WHAT HAPPENED TO MARIJUANA?
Have you been wondering why we don’t use the word marijuana anymore? For instance, why aren’t we called Oceanside Marijuana or Parksville Marijuana Shop?
The word "marijuana" is commonly associated with the recreational use of cannabis, and while it's still used in some contexts, it has fallen out of favor in the cannabis industry due to its problematic history. In fact, the use of the word "marijuana" has been actively discouraged in the industry for many years. There are several reasons why this is the case, including the historical significance of the Marijuana Tax Act, racism, and the actions of Harry Anslinger.
Firstly, the Marijuana Tax Act, passed in 1937, played a significant role in the negative connotations surrounding the word "marijuana." The act was introduced as a way to regulate and tax the production and sale of cannabis, but it had the unintended consequence of criminalizing the use of the drug. The act used the term "marijuana" instead of cannabis, which was the commonly used term at the time. This was a deliberate choice, as the term "marijuana" was associated with the Mexican immigrants who were perceived as the primary users of the drug. By using a term that was seen as foreign and associated with a marginalized group, lawmakers were able to vilify cannabis and create a narrative that it was a dangerous drug that needed to be banned.
Secondly, the use of the term "marijuana" is also linked to racism. During the early part of the 20th century, there was a growing sentiment of xenophobia and racism towards Mexican immigrants, who were seen as a threat to the American way of life. This fear was exacerbated by the fact that many Mexican immigrants were using cannabis, which was legal at the time. Law enforcement officials and politicians used this fear to their advantage by associating cannabis with Mexican immigrants and portraying it as a dangerous drug that threatened the safety of white Americans. This racist narrative helped to fuel the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act, and it has had lasting effects on the perception of cannabis in American society.
Finally, the actions of Harry Anslinger, the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, further cemented the negative connotations surrounding the word "marijuana." Anslinger was a vocal opponent of cannabis and used his position of power to demonize the drug and those who used it. He frequently used racist language to describe cannabis users, referring to them as "marijuana-crazed negroes" and "satanic music jazz and swing orchestras." Anslinger's efforts to criminalize cannabis and his use of racist language helped to create a lasting stigma around the drug, and the term "marijuana" became synonymous with dangerous, criminal behavior.
In conclusion, the word "marijuana" is not commonly used in the cannabis industry due to its problematic history. The use of the word is linked to the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act, which criminalized the drug and used racist language to vilify its users. Additionally, the actions of Harry Anslinger, who used his position of power to demonize cannabis and those who used it, further cemented the negative connotations surrounding the word "marijuana." As a result, the cannabis industry has moved away from using the term in an effort to distance itself from this problematic history and to create a more positive image of the plant and its uses.
