Many people in the United States uses marijuana but do they know the effects. A lot of people also use the drug because they think that they are cool if they do use it. People also use the drug to escape from problems that they have. So in my paper I will inform these people what they are doing to themselves. Then maybe the people that think that they are cool will quit using the drug.
Marijuana, whose scientific name is cannabis stiva, was first talked about as early as 2700 B.C., in China. People started to grow marijuana around 1611 in Jamestown, Virginia. They used the fibers of the plants to make rope and canvas. They also used it to make clothes because it stayed together well. The settlers also used it because they could not find alcohol. So instead of drinking alcohol they would smoke the marijuana. .
In 1937 the government issued the Marijuana Tax Act, which put a dollar of tax on an ounce of marijuana. If the people did not go by this law they were $2,000 and would be put into jail. Then also in 1937 marijuana was outlawed. Then in the 1960's during the Vietnam War young people started to use the drug again. They would use the drug to escape from the war to peace. At this time they though that it was beneficial to use the drug because they thought that it was less harmful the alcohol and nicotine.
Marijuana in the 60's was way less potent than what it is now. In the 60's it was known as hippie weed. Marijuana potency is measured by THC, which stands for Tetrahydrocannabinol. It uses to range in potency form one to two percent of THC. It now ranges in potency from four to six percent. The kind of weed that is grown without seeds ranges in potency from six to eight percent.
THC is the chemical in marijuana that makes you feel high. Certain parts of the plant have more THC than others. The buds of the plants have the most THC. When you smoke marijuana it goes into the blood and through your lungs quickly.
