Why illegal?

[Nullifidian]

Hi! I'm new to the forum, so I don't know if this question has been asked and answered, but I'm curious to know just why pot was made illegal in the first place. I've heard a few different things, none of which I'm sure about, but I figured here I could get the straight dope, so to speak.

Thanks!

Walt

[ILoveYouMaryJane]

america hates mexicans!

[whyamiwhite]

that's why pot's illegal???? youre retarted imo.

[zooted999]

that's why pot's illegal???? youre retarted imo.

Actually, he's right. I don't blame you for thinking it sounds absurd, because it is absurd. A founding reason as to the illegality of weed was because white Americans saw a bunch of Mexicans and black jazz musicians smoking and got upset. The fundamental reason is one of racism.

Additionally, Anslinger (the guy who lead the anti-pot campaign originally) also wanted it illegalized so eventually alcohol would be illegalized again after the Prohibition failed.

[PieEyedPiper]

After the alcohol prohibition ended in the U S A, there were many underemployed cops, so they were put in a group that was later to become the D E A . The industrial hemp used to make rope etc was eventually phased out so there was no legal reason to grow it