lness, many people young and old, will choose not to usemarijuana. There is good reason still for a thumbs-down attitude regarding the drug. Casual use has not beenfound to be damaging, but there is still a chance that it is. Certainly the cruel shock of an encounter with thelaw is still real enough. However small the risk, many people consider it too great for the potential pleasure. Marijuana, whose scientific name is cannabis sativa, was mentioned in historical manuscripts as early as2700 B.C.. in China. (Grolier Electronic Encyclopedia, 1998). The cultivation of the marijuana plant beganas far back as the Jamestown settlers, around 1611, who used hemp produced from the marijuana plant’sfibers to make rope and canvas. It was also used in making clothing because of its durability. These uses fitwith the social climate of the time, because the main focus was on survival rather than for psychoactivepurposes. Beginning in the 60’s marijuana use saw a resurgence which may be attributed to many causes. One ofthe main causes was the rebellion of youth against the Vietnam War. They used marijuana as an escape fromwas to peace. It was easy at this time to depict marijuana as a beneficial and completely harmless substancewhose effect were far less harmful than those of legal drugs such as alcohol and nicotine because there was notenough scientific research done during the 60’s (Grolier Wellness Encyclopedia, pg. 54). The current atmosphere provides for doctor to suggest synt...
