Freedom of Choice What are these made of? Cannabis in the United States of America Founding Fathers & prominent Cannabis Farmers and. Their dilemma with hemp Facts about Cannabis Global demand for paper will double within 25 years. Annually, 1 acre of hemp will produce as much paper as 4 acres of trees. Cannabis can be converted into clean-burning ethanol fuel Hemp seeds contain a protein that is more nutritious and more economical to produce than soybean protein. Cotton grows only in moderate climates and requires 1500 Gallons of water per pound of product yielded; Hemp is frost tolerant, requires only 750 gallons of water per pound of usable product, and grows in all 50 states. Cotton requires large quantities of pesticides and herbicides--50% of the world's pesticides/herbicides are used on cotton Hemp requires no pesticides, no herbicides, and only moderate amounts of fertilizer. History s Domestic production of hemp was strongly encouraged by the government mostly for the production of rope, sails, and clothing. In 1619 the Virginia Assembly passed legislation requiring every farmer to grow hemp. Hemp was exchanged as legal tender in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland. Domestic production flourished until after the Civil War, when imports and other domestic materials replaced hemp for many purposes. s Mexican immigrants introduce recreational use of marijuana leaf 1906 Due to marijuana becoming a popular ingredient in many medicinal products The Pure Food and Drug Act began required labeling of any cannabis contained in over-the-counter remedies. 1910 After the Mexican Revolution, Mexican immigrants flooded into the U.S. The drug rapidly became associated with the immigrants, and the fear and prejudice about the Spanish-speaking newcomers became associated with marijuana. Anti-drug campaigners warned against the encroaching "Marijuana Menace," and terrible crimes were attributed to marijuana and the Mexicans who used it. History 1930 As the great depression sets in the rise in unemployment creates a fear and resentment for the Mexican laborers that are Taking all the jobs 1930 The FBN known today as the DEA is created and headed by Harry J Anslinger who was in command from He has many questionable quotes. There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana usage. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others. Reefer makes darkies think they're as good as white men. You smoke a joint and you're likely to kill your brother. History 1936 the propaganda film Reefer Madness was produced. Little know fact that film was paid for by a group of liquor companies eager to distance themselves form the prohibition that ended in 1933 1937 Marijuana Tax Act After a lurid national propaganda campaign against the "evil weed," Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act. The statute effectively criminalized marijuana Shortly before marijuana was banned by The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, new technologies were developed that made hemp a potential competitor with the newly-founded synthetic fiber and plastics industries. Hemp's potential for producing paper also posed a threat to the timber industry. Evidence suggests that commercial interests played a large roll in the propaganda that created the hysteria that surrounded the criminalization of marijuana 1942 HEMP FOR VICTORY During World War II, the U.S. government urged patriotic American farmers to grow hemp and began companing with the slogan of HEMP FOR VICTORY War on Drugs Enactment of federal laws (Boggs Act, 1952; Narcotics Control Act, 1956) which set mandatory sentences for drug-related offenses, including marijuana. A first-offense marijuana possession carried a minimum sentence of 2-10 years with a fine of up to $20,000. 1960s Presidents Kennedy and Johnson found that marijuana use did not induce violence nor lead to use of heavier drugs 1972 The bipartisan Shafer Commission, appointed by President Nixon at the direction of Congress, considered laws regarding marijuana and determined that personal use of marijuana should be decriminalized. Nixon rejected the recommendation 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act - Mandatory Sentences President Reagan signed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act, instituting mandatory sentences for drug-related crimes. In conjunction with the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984, the new law raised federal penalties for marijuana possession and dealing 1989 Bush's War on Drugs President George Bush declares a new War on Drugs in a nationally televised speech. Medical Uses of Cannabis Nausea and Vomiting; Anorexia and Cachexia; Spasticity; Movement Disorders; Pain; Glaucoma; Epilepsy; Asthma; Dependency and Withdrawal; Psychiatric Symptoms; Autoimmune Diseases and Inflammation; Miscellaneous, Mixed Syndromes Opiates and Amphetamines We the people of the United States now give $40,000,000,000 a year to wage a war on drugs The United States alone has imprisoned 400,000 non violet offenders on Drug charges The number of people murdered due to illegal drug distribution in the United States alone is over 1000 per year this number does not include gang members killed by rival gangs The estimated drug related murders including gang members is estimated to be around 35,000 per year in the United States alone Portugal Cry's Foul Play The United Nations Claims that from the Murder Rate in Portugal rose by 40% Portugal Claims Success but has said that the United Nations has threatened the small European country with tax increases on shipping goods in and out of the country whos western border is a main shipping port for goods in the region. The United Nations Claims that the political environment of Portugal is plagued with corruption and has even suggested that Portugal is trying to become a primary distributor of Narcotics in the region