Eight states have decriminalized the private possession of small amounts of marijuana, making it a civiloffense subject to minor punishment that does not include a criminal arrest record. Most states have made potpossession a misdemeanor rather than a felony, with others moving in that direction. Obviously the fight overmarijuana is continuing, although the principle of decriminalizing marijuana has not yet been generallyaccepted. Whatever the ultimate decision as to harmfulness, 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. ...
