Sending/checking email
We are in the process of checking your details/sending you an email. This may take a few seconds, so please be patient.
Close
A History of Marijuana in California and America
Marijuana is one of the world's oldest drugs, but it's had a tumultuous time in America. From wonder drug and industrial power at the turn of the century it turned into a demonic drug by the 1920s. As the debate around marijuana springs up again, learn more about the history of this controversial plant.
This timeline was created as part of the [Republic of Cannabis](http://www.kqed.org/news/bayarea/republicofcannabis/), a project of the Center for Investigative Reporting and KQED.;xNLx;;xNLx;Reported by Julia Bernstein and Lisa Pickoff-White;xNLx;;xNLx;Produced by Lisa Pickoff-White
Mass. Prohibits Marijuana
Governor Eugene Foss signs the first law prohibiting marijuana in the United States.
Federal Gov't Bans Recreational Marijuana
The Marihuana Tax Act banned the recreational use of marijuana through prohibitive taxation/penalties.
First People Jailed for Marijuana Possesion
Samuel R. Caldwell, 58, of Denver, Colorado, became the first marijuana seller arrested under federal law. He was also the first convicted, and spent four years in Leavenworth Penitentiary.
United Nations Bans Marijuana
The United Nations creates an international treaty to ban marijuana, along with other narcotics.
Controlled Substances Act Criminalizes Marijuana
While the 1937 tax act prohibited marijuana, it did not ban it. So in 1970 the federal government clarified that with the Controlled Substances Act, which bans specific drugs from any use.
NORML Forms
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws forms with a $5,000 grant from the Playboy Foundation.
Federal Commission Suggests Decriminalizaton
The Nixon-appointed Shafer Commission finds evidence that the "gateway theory" of marijuana use is false.
Oregon Decriminalizes Small-Scale Possession
Oregon becomes the first state to affirm the Shafer Commission's recommendation to decriminalize a small amount of marijuana for adult, personal use.
First Medical Cannibis Patient
Robert Randall becomes the first medical cannabis patient in the U.S.
Pres. Carter Addresses Congress on Drug Use
President Jimmy Carter addresses Congress on the subject of drug addiction and illegal substances. During his campaign he spoke about decriminalizing marijuana.
Sign up
Signing up takes less than a minute - you'll be creating your first timeline in almost no time.
CloseContact us
We'd love to hear from you. So if you want to ask us any questions, offer feedback on the site or would like to buy the professional version of our software and host it on your site, please drop us a line.
We can be contacted by email at: hello@tiki-toki.com.
You can also follow us on twitter at twitter.com/tiki_toki.
If you are having any problems with Tiki-Toki, please contact us as at: help@tiki-toki.com
Close