The smoking of pot began to spread up the Mississippi from New Orleans and Mexico in the 1920’s,mostly in the hands of Mexican labor workers, black riverboatmen and jazz musicians. Hemp grown for thefibers and cannabis mixtures for medical purposes were known in this country long before that. Recreationaluse of the substance was virtually unknown in the United States. Marijuana in a reefer to be smoked, asintroduced from south of the border in the early years of the century, is still the form of cannabis generallyused in this country. The cannabis plant itself grows freely almost everywhere in the world, except for the cold regions. Theplants fall into three different groups with those from tropical climates markedly richer in THC than those fromcooler climates. The part of the plant used makes a difference in potency in a reefer (also known as joint orreefer). The female of the plant was long considered the potent partner, with the male almost withoutintoxicant content. In the past, male plants were weeded out to keep the female unfertilized and thereforesupposedly more productive in chemicals. Throughout history people have experimented with every part of the plant and developed dozens ofpreparations of smoking, eating, drinking, or sniffing the vapor as it burns. Effects vary according to theway preparation is taken in. Smoking the American joint also may have varying effectiveness. First time usersoften report feeling no effect at a...
