In 1930-34, yellow journalism, propagated by Harry Anslinger and William Randolph Hearst, influenced public opinion and law makers causing cannabis to be classified as a schedule 1 narcotic in the Uniform States Narcotic Act (1934). read more
The reason why they changed the name was because everyone knew of hemp and how amazing it was for the world. They would never be able to get away with banning hemp, so they used a name they knew no one would recognize. Not long after this plan was set in place, the media began a blitz of ‘yellow journalism’ in the late 1920s and 1930s. read more
Yellow Journalism; Ignorant, Incompetent, and/or Corrupt Legislators; Personal Career Advancement and Greed; These are the actual reasons marijuana is illegal. Background. For most of human history, marijuana has been completely legal. It’s not a recently discovered plant, nor is it a long-standing law. read more
I wouldn't say yellow journalism caused prohibition of marijuana, and therefore hemp, but rather was the means to an end. Racism, greed, and social control are the root causes. Yellow journalism was a tool to further the agenda of a few wealthy white men in influential and powerful positions. read more
To understand how cannabis became so stigmatized, you have to understand something about a plant that is very similar to cannabis but different enough that making it illegal would be preposterous: hemp. read more