police bribes and the growth in organized crime.

 

[chestanewmitz]

We'd all be charlie parker lovers with racially mixed couples as parents, if propaganda were right.
Hopefully we'd still be in the process of making the act of smoking a thing of the past, since there are ways to consume marijuana that aren't as harmful to one's lungs (or the lungs of everyone around).

 

[Dancing Fool]

In the USA, it would fall under the ATF or renamed ATMF. I would also assume that there would be the same local laws restricting sales to minors.

I also would like to see legalizing and sensible regulation,

but 2 obstacles—

People were suspicious of marijuana because in their mind it was connected to Mexican-American communities, and that’s just the fact of the matter. And . . .

The people who enforced Prohibition wanted a new mission.

 

[Casting Crown]

It probably wouldn't be as good either, one of the things that actually made into a plant that really does get you high is it being illegal.

Otherwise we'd be stuck with hemp that sometimes had 3% thc.

 

[brunohusker]

I think you’d see it be criminalized by certain states and others would tax the heck out of it.

 

[BiasHangover]

Once opium and cocaine became illegal it was only a matter of time before other unhealthy dangerous substances were banned, like how cigarettes are becoming criminalised.

 

[Casting Crown]

Once opium and cocaine became illegal it was only a matter of time before other unhealthy dangerous substances were banned, like how cigarettes are becoming criminalised.

Unhealthy dangerous?

You mean like titanium dioxide, brahmated vegetable oil, red 3, 40 yellow 5, 6.

Wait those are all still in food.

What then, you mean like alcohol.

Wait.

No.

Ah, you mean things to specifically criminalize certain groups of people and disproportionately arrest them for it.

Ah, ok those kinda, dangerous to society not yourself.

 

[BiasHangover]

Unhealthy dangerous?

You mean like titanium dioxide, brahmated vegetable oil, red 3, 40 yellow 5, 6.

Wait those are all still in food.

What then, you mean like alcohol.

Wait.

No.

Ah, you mean things to specifically criminalize certain groups of people and disproportionately arrest them for it.

Ah, ok those kinda, dangerous to society not yourself.

Weed is commonly smoked alongside with tobacco, so yeah it's dangerous just on that note. But even on it's own it increases mental health problems.

 

[PickledFish]

Weed is commonly smoked alongside with tobacco, so yeah it's dangerous just on that note. But even on it's own it increases mental health problems.

Depends on the person. Most of the people I know who smoke it don’t mix it with tobacco.
And it increases mental health problems among some people, but even as far back as the 1870s there were reports by the British government that noted that moderate use of cannabis is fine for most people.
There are some people who should not smoke cannabis, just as there are some people who should not drink alcohol or eat foods they’re allergic to.

But to answer OP’s question, I feel it round significantly change counterculture, where smoking marijuana was seen as an act of rebellion against authority. If it’s not illegal, then some other substance will take its place as the premier drug of choice for sticking it to the man. If it’s a more dangerous drug than cannabis, that could be bad for those involved.

 

[Casting Crown]

Weed is commonly smoked alongside with tobacco, so yeah it's dangerous just on that note. But even on it's own it increases mental health problems.

Really? Am I depriving myself I've never liked tobacco but I love some cannabis. 🙂🤣