Marijuana is the most lucrative cash crop in America, and has been around since the country’s beginnings. It is entwined with our history; the Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper by the founding fathers!
The use of marijuana was prohibited in the 1920s for various reasons, and in the 1930s, it was controlled as a narcotic in the USA. Even with the plant’s limitless applications in the medical field, several efforts to legalize marijuana usage in dispensaries have continuously failed.
Marijuana was first legalized in California, with over 200,000 California residents’ approval. In addition, it was one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana use. The journey of cannabis in California from legal to illegal to legal again has been remarkable.
Here is a timeline of how marijuana became legal.
Pre-legalization
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, cannabis’ sister crop, hemp, was widely used for textiles, paper, rope, clothing, paint, animal feed, and food. However, cannabis for medicinal use was first offered in the 1850s.
Cannabis Becomes Illegal..Sort of
As we reached 1907, California established the Poison and Pharmacy Act. This rule made it illegal to sell cocaine, morphine, or opium without a prescription. California then added weed to this list six years later, after two amendments in 1913 and 1915. The law stated that possession or preparations of hemp or weed (Cannabis sativa) would result in a six-year jail term.
Later, in 1927, rules prohibiting the use of opium were expanded and, the penalty for marijuana possession, sale, and cultivation increased drastically, and the potential jail term increased significantly – up to fifteen years in prison.
However, in 1964, a group of strong-minded individuals formed LEMAR (Legalize Marijuana) in California. They were determined to ensure the safe, accessible, and sustainable use of marijuana.
Marijuana legalization, which classified small quantities of the drug (28.5 grams) to be a civil instead of a jail time offense, was drafted in July 1975 when the Legislature enacted Senate Bill 95, later known as the Moscone Act.
Legalization
In 2000, most voters adopted Proposition 36, which mandated that first and second offense marijuana violators attend rehab for drug treatment rather than facing trial and possible jail terms.
In 2010, California State Senate Bill 1449 was signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. This law made possession of less than an ounce of weed a misdemeanor and a civil violation throughout the state. However, it was defeated as 54 percent of voters opposed it.
Finally, the big day came on November 8, 2016, when 57 percent of voters approved Proposition 64. The bill made the selling and distributing marijuana in dispensaries both dried and concentrated entirely legal.
Medical Marijuana in California
California’s medicinal cannabis program, Proposition 215, was adopted by voters in 1996, making medical marijuana legal in the state.
This amended state legislation to enable those suffering from any of the listed chronic conditions to have a legal right to access or produce marijuana for medicinal reasons when advised by a doctor.
The law also certified that dispensaries would face no consequences for recommending weed. State governments would devise a plan to supply marijuana to all people in medical needs safely and cost-effectively.
A study in the journal ‘Cancer’ discovered that cannabis relieved symptoms associated with Cancer or the adverse effects of cancer treatment, including pain, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, stress, and anxiety. Due to this research surrounding cannabis and cancer patients, WHTC Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary was founded in 2007 by our founder, a woman seeking to help her mother suffering from cancer.
WHTC LA
WHTC LA is a cannabis dispensary based in Studio City. Our objective is to establish a new standard for modern cannabis retail that is diverse, inclusive, and accessible to all. We provide a carefully chosen range of goods grown by specialists who believe great cannabis requires meticulous care and attention. If you’re in Studio City about to Google, “dispensary near me,” head to WHTC LA, we’re happy to help you select the best, high-quality cannabis products for your needs.