It was then that marijuana became a social problem, "marijuana is depicted as an alien intrusion into American life, capable of transforming healthy teenagers into sex- crazed maniacs." (RM 19) marijuana being bad lasted for about 30-40 years. In 1937 it was a federal offense to possess marijuana.
Marijuana was later decriminalized during the Hippy, Vietnam War era. Everybody was smoking it included college kids. There was even a law that said that we should not put weed in the same category as other drugs. They even used it for medical reasons. In the late 70's early 80's, too many people began to smoke marijuana. Parents began to speak out against it; they did not want their children in danger. As a result marijuana was illegal again. Under the Regan administration penalties for drug usage became harsher and heavier, and usage went down. Penalties became prison time, assets seized, and government assistance and opportunities stopped. Until today, these harsh penalties are still in tact. Marijuana users get more prison time than murderers, rapist and thieves. Michael Young got life in prison without parole for just being a co-conspirator with marijuana; he had no evidence against him just statements.
The section on marijuana not only cover its legal history, but also the steps on how to os cultivated and distributed. Marijuana can be grown indoors and outdoors. When it is cultivated outdoors, they usually did it under corn crops or in deserted areas where it would not be detected, when it is cultivated indoors, to get the best, most potent weed, it can cost a lot of money and time and equipment to maintain of. The process includes drilling holes for drainage, building cooling systems, assembling ballast and reflectors, growth lights with halide bulks, and planting the plant. Also, a generator is needed so that high electric bill won't e detection (30). The prices of marijuana from the grower to the distributor can go as much as $1200 a pound.