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Marijuana is one of many names for the herbal form of cannabis, so called for containing a class of chemicals called cannabinoids. The human body naturally produces cannibinoid compounds which are involved in pain, memory, neurodegeneration, and inflammation. The major active compound in marijuana is 9-tetrahydrocannibinol (THC). The intoxicating effects of THC on an individual who has smoked or ingested the compound are similar to alcohol. It is also known that THC, most likely acting via the cannabinoid receptor in the brain, stimulates appetite, alleviates nausea, and in some instances reduces the symptoms of depression.

Cannabis has a long history of use in the common era, both legal and illegal, and society has shown a love/hate relationship towards this herb. Older religions are infamous in some circles for their use of hallucinogenics or psychoactive (mind altering) chemicals to achieve a higher consciousness. An internet search turns up many individuals who still consider it a beneficial part of their spiritual awareness. The more traditional and accepted uses in this context include use by the Scythians as early as the 5th century BC, evidenced by archaeological finds of hemp seeds, and the Sadhus in India. Some scholars believe that cannabis may have been an ingredient in the holy anointing oil used in the ancient Judaic culture and some more speculative individuals believe that the Bible may reference Jesus smoking marijuana. Though the spiritual and ancient uses of marijuana are more subjective and open for debate, the truth remains that this herb has been smoked by people for a long time without developing a negative mythology, prior to 20th century America, as has been the case with alcohol, cigarettes, and opiates.

Marijuana has been criminalized in the United States since the mid 1900s. It was originally banned as a way to focus anti-Mexican sentiments since the perception was that most smokers were immigrants coming to the United States from Mexico. Marijuana was made a schedule 1 drug, putting it in the same category as LSD and heroin, in 1970 as a way to focus anti-hippie sentiments. This was a long cry from the original legislation in 1937, the Marihuana tax Act, placing a tax on the sale of the herb, similar to what is done today with tobacco. The later legislative era was plagued with outrageous statements of behavior alterations caused by smoking a marijuana cigarette. Pete Guither's Marijuana.DrugWarRant.com has some interesting quotes

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