The process of cannabis prohibition worldwide did not occur in a single day, but gradually from the beginning of the 20th century, influenced by international agreements.
We can summarize the process in three main stages:
Key Stages of Global Prohibition
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First International Steps (1920s)
The most critical turning point where cannabis began to be controlled globally was the 1925 Geneva International Opium Convention.
Egypt’s Proposal
The Egyptian representative proposed the inclusion of cannabis (especially hashish) in this convention, citing its negative effects on society.
Restriction
With this agreement, cannabis became usable “solely for medical and scientific purposes,” and its trade was subjected to international control.
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USA and the “Marihuana Tax Act” (1937)
One of the events that most influenced the global wave of prohibition took place in the USA.
Harry Anslinger
Harry Anslinger, head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, launched a major propaganda campaign portraying cannabis as “a dangerous drug leading to violence.”
The 1937 Act
Although the “Marihuana Tax Act” did not directly prohibit the use of cannabis, such heavy taxes and bureaucratic obstacles were imposed that its use became virtually impossible. This model was adopted by many countries.
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UN Single Convention (1961)
The most comprehensive document forming the basis of today’s global prohibitions is the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
Global Standard
With this convention, cannabis was included in the category of “most dangerous and having no/little medical value” substances (Schedule IV) along with substances like heroin and cocaine.
Member States’ Obligation
Signatory countries committed to completely prohibiting the recreational use and production of cannabis.
The approaches of states in the process of prohibiting cannabis were not solely health-oriented; social, economic, and political concerns were intertwined in this process. The main reasons behind labeling cannabis as “dangerous” can be listed as follows:
Reasons for Cannabis Prohibition
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Social Order and Fear of “Moral Decay”
At the beginning of the 20th century, many states argued that cannabis undermined the moral values of society.
Loss of Workforce
In industrializing societies, it was claimed that cannabis pushed people into “laziness” and “indifference,” thereby reducing economic productivity.
Association with Crime
Particularly in the USA, intensive propaganda was carried out claiming that cannabis drove people into uncontrollable rage and led to “madness” and violent crimes (murder, rape, etc.).
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Political and Racial Concerns
One of the darkest reasons behind the prohibitions was the association of cannabis with certain minority groups.
Anti-Immigrant Sentiment
The use of cannabis by Mexican immigrants in the USA, and by colonized peoples in Europe and the Middle East, was used as a tool to portray these groups as “dangerous” and “prone to crime.”
Control Mechanism
Prohibiting cannabis gave states easier authority to control and arrest minority groups and dissidents (e.g., the anti-war hippie movement of the 1960s).
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Medical and Psychological Concerns
The medical world of that period, although lacking sufficient data on the long-term effects of cannabis, put forward some serious claims:
Risk of “Mental Illness”
Reports were published claiming that cannabis led to “temporary insanity” or permanent schizophrenia.
Gateway Theory
It was believed that cannabis would eventually lead users to “harder” drugs like heroin and cocaine.
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Economic Interests (Industrial Competition)
Particularly in the USA example, the unrivaled position of industrial hemp (the non-psychoactive variety of cannabis) in the textile, paper, and plastic industries bothered some giant corporations.
Paper and Synthetic Fiber Lobby
It is a frequently debated topic that large companies producing paper from forest products and marketing synthetic fibers (nylon) supported the image of cannabis as a “dangerous drug” to eliminate hemp production.