They Lied About Cannabis for 90 Years… Here’s Why
For decades, the U.S. government targeted cannabis not because of the plant itself, but because of the power it threatened. Early criminalization was driven by racism and propaganda under Harry Anslinger, followed by pressure from industries threatened by hemp and plant medicine. In the 1970s, cannabis became a political weapon during the War on Drugs, used to police Black communities and antiwar groups. Today, resistance to legalization comes from big pharma, alcohol interests, and federal agencies that benefit from prohibition. Once laws were in place, bureaucracy and stigma kept them alive. Understanding this history shows why cannabis reform has taken so long — and why it matters now more than ever.