It has been a long road to cannabis legalization. It is suggested that cannabis has been around for thousands of years. However, it has only been legal in New Jersey since 2021.
What took legislators so long to approve this drug? The media portrayed a lot of stigma about cannabis. In fact, Reefer Madness, a film from 1936, likely started it all.
Reefer Madness was a public service announcement and exploitation film about drug use and abuse. The film was used to spread misinformation and fear about marijuana. Figures like Harry J. Anslinger used this propaganda to portray cannabis users as violent and insane. This led to the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, which effectively criminalized the plant.
Reefer Madness contributed to deeply embedded stereotypes that persisted for decades. In the 1950s, stricter mandatory sentences for drug offenses, including marijuana, further solidified its image as a dangerous substance akin to much harder drugs. Fast forward to the 1970s, when a major turning point emerged under President Richard Nixon.
His launch of the “War on Drugs” targeted entire communities. Marijuana was grouped with far more dangerous narcotics and criminalized on an unprecedented level. Under the Controlled Substances Act, cannabis was designated a Schedule I drug, which means it was classified as even more dangerous than cocaine or methamphetamine. This decision stalled scientific research and triggered a global chain reaction, with other countries adopting similar policies.
Advocates Speak Out for Change
Despite decades of stigma, advocates refused to let cannabis disappear into infamy. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, grassroots activists began speaking out. Many were seriously ill patients who believed cannabis could save their lives.
California’s Proposition 215 in 1996 marked a historic shift, as it legalized medical marijuana. Gradually, discussions about medical cannabis for children began gaining cautious support. Determined parents, forward-thinking physicians, and researchers pushed past legal and ethical barriers to explore its medical potential.
These early pioneers set the foundation for today’s more open conversations. Because of their efforts, research has expanded, and policies have evolved, recognizing that cannabis can be a meaningful, life-changing option.
Marijuana in the 2000s
Marijuana has transformed from a symbol of anti-drug campaigns to a mainstream wellness ingredient, thanks to generational shifts, media influence, and powerful medical stories. Older generations, raised during fear-based drug education, are slowly changing their views. Gen Z, growing up with dispensaries and CBD culture, generally sees cannabis as a wellness tool rather than a threat.
Celebrities and social media have further normalized marijuana use. Meanwhile, national polls show that 70% of Americans now support marijuana legalization, reflecting a cultural shift toward acceptance.
Contact Us Today
It’s amusing how the media can portray things in such a negative light. A movie can create a long-running stigma until activists speak up and educate others. Thanks to these activists, cannabis has become more widely available.
There is no stigma attached to it in New Jersey, so come on out to City Leaves and browse our cannabis products. We even offer a loyalty program so you can earn while you burn. Check us out today by visiting our Egg Harbor store. You can also call (609) 288-8574.