The history of U.S. policy toward mind-altering substances has followed cycles of tolerance and intolerance ever since the mid-19th century. Walking into a smoked filled room, of young and old engaged in therapeutic activities for numerous health conditions, has been practice worldwide. In fact, the medical use of the cannabis plant goes back at least 5,000 years to ancient China. It was used by most of the world's cultures for its healing properties (Medical Marijuana Cases 1). Today such conditions as Migraine headaches, Glaucoma, Cancer, Epilepsy, Asthma AIDS/HIV, Spinal injury, Muscle spasms, Insomnia etc., could be treated for symptomatic relief with cannabis or cannabis extract. However, marijuana is still considered an
He remains there to this day (Schlosser 90).5 Perhaps the politicians real fear was that freedom to use soft drugs would automatically progress to increased use of substance such as cocaine and heroin. If so they must have overlooked the recent Dutch government review which pointed out that decriminalization or possession of soft drugs has not led to a rise in the use of hard drugs (Lancet 1).6 Studies revealed that almost a third of all violent offenders who are released from prison will be arrested for another violent crime within three years. No one knows how many violent crimes these inmates commented without ever being caught. According to a report from the Center of Juvenile and Criminal Justice, Californians' much heralded "three strikes you're out", twice as many people have been imprisoned for marijuana offenses compared to murdering, raping, and kidnapping combined (Schlosser 92).5 Newt Gingrich introduced legislation demanding either a life sentence or death penalty for anyone caught bringing more than two ounces of marijuana into the United States. Gringrich's bill attracted twenty-six
Rivera 5 co-sponsors, though if failed to reach the house floor. Under civil forfeiture statues passed by Congress in the 1980's, the federal government now has the right to seize real estate,