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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

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~"Cannabis" was commonly used prior to the 1930's.
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~"Marijuana" was the preferred term used in Anslingers anti drug campaign. Often, as a negative association with minorities.
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~The word marijuana replaced cannabis, in the American lexicon, after passage of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937.
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~"Pot" comes from the Spanish word "potiguaya".
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Gallup Marijuana Poll
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What’s in a name... Cannabis or Marijuana?


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By:Staff 2/24/2014 ~ TCG

In the United States, prior to the 20th century,  the plant that most folks, today call “marijuana”, was broadly known as “Cannabis Sativa”.   Beginning with the colonists, it was grown primarily for its hemp fiber. Hemp was a staple of the period. Farmers, even used the the seeds and plant material for feed.  

While the plants medicinal and narcotic nature, was widely known abroad, it wasn't until the mid 1800’s that Americans really began to use cannabis medicinally.  Recreational use was still uncommon among most Americans.   In this regard,  it was more likely that the "substance", would have been alluded to, in all forms, as hashish or Indian hemp. For example,  not many people, after reading “The Hasheesh Eater “, first published in 1857 by F. Ludlow , would associate  “hashish” with domestic hemp cultivation..

Through the end of the 19th century, to the 1930’s, “cannabis”, was still the popular term used.  However, this is where things start to change.   With the rise of the  temperance movement, and the growing opinion, that all forms of intoxication was morally objectionable, the language began to change.

While recreational use was still fairly rare among the public, there were the “deviants”.  Groups of people, who were said to be, known users of cannabis.  Cannabis began to be associated with crime, insanity and all forms of debauchery one could imagine.

 For instance, it was known, that seasonal farm workers from Mexico, often smoked “marihuana” to get high. And that  ”Oriental” marijuana "tea pads" were as likely to be found as opium dens. In the mid west, and up the eastern seaboard,  jazz entertainers, blues players, drifters and bohemians smoked “reefer”.  Indubitably… All, being cause for alarm. <insert snark>

In the run up to the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, the propaganda war against cannabis was being waged. Newspaper articles and films, such as “Reefer Madness”, pointedly bares out the use of these often race related, triggers of  association.  Dog whistle politics, were played as much then, as they are today.

The campaign was being led by Federal Bureau of Narcotics commissioner, Harry Anslinger. As part of a larger effort against drug use, Anslinger focused on cannabis in a precise and targeted manner. Using his alleged ties to the media, the public was bombarded with a the prospect of a new threat… “Marijuana”.   “Yes… marijuana… or as the youth call it... reefer.”

Marijuana became the new cannabis.   As if in an instance, the relationship between cannabis and hemp, to marijuana was erased. Outside of scientific or medical journals, the word marijuana, replaced cannabis in the American lexicon.

Even with the campaign against cannabis, for the most part, it was a non issue, for most Americans. Legislation citing “marijuana”, moves seemingly with ease, through congress.  And in 1937 the Marijuana Tax Act became law.

To this day, a majority of Americans continue to refer to cannabis, as  marijuana. There are of course, many slang terms that have become popular over the years. Some of the terms are dated and no longer used. Others are based on region and local culture.

Despite the appearance of many slang terms over the years, "weed" and "pot", still remain highly popular. With "weed" being the most popular of all terms. Even topping "marijuana". The origin of the word "weed", used to describe cannabis, is pretty obvious. It's a noxious weed after all. "Pot", on the other hand, didn't become popular until the media scare of 30's. Apparently, it comes from the Spanish word "potiguaya"... a marijuana and brandy concoction. It was called the "Drink of Grief".

It should also be noted, that use of the term "cannabis", has been slowly making a comeback into common use. This is most likely due to people becoming more informed about marijuana in general or perhaps, a bit of cannabis snobbery is at play. Ha!

No matter what you call it, most folks, will probably get what you're smoking.

Other choice words used to describe cannabis: ganja, dope, dank, chronic, herb, bud, smoke, cheeba, schwag, regs, kind...



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