why is weed illegal

The primary reason why weed (cannabis) is illegal in many places, especially historically in the United States, is rooted in a combination of racism, political motivations, and economic interests rather than primarily health concerns. Cannabis became stigmatized and criminalized during the early 20th century as Mexican immigrants introduced the drug to the U.S. This led to racist fears and xenophobia, with cannabis being linked to violence and social deviance in propaganda campaigns. Influential figures like Harry J. Anslinger used racist rhetoric to push for a federal ban, promoting the idea that marijuana was a danger particularly to minorities and society at large. This culminated in the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 and later the Controlled Substances Act that classified marijuana as a Schedule I drug with a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, despite scientific evidence. Economic motives also played a role. Industries like pharmaceuticals, alcohol, textiles, and law enforcement lobbied against legalization to protect their interests, as cannabis threatened alternative markets. The illegality also enabled revenue generation through arrests and fines. Cultural attitudes that view alcohol as socially acceptable but cannabis as dangerous also influence its legal status. Overall, weed was made illegal more due to racist, political, and economic reasons rather than purely for public health or safety concerns, and these factors have deeply influenced its legal status that is only recently beginning to change in many places.